What do I want to be when I grow up?

Makkon

My focus this summer is going to be building a portfolio, and I'm going to really really need your help. I was hoping for some more personal feedback rather than general advice. On the dawn of my 24th birthday last week, I've been really thinking hard about applying myself and getting out there into the industry.

I've been around these boards for a few years and I love this community with all my heart. There are so many people here that I am deeply inspired by and aspire to be like. As such I'm pulled in all sorts of directions in my interests that I'm really getting scatterbrained and I'm not sure what direction I want to go with my art. In reality I'd love to not have to go in a specific direction, I'd love to just DO ALL THE THINGS. But these days that's not really an easy option.

There's so many things that I WANT to do, as opposed to so many things that I COULD do. I WANT to learn the UDK/cryengine3/unity, and start going into environment art, but I COULD just as easily go down the character route since that's something I seem to have a hold on.
My modeling is weak and out of date, and to this day I have only 1 fully finished character (from 5 years ago). I have a better grasp on concept art than anything else I do, but I WANT to start modeling and texturing full characters and props.
(and then there's music...)

Since I'm building a portfolio this summer, I want to know what polycount thinks: from what you've seen from me, what direction would you suggest I go? What do you think my specialty is? What do you think I should focus on in my portfolio? There's so many things I want to do, I just need a little direction right now, and you guys are the best to ask.

chrisradsby

Hmm, You'd be a fine concept artist, you could probably be a good cinematic director or AD as well, your music is awesome. Overall art skill is very high so you can probably advance into any field if you'd like if you put your mind to it.

I mean if you don't like the technical stuff of modelling and stuff you might want to get into sculpting and texturing. Maybe get into mods and advance from there.

Considering that your sketchbook is amazing you can probably apply for concept art jobs now, probably audio-positions as well. Are you looking to work outside of the US? I'd throw in a good word for you everywhere =P I've already sent some of your music around the office.

System

I don't feel experienced enough to comment on the art side of things, your stuff looks fantastic to me and I wish you the best of luck.

What I will advise however is that you think very very carefully before heading in the music direction (if that's even something you've considered). I played guitar for 14 years, absolutely loved it, played it daily for hours, until I turned it into a career. What was once my passion became a chore, and I honestly can't remember the last time I picked up my guitar.

So, moral of the story... Sometimes things that you enjoy greatly, suddenly become a lot less enjoyable when you're under pressure and getting paid for it. For me at least, they became impossible, the creative freedom of playing and composing for nobody but myself had been destroyed. I will say though that some people strive on the opposite, and thrive on the pressure.

And I think it would be an awful shame for that to happen to your music.

ceebee

I can't really make up your mind for you buddy. But let me just say that I am a huge fan of all the work that you've done both artistically and musically that I think no matter what you decide to do, you'll kick ass at it as long as you put in that effort.

Spend some time experimenting with things that you WANT to do. If you find yourself liking one thing better than an other then head in that direction. If you get bored of it then move on.

We're around the same age, but you have a lot more broader potential than I ever had for myself because I pretty much knew what I wanted to be specifically. If I were you I'd just experiment my ass off, cause you'll never know where you could land. And wherever you do land, it could be an amazing opportunity.

I'm usually all for the "focus on one thing" mindset, but yeah dude, you're a crazy talented mofo and I don't know what the hell to tell ya lol

PogoP

Just do whatever you want to do. Whatever you're most passionate about; do it. We can't make your mind up for you and I'd be annoyed if somebody did tell you what to do. It's your life, how do you want to spend it?

Shadownami92

This might sound a little crazy or a little biased since I personally don't have a job in the industry. But I could see you doing really well going the indie direction. You have the skills to really make great concept art, 3d art, music, and creativity which is more than enough to start an indie project, and I'm sure you would be able to pull together other talented artists with you on a promising project as well.

I mean, it wouldn't be the most rewarding from a monetary standpoint, and if your not into the actual game design aspect of it all you probably wouldn't find it as enjoyable, but it would give you that sort of freedom to work on which parts you want to work on, and if you find good partners they might enjoy the parts that you don't like.

Getting updated on modeling techniques should be extremely easy to do I think, the basics are the same, just a few new things here and there (save for that sculpting is required a lot more.)

I'd say experiment in your portfolio phase to see what you enjoy the most. Also keep in mind that based on where you work you might not have as much artistic/expressionistic leeway, so experiment to see how much to enjoy making realistic environments, modular pieces and tilable textures and whatnot. Maybe do the same for characters. Though I guess you could make a list of game studios that do more stylized are and try to just apply for those studios as well.

With your art skills you should be able to land any job you apply for in terms of character or environment art I think.

I personally like doing too much of everything (save for programming) to really focus on it, so I'm going the indie route with a programmer friend, so that's how I sort of am solving my inability to focus on one specific thing.

But people that are actually in the industry will probably have a bit more insight on the subject than me since they will be able to look at things from a better perspective in general.

conte

On your place i would do a few freelance works in each area, you're listed. To get better idea of what's interesting for you and what's not. Try it even(sometimes especially) if you suck at it.
*with voice of Yoda- Don't let your best skills dictate what to do. Interest and fun should be your guide, imho.

Gestalt

Do it all? If you want a job, a specific job, then of course you would want to specialize, but you're young and have a lot of skill and passion so why settle so soon? I honestly think that you could do it all if you wanted to; there's no reason to think that you couldn't as long as you have that flexibility and time. I recently was confronted with the same question as you, and my conclusion was to start my own project. Given that you are also young it may be a great opportunity to take on something a bit more.

fearian

I agree that you could go right into concept art at the moment. You put out alot of 2d art so I assume you love doing it!

Also, you are a total hero on these boards; If you put up a portfolio thread you will have no trouble getting people to pass your work around to their art directors, whether you want them to or not!

Dylan Brady

You rock makkon!
Jesus man with your drawing skills I really think that most studios could find you a place either concepting, sculpting (after a bit of refresh on the tools) or just in a 2D game?

MagicSugar

Makkon wrote: »

I'd love to just DO ALL THE THINGS. But these days that's not really an easy option.

From personal experience, even if you're skilled at different roles you can really just physically do one thing at a time.

If you're making a portfolio to get work I recommend marketing yourself as a specialist. You can have multi folios online but each separated by a specialty. You can also have the all-in-one portfolio, but if you're targeting big studios you'll probably look better off showcasing one skillset.

And if you get hired say either as concept guy or modeler, you can still develop or use your "unpaid" skill off hours. Plus...if you get yourself in a nice studio with lots of awesome pros you'll be able to learn a lot more and faster than just self-teaching. Not to mention networking and building pro relationships.

Good luck. And, I don't know what your freelance experience is like but..."be careful what you ask for". I currently have unrelated drawing and modelling gigs and I'm finding it inefficent pay & timewise and it's a pain in the neck switching creative mindsets (especially so when you're making stuff for other people instead of your own art).

Vio

Hi Makkon I'm about your age. What I will say is, what ever direction you choose to target just best of luck with it. Its all the beginning of a journey and like how you decide what happens in your work its the same principle with your career.

ericdigital

Man I love your 2d stuff. I feel like you could just walk in somewhere and be like sup i'm your new concept artist and they would take you! You have a sick grasp of characters!

Joseph Silverman

You're an inspirational concept artist, and all of the 3d skills are productive for concept art. Being able to mock up models and pieces is great. Plenty of people can make cool 3d models, relatively few have the design sense and drawing fundamentals that you do. Go the 2d/design route and bless us all with awesome looking games.

Neox

Joseph Silverman wrote: »

You're an inspirational concept artist, and all of the 3d skills are productive for concept art. Being able to mock up models and pieces is great. Plenty of people can make cool 3d models, relatively few have the design sense and drawing fundamentals that you do. Go the 2d/design route and bless us all with awesome looking games.

this

d1ver

There's so many things that I WANT to do, as opposed to so many things that I COULD do. I WANT to learn the UDK/cryengine3/unity, and start going into environment art, but I COULD just as easily go down the character route since that's something I seem to have a hold on.
My modeling is weak and out of date, and to this day I have only 1 fully finished character (from 5 years ago). I have a better grasp on concept art than anything else I do, but I WANT to start modeling and texturing full characters and props.
(and then there's music...)

Hey Makkon,
If I got it right you're actually asking whether you should follow what you want or what you seem to be able to pull off already. Because otherwise obviously no one knows what it is that you want. Someone may tell you what they want you to be, but it still wouldn't be what you want.

So I'd always say just go for what you want, because playing it safe gives you a risk of running out of steam halfway through, while doing what you really want will keep you moving forward even when all hope seems to be lost

You're doing good with 2d art and if anything it just gives me confidence that you'll be able to get good with anything else you'll dedicate yourself to.

Best of luck, mate.