Income Potential.
polycounter lvl 6
What is the income potential of 3D artists? I work in 3D art in the construction industry and I see project managers getting a lot more money than it seems a 3D artists could ever get. I feel like I should more focus on getting into design management than 3D art...
I mean if you work really hard for 5+ years you can get a good job on 90K... but comp-sci grads are outearning 3D veterans. Sometimes I feel I picked the wrong direction.
It's really difficult to prove the financial benefit of 3D art and therefore people don't want to pay for it.
I mean if you work really hard for 5+ years you can get a good job on 90K... but comp-sci grads are outearning 3D veterans. Sometimes I feel I picked the wrong direction.
It's really difficult to prove the financial benefit of 3D art and therefore people don't want to pay for it.
Replies
However, the potential to earn a lot is still there, you just have to be a master in what you do and find a niche that you are the go-to person in. Usually higher salaries come with added responsibilities above just making art.
If you're only working in 3d for the money, it might be tough to stick out crunch time, harsh environments, studios shutting down etc.
You say you are working in the construction industry, and maybe that is not where the big money is in terms of 3d, but rather where other types of jobs will get the higher salaries for what they do for the projects.
It is about finding where you can leverage your skills the best, and them getting the best return of your skills (i.e. your value to the employer) that is directing the level of pay you get.
I would say you should try to find what motivates you to work. If it is money, then do what you think can bring the most money. If it is Art, then do what you think can be the best art etc. This highly subjective, but it is a choice only you can make. And just because you've made it once, doesn't mean you can't shift in the future... multiple times. I think so far I've switched careers about 6 times or so..
I have a comp sci degree first and foremost and have added art on top of that. However for me personally, the prospect of sitting and doing art all day gets me all excited to work whereas thinking about sitting and coding all day as a programmer makes my mood sink like a stone. For me, it is more important that I'm happy with what I'm doing, instead of selling my life to the highest bidder (which working for a salary technically is) just because I want the money.
Maybe 3d in the construction industry just isn't where you will get the most of your 3d career. Maybe look into arch viz or something else?
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Game_Industry#Salary_Research
I'm already doing 60 hours per week job outside of the industry, and I hate it. The money I've made doing these side jobs are still terrible, while having to witness some of the most horrifying imagery I've come across in multiple workplaces.
I've looked around at wages in 3D art and the fact a lot of jobs start out at $40,000 ~ $60,000 (Canadian) is good enough for me to finally get an apartment and seriously consider paying off all my software/computer equipment costs.
Of course, my perspective may change when I do start my first day in the industry but I'm at a point now where things can't get worse. Doing a job you actually enjoy and get paid for is infinitesimally worth all the risks that come with it.
Yes I'm already marketing myself as arch viz as the salaries seems to be higher on average, 110K AUD was the highest I've seen.
Trying to morph myself into digital designer / 3D UX Designer as I think it will have higher potential.
Yeah I'd say 90K (US) is probably the maximum and then as mentioned above you would be in more of a lead role - so less art and more running a team - organising workloads, time-scales, outsourcing etc. But even 90K (US) might be hard to reach from what I've seen. I've seen Lead wages in the 60 to 70 range. I'm in the UK so it may be different where you are. So 5 years of hard work may not get you to that wage. As pointed out above it's a career of passion. The industry can afford to pay less because it's far more competitive with people more than willing to take less. So it's not really an industry where you can make a lot of money. I've had several friends leave the industry, re-train and make double the money easily. So if money is your objective - look for a different career. And also even when I've felt the money I was earning was 'good' all my friends in different industries earn more now. I do live in an IT hub though where there is great earning potential - but the point is it's easier to earn more money quickly from other industries.
I know Jonas you sell assets and templates. Other examples I think are:
- Online tutorials like Udemy courses.
- Profit sharing agreements. Maybe doing some work with small indie companies on % profit sharing instead of upfront payment in the chance it blows up.
- Going into Art Management, directing other artists.
Personally I know a little coding and want to be able to pump out Unreal VR apps.
http://wiki.polycount.com/wiki/Freelance#Selling_Assets
I'm working full-time as an art manager. That requires experience as a prerequisite. But when I negotiated this position I made sure to retain my freelancing as a side option. Not that I use it, too beat at the end of the day. But it's there if I wanted some extra cash.
but seriously if you pick your job just based on the money you can potentially make, probably its best to search somewhere else.
The demand for artists already exists but there is also a high cost in employing them while actual 3D games/movies sometimes struggle to break even/post a profit.
It's why we might see automation start to enter the arena, because despite the growth in technology/consumption of 3D, the studios needed to create them are under fear of layoffs/going under, unless something is done to make art production faster.
But if you develop the skills, the work will follow. Simple as that.
if you're only working on the art and not taking on any managerial roles, you'll cap out on salary at a certain point.
You'll have to move up into positions where more people/time management is required to break into higher salary ranges.
Unfortunately this mean you'll end up spend a bulk of the work time on an Excel sheet, rather than on a 3D Software.
At some point you will have to think about how you can market your skills and make money from them passively.
Most artists who have skills worth sharing, choose to make tutorials to sell or hold workshops/mentorships, etc to supplement their income.