In need of motivation

noken

I'm new here and I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Seth and I'm kind of stuck in a career path I don't like. So I've taken it upon myself begin learning how to create quality artwork and java script programming to become employable, or to employ myself. I've posted some art that I've had the time to create. The first is a short sprite sheet for the basic building blocks of an environment. Grass, dirt, and sky (my afterthought was that sky would just be simple background gradient). I'm not sure what pixel x pixel size to use (these are 32x32). I created them with illustrator. The lion (unfinished) and peace symbol are created with Clip Studio Paint (formerly Manga Studio 5). 

The main reason I'm here is because I'm kind of lacking motivation. What do you guys do to motivate yourself?

seth.

http://polycount.com/search?adv=1&search=motivation&title=&author=&cat=41&tags=&discussion_d=1&within=1+year&date=

that should get you started.

repete

Something bite size (not too small or big) that is challenging and put a time limit on it. Nothing more motivating than learning something new and getting stuck in.

It all adds up in the end ! 

RN

noken said:

The first is a short sprite sheet for the basic building blocks of an environment.

What environment? Use those tiles to build something, like a mock-up of a gameplay screen.

noken

noken said:

The first is a short sprite sheet for the basic building blocks of an environment.

What environment? Use those tiles to build something, like a mock-up of a gameplay screen.

I'm attempting to create an environment using the sprites programmatically through javascript. I just created an animatable character who I can have run around in the environment. My trouble at the moment is my .js knowledge. My only current goal is to create this simple environment and be able to run around in it with this blue guy. I'm not sure how to approach it quite yet, because I'm not using a game making program like unity. I'd rather avoid that so I can understand the fundamentals of game making. Currently I'm learning programming through Frontendmasters.com. If anyone has another learning approach, I'd love to be informed. Thanks for the replies.

noken

Would it be better to start off with a design of the entire environment as one big .png image? Rather than try to programmatically place the tiles like they're Terraria blocks?

krraej

noken said:

Would it be better to start off with a design of the entire environment as one big .png image?

Yes. If you're doing a 2D game, you always want to do a mockup so you know what a screen of the game will look like. In the same way that 3D artists need a piece of concept art, a photo, or some other kind of reference to work of from, you need to create some guidelines for yourself so you can determine the look of the game. That includes: background sprites or tiles, the playable character, enemies, items, and you might even want to think about UI elements. Don't be afraid to look at screenshots of games whose style you like and/or want to emulate, and try to analyze what they did well.

But before you even do that, ask yourself what exactly you're trying to create. You say you don't have much js experience, so I'd suggest you start very, very small. Create a Minimum Viable Product first before you try to create anything bigger.

RN

What do you want to be hired as, an artist or a programmer?
If I were in your position I would pause on the programming and focus only on art, if that's really what you want to specialise in.
You need to get to a competitive level. Look at online job offers to see what they expect from you. Also, check the wiki.

noken said:

I'm not using a game making program like unity. I'd rather avoid that so I can understand the fundamentals of game making.

That's bias. Unity does not give you gameplay code, just an empty main loop. You still have to write all that is needed to make a game.
You have to program the AI, what to do when the user presses keys, what happens when things collide etc. You even have to program things like menus.

Besides, experience with Unity (and other industry standard engines) makes you more employable. I am certain some people here make a living because they know how to use it.