Work related concern
polycounter lvl 18
The employer I am working with is saying that he had someone already create an asset but that he wants me to re-create the same asset to see what I can do??? (Environment)
:poly117:
Is this a known practice to have someone re-create the same assets?
What would be the reasoning for this?
:shifty:
The only thing I can come up with is that the previous artist bailed on him and he sent me his file's to re-create them so that he can still use the "work".
:poly141:
To have this topic filled up besides the above would you all be comfortable stating some of the ridiculous requests you get that you feel is a waste of your or company time?
Thanks guys.
:poly117:
Is this a known practice to have someone re-create the same assets?
What would be the reasoning for this?
:shifty:
The only thing I can come up with is that the previous artist bailed on him and he sent me his file's to re-create them so that he can still use the "work".
:poly141:
To have this topic filled up besides the above would you all be comfortable stating some of the ridiculous requests you get that you feel is a waste of your or company time?
Thanks guys.
Replies
Honestly, he could just want to see if you can match the quality of work for his project, you know, like an art test.
How long have you worked for the employer. etc
Hes the boss. If he tells you to do something, do it.
No but seriously, need more info.
projects can last years. sometimes the crate made in the first week no longer matches the style or quality level.
Edit on topic:
1 year employed.
Not an art test, gj.
Asset is already done and he likes It, but is requesting me to re-create It, I don't understand why, It is just holding back the project.
Freelance.
He probably wants It done in less than 1-3 days, probably 1 in a new application I am learning right now, this week.. probably wants It done on Thursday (same day I start It), wow.
Edit off topic:No point.
So I am to assume that I am out of line when I don't want to be abused? I don't care for money enough, I have self respect which has nothing to do with not being a team player It has to do with principle and how I respect myself enough to not be abused for money, your love of money has gotten you blind, I am not stressing money maybe you need to. This is off topic though, guess this will stir up some entertainment and get more response than my previous concern. lol.
Maybe the art direction has changed since the asset was made and the original artist is tied up doing something else or not available to redo it.
The reasons don't really matter all that much, in the end the boss is unsatisfied with what he has and it's your job to make it better.
My first industry job was animating characters for a game. Later on in development we brought on a senior artist who the boss had redo the main character's animation set. This was totally fine by me as it made the game better.
dont mean to sound harsh, just try to look at the big picture here
Dont be afraid to ask questions or voice concerns.
Complaining on polycount certainly isn't going to do you any good, especially if the guy happens to check polycount, I mean then, you're just asking for even more trouble.
You talk about self respect, but dont have the decency to simply talk to the guy like an adult?
Maybe he's checking your speed in the new app, or how quickly you can get up to speed in it. If it really bothers you that you don't understand why he's having you work on this, maybe you should ask him in a direct but non-confrontational way?
Either way, he's not asking you to do anything wrong so I don't see what the problem is. There's self-respect and then there's having an inflated ego. I'm not saying that to accuse you of anything but just as food for thought, because it's something I needed to overcome myself over the years. You can't see what the bossman sees from your POV in the trenches, so you shouldn't worry about doing his job for him.
I do not think of myself as having an ego, I think in the opposite direction.
Ben Apuna:
Thanks that was helpful, It's understandable with animation.
MikeF:
Yea man I hear you, I understand but the amount to work hours don't add up, I have no time for nothing, at this rate I am working 24/7 no social life what so ever, I'd rather be working at Mc.Donalds they get some time off and equal or more pay. (yea I did It to myself but read below)
EQ:
Yea I agree, but I was curious to see if anyone else went through a similar scenario, I am too nice that's my down fall with people/employers. About the talking like an adult comment: I don't like to hear people complaining after they don't get their way like a child, I don't like taking shit from no one. That's my problem so if anyone gets in my face I pretty much do It right back cause I live by the do unto others, their is no reasoning for yelling at anyone any time, everything can get done in the same manner without raised voices or power trips, I am not a child and people just want to feel important by yelling and trying to appear as they are better than the other cause they are working for them or in a "higher position", sorry to bring those that are back down to reality. [Off-topic, but good topic none the less]
Bib:
Does It make sense, I have the asset that's nearly done I like It, but here redo It exactly and let me see how It turns out...really? I am actually helping him by questioning It, he wouldn't have to pay me to model It cause look It's already modeled. I feel like he's keeping me busy so I don't go exploring my other options & that on the side lines he is getting his money's worth and then some because I work all day, all night, 9.A.m. - 12.A.M.+ - lunch, dinner, sleep.
That is the whole story.
fmnoor:
Yea sadly that is life and by the rate of It, It seems most are going to be unemployed anyway even if your nice follow the rules and do what your told no questions asked, I am just breaking the silence since It will happen anyway I am voicing my opinions and hopefully others might do the same, maybe not to an extreme but we are all just putting up with It and start to let It become the norm and when someone speaks out about It everyone wants to attack said person actually trying to make a difference to sway the advantage towards the artists.
Maybe I am still out of line, apologies.
If you can't meet the deadline without overworking yourself, tell him you can't meet the deadline and give him an estimate on how long it's going to take.
It's really pointless for us to speculate about his motives when you could just ask him.
If you feel are you being overworked or have time issues, discuss it with the person in charge and work out a better timeline. There is really nothing you have mentioned that suggests you're being forced to work round the clock, only "probably wants this in X days".
Unless of course you think this is some kind of alpha male challenge and you fear your dick is too small... Then you might have something to worry about. But honestly I say bring it on, polish that turd, collect your reward and move on.
You really don't have much to feel bad about, unless you talked smack about someones asset and now you're stuck having to do better...
The low end of the scale for an in house junior artist is the top end of a McDonald's General Manager - freelance typically draw in more, I'll let one of the freelance pros drop in for that one.
As far as I'm concerned, there's always room for improvement.
this...
Personally I think artists need to decouple quite a bit from the objects they create and realize that making a game is a team effort and you need to function less as an individual who makes art and more as a person who helping to create something that is bigger than their art alone.
Courtesy and good communication are sometimes things that suffer in exchange for artistic talent. But its something that will knock people out of the running pretty fast if all things are equal... Being courteous goes farther than just saying hi in the hallway. It extends to how you structure your files and how you communicate what you're doing and why to other people.
Just like you would hate opening a PSD with 500 layers, you work in a way that doesn't force others to do that.
Just like you don't like opening a scene and seeing 7 copies of what look like the same object, you don't do that to other people, you might leave a quick spline text note explaining things. Who knows 6mo or a year from now it might be you reopening the file and trying to remember which of the 7 was the final version.
/rant
Thank you.
& yes I am getting paid, LOL Mark! good one & I have to do this all the time!! even here as well....
Thanks everyone else for the important/useful feedback!
This is solved as far as I am concerned, mods.
this kills 2 birds. you get to find out why he wants you to model this thing again. and also you look like you actually are focused on doing it the way he want it and doing a good job.
Yeah, this. Sounds like you're being taken advantage of.