Any Freelancers without a degree?

jonincgi

Hey guys, I'm looking to freelance eventually as well as working on a game with my cousin. Just wondering if anyone has had success without formal training. I'm finishing up my A.A. degree at the moment, and affording a 4 year college for computer science or private college for game design is going to be expensive. Thanks, Loving this forum so far! :thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Fnitrox

There's a ton of people out there both freelancing and workin in studios without a degree... I think Hazardous doesn't have a degree and look where hard work has gotten him!

If you have the skill and the will to improve them, then not haveing a degree won't stop you from working, just get started on portfolio pieces. Build up contacts, and keep working.

jonincgi

Awesome, I've been pretty lazy thus far I have to admit, But I'm moving and living around family and I hope to grow my portfolio enough to gain some recognition. I'll be posting a bunch as well as commenting. BTW, this is by far my favorite site for 3D feedback, I've had many unanswered threads on other sites. C&C FTW!

RexM

Portfolio is king.

I don't have a degree, but I am currently working at Suckerpunch which is my first gig.

jonincgi

RexM wrote: »

Portfolio is king.

I don't have a degree, but I am currently working at Suckerpunch which is my first gig.

Very cool, I'm definitely going to focus on getting my 3D skills sharp. I have 6 months before I have residency in a new state for school, so this will take up my time.

almighty_gir

i don't even have an art GCSE.

shabba

I have a degree in Accounting and Finance haha (don't ask me to do your taxes, i'll screw em up!) And I just finished a contract working on a next gen AAA title (undisclosed yet) for my biggest client to date.

Its definitely possible to freelance without an art degree or official training.

Denny

I have done both full time work and freelancing without a degree. Like others have said, portfolio (and contacts) is king.

Count Vertsalot

I have a degree. I'd only recommend it if you're not sure which specialty you want to be in the game industry. I went in kind of thinking I'd do level design and came out a character artist that also enjoys rigging.

Jon Jones

No degree here. Was homeschooled all the way through high school and started freelancing before I graduated. The only difference it's ever made was King's Isle wouldn't look at resumes of people without a degree back in the day, so they didn't look at my resume several years ago. Very minor.

m4dcow

The place where it would make a difference is if you are looking to move to some other country.

jonincgi

Awesome, thanks for the replies. It seems a good chunk of the people here just worked hard and it payed off. I guess I'll be working on my 10,000 hours (Outliers), and thinking of a domain name for my portfolio.

dejawolf

to hell with degrees, Folio is king.

Neox

i have no degree whatsoever and so far i've been doing fine

skylebones

The day I'm asked by a freelance client to present my degree is they day I tell them to make like a banana and get the hell away!

easterislandnick

I have a degree but wouldn't think twice at hiring someone without one. The works gotta be good and you have to be professional, the only qualifications you need!

almighty_gir

putting it bluntly/simply...

your success in this industry is directly related to two things:
1. the amount of effort you put into your work.
2. the amount of effort you put into networking.

you need to put effort into making your work good so you have a strong portfolio.
you need to put effort into networking so people know you have a portfolio.

jonincgi

Very good advice on here, im working on the portfolio, and my networking will hopefully take off from posting here. I do post on some other forums though, but this is by far my favorite forum. Just look at all these helpfull replies...

Jon Jones

Polycount is awesome for that. It's a great blend of oldschool veteran devs and new talent and everything in between. Good luck!