If you suddenly had the urge to give up being a games artist....
polycounter lvl 9
..what would you consider doing instead?
I'm always curious about this as I know quite a few artists often decide not to pursue a game art career after a few years and move into other fields completely unrelated (I think there was one artist who decided to leave after 10 years and become an electrician).
I'm just wondering, what other fields would you consider and why? (for example, more stability, job security, lack of enthusiasm for game art anymore, etc).
I'm always curious about this as I know quite a few artists often decide not to pursue a game art career after a few years and move into other fields completely unrelated (I think there was one artist who decided to leave after 10 years and become an electrician).
I'm just wondering, what other fields would you consider and why? (for example, more stability, job security, lack of enthusiasm for game art anymore, etc).
Replies
But, also an independent tabletop game creator, mainly miniature games. The tabletop sector is still growing despite the competition.
play more violin
If I was desperate for something, maybe long distance truck/lorry driving. I enjoy driving and seeing new sights. Job satisfaction might be low though.
Sigh.
I can't remember the specifics of the program, but I think it involved typing up spreadsheets for companies. I have no idea where that would have taken me.
I'm still glad I'm going with the game art route instead.
..but most related fields are the same ;-)
Run MTG games, and have rooms for DnD.
A boy can dream though.
Hey that's me...I think...
Just finished my fourth year of school and wrote my electrician IP exam three weeks ago. Passed. That means I will soon be a Red Seal electrician qualified to work anywhere in Canada. I will also have a Certificate of Apprenticeship which is recognized in many countries and will allow me to move there for work (probably won't, but nice to have). Also get some other goodies. I also had a diploma in electronics prior to working as a games artist which pairs nicely with my trades qualifications. Also getting Fire Alarm technician certification (tons of fire alarm work out there) and in a year will attempt the FSR exam (allows me to pull permits as an electrician).
We're living in a golden age for games artists. You never have to give up being an artist because the tools are so inexpensive and there are many options to work independently. I make a steady side income by selling assets on the Unity asset store. And because I don't work in the AAA games industry currently, I am free to work on anything and not have it claimed by an employer. I have nothing against the AAA industry but I have a family and don't want to move them around every four or five years.
I'm up late tonight because I just submitted my first app to the Apple app store. It's a very simple app that allows people to see my stuff running directly on their iPhone and spawn particle systems where they touch the screen. Done in Unity using Playmaker and NGUI. But it is also a first step to making my own games. The long-term goal is to be completely self-employed doing a mix of electrical and games.
- Apart from playing MMOs all days, and/or after doing that for awhile, probably carpentry. It looks fun to me.
- Writing sci-fi if I can bring myself to finish at least a book.
- Learn C++ and make my own craps.
- Already tried teaching ballroom dances. It's not too bad, but stability isn't there either.
- Web Design, maybe. Had done some of that before.
- No idea...
Let's just say 3 Digits if your an owner of a company, before that if you can preform 1-5 yr tests same amount, perhaps just not as high.
I would hate to ask what brought this on? (Besides the obvious and countless lay offs.)
Choice:
Otherwise i'd say try to be an owner/boss then a worker is a desire i have, i wouldn't be a d-ck boss either but wouldn't take slacker bs either, i mean a business is only as good as it's workers. Not to point fingers but i wouldn't take them lightly either as they are replaceable as some "companies", have.
Why:
Everything goes through your hands and you know what is going on, especially if you hire the right people, yes this is a trial and error process though. You can be 100% honest if you choose to be, you give out the pay checks, you control the outcome of the company as well as it's direction.
Someone mentioned bread and that is true though i am not so certain as I've seen how upstarts get taken for 30% of whatever profits they make a year, so keep that in mind when starting your own business, might not matter if they make a lot but it does when you don't make so much.
A-) Join the Defence Industry and work on experimental tech ( at U.S. or E.U.)
B-) Work on robotics and bipedal robots ( at Japan)
C-) Join a multinational program for energy or drive components ( at anywhere around the globe)
Hey, an engineer can dream big, no ?
what do you do if you get laid off and you have wife and kids
or other responsibilities. (for jumping to country and country )
There tons of fields you could work in but ill stick with:
- Programming / C++ or Webdevelopment
- teaching
- Adverts
- Print
- visual development - architecture/media stuff
- start your own ideas (a shop or something in the mobile sector)
... mcdonalds
..
If my wife makes enough money to support us, and we need one of us to take care of any future kids we have, then I'd probably be the one to stay home.
If I stay in games in some capacity, I'd like to be an owner of a small indie studio... (not sure if that counts).
If the work/funding dries up in my area, then probably VFX or freelance, or other 3D related fields, like miltary/medical simulations, or visualization.
If I want to leave art all together, I'd probably want to open a Korean Sandwich shop or food truck (Bibimbap sandwiches are amazeballs).
I also have my foot in the door with teaching.
In my teen years I was huge into motorcross. I painted a few helmets, I think I'd enjoy designing and painting race helmets.
I've also thought about doing this for a while for a "fall back" plan. My extended family are all farmers and I have sooOOome exposure to it, even though I've never done it on a daily basis. Actually, all I've ever done when visiting was get chased by chickens after feeding them...crazy bastards. But I actually enjoy physical labor, not so sure if I'd enjoy it as much when I'm older.
Recently, I took a part-time contract position creating artwork/logos for door mats. It's actually not too bad. Pays decently and I dont really have to deal with customers or an overly demanding boss, so it's really chill. It's something I'd consider doing full-time if I needed to. The idea of worrying about getting laid off and moving my family around just isnt appealing. We want to start a family but I just cant imagine dragging my family around state to state b/c I want to stay in the gaming industry. Seems really selfish in a way. I would reaaaLLy like to get on with a smaller gaming studio, that's always seemed like the best fit for me personally.
this
Back in '06/07 when I initially left the game industry, i turned to investing to help keep me afloat.
As well as a few freelance gigs on the side whenever they happened to pop up
The why, was more family related which resulted in a lack of enthusiasm for making Gameart.
Shortly after my mom left my Dad, he was diagnosed with the big C. It goes without saying, that spending long hours working wasn't where I needed or wanted to be.
Since I was the only family member around, I left Vancouver. Sold my townhouse and moved over a couple cities to take care of him for a few years.
Become a chef.
Make the decision to open one up over here in England and i'll be your first customer. With a side of omurice
On topic, its quite interesting to see that the majority of answers have pretty much related to moving to another creative field as opposed to slipping into a more "white collar" role.
Sorry to hear about that mate.
I probably would do drafting or something with architecture, especially since I could utilize at least some of my technical skills.
...doh, Adam already posted that.
If I had to give it up I would try to become a youtube personality and make money off that to afford me to travel around the world and do photography.
My last full time gig was in 2007 and my last game contract was about 2 years ago.
I switch between occasional advertising work and practicing my characters at home.
I think from my point of view whether I am working in the industry or not I still make stuff because I enjoy it and my enjoyment for art hasn't really declined over the 25 years i have been doing it.