Well, oXYnary, I'm one of the unfortunate few who doesn't have any income. How do I survive? I'm living with my folks right now, and yeah, I'm too god damned old to be doing that.
I know the economy is a big factor, but I have to wonder if it's something I am doing wrong that's keeping me from getting hired. I mean, am I not a good enough artist? Did I somehow get a bad rep when I was working, and it's haunting me without my knowledge? I can not get hired to save my life, and I've applied just about everywhere.
It is frustrating to say the least, being my age, in the situation I'm in, and not being able to find a way out of it. I know a lot of people have it a lot worse than I do, but that really doesn't make me feel any better.
Sorry, Jesse, and everyone else who's jobless right now. I hope and pray every single day that things will pick up for everyone, and that's not just smoke up your skirt.
Just wondering, for those without work at the moment, do you all have SOs, and are they still having some income in the meantime? For those that do, does it put pressure on the relationship?
Saved $$ for a situation like this. I do odd art jobs here and there (quickie websites, CAD file cleanups for renders... whatever). Did a TON of daycare photography. And now I am living with my in-laws with wife and two kids. It's socially acceptable to do it, so I don't care. My only expenses are my wife's cell phone, health insurance, odd and end food items, baby supplies and that's it. Although I did have to shell out a few grand for the birth center, and again a month later when he had to get an emergency operation. The health insurance here is so damn awesome, I get 100% back.
Just wondering, for those without work at the moment, do you all have SOs, and are they still having some income in the meantime?
For those that do, does it put pressure on the relationship?
For those that don't, what do you do to survive between?
I'm married. And my wife was pregnant when I got laid off. Go figure! That was probably the hardest part. Having a baby can make some pretty big hospital bills. Insurance took care of most of it. But when you have no job you want to save every single penny. Luckily I kind of knew the layoff was going to happen so I had a few months to save every penny and sell some unwanted stuff.
Don't get too down on yourself. I was out for nearly 6 months (!) between jobs last time as the economy really bottomed out before finding a company that loved (and hopefully still loves?) me, on a major title. I now kinda miss working on side projects... I've been working on what should have been a 2-3 week project at home for almost 3 months now in my spare time .
I just read all comments> implies> I have plenty of time> shows > I am jobless too.. LOL.. Its been more than a year now.. Started working at KFC on weekends.. Applied everywhere... got half a dozen interviews.. did some art tests as well.. fingers crossed, because of keeping them crossed for tooo long one of my fingers have been twisted and doesnt get straight now.. so I have to keep them crossed now anyway.. :P Jesse You have great resume and contacts so I hope your fingers will not get twisted...
Sorry to hear it man, guess me applying at Raven is out of the question lol but be happy some of you have had jobs in the industry, alot of artist like myself who are out of college who have not even held a job in the industry find it almost impossible to get in now
I am not a regular around here anymore (and I am not a boss, just an artist of way smaller game companies that have needed to learn profiles like web design, print design, teaching, etc, in meantimes of no game companies in my city, or just stalls of companies. )
have been unemployed , many years ago, till decided go the "many profiles route".this way I don't change of town neither get unemployed, just go jumping where there's some fresh water...
A pair of advices, if I am in position to give any.... Website: protfolio , once you click on the menu word, should already put a collection of your work. If NDAs are the prob, then if you have some free time (after doing work for freelancing, maybe some mins in the day) tomake some few but good quality more samples to put there. People checking fast, which is the usual case, wont know of non standard navigation: just will click on portfolio word.
the page, centered instead of left aligned, and a bit more work on it, will sell better. maybe make the menu words not just embossed, but in a color that not being the exact orange of title, be at least of similar contrast.
Second advice is do bit of SEO and promo on portals and sites for this, and keep moving your elf in many places, and see other profiles you can do in times like this.
Third, maybe most important. Always keep moral strong, and your motivations. Is the 99% of it all. And there's no reason to be afraid, seeing your artwork and capability/skills.
Your resume is amazing, but a lot of lower level contractos may miss the resume option and only click on "portfolio"...
Sorry, if I don't reply more on this, am now an occasional visitor.
I graduated from the Art Insitute of Atlanta back in Sept. of 2006 and have yet to get a job in the field, so I know the struggle. Straight out of school, I worked at Best Buy, as a tele-marketer (that was complete torture), as a struggling freelance artist, delivering hospital supplies to a local hospital and now I'm working as a "2d imaging specialist." It's some what of a graphic design job which actually limits me in my creativity, but it was a very good fall back plan for me considering it pays pretty decently. It's not where I want to be by any means...but a honkie has to pay his bills.
I'm planning on staying there until I do find a job in the field but as of right now, it doesnt look that great for aspiring character artists. I've actually focused more of my time on family and have lost quite a bit of motivation and steam to work on any personal art. I'm pretty optimistic about things for the most part, but I cant help but feel a little discouraged with the way the economy is right now. My wife and I are in the process of buying a house...so things are good as far "chasing the American dream" goes. But I would really like to be in my field doing what I love to do. And I'm pretty sure soon after we move in our new home, a baby will come....that's usually how it works anyway....I think?!? But yea...good luck to everybody. Hopefully things will start turning around soon.
Replies
I know the economy is a big factor, but I have to wonder if it's something I am doing wrong that's keeping me from getting hired. I mean, am I not a good enough artist? Did I somehow get a bad rep when I was working, and it's haunting me without my knowledge? I can not get hired to save my life, and I've applied just about everywhere.
It is frustrating to say the least, being my age, in the situation I'm in, and not being able to find a way out of it. I know a lot of people have it a lot worse than I do, but that really doesn't make me feel any better.
Sorry, Jesse, and everyone else who's jobless right now. I hope and pray every single day that things will pick up for everyone, and that's not just smoke up your skirt.
I'm married. And my wife was pregnant when I got laid off. Go figure! That was probably the hardest part. Having a baby can make some pretty big hospital bills. Insurance took care of most of it. But when you have no job you want to save every single penny. Luckily I kind of knew the layoff was going to happen so I had a few months to save every penny and sell some unwanted stuff.
.........
Guess again, sweetheart.
Best of luck
I am not a regular around here anymore (and I am not a boss, just an artist of way smaller game companies that have needed to learn profiles like web design, print design, teaching, etc, in meantimes of no game companies in my city, or just stalls of companies. )
have been unemployed , many years ago, till decided go the "many profiles route".this way I don't change of town neither get unemployed, just go jumping where there's some fresh water...
A pair of advices, if I am in position to give any.... Website: protfolio , once you click on the menu word, should already put a collection of your work. If NDAs are the prob, then if you have some free time (after doing work for freelancing, maybe some mins in the day) tomake some few but good quality more samples to put there. People checking fast, which is the usual case, wont know of non standard navigation: just will click on portfolio word.
the page, centered instead of left aligned, and a bit more work on it, will sell better. maybe make the menu words not just embossed, but in a color that not being the exact orange of title, be at least of similar contrast.
Second advice is do bit of SEO and promo on portals and sites for this, and keep moving your elf in many places, and see other profiles you can do in times like this.
Third, maybe most important. Always keep moral strong, and your motivations. Is the 99% of it all. And there's no reason to be afraid, seeing your artwork and capability/skills.
Your resume is amazing, but a lot of lower level contractos may miss the resume option and only click on "portfolio"...
Sorry, if I don't reply more on this, am now an occasional visitor.
I'm planning on staying there until I do find a job in the field but as of right now, it doesnt look that great for aspiring character artists. I've actually focused more of my time on family and have lost quite a bit of motivation and steam to work on any personal art. I'm pretty optimistic about things for the most part, but I cant help but feel a little discouraged with the way the economy is right now. My wife and I are in the process of buying a house...so things are good as far "chasing the American dream" goes. But I would really like to be in my field doing what I love to do. And I'm pretty sure soon after we move in our new home, a baby will come....that's usually how it works anyway....I think?!?