Longest span you have been Unemployed?
What is the longest span of time you have been unemployed for?
This question sorta came about from almighty_gir's excellent post. There are plenty of "the economy suckzor!" and "Wher all da jabs at?" threads and I don't mean this to be one of those. This isn't a sob story and I am not asking for a portfolio review. I am really just curious.
I left my studio job a little more than a year ago of my own free will. I wanted to do some subject matter I liked a little more. I don't regret leaving but after a year I have some icky feelings starting to creep on me. I am still pretty motivated and still making/finishing art but after a year sometimes I can't help to think maybe I did the wrong thing.
This question sorta came about from almighty_gir's excellent post. There are plenty of "the economy suckzor!" and "Wher all da jabs at?" threads and I don't mean this to be one of those. This isn't a sob story and I am not asking for a portfolio review. I am really just curious.
I left my studio job a little more than a year ago of my own free will. I wanted to do some subject matter I liked a little more. I don't regret leaving but after a year I have some icky feelings starting to creep on me. I am still pretty motivated and still making/finishing art but after a year sometimes I can't help to think maybe I did the wrong thing.
Replies
In this time i was fortunate enough to work about an hours flight from her but in this time unhappiness and comfort left me really lacking any sort of concentration and proper portfolio upkeep.
So i was laid off after the project but luckily i got my worked visa sorted and finally was able to end these 2 years of a long distance marriage. So then started my 7 or so months of unemployment.
I was frankly relying too much on prior work and experience and i had no real organized portfolio. Had some interviews but in the end i didn't land the jobs and when you are desperate for a proper salary, missing out on a job really stings. So if i wanted to stay in this industry i needed to whip myself back in shape and get a proper portfolio up and some up to date finished work.
So i worked and worked,finished some pieces and got a website up and i landed an indie gig which paid a salary that barely covered food,so low in fact i paid no taxes on it but i got some new experience in the process and i even learned a new texturing style. But again it wasn't enough.
Eventually i found a job, a surprisingly good project and a salary so that has sparked a lot of energy i didnt have during those comfortable years and i am working my ass off to make really fucking good Warhammer environments. This renewed sense of energy im using to make this game as good as possible for my part and hopefully this will lead to work beyond.
The lesson i learned is that i want to remain in this industry i need to keep my abilities and keep producing work and improving. I still live my life,work,etc but no matter what i want to have something new for my portfolio in the pipeline so if i lose my job again,ill be ready.
After my contract at Sony Bend ended, I was unemployed for about 6 months? It was the slow holiday season of hiring, then GDC, then I finally got some tests.
I now work from home in the UK for a San Francisco based company, working on Natural Selection 2.
I don't mind unemployment, I have a tendency to save up, so it usually doesn't hit me too hard. And getting some time off is usually nice. I just don't like the feeling of having my savings bleed away with no means of replacing them. When I'm unemployed I feel a constant pressure to alter the situation. It spoils the fun of having so much time on my hands.
Lucky to get call backs pretty soon after my applications... It does take time for all the process to go through.
After the age of 16, probably about two months.
Was going to be a sob story but you didn't want any of that in your thread and who really cares anyway.
1y/6m, I left the opportunity I had because I was up all hours of the night and on the phone all morning to the afternoon with a person who enjoyed yelling and talking down to me so I had enough of that, their is the reason for my unemployment currently.
If you think I should have stayed their I will give you the previous employer and you can enjoy my experience.
In that time I think I've done quite a bit, I moved to the UK from Australia 5 months ago, and in that time I've replaced pretty much everything on my portfolio.
I'm currently doing unpaid work on an indie project with a couple of friends (definitely going to post a thread once I get the second level done), which is coming along okay.
I got a job about a year after graduating/actively looking for a games job.
My "timeline" went like this;
- Graduated ->
- Unemployed 1 year ->
- Working remotely 1.5 years ->
- Unemployed 3 months ->
- Contract job, 3 months ->
- Unemployed 3 months ->
- Current job, just hit a year
But, I have a question that kind of relates to the topic: Did any of you get part-time jobs at retail/non-art stores during your downtime between studios? If you don't, how did you get by without work? A big savings account or living on ramen?
That's the hardest part for me with wanting to get into the industry. I have a couple grand in savings, but when it comes to living for weeks/months without a big job and moving multiple times, I'm a little worried about the money situation.
- Declined contract job offer, finished up a month of school ->
- Graduated ->
- Unemployed 2 and a half months (worked on folio entire time) ->
- Contract job at Bungie, 8 months ->
- Unemployed 2 months (most of that time spent on the Naughty Dog art test, shit is BEAST!) ->
- Current job at Naughty dog, few months over 2 years.
Starting to feel hopeless, only had 1 interview (within a week of being laid off) and a major lack of responses since.
I'm financially stable right now, but at the beginning of my unemployment it was tough. Jacque's situation sounds awfully familiar, though a lot more severe. Studio hadn't paid me, EI late to arrive, student loans, credit cards...
I was also unemployed for 5-6 months after college, but I was living at home and had no expenses or cares, so I don't think that counts.
Trying to stay positive!
Being laid off right now would suck though...i have exactly 0 moneys saved (thanks, Christmas) and i haven't had my current salary long enough for unemployment benefits to pay much...my thoughts go with anybody trying to find work right now. Keep up the faith, keep busy and don't stop trying. Momentum is an easy thing to lose.
So in those two years while learning Japanese, I studied mobile spec artwork, painting textures without sourcing them (Japanese mobile style), better use of colors and C#. So when it came time it made it easy to get a job at a company here in Japan.
If I was to look at it that way, then I've been unemployed for periods of up to 3 years.
Tangent:
I got over worrying about money and financial problems back when I had little to no money to worry about - and I think thats helped me to no end. Life seemed to be stuck on replay when I was in that frame of mind i.e. creating stuff because I HAD to get a job. Years would go by, and it never ever worked out for me, somehow I'd always end up in exactly the same place until I put in the time to find something I enjoyed, and simply worked at that no matter where it took me.
I have friends on my list who have been without a job or freelance work for ages, but they are also the same guys who dont have any online presence or if they do, its minimal at best, yet they cant seem to see why they cant get any work, and arent willing to 'see' the problem.
I haven't had that feeling of having no work or no opportunities to pursue for such a long time now, from my perspective there are more opportunities now than there ever has been, EVER. So when I hear that times are tough out there and its difficult to get a job, I actually read that as, this person cant see the real issue yet. (Dont hate me, its not a personal attack - I mean it purely from the point of coming from exactly that position myself and working my way out of it)
I'm extremely grateful to be in this position, but I dont attribute it to luck. I attribute it to being honest with myself and recognition of the problem first and foremost and then the time I put in searching for something I enjoyed, and restructuring my life around that. Everything else fell into place after I made that critical choice and change in mindset to focus on what I enjoy most to make ( 3D girls ) rather than what I need to do to get work ( 3d everything else )
This didnt mean all I do is make girls, or the only jobs I took was if it was a girl model it just meant I slowly started to connect with people and companies and clients who enjoyed what I enjoyed. Thats the critical difference as opposed to what I used to do which was I was putting out there what everyone else enjoyed at the time or whatever was called for at the time. Leaving NO ROOM for what I liked, no room for ME and my art. Subsequently connecting with people that were cool and all but never REALLY gelled with on that art level.
The problem for me with the 'I got laid off, so need to make art right now just to get by and get another job' is that its a quick fix it doesnt solve the underlying issue which is that you'll need to keep doing this every time you get laid off, or lose your job etc. It makes periods of unemployment seem long and particularly laborious, because its not fun. Its not fun because you probably arent doing what you enjoy and your worried about your $$$$ going down the drain. Recognize that. Do something about it.
For the type of person I am, the quick fix route felt aimless yet I still did it. Even though I wasnt going anywhere, wasnt making my mark and just kept floating from project to project adding my one tiny brushstroke to a grand (or shitty) painting. Instead of being looked up and called upon for something that I enjoyed, I hoped something would come my way and begged to do whatever was necessary. Hoped and begged. Recognize that too. Do something about it.
I found myself bending to the whims of the industry, instead of shaping the industry around me. Sounds extremely self-absorbed but I dont mean it in that way - its really difficult to describe but ultimately I guess it can be wrapped up in a phrase that goes something like 'Put out what you expect to get back'
Break the rules, bust out of the mold and go ' I am fucking doing this ' and I dont give a shit about anything else.
Build yourself a foundation for badassery: Be persistent and consistent. Pump out artwork that you like, because you like it not because other people do.
Depending on your personal situation you may have to save up enough to live for 6 months to 1 year in order to really get going so do whatever you need to do to get that cash. Dumb shitty jobs, whatever, but SAVE SAVE SAVE. When you finally do have that money, see it as an investment in you, set a time, and do it. Take 6 months or even 1 year and If you dont squander that time, and blast the world with YOUR art - you'll never be unemployed ever again...because you would have built something that you dont have right now.
A foundation for badassery that will carry you through when youre laid off.
Youll make new art friends, new clients, job offers / opportunities will seem to always be floating around somehow. Reach that next level & pull people/clients/companies that like what you like toward you, by making art that you love.
Take care of YOUR art, and it WILL take care of you
I know I would buy it.
That being said, comments like "shut up and do art" are counterproductive unless you know each individuals needs. A better response to those people would be "what is stopping you from doing your art?"
Of the few large studios left, most are on the verge of shutting down and the remainder are run by people who should never have been given power or out and out criminals.
There are hundreds of tiny indi studios, especially in Melbourne, but few of them have any money, many are extremely inexperienced, and the majority have little interest in anything beyond pixel art.
The local industry is super saturated with artists and that situation is exacerbated every year when the local games colleges churn out another small army of graduates.
The carrot of going overseas exists, but, and perhaps this is where your experience differs from my own, without a bachelor's degree and perhaps some handy overseas relatives, you're chained to this barren dust bowl until you have ten years of experience.
It's not impossible to make a go of it here, but it's pretty tough not to become demoralised and then apathetic by the apparent futility of it all.
But, there are folks that escape and thrive - Look at Hazardous and Nizza Waarg.
Interesing stories everybody
I feel like maybe I went a little too far with the doom and gloom stuff as its kind of overshadowing the point of my post which was to ask how you keep your chin up and keep on pushing through when things get tough and the morale begins to wain? Even in places where things are a little more rosy, getting a portfolio together is a slow and time consuming process and I'd imagine anyone who's tried it has been caught in that depression and doldrums.
willing: 6 months
Thats a damn good question man, I'm glad you asked. Despite us being horribly geographically challenged down here as far as the Games Industry goes in order to progress, I had to completely abolish that entire side of the equation from my mind. There were a couple of key factors to keep the fortitude buffed.
1) I turned inward, and made this a completely selfish vendetta - with no regard whatsoever to whether there would be any industry to support me, I just set out to get good at one little thing. If my end goal was to build a brick wall, I wanted to put in the time to get good at making bricks, I wanted to be the best at making bricks.
2) Through this my determination bled out and led me to meeting and connecting with a guy who personified the very meaning of persistence, and who probably doesnt realize just how much of a rock he has been to me ( Herman Ng or Openaneworld ) who has to be the most dedicated artist I've ever met / worked / lived with. He just never stops and I cant believe he ever will and thats why hes invincible. He didnt say much at all about this topic but I was able to see how he lived and his philosophy and approach towards what I saw as a big problem to me.
So with 1) I had a feeling I was on track, but when 2) came along I could see proof that this approach works. Both of those things are vital ingredients I think. Seeing proof that what youre doing is right when you have doubts is extremely reassuring, and can be that magical leg up when you need it most. That is often the time when lots of people fall into despair and give up.
I really wish I could be that person to shake them up right at the moment when they are about to give up. I would gladly do it, every single time. I hate seeing that bright flame in people extinguished by the dark side of reality you know, the what ifs, the self-doubt etc. But because I dont live with the 'victims' like Herman did with me, all I can offer are words and put them out there in hope that they stir something and keep a potential victim afloat that one extra time needed to propel them forward.
Any time I felt doubt or that all of this was pointless, I just remembered how badly I wanted that magical immunity that Herman had. So I'd only need to look over and go... here is a guy thats doing it, theres your proof Troy, do you want to stay in that loop, or do you want to do what hes doing, and get out of it.
I had an extraordinary ability to spend hours and hours face-palming and wishing I could be as good as dudes like Pior, Renaud, Slipgate, Bobo, MM, Daz, Sze, Kolby, Soul and so many others at the time.
Being a daydreamer, a youtuber, or a forum junky when I was jobless and cant get any freelance work all of a suddenly became TOTALLY not okay with me.
Fast forward 6 or so years from that time and here I am, still trying to get better. Although Ive buttoned off the pace considerably from those times, Im still trying to improve and still pursuing what I enjoy.
I still get rejected from job offers, I still sometimes miss out on freelance that I would love - its not all glorious. But its definitely a massive improvement over where I used to be where there were no job offers and no opportunities to pursue at all. At least I know if I need cash to live I have options.
All throughout my career Ive had consistent periods of non-inhouse employment ( ie time to fill with freelance ) use those times as best as you possibly can, and definitely when possible make time to express who you are, and what you like.
I would say even when working fulltime, just top up the tank every year by entering a comp, staying relevant, and letting people know you still exist and you can still do what you do.
This is ultimately about:
1) Realizing you do have the potential to be your own power source.
2) Converting yourself into your own power source.
So you can:
3) Stop relying on being forced to take any job, ie borrowing from other power sources because you have to.
With the ultimate goal of:
4) Getting more people who want to borrow some of YOUR power source because they want what you have.
I dont have a degree, and I dont have any relatives overseas apart from here and New Zealand - so the whole overseas thing definitely comes into play. If the opportunity comes up to travel - go ballsdeep man. Don't turn that opportunity down, its the best thing you could possibly do to expand and discover more out about what makes you tick.
And thank you Haz for sharing your deep insights. I know alot of people, including myself, gain alot from these types of motivational posts.
THIS is what I am struggling with most I think. Currently my fiance is paying the bills and I feel really guilty about it. Not because of my pride or because I am embarrassed... more so because it's delaying our future and financial goals. I feel really guilty about being selfish like this. She fully supports my endeavors and she knows I would do the same for her. At first I didn't feel bad about it. But like I said in the 1st post, after a year those feelings are starting to creep in. I "know" that in the long term this "should" pay off. But man... there is that fear...that can be crushing sometimes. It motivates me but... I would rather not feel it constantly.
On the flipside freelance is keeping me going at the minute so there is always something to do!
I freelanced pretty non stop for 2 years after that which some studios think is a label for out of work artists, grrrrrr!!!! When freelancing I found that doing the art was the easy bit, getting the contracts, start dates, managing jobs, your finances and sorting out your taxes were the real work. The worst is when you get too many jobs come in and you have to turn people away and recommend other artists.
It is frustrating having everything under NDA but I know that if i ever became unemployed I could knock a next gen character out in 3 weeks and do a bit of self promotion. Alot of people dont realise that if you've worked remotely that as soon as times up you dont want to touch your pc again until the next day so personal art has taken a backseat for me. Ive taken alot more to 2D as its so much quicker to knock ideas out and I learn what I need to learn in my day job.
My advice to anyone stuck in unemployment is do not just knock stuff out but really emphasise the design aspect, quality out weighs quantity everyday of the week in my eyes.
Recently I was a contract environment artist and my contract was coming to an end with no available full time environment positions at my studio so I took a chance and switched to character art. Now roughly 6 months later I'm still chugging along as a character artist. I wasn't one of those environment artists that secretly always wanted to be a character guy - it's been a challenge after 5 years of painting wood & stone to painting skin, fur and fabric.
I'm not sure where I'm going with this, maybe my advice is stop telling yourself "no" don't narrow your opportunities down - think of yourself as an artist not just a ______ artist.
are..are you me?:poly141::poly122:
Haz, you're my hero sometimes.
I have done some work in between that time, but honestly I probably only made about 5k from 3d work in that whole period.
If so, we need to up the dosages, as it currently isn't enough.
And of course, the knowledge that as each day, week, and month goes by, the likelihood of finding a new job decreases exponentially, doesn't help.
About a year ago I made a pretty big leap of faith, leaving my previous line of work to live out the dream of becoming a professional artist. I had an interesting job and good pay, but just didn't feel I was living up to my potential. So I've had a great time this past year taking classes to start to learn the software necessary to turn my previously useless fine art degree into something I can use to make a living. Turns out I LOVE 3d modeling, but now that I have taken all the classes I have time for and can afford, it is the time of truth. I'm especially nervous because I'm going to be competing with a somewhat younger crowd. Oh well. So as far as time unemployed, I guess for me the timer starts ticking now!
What makes it so difficult for me is that I have a family and a house and there were several reasonable options in the areas 5 years ago but with 2 of the larger companies closing in the area it has got me personally looking into other areas to prevent having to get up and move every 3-5 years. It took me a month to find anything I could to move into that would pay the bills and was relevant.
Unfortunately I can't be without a job. Even with savings, PA unemployment maxes at $300-some dollars a week which for most people is a little more than their mortgage or rent. When you have a wife and kids and other bills that's just not acceptable. I love game art but have been looking at ways to use some of my art skills and gain some new skills in programming and web to meet local job needs.
That's my story anyway.