Getting started as a freelance modeler?

wright.tom85

Hello everyone! As the title may have implied, I'm looking for advice on getting started as a freelance modeler for game developers.

For the past couple years, I've been doing 3d work for small clients, mostly assets designed to be sold as micro-transactions. I've met with success enough to support myself for the time being, and it's been great practice, but I'd like to step up my game and start offering my services to larger developers.

Unfortunately, I suspect the process for approaching a larger company is very different from providing for small indie outfits, so I'm hoping I may find some guidance here.

If anyone has personal experience or advice to share, I'd be greatly appreciative.

Thanks for your time!
-Tom

Eric Chadwick

Welcome Tom! We have some links in the wiki about game art freelancing.
http://wiki.polycount.com/CategoryGameIndustry#Freelancing

Establishing a relationship with a game client usually starts with a friend or connection who works there. It's very much a networking thing.

It also helps to get your name out there on forums like this one, or with articles or other social media stuff. Post new artwork on Facebook, LinkedIn, etc. Reminds your connections that you're out there, and that you're doing good work.

Put your portfolio link in your sig. I just got a new client this way, he found a post of mine thru a Google search, and clicked thru to my portfolio from there.

Also keep making new pieces, not paid ones, just stuff that advances your skillset and fills out your portfolio. I can't stress this enough. It's the only way to get better, and it's a great calling card. I don't do this nearly enough myself, but I'm steadily chipping away at it.

There are lots of freelancers here. Good luck, and a shout out to the Central Valley! I grew up in Modesto.

wright.tom85

Thanks for the link, I probably wouldn't have found that on my own. There are some valuable new (to me) assets there.
It seems some of that is information I'd already learned in practice. I guess that means I'm not quite the directionless greenhorn I thought?

I'm going to start posting work to the preview board for review. I've been meaning to for a while, I guess I've let myself get into a working rut.

And I miss the central valley a little. I'm a bit outside Atlanta, GA now.

Eric Chadwick

Yeah, it sounds like you've been freelancing already, so you know the ropes. Trying to think of game-dev-specific things, but the same things apply to most other types of art freelancing. If you haven't already, take a good look at the GAG Handbook, chock full of good stuff.