How do you keep your head in the game?

Purge117

Hi all,
Been having this problem basically forever and thought I'd throw it out there to see if anyone else has it, or how to move passed it.

I have STARTED many personal project, but only ever finished a few. It isn't that I get bored of what I am doing, I just think of something else to do, and so move onto the next thing, and the next and next.

How do you focus on getting one project finished and sealed before moving on? Does working with others help? do you give yourself a time limit? I dunno, any tips would be a huge help though

Thanks!
Rob

Brian "Panda" Choi

Volunteer for a game team that expects you to finish an asset.

With expectations, professionally, are set that you complete a task, it increases the likelihood of completing a task.

Unfortunately, it's not guaranteed even then one will finish it, as experience has shown me.

Cay

working with others is a huge boost.. it doesn't even have to be the same project.. but sitting at home with tv, youtube and polycount is a death trap

MikeF

If i feel like a project is stalling or something new has peaked my interest then i usually just move on.

The first few years that i was doing 3d work this was discouraging but then i found that i often go back to old pieces or salvage unfinished work as a base for something new, so in the end its not a waste.

This isn't ideal if you're gunning for some portfolio pieces, in that case you just gotta focus or have a couple things on the go that you can switch off between when interest starts to fade.

Purge117

Thanks for the replies I know exactly what you're all saying.
When I am at work my 3D productivity goes through the roof, and oddly enough so do my skills.
For example, months ago I tried to knock out a 3D Tardis, but alas I got the cube and a few bits and bobs done, tweaked it for an hour or so and thought 'meh'.

At work, a student asked me if it was possible and I managed to complete a fully textured 3D Tardis in about 2 hours. I do not know if it is the environment or the desk setup or what but it makes a difference.

BTW, Tardis -

Amsterdam Hilton Hotel

When I get bored is usually when the work flips from creation to polish. So I make a checklist of the things that still need to be done and focus on that. Makes it so your creative brain can take a break and let the OCD part finish things off

Perlinfalcon

Joining contests works well for me. Probably doing any of the monthly challenges here on Polycount would be a good idea. I also have a hard time bringing projects to conclusion without a set deadline.

Purge117

I use an organisation tool called Google Keep for everyday life. Sounds like it would be worth while using it for modelling too and checking off the boxes after every little thing. At least that way it will feel like I am making progress.

Thanks for your comments guys

SuperFranky

Friends certainly help to keep you motivated. I'm working on my current project since July and I'm still on it without breaks, kinda daunting task at times but I do what I gotta do...

Purge117

That's another reason why I am trying to be more active on here. None f my friends are interested in this side of stuff. Never hurts to make new friends right

Brian "Panda" Choi

Keep at it. Make an avatar, post your basic identity, make a LinkedIn, the whole shebang

SuperFranky

Purge117 wrote: »

That's another reason why I am trying to be more active on here. None f my friends are interested in this side of stuff. Never hurts to make new friends right

I'll be your friend :poly128: If you want, that is :smokin:

Noth

Make sure your personal project is something you think is cool, and not something you're doing cause you think it'll get you a job or something. Night and day for me. Other than that, contests are huge. Participation in the community that revolves around them is a bunch of fun and can help encourage you. gl.

Two Listen

I used to have a huge problem finishing personal works. Eventually I found myself able to move past the issue when I'd finally grown more familiar with my workflow from beginning to end. It seemed like, generally, I'd put a bunch of time into a project running on inspiration/eagerness/etc, and I'd put what I could into it but know it wasn't where I wanted it to be, and by the time that rolled around I wanted to try a bunch of other new things. I was constantly left with unfinished projects as a result.

Kept working on figuring out my own workflow, though, and now that I have a better understanding of what it takes to bring something to completion - I'm able to accomplish that goal much more frequently and with much less stress.

Torch

You could always look at it like if you're not finishing projects, no completed projects are added to your folio. Potential Employers looking at your work don't see projects taken from start to completion = no jobs come your way. So finishing off pieces and presenting them in a nice way should be a high priority!

Ged

yeah I find it helps me to break it down into tasks - even small ones. That way you feel you have made some progress every time you work on it. For example if Im busy making a character at home I might break it down like this.

1 Make basemesh for body and head.
2 Sculpt basic anatomy
3 Create eyes and sculpt head for them to fit
4 Improve anatomy definition
5 get face looking good
6 get hands looking good
etc etc

this way I can work on my personal art for 1hr a day and feel that I can nearly always check something off the list and that keeps me motivated a little more.

Purge117

SuperFranky wrote: »

I'll be your friend :poly128: If you want, that is :smokin:

Haha, no reason why not.
I'll sort out a skype account and send you a message with the details.

Purge117

Two Listen wrote: »

I used to have a huge problem finishing personal works. Eventually I found myself able to move past the issue when I'd finally grown more familiar with my workflow from beginning to end. It seemed like, generally, I'd put a bunch of time into a project running on inspiration/eagerness/etc, and I'd put what I could into it but know it wasn't where I wanted it to be, and by the time that rolled around I wanted to try a bunch of other new things. I was constantly left with unfinished projects as a result.

Kept working on figuring out my own workflow, though, and now that I have a better understanding of what it takes to bring something to completion - I'm able to accomplish that goal much more frequently and with much less stress.

Sounds to me like I should spend less time worrying about unfinished work, and focus on all of the new techniques I have learnt from them. Hopefully they will all come together and help me to build a portfolio.

Thanks!