Is it possible to work part time in this industry realistically?
Dear Polycount,
So if you were to put yourself in my shoes, after your remedied the fungal infection, what would your advice be to me?
My wife is the current breadwinner and I'm Mr. Mom right now. The kid is only 6 months old and is a full time job. We don't need the money from me working. I'm looking for work for the sake of enjoying the work, that said, I like money and want to be paid. I'd just like to pay off our student loans early with any extra income and maybe save up for a small arsenal of weapons for when my daughter grows up and starts dating.
Here's the rub. I know I'm good at this stuff and it kills me that I not doing it right now. I was valedictorian and got a shiny "advanced achievement" award for my student portfolio when I graduated in May. There is no way I can put in 40-70 hours a week right now because I simply do not have the time. I also haven't had time to do a real portfolio. The student one was ok I guess, but not as good as I can do. My daughter was born 3 months before I graduated so I had to cut corners in my own opinion, even if I got that award. So I've already killed that student portfolio and took it offline because I don't think it is a proper representation of my skillset.
So step one is obviously make a solid portfolio, that's a given and doable now that the kid doesn't scream or shit every 5 minutes day and night anymore. But what the hell is step two? Raising my daughter is going to get more complicated before it gets easier. She is just starting to crawl. I can't be in my room sculpting steroid-induced, sweaty barbarians in Zbrush while she's crawling around and sticking her tongue in the first available electrical socket in the next room. I can swing part time work late at night, but that's it until she's in school at my best guess.
Do I just have this pipe dream of being able to work part time or do people actually pull this off? As far as skillset goes I can do characters start to the very finish, meaning original 2D concept to rigging/setup with complex scripting if need be. Should I just give up and sell fruit models on Turbosquid until she's in school?
So if you were to put yourself in my shoes, after your remedied the fungal infection, what would your advice be to me?
My wife is the current breadwinner and I'm Mr. Mom right now. The kid is only 6 months old and is a full time job. We don't need the money from me working. I'm looking for work for the sake of enjoying the work, that said, I like money and want to be paid. I'd just like to pay off our student loans early with any extra income and maybe save up for a small arsenal of weapons for when my daughter grows up and starts dating.
Here's the rub. I know I'm good at this stuff and it kills me that I not doing it right now. I was valedictorian and got a shiny "advanced achievement" award for my student portfolio when I graduated in May. There is no way I can put in 40-70 hours a week right now because I simply do not have the time. I also haven't had time to do a real portfolio. The student one was ok I guess, but not as good as I can do. My daughter was born 3 months before I graduated so I had to cut corners in my own opinion, even if I got that award. So I've already killed that student portfolio and took it offline because I don't think it is a proper representation of my skillset.
So step one is obviously make a solid portfolio, that's a given and doable now that the kid doesn't scream or shit every 5 minutes day and night anymore. But what the hell is step two? Raising my daughter is going to get more complicated before it gets easier. She is just starting to crawl. I can't be in my room sculpting steroid-induced, sweaty barbarians in Zbrush while she's crawling around and sticking her tongue in the first available electrical socket in the next room. I can swing part time work late at night, but that's it until she's in school at my best guess.
Do I just have this pipe dream of being able to work part time or do people actually pull this off? As far as skillset goes I can do characters start to the very finish, meaning original 2D concept to rigging/setup with complex scripting if need be. Should I just give up and sell fruit models on Turbosquid until she's in school?
Replies
If you can prove to clients that you can produce decent 3d work to spec, then you should have no issues finding freelance.
Also https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/33057988/CombatSim/index.html
"play" that if you run out of art juice, it shakes things up a bit. Even a hour speed modeling session with it works wonders ;D
Personally in your situation I would work on your stuff when you get the time (when she is sleeping mainly) and aim to ramp up production in a few years time.
Maybe if your wife/gf is OK to completely take over when she gets home from work. But I think that's not very likely as she would want to chill a bit after a day at work.
Asset stores like Unity and Turbosquid or Valves game items sound like a good way to beter your skills while getting a bit of cash.
thats your answer, the better you are the easier it should be doing this
I was hoping some other parents would chime in. I have to agree. I'm starting to think other avenues, such as toy figurine design, would be a better fit right now since I wouldn't be a kink in a production chain with something like that.
My wife is a saint and she does her motherly duties when she gets home. Thing is I feel bad since she's on her feet at work 12 hours a day dealing with who knows what with her patients so I always help her even if she doesn't ask for it. I'm also not particularly in a creative mood after being screamed at all day long. I typically get the itch to work late at night when everything is quiet and I have time to think.
I like your idea of the Valve asset stuff. I've looked at that. Not really my style artistically, but it could be good to get my fix at least.
lol Alright something not horrifically and morally obscene... I know a few guys in your situation and they are doing just fine working freelance. So where's that portfolio huh?
EDIT: you also don't have a link to your portfolio anywhere on your profile! link that stuff!
Like....
http://www.game-artist.net/forums/hiring-industry-contracted-work/21131-cg-monster-character-modeler-nickelodeon.html
Short answer: Yes you can do it.
There are lots of ways you can make money, from freelance jobs, to unity asset store, valves store, to even learning a bit of c# and making your own little games.
As your wife is the main bread winner you have that stress relief of periods of things not selling or being able to make a game and if it flops then not needing to worry.
Long answer:
Bring your pc into the same room as the playroom. Mod your desk to conceal cables.
At 6 months She is possibly sitting up, perhaps crawling / army crawling?
Get some toys that she can have on her own and some you can play with her.
Play with her for about 30 minutes, then toy swap and let her discover on her own for a bit. At this age you want to encourage crawling and rolling and moving so letting her have some floor time without you and with some toys in reach and some out of reach is a good thing.
You can give her 30 mminutes, then work for 30 minutes. As long as your room is set up in a way that you can always see her and you keep your eye on her then your good.
The only issue is if you tunnel vision when you work.
I would recommend taking the kid down before your wife gets home though. Oh, and feed and water the kid once during the day, and 30 minute outside time...on a leash, of course.
I'm glad I'm not the only one dealing with this. Sorry to hear about your wife. I appreciate your sound advice. We actually just put a contract on a house that will give the kid her own safe play area that has a room attached that could be my office. I plan on using my dropcam to watch her entire play area while I work if I can swing it. That way I can just look at my second monitor to watch her and be right next door if I need to jump into action. We don't close until the end of September so she'll be 8 months by then so hopefully I can pull this off.
Have you considered opening up your own daycare? I like your style.
I think your jumping the gun a bit (you are still young), my daughter is six now and I was the house dad for her first 2 years, it goes by in a finger snap ENJOY THESE TIMES as they wont last. As for making time for game art start planning now and stick to the routine even if it's 1 hour a day and the older she gets that "art making" time will increase and then you will be nagged by our wife :poly124:
Before you know it your daughter will be asking what you are doing on the PC and why your art looks so scary or crap lol, six year olds have zero tact btw
Have fun :thumbup: