New noob question. (Need advice!)

vertstrutter

Hola!

I'm just starting out in 3D graphics, and I'd like to get into the industry as a 3D artist.
But obviously as a noob I want to aim my skills in an area that there are possible job positions in, and I have heard it's is pretty tough out there at the moment.

I've been learning 3ds max and photoshop, and also exploring 3D engines such as UDK and Unity.

Therefore I'd like to ask for some advice;
I'm interested in the views and opinions on the best direction to aim my learning in right now, Environment artist / Character Artist / Special FX Artist etc. And whether it is better to specialize or generalize?

Thanks

Tenchi

To begin with figure out where your strengths are, and what your preferences are. That will help define which field you are best suited to.

Specialize in which field, say Characters, but learn all aspects of that field. Once you get a job you may end up specializing further like Hair, Rigging etc. All depending on the size of the studio.

If you choose VFX artist, you may want to consider Maya as opposed to Max to begin with.

gl! ^^

glottis8

I think something really important that i have learned over the years is, push yourself not only to be an artist, but to be really technical and know your way. Learn technical material shaders, some code on how to do things, unreal script and max script always come in handy. Just really understand what you are doing from a tech point. This will not only look awesome in your resume, but your art will be a lot better as well.

aajohnny

It depends where you want to work. Do you want to work for a small team or a larger team? If your going for a small team its better to be a non specialist because I know a few friends that are working for small studios and your better to be good at various things. Larger studios your better off with being specialized.

Well you should do what you LOVE doing, if you just do something to get a job you'll be doing something you may not enjoy for the rest of your life... if you are a good FX artist and apply to get a job as a FX artist and you don't really want to be one... you'll be sitting there making fireballs for the rest of your life. Do what you love and I would be specialized. Just my opinion.

passerby

you should make a strong point in what interests you most but it is good to know how to work on other stuff too.

say your a environment artist in a small studio, you may end up having do some FX to go in the environment.

the idea is to just not get stuck doing something you don't like.

vertstrutter

Thanks for the responses, they were all very helpful.

I think I'd really like to work for a small team at the moment, learn the ropes etc.

But what I'd like to do is concentrate my time learning an art discipline where I might find possible positions in for a novice artist.
I think equally, characters and environments are what I enjoy working on the most.
So I'd like to ask this; is character art a difficult area to get into at the moment? would it be wiser to go down the environment art path?

Nekomata

As a newbie myself I have looked into these questions and I would like to tell you what I have learned.

You said that you would want to work for a small team at the moment to "Learn the ropes". That is good and all BUT working for a small team does not really mean that it will be easier. In fact it could mean the total opposite.

For example: When you work in a larger company you will probably specialise in one thing, thus "less" to do and so you can focus on doing just that the best you can and also focus on learning more about the other things. Where as with a small team you would have to probably do the environments and textures as well as props and possibly characters all on your own. (Well not ALL on your own but you get what I mean.)

Then you ask which is more difficult to get into. As others have said it is not about difficulty it is about what YOU want to do. It will be difficult to get a job as a character artist when you prefer environments and visa versa. So ask yourself (as I have asked myself) "What is it that I enjoy doing most and that I find I am better at?" once you figure that out you will know where to head. I for example want to become an Environment artist.

The bottom line here is: Do what you love and not what is easier.

P.S. I am shit scared of going into Environment art because I know how amazing some things are.. but I am still heading towards it because I want to eventually be the one creating those environments that scare the next person
Not saying Characters are easier btw.

RexM

vertstrutter wrote: »

Thanks for the responses, they were all very helpful.

I think I'd really like to work for a small team at the moment, learn the ropes etc.

But what I'd like to do is concentrate my time learning an art discipline where I might find possible positions in for a novice artist.
I think equally, characters and environments are what I enjoy working on the most.
So I'd like to ask this; is character art a difficult area to get into at the moment? would it be wiser to go down the environment art path?

It isn't about what is easier to get a job in, it's about what you want to do the most... because it's all hard to get into if you have no skills, so get skills.

Decide what you want to do the most and pursue that path.

gsokol

Yea man, play the field and figure out what you are good and and what you like. Don't ask us, ask yourself.