Advice on what to do with my life
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Some backstory: I dropped out of high school due to various reasons. It was stupid and I really fucked things up for myself. I'm 20 now and since then I've had an internship at a local 3d studio. My boss said he'd rehire me but it hasn't happened yet because there's no big projects to work on. I actually worked for free for about 2 months just for the work experience.
Right now I'm working on my portfolio and trying to get some freelance work in the meanwhile. Once my portfolio is good enough I want to start applying to studios. I live by myself so I need to find a way to earn some money. If I can't find any freelance work I'll have to get a crappy part time job. I still want to finish high school, but I want to get a job first because I have to pay my rent.
I could still go to uni, but there's a special procedure you have to go through if you don't have a high school diploma. And 3 years is a pretty long time for a piece of paper.
Appreciate any advice, thanks.
Right now I'm working on my portfolio and trying to get some freelance work in the meanwhile. Once my portfolio is good enough I want to start applying to studios. I live by myself so I need to find a way to earn some money. If I can't find any freelance work I'll have to get a crappy part time job. I still want to finish high school, but I want to get a job first because I have to pay my rent.
I could still go to uni, but there's a special procedure you have to go through if you don't have a high school diploma. And 3 years is a pretty long time for a piece of paper.
Appreciate any advice, thanks.
Replies
Honestly it seems to me like you've got a pretty good feel for what you need to do. Snag a crappy day job to pay rent, keep working on your skills. Probably good to snag your GED as time allows, but I wouldn't sweat the whole "didn't finish high school" thing too much. My high school gave us the opportunity to "graduate" a semester early if we'd had enough credits - which I did (didn't take any off classes or study hall or what have you for the last two years). It was a really, really unpopular thing to do; teachers and fellow students alike couldn't understand why I'd want to do it. But I did, and it was probably one of the most intelligent education-related decisions I've ever made.
Granted, I still got my diploma mailed to me later, but it's been collecting dust.
Do it man, the piece of paper is just the cherry they put on top of the ice cream for looks.
I just started going to uni again, i put it off for ages because i was like "pfft, i won't learn anything" and while i haven't learnt anything life changing, i have learned some things here and there, but most of all its the peer support and socialisation.
Never really had anyone in my immediate area to spin shit about game art to, now i got 25 people in my class who are like minded, it's improved my approach to my art 10 folds.
Its probably the best decision i've ever made in my life.
But each to their own, i know people who hate it.
gotta roll the hard 6 i suppose.
You could also go the self learning route. Nobody really cares about that piece of paper, they care about the skills. Most polycounters I believe are self taught and there are plenty of amazing artists here to prove that it can definitely be done without the formal training.
I did the self learning route. If i am being honest, I would say that with the chance to do it again is definitely get into a fine arts program, as I see the quality of true fine art students who learn drawing and sculpting transitioning into 3d, and it is much easier for them, and their work is clearly above the average person doing self taught for the same length of time.
In the end, just finish whatever you start and you'll be good.
http://joostvanhoutte.com/
I'm not at a professional level yet, but to be honest I'd be looking for a special type of internship we have in Belgium that runs for a year and usually leads to a contract afterwards. Or at most a junior position. I don't think I'd need 3 years at uni to get to that point.
This is the uni I'd go to: http://www.digitalartsandentertainment.be/page/15/Student+showcase
There's some impressive stuff there. I know Xoliul went there and I think he taught/teaches there as well. But I think those people were just mostly self taught. I've worked with people who went there and honestly, their work was very sub par.
@Ysalex, I definitely think learning to draw and sculpt would help me immensely, but I suck at drawing so I'd need to practice for like 2 years to even get into a fine arts school. I'm thinking of following a drawing course though.
Once again, take an apprenticeship in a trade. You'll get paid more than minimum wage to start, get regular raises, regular training, and probably don't need a high school diploma. Do all the game art you want in your free time.
Working part-time minimum wage jobs is a complete waste of your life. You'll have nothing to show for it.
As for the OP, I'd say you should definitely keep working on your portfolio while working at a day job rather than attending university. It seems like attending university is a mixed bag in this industry in the sense that many schools are pure shit and only the most expensive ones will be useful (at the cost of being in debt for several years.)
You're portfolio actually looks pretty nice, I've seen junior artist portfolios with what seems to be your level of skill so I'm sure you can land an industry job in the near future. The important thing is to set realistic goals for yourself, don't give up on the dream.
When I made this thread I was pretty desperate but about 2 months later I found a job. I'm moving to the UK next week and starting as a 3d artist at a relatively big studio (not sure if I'm allowed to share which one yet) the following week. Luck was probably a factor and I've by no means 'made it' yet. BUT I guess it shows that portfolio really is key. They didn't even ask about my educational background.
Thanks for the advice guys!
Nice to know that things worked out. Best of luck in UK.
By the way, this video was quite an eye opener for me,
I'd recommend anyone to watch it
http://youtu.be/UX2PzNHwabE
But keep making art in your spare time!
Getting your first job is really just the start!
@JacqueChoi: Thanks!
@LRoy, Mongrelman: Thanks!
I've been where you were, having that goal in mind but knowing that rent was going to need to be paid soon, then things just worked out.
Hope your new job is lots of fun!
There is always a corner to turn and like a new day to have. I know that life can be depressing and set you back at times, but it always moves forward and you can to.
Thanks for sharing your story, nice to see I'm not the only one. Would you say getting a degree was key to your success or do you think you could have achieved the same by self teaching?
Thanks! It's really awesome that this thread inspires other people! I don't think it's ever too late. I've met quite a few animation guys who wanted to switch to games. Your transition is a bit more extreme but it can definitely be done, provided you have the drive. Even if you don't get a job straight away there's plenty of indie devs looking for artists. Also you should definitely post your stuff on Polycount if you're not already. Getting critiques on here really helped me grow as an artist. Good luck!
@reverendK: I don't think it should be a hindrance or a negative thing, unless you make it that. If you can prove to people that you can learn things by yourself and are passionate and disciplined enough to do so, then in my opinion it's more impressive than just taking a course and only making the assignments given by the teachers. I suppose a combination of both would be ideal, but people shouldn't be punished for not having a piece of paper. Likewise I think people shouldn't be given preferential treatment just because they have a degree. Especially in an industry like ours. I suppose I'm biased though.