Looking for an Apprenticeship

Jacecr

How might I become an apprentice? I understand it requires time but all I need is someone to say do this. then I do it. Study that, buy this book, join this mod group.I have no idea what to do now that school is over.With so many students having trouble breaking into the industry ,I'm surprised it's not more prevalent.(The whole mentor-apprentice relationship.)I'd be quite happy with some assignments, a checklist that I turn in even. Just so long as I had some sure fire guidance.I've bought so many books and tutorials during school, now I have no clue what to do first.

I work full time in an unrelated field but I'm very serious about wanting to improve.Even if someone looked at my work and gave me a checklist of what I need to work on or a scene that I should try to model I'm all for it.Someone in the industry knows where the bar is, i don't.

I'm hoping to assemble some projects and I'm looking for some direction.

http://workinprogress-joshcr.blogspot.com/

Ghostscape

there are usually contests up at one of the major game art sites - cgtalk, game artisans, here, threedy, and probably others that I'm leaving out. Participate in them. They're great learning experiences, get you exposure among your peers, and almost universally exist to encourage feedback and build communities.

Alternatively, for your first assignment, find a game that you like the style of, and build something that would fit into that world on your own, following their style guide but not just copying their thing. The bar is right there in front of you - when the things you make look like they belong to that game, you're there.

You'll learn more about art direction and shape language and build your observational skills if you make something that would fit in a world, versus just copying them verbatim - trying to make a Gears of War weapon that isn't in the game will teach you how to recognize their shape language, material usage, etc, moreso than just copying a Lancer.

Or just make an Eat3D damaged pillar and Racer445's AK-47, then realize both of those are competent technical exercises but crap portfolio pieces, and build something that utilizes those skills but is unique.

Jacecr

Awesome suggestion. Thanks.Has someone made a list of all the games with game dev kits?What are the most popular Game Dev Kits and Games that Include it with purchase?

itsmadman

lol what i think Luke is trying to say is u are in the right place. Dont suspect one very talented person to guide u hand in hand with out paying them any thing. But for the most part thats not necessary just take what u learned from school try to make an art piece that is portfolio worthy start a thread that shows your progress then u will get comments from countless talented people who could at times be wrong or too scrutinizing but obviously most of the time will lead u exactly were u need to go. POLYCOUNT IS AN Apprenticeship.

oobersli

make shit. post it up here. get crits and get better. can't get much easier than that.

Jacecr

yeah I was wondering about Luke .There's just a great deal of information... I do feel Polycount is the right place for me though.

cholden

Pal up with somebody good. Do what they say and keep your mouth shut. You'll improve dramatically.

Jacecr

lol you make it sound so easy

Mark Dygert

Some good advice. Contests are great, even if there aren't any going on or they just finished you can use them as a guide to get an idea and some technical specs to work off of. It can help beat back that big bully, the blank canvas.

As glib as Luke is I think he makes a good point. It's probably better to study under a few people than to pick one. Your schedules might not match, you'll only learn their style and only their tips and tricks. They could be making great art but just taking a crazy approach or still need to break themselves of bad habits that might get passed onto you.

PLUS, as you take the brave step and ask questions, you're giving a lot of other people a chance to learn. Most of the time the "stupid question" threads, are the best threads because people toss around ideas and workflows get hammered out. People get a chance to solve a problem they haven't dealt with, which might improve their workflow in another area. With an apprenticeship you might get an answer but it might not be the best answer. The best answer might be a combo of things suggested by a few people.

I forget who said it but "There aren't any stupid questions. Only stupid people who fail to ask enough questions".

Jacecr

Has someone made a list of all the games with game dev kits?What are the most popular Game Dev Kits and Games that Include it with purchase?

Arcanox

There are a couple out there, one that's really taken off is UDK which uses the Unreal Engine: http://udk.com

You may as well check that out because there's a lot of good resources and examples included in the package. And it's absolutely free.

Mark Dygert

UDK, unity free, Crytek Sandbox, Source, Marmoset Toolbag.

Dmented

cholden wrote: »

Pal up with somebody good. Do what they say and keep your mouth shut. You'll improve dramatically.

That's what I'm looking for, more of a one on one thing when I need a little help or advice.

Habboi

If you know what role you want to do in the industry then it's a simple task of finding a bunch of online portfolio's of people who are "in" the industry and develop content that matches their quality.

As for learning just...start a project. So before I start sending off my CV I'm working on a final scene in UDK that demonstrates I can do indoors, normal map, model props, texture, lighting, effects and so on.

By doing so I've got a lot better. You can too!