So how bad is the job situation in the industry right now?
I graduated last year with a mediocre portfolio, but I still got some interviews from a few companies. I never got a job beyond the contract one I'm in now but my career advisor kept telling me that it's not me but the economy right now. Is that actually true? I'm under the impression that the game industry is recession-proof, but I'm not so sure.
Is it uncommon to be out of school with no full-time job in this industry, or is my career advisor right? I have a real hard time gauging right now, but I can tell you that I haven't gotten any interviews lately and I think a lot of the stuff that used to be in my portfolio when I did was a lot worse.
Is it uncommon to be out of school with no full-time job in this industry, or is my career advisor right? I have a real hard time gauging right now, but I can tell you that I haven't gotten any interviews lately and I think a lot of the stuff that used to be in my portfolio when I did was a lot worse.
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Anyway, its very common for students just graduating to have trouble finding a job, unless they have an excellent portfolio, this is true even in a good economy, because studios are looking to hire experienced people over people with degrees. With the recent layoffs, you have more and more experienced, qualified people fighting for every job, which is bound it make it a lot harder to get any sort of position.
So, thats a bunch of stuff that you can't really control, now here some stuff that you can: Continue to work on your own, you say your portfolio is mediocre, start posting your work here for critiques, listen to them and work on improving, and revamp your portfolio with better work. If you can continue to do contract, stay with it, any experience working in the industry is very valuable, onsite or offsite.
Beyond that, and forgive me for being blunt but, your portfolio is a mess.
Nothing in a game engine (not necessary, but it helps)
no high poly assets
All normal maps appear to be diffuse/color maps run through a filter
Textures lack color, depth, and appear fuzzy
Only 3 of your 'finished' pieces include any information (tri count, texture size)
Many of your pieces show no understanding of optimization (ex: USS Reliant)
And despite your resumes claim to the contrary I see nothing that shows you've ever used ZBrush.
Also, reguarding your website specifically, if your going to haveone at least post it somewhere in your account (sig / contact info) so people that want to see it dont have to run through your post history to find it. and your sites pages all come up as 'untitled document' in the top of the browser, that should be fixed.
While as this is all a little off topic, it's probably what you need to know.
As for the state of getting jobs, it depends on where you are at. For instance, Vancouver is a terrible place to be looking for work right now, but from what I've been hearing Montreal is doing quite a bit better. :P
Anyways, the most important bit is what EQ mentioned. Basically make sure your 'folio is awesome, not mediocre, and you'll be good. And Polycount is a great place to get help while making that awesome portfolio.
OMG!
Yes the fact that there have been so many layoffs leaving experienced artist in the job market and that companies may not be hiring as much is hurting college grads.
But your portfolio is what could be hurting you as well like what polyhertz said. I can't really pinpoint a specific area that you should work on since I think overall you need to sit down and really work on it all more.
Maybe try using tileable textures for the buildings and not trying to cram an entire building texture on one sheet. Putting stuff in a game engine would help most def. Some high poly or some form of next-gen knowledge would help too.
Good luck and don't let the crappy economy give ya a buzz kill.
oh how i know this too well :P
Im not speaking from experience of landing a solid game industry job, ive never had one, but I am speaking from common sense and yes some blind faith. both of which are very handy in times like now to stay positive.
... just cause you can bake a cake that doesnt taste like a sewer rat pissed on it, doesnt make you a chef anyway... you have to go to chef events, network with other chefs, talk to family chefs and yes maybe even work as a dishwasher before they put you on the cook line...
I should probably jump on the polycount bandwagon for work critiques.
But today with the economy as is... It's a hit or miss type of deal as I am coming to find. The worst part of it is seeing how many companies are looking for lead-senior roles more than taking an extra couple juniors on board for lesser pay than those needed for the ranks of someone who will want a higher raise.
A large number of the jobs that people land aren't from applying to the same tired public auctions you see on the web forums. They are from people who know people, or from HR who draw names from a pool of potential cream-of-the-crop first. Then they post on forums and advertise to the rest of the world when they have already asked internally and addressed other potential avenues.
You claim to have been out of school for a year and "still haven't found work", and yet after a year you have absolutely nothing to show for yourself to one of the bigger online communities in the gaming industry in the way of a portfolio, or any recent WIPs to speak of.
Just how much do you really want it? How many hours do you play video games versus actually making 3d?
This is absolute truth. Especially in these economic times, you can't apply to 3 places, get rejected, and then call it quits. There are plenty of jobs out there for people who are skilled and willing to bleed, sweat, and cry for it.
This industry is not going to get any easier to break into, and thankfully this current economic struggle is only making more companies aware that the money-wasting days of 3-5 years ago aren't cutting it, and we don't have room for talentless hacks.
Of course, that doesn't mean there won't be some shit games, but you can bet that recruiters and HR are buckling down on budgets across the board, and that means they are getting more and more cautious about their investments. (You, the potential noob 3d artist)
If you work is up to snuff to the games and/or films of today, you'll find a job eventually. But if you want a job now you'll need to go above the competition in terms of visual quality and time taken.
Looking for only a month during a rock bottom economy hit doesnt really make me think getting a job is impossible in Vancouver, especially when in the same paragraph you get an interview tomorrow... It takes a month for companies to just read through the resumes probably, then another 2 weeks to process follow-up I bet... Im not saying the economy isnt shit, it is, but mainly cause thats the common perception now.. anyway what im saying is that the CG industry is in general decent and that this is a decent area for it...
EDIT: Ubisoft is apparently hiring in Montreal so do apply there! also 31337 recruiting is handling interviews here in Vancouver, so there you go, both cities working together... now go get some precious jobs if you have the skillz...
How can you be looking for work without having an online portfolio?
I'm not trying to be snarky, it just seems to me like having a portfolio that isn't on the web is going to hamstring you - making it more difficult to share and making you look less professional.
This is a fantastic post.
That's because Ott is the man.
Seriously what is this "The economy is bad I can't get a job". Stop making excuses, and stop being lazy. If you really want to get in this industry you have to bust your ass everyday tell you get a job. That's the way its been good and bad economy.
Yes, but my contract did not get renewed, and then a few weeks back the rest of the staff were laid off/haitus until further notice (some round in march)