Tons of interesting posts here. As a student I can't really say too much. I've been doing both the environmental art and programming for a game I've been developing with a small team for the last 2 years but I'm in a university working on a degree in Computer Science.
It seems like working in the games industry would have to be an incredibly long term goal for me which is unfortunate because I love programming games and making any kind of game art. Personally, I don't really care too much about money but I'm not sure how I feel about having to constantly worry about keeping my job. It's relatively easy to get a non-game related programming job that you can support yourself with, but work will feel a lot less exciting (in my opinion).
my mind just refuses the idea of giving up . even tho i should think all the possibilities and have a plan B .
im in fine arts college BTW .. maybe i could do that even tho i hate it .. and yeah its by no means a stable job . but if u got a name you could sell crap for a couple of K's . iv seen 1 of my professors sell a crappy dress for 10K .
also another job that is related to 3D is architecture visualization . iv been to architecture college . didnt like it . left it . made my father sad ( his an architect ) its an option i guess
Try to ladder up as a $40,000 an issue comic book artist but not overwork myself like the 17-hour work days like Jim Lee did when he started but use Photoshop custom brushes and other digital shortcuts A LOT to make my deadlines ahead of time. (Print on illustration boards in digital pencil style so I can re-sell "originals" to collectors).
OR
Try to ladder up as Marvel/ DC comics "exclusive artist".
One con though is you might design a really cool original character which they'll own (since you're just a work-for-hire) and it could make billions in movies/games for them but they won't be obligated to give you a dime.
OR
Keep on truckin with my own IP and hope I'll actually launch it THIS year as planned LAST year.
@Justin, yup. One reason you gotta aim for an exclusive contract from either of the big two so you don't have to worry after wrapping up one issue. Easier said than done but if you have the chops...
Where it's extra hard is if you push for your own title or draw from an unknown writer's script. Getting published by Image comics alone won't automatically generate you income. They'll only send you a royalty check if your book makes a profit. And if it does make a profit you may have to wait as much as 6 months before you see that check. So, if you're in the game, you'll want to work on and pitch as many titles as you can. But you don't have to do it alone, you can team up with writers and other artists (inkers, letterers, colorist, etc.).
Caricature Artist at a theme park. I'm sketching all the time to work up to that when I retire. If my hands combust and I cannot use them then probably get a job kicking stuff.
illustration and/or vfx/cgi for film, + indie dev is another option I reckon.
Done too many mundane jobs when I was young, take the best from them but I don't feel the urge to do that again; my brain would fizz up and overflow like a particularly rebellious bottle of beer.
Hobo? I already dress and look like one so its gotta be the next step
I'd like to teach anatomy for artists like scott eaton or teach at an art college/uni. Ive been studying alot myself past few months and its an interesting subject, one that alot of artists get wrong, even the pros (me included).
I dont know why I would leave though, moneys way more than most jobs, its rewarding, self developing, crunch is minimal. I think I would only leave if the tech made me obselete, which looks like it may take a while with the smoothed out scan data and bin liner clothing of next gen haha.
write, illustrate, and produce children's books
play more violin
I'm quite happy to hear other's playing. I've been told i'm weird for having the aspirations to play (sigh).
Currently only senior positions near me so i started running a small web dev company while i sort finances & a portfolio. Chance to run your own company gives a wider view than just working for someone else!
Though 5 page budget proposals written in layman terms explaining everything and the cost of each part they want, get's really, really, old... Fast.
Also, being your own boss and trying to build a portfolio requires a shitton of focus/drive. Most of the time i pass on portfolio work after coding all day. The woes
Lazerus good point about running your own company or freelancing, definitely requires a lot of drive to move forward. Personally have wanted to join a studio for some time, just prefer the camaraderie and drive that comes from being around like minded artists. That being said freelancing has its perks to, picking your own hours is great
I'd try my luck doing traditional art and photography professionally. Or maybe start teaching game art..
But nothing out of the art field. I've already tried those, not for me..
Caricature Artist at a theme park. I'm sketching all the time to work up to that when I retire. If my hands combust and I cannot use them then probably get a job kicking stuff.
I did that at Busch Gardens and at Six Flags. It's a lot of fun but also a lot of work, its mostly outside all the time and when it's slow you have to try and get business which I hated barking at people asking them to come over for me to draw.. I usually tried to sit and draw and have people come watch and then I'd ask (as long as the boss wasn't watching)
In regards to urge to give up game artist, I did just that. I still do art on my own time. Just didn't want to play the rat race anymore and chase the jobs. My wife has a great job and jobs here in Dallas are pretty slim and far between.
I ended up going back to IT, and ended up doing iOS development which is what I do now.
Teaching game art is definitely a potential direction I would want to go into after a good run in the industry.
But talking outside of game art wise, I've always admired film makeup/prosthetics art; turning people into monsters, orcs, demons etc or even just gnarly zombie wounds, its all still sculpting n painting. LOTR must have been amazing to work on in that capacity *^*. Plus some companies also use zbrush for sculpting headmasks etc.
Making toys would also kickass, I'm seriously impressed by the quality of highend toys these days; THIS IS A POSEABLE TOY!
Right now I'm out of games (more due to a rough 8 months more than anything) so I guess what I'm doing now. Freelance 3d art for all your needs. It's quite satisfying. Tho I still want to get back to a studio.
Other than that, umm...geek squad at best buy? I love building PC's. Maybe go back to school and be a nutritionist or fitness dude.
I did end up backing out and going into something else. I still love doing game art in my free time, the industry's just not for me. I'm currently about one year away from by BS in Electrical Engineering.
I have always figured that I will live out my final years sculpting and casting bronze pieces,there is something about the permanence of the medium compared to the intangible stuff that I spend all day making that attracts me to it.
I recently started teaching 3D part time cause I lost my job in December and couldn't find anything else.
Gave me some time to think though, would probably do something away from a computer, was thinking I would either become a cop or try act/write/direct movies or something. Still might give something like that a go if I can't get a games job overseas in the next few years.
I was a maintenance worker at a golf course before my current game job. I really enjoyed it.. outside all day, cracking jokes with the people playing, not a super physical job, but physical enough.
Truth be told, I was very close to dropping the game artist dream all together and pursuing a job as a Greens Keeper. Then.. about two weeks later I got a job offer lol.
I think about this every now and again when doubts creep up. I tend to lean toward writing fiction and poetry (not exactly lucrative for most), making furniture, or some form of traditional art. Or maybe farming. Or owning a bookstore or cafe. Or working in a bookstore of cafe.
Definitely something away from the computer though. Of course I'd still do 3D in my spare time.
But 3D is my first love. And I'll do it, if I can.
Teaching game art would be nice, but from the catastrophe that I've experienced, I'd like to be a veteran first, a lot of instructors I've noticed (at-least around here) literally have zero experience, or once worked for "company X" 20 years ago.
Traditional art would be amazing more on the lines of painting, street art instalments.
Replies
It seems like working in the games industry would have to be an incredibly long term goal for me which is unfortunate because I love programming games and making any kind of game art. Personally, I don't really care too much about money but I'm not sure how I feel about having to constantly worry about keeping my job. It's relatively easy to get a non-game related programming job that you can support yourself with, but work will feel a lot less exciting (in my opinion).
im in fine arts college BTW .. maybe i could do that even tho i hate it .. and yeah its by no means a stable job . but if u got a name you could sell crap for a couple of K's . iv seen 1 of my professors sell a crappy dress for 10K .
also another job that is related to 3D is architecture visualization . iv been to architecture college . didnt like it . left it . made my father sad ( his an architect ) its an option i guess
Try to ladder up as a $40,000 an issue comic book artist but not overwork myself like the 17-hour work days like Jim Lee did when he started but use Photoshop custom brushes and other digital shortcuts A LOT to make my deadlines ahead of time. (Print on illustration boards in digital pencil style so I can re-sell "originals" to collectors).
OR
Try to ladder up as Marvel/ DC comics "exclusive artist".
One con though is you might design a really cool original character which they'll own (since you're just a work-for-hire) and it could make billions in movies/games for them but they won't be obligated to give you a dime.
OR
Keep on truckin with my own IP and hope I'll actually launch it THIS year as planned LAST year.
Where it's extra hard is if you push for your own title or draw from an unknown writer's script. Getting published by Image comics alone won't automatically generate you income. They'll only send you a royalty check if your book makes a profit. And if it does make a profit you may have to wait as much as 6 months before you see that check. So, if you're in the game, you'll want to work on and pitch as many titles as you can. But you don't have to do it alone, you can team up with writers and other artists (inkers, letterers, colorist, etc.).
but that industry is in many ways worse than games... fuck.
Done too many mundane jobs when I was young, take the best from them but I don't feel the urge to do that again; my brain would fizz up and overflow like a particularly rebellious bottle of beer.
Debt collector/hired thug?
I'd like to teach anatomy for artists like scott eaton or teach at an art college/uni. Ive been studying alot myself past few months and its an interesting subject, one that alot of artists get wrong, even the pros (me included).
I dont know why I would leave though, moneys way more than most jobs, its rewarding, self developing, crunch is minimal. I think I would only leave if the tech made me obselete, which looks like it may take a while with the smoothed out scan data and bin liner clothing of next gen haha.
I'm quite happy to hear other's playing. I've been told i'm weird for having the aspirations to play (sigh).
Currently only senior positions near me so i started running a small web dev company while i sort finances & a portfolio. Chance to run your own company gives a wider view than just working for someone else!
Though 5 page budget proposals written in layman terms explaining everything and the cost of each part they want, get's really, really, old... Fast.
Also, being your own boss and trying to build a portfolio requires a shitton of focus/drive. Most of the time i pass on portfolio work after coding all day. The woes
At this point, it's too late for me to retrain (49) so I'm forced to produce something...anything.
But nothing out of the art field. I've already tried those, not for me..
Drive to your office with a bunch of 3D Artists in the RV and stay in your parking lot till the work is done. Then move on to the next place.
I did that at Busch Gardens and at Six Flags. It's a lot of fun but also a lot of work, its mostly outside all the time and when it's slow you have to try and get business which I hated barking at people asking them to come over for me to draw.. I usually tried to sit and draw and have people come watch and then I'd ask (as long as the boss wasn't watching)
In regards to urge to give up game artist, I did just that. I still do art on my own time. Just didn't want to play the rat race anymore and chase the jobs. My wife has a great job and jobs here in Dallas are pretty slim and far between.
I ended up going back to IT, and ended up doing iOS development which is what I do now.
But talking outside of game art wise, I've always admired film makeup/prosthetics art; turning people into monsters, orcs, demons etc or even just gnarly zombie wounds, its all still sculpting n painting. LOTR must have been amazing to work on in that capacity *^*. Plus some companies also use zbrush for sculpting headmasks etc.
Making toys would also kickass, I'm seriously impressed by the quality of highend toys these days; THIS IS A POSEABLE TOY!
(google KOJUN for more)
I'd still like to make myself into an action figure one day regardless of career
Other than that, umm...geek squad at best buy? I love building PC's. Maybe go back to school and be a nutritionist or fitness dude.
Beach bum in San Diego?
nice.
and science is a great study
Gave me some time to think though, would probably do something away from a computer, was thinking I would either become a cop or try act/write/direct movies or something. Still might give something like that a go if I can't get a games job overseas in the next few years.
Truth be told, I was very close to dropping the game artist dream all together and pursuing a job as a Greens Keeper. Then.. about two weeks later I got a job offer lol.
NERF Gun designer
I would love to do that but I really don't want to live up north again, too cold
Applied. Thanks for the heads up.
DONT STEAL HIS DREAM
nuff said
And I need all the positive energy i can get...:)
OH MAN, you're for real applying!? YOU CAN DO IT!
Yes, minutes after you posted it. And I'm in Ct.,So relocating wouldn't be an issue.
Definitely something away from the computer though. Of course I'd still do 3D in my spare time.
But 3D is my first love. And I'll do it, if I can.
...watching random Youtube channels.
http://vancouver.en.craigslist.ca/van/tfr/4402285323.html
I've had the exact same thought haha
Traditional art would be amazing more on the lines of painting, street art instalments.