Changing art discipline to get a job?

JunkieKong

So I've been contemplating looking for a studio job this year if my freelance work doesn't pick up, as I've been at it for two years now and work is still too inconsistent for me to make a proper living. The driving force for going freelance in the first place was that there are no studio jobs around me and I didn't really want to move interstate or overseas for work. And I managed to score some pretty good gigs early on.
Anyway, I like the idea of a stable job at a game studio, but what I'm finding is that the Aus (where I'm based) and NZ studios seem to rarely advertise fixed positions for 3D artists. However there always seem to plenty of openings for more specialised (and less competitive) disciplines like UI and VFX, and I think to myself that with a few months training I could probably get up to snuff for either of these roles (but currently have no real experience with them!).

What I'm asking is if focusing on a different, more specialised art role that isn't necessarily your dream job, is a valid way to get your first job at a studio? I'm very interested to hear from anyone who has gone down this path, and if they are still working in that role or ended up getting their preferred job later on.
I'd also love to hear from some UI and VFX artists on Polycount, to get a better understanding of the roles and which one I might be more suited to. I have trained and been working as a 3D artist for the past couple years, so I guess ultimately I would want a character or environment artist job at a studio, but if I were to choose between UI and VFX, I'm actually leaning more towards UI because I have a little experience in graphic design and 2D animation and really enjoy the designing process. Oh yeah my portfolio is here btw, if interested.

But anyway this is all speculative, and I'm mostly just interested to learn more about the art roles at a game studio and hear some people's experiences.

garcellano

Hey there, I'll throw in my two cents.

I just saw your ArtStation, nice Hipster Zombie sketch and Mumbo Jumbo fan art, took me a second to remember where that was from!

Yeah, I did something similar, after a while I was okay with it, and did 3D on the side, but eventually wanted break back doing 3D stuff. It's fun doing freelance, so I know what you mean.

If there are more opportunities in UI in your area, and you're in need for some income, it doesn't hurt to try and lean towards that a bit, while doing 3D stuff on the side. If anything, you'll be getting more production experience on that end. Maybe something 3D related, or being able to do some 3D/UI stuff.

JunkieKong

Cheers man! And yes there definitely seem to be more UI jobs around here than 3D, I would wager there aren't too many UI artists kicking around locally.
Would love to chat to any seasoned UI artists about where the bar is set for an entry-level position and the current practices/software used these days. Some good info on the PC wiki, but it seems like it might be a little outdated now.

Jesse_Flores

Man life is too short to switch to something u dont like just to get a better job, I say if you can afford it, spend a couple months just on improvement mode, after that, go back to applying.  If doesnt work, repeat.

Nuna

Hi Patrick, I looked at your portfolio, I think you should focus on making the best work you possibly can and then apply again Hope that helps

Edit: To clarify, Your portfolio should show the full extent of your capabilities. It shouldnt just be a history of the jobs you have done. Show employers what you can do.

JunkieKong

Well thankyou for the advice, but maybe I haven't explained myself clearly enough - (this might sound a bit wanky) but I don't think the thing holding me back from a 3D job at a studio is my skill level/experience, I think it's the fact that there are so few studios around locally and they already have all the 3D artists they need. You have to realise that the Aus games industry is pretty abysmal compared to any other developed country, "AAA" studios no longer exist over here, so it's only a handful of small mobile game/indie studios left. However, more people than ever want to work on games, which leads to a lot of 3D artists looking for work. Now what seems to be the case is that studios are only looking to hire for more specialised jobs, I almost never see 3D generalist positions.

I actually have an interest in UI/VFX and think I would enjoy the work, and if it was worth pursuing a future at a studio I liked I would totally be fine with working in a different role for a while, I just hope it wouldn't mean years of training to reach an employable skill level.

slosh

The question is whether you will be happy doing UI or VFX.  If you think you will, then go for it.  But if you want to do 3D, I would stick with it.  And as for your folio, it's not bad but it's not good either.  I think if you were to bang out some high quality personal pieces, your chances of getting a gig would be much higher...and your freelance opportunities would get better as well.  Even with the amount of studios being much higher in the US, I'm not sure you would get a gig here either.  Not trying to be an mean, just being realistic and honest.  Look at someone like Adam Fisher(also in Aus I believe) who probably struggled for a while early on in his career but after he made a few awesome folio pieces probably doesn't have too much trouble finding freelance work.

JunkieKong

@slosh ultimately I would be happy doing those jobs, I guess my hope would be that I could still hone 3D skills on the side and make the change to a 3D artist position when the time is right.
Of course my current portfolio is far from perfect, and I'm pretty much catering to the low-poly stylised niche, which could be another factor in the struggle for finding decent freelance gigs. I would love to get some better personal pieces on there and hopefully this will be the year for it, because plenty of professional stuff I've done is still unreleased and under NDA, which is always fun. But you know what I find really frustrating when looking at studio jobs (and will also sound wanky)? When I look at the local studios around and their current 3D artists that work there, I can't help but compare my work to theirs and feel that my stuff is as good or better. But I also understand when the local industry is this small, a lot of it comes down to who you know.
Anyway, nowhere to go but up, and I'll continue to work as a 3D freelancer for as long as the work is good, but I wonder if its worth broadening my skills into other disciplines to make myself more employable.

slosh

In the end, it's up to you.  I get the desire to want to compare your work to those already in the industry in your area but that will do you no good, trust me.  They are already there and you are not...that's all that matters.  Look at the best in the industry and compare your work to theirs, end of story.  Here's the thing though...I guarantee doing UI or VFX is still going to be VERY challenging and VERY time consuming.  So just be aware that it may not be as easy as you think.  In any case, good luck!

JunkieKong

Cheers man, I'm sure you're right... It's just I'm the kind of person who starts to assess other options immediately when things get tough.

(Big fan of your work, btw)

Ex-Ray

I think transitioning to VFX is a smaller jump compared to UI, more of a side step, I know friends in the industry in both discipline. The UI guy came from a traditional graphic design background and the VFX from an environment art background.

Say if you did VFX you could still create showcase 3d environments to support the effects, you can show how it could look in a game, the solo breakdowns of both the VFX and 3d art.

So you are building upon what you already know, if needed you could still cater your portfolio to a 3D art position should you need to.  

JunkieKong

Yeah you could well be right, and I am really interested in looking into VFX, there are a lot of good resources on the web for it. I think what puts me off a bit is some of the extremely technical stuff I've read about, but I'm not going to rule it out.
Incorporating VFX into an environment is a great idea for a portfolio piece.