The negativity towards the Blizzard internship sounds a lot like someone getting turned down by the hot blond at the bar and calling her fat to make themselves feel better.
Assuming that you are somehow being brain washed and all of your personal art will now look like WoW orcs is silly. There is so much to learn from interning at a large company, and art style is very near the bottom of that list.
Also it's not like you have to dedicate yourself to Blizzard's hand painted style to get a job there. Peris got hired there a few months ago and his Unearthly '08 entry was nowhere near Blizzard's hand painted style. I agree that you shouldn't dedicate yourself to one art style, but I think you're taking this Blizzard art style dedication thing a bit far.
I think you're taking this Blizzard art style dedication thing a bit far.
Reread my post and yeah, comes off a bit harsh. Blizzard treats their fans very well and their fans likewise have a great devotion, it's mostly win, win. But i'll stand by my point that some take this devotion too far, potentially at the expense of their future. The grass is always greener...
The negativity towards the Blizzard internship sounds a lot like someone getting turned down by the hot blond at the bar and calling her fat to make themselves feel better.
Assuming that you are somehow being brain washed and all of your personal art will now look like WoW orcs is silly. There is so much to learn from interning at a large company, and art style is very near the bottom of that list.
^Well said!
As many have said before; Your skills get you the interview, your personality and interpersonal skills get you the job. Once you have a job you will learn even more skills that are not related to being better at your craft, but well help you work better.
thats awesome! I applied for the sound design internship, i still would really want to work there however I have been hired in the industry for another internship over the summer so that kind of conflicts haha but i would still love to see what could happen!
The phone interview time was adjusted for an actual scheduled time, thankfully. Yesterday I was informed it would be any time today but they changed it to a specific time next week.
I'll save the energy of posting every tiny detail and just say if I did or did not get it within the next several weeks.
A couple people emailed me telling me they're scheduled for interviews too, so good luck to you guys!!
Dean: What do you mean there is no way to get an internship at Blizzard? Because you're not a student? It's too late to apply?
If you're talking about level of skill required, it is generally acknowledged that an intern would be at a lower skill level than a junior or associate artist.
To answer your question, yes, they do open associate positions from time to time. Their bar is incredibly high, regardless. Even their associate positions require experience and a completely bad ass portfolio.
Dean: What do you mean there is no way to get an internship at Blizzard? Because you're not a student? It's too late to apply?
If you're talking about level of skill required, it is generally acknowledged that an intern would be at a lower skill level than a junior or associate artist.
To answer your question, yes, they do open associate positions from time to time. Their bar is incredibly high, regardless. Even their associate positions require experience and a completely bad ass portfolio.
Fail! Sorry, yeah, because I'm not enrolled in an education. AFAIK you can only get an internship if you're A): A student and : US based, right? Will keep an eye out for associate positions then, thanks:)
If it gives you hope Dean, I have no shipped titles on my resume, but was given an art test by Blizzard recently. Unfortunately I haven't heard back, but it does go to show you that they will look at juniors if your portfolio interests them.
Hey Haiasi: Good luck man! I hope everything goes well. Are you going to be at Evolve to see Fausto's key note? One question if anyone knows. If they passed on the application, are we going to get some email to confirm that we didn't make it? If we do get a letter are we going to be critiqued?
If it gives you hope Dean, I have no shipped titles on my resume, but was given an art test by Blizzard recently. Unfortunately I haven't heard back, but it does go to show you that they will look at juniors if your portfolio interests them.
It does, thank you for sharing mathes! Are you allowed to disclose details about the test? (Subject, limitations, requirements etc)
Sounds like 99% of all companies out there at least from a game artist perspective. From talking witha few folks from blizzard they really want to see a kickass portfolio with several pieces in their style.
Blizzard tries to reach a wide range of people and therefore needs you to be extremely technically proficient with your polys and textures. Generally speaking in terms of environments and props if it doesn't effect the silhouette it doesn't belong. Also if you can't use the same texture on 10 different objects then it better be damn unique.
Hey Haiasi: Good luck man! I hope everything goes well. Are you going to be at Evolve to see Fausto's key note? One question if anyone knows. If they passed on the application, are we going to get some email to confirm that we didn't make it? If we do get a letter are we going to be critiqued?
I will not be attending the Evolve conference. It's on the other side of the country and I'm a student. I hope they don't really think students on a realistic student budget are going to be able to afford to pay for round trip flight, stay, food, and tickets all by themselves. Especially for such a young conference.
GDC is another story. I was willing to shell out the money for that, albeit it was only a 10 hour drive (one way) for us.
I have no idea on what they would do if they passed on someone's application. I highly doubt they're going to write a critique letter on what you can improve for every applicant, I'm sure there were thousands!
I will not be attending the Evolve conference. It's on the other side of the country and I'm a student. I hope they don't really think students on a realistic student budget are going to be able to afford to pay for round trip flight, stay, food, and tickets all by themselves. Especially for such a young conference.
GDC is another story. I was willing to shell out the money for that, albeit it was only a 10 hour drive (one way) for us.
I have no idea on what they would do if they passed on someone's application. I highly doubt they're going to write a critique letter on what you can improve for every applicant, I'm sure there were thousands!
It is a new convention but it looks like it has alot of potential. I'll let you know how it goes.
As far as the internship goes, I'm sure alot of people applied so I guess they won't be able to explain why the rejection for anyone. Anyway Good luck on you're interview, you'll do good!
Just an update, I didn't get it. Had my phone interview a couple weeks back for the Diablo 3 Environment Artist internship, felt it all went well. No response as to what they would have liked done differently.
I can't even imagine what kind of ninja art skills the successful applicant has although I'm sure it was nothing to do with your ability. My guess would be they just found someone more suited to that kinda work, but I have no clue how these things are decided so who knows.
Aww that's disappointing. Your portfolio is pretty good. What did you apply for? Concept Artist or Env Artist? Your concepts are much stronger in my opinion but your environment was still pretty good.
I applied for 2 environment artist positions and the 1 concept art position. They interviewed me for the D3 env position.
I know the guy that is in the process of getting into the internship, he is pretty badass. We've been talking to each other through the whole process for like the past 4 weeks and he got it.
After he "officially" gets it I'll post his link up.
Sorry to hear that you didn't get the internship Haisi, but don't fret! Some positions are VERY specific and your portfolio may have not been tailored to it. Could I take a looksie at your folio by chance? The way our team(Wow Props) do the intern process is: folio's get filtered through the art director and lead, they choose the top few they like, then our lead will share with our team and we will give them our feedback. Generally they already have someone in mind after weeding out the first phase, they just look for reassurance from the team. If they can't decide between two or three people, that's when the interview process comes in. Here at blizzard we care more about if the person is fit for the team, rather than having a BADASS folio. It really is like one big family here, and finding the right attitude/personality type is a huge factor. It's just whether or not they show great potential I was a lucky one and got hired as an associate artist a few years back when they had positions open. Keep your eyes out for entry level positions on the next-gen mmo within the next couple years.
I understand companies really look for people to fit their studio culture. You're going to be working with these people for most the day so it makes complete sense that you want them to mesh well.
You can see a link to my folio in my signature, I'll also send you a PM with the link.
Buck up though, you should be proud how far you made it for possibly the most coveted art positions for guys right out of school. You're young and have your whole life to keep pushin' wherever you want to, just a minor setback.
I can't even imagine what kind of ninja art skills the successful applicant has although I'm sure it was nothing to do with your ability. My guess would be they just found someone more suited to that kinda work, but I have no clue how these things are decided so who knows.
This basically, I can't imagine it was due to a higher requirement of quality, must have been something like a personal preference for a different guy that 'fit' more or something.
In retrospect, I think there was one error along the way that cost me the internship. In our phone interview I mentioned I was working for Liquid and already have a AAA title under my belt. It is my belief that they were more willing to give it to someone not in my position. The interview went really well and they really liked my work.
I believe they went with the other guy because he hadn't had a job yet and still had another year and a half of school left, so they probably felt he would benefit from the internship more than I would. His work is pretty badass too.
Sorry to hear that Haiasi. But the mistake didn't cost you anything, it just wasn't yours. See...each of us has a time and a place, it has nothing to with how much we try, because you can give it your best and do everything YOU can but you will realize you didn't get it. God has a plan for everyone.
I waited for a whole year with no steady gig, and I was so pissed I missed out on Blizzard's internship during the time I was in school. But look at me now, God has given me a chance with Vigil.
Just be patient, be honest in your effort and work hard. You will get what actually fits you
Mazvix makes a pretty good point, but just keep positive and keep working. The great thing is you know the guy who got the position, and not only that you know you were good enough to almost get it. Just keep building your portfolio and try to get better. Also keep in contact with that guy if you can and see if he can share any secrets with you
You did nothing wrong being honest and yourself in the interview. If they passed on you, then they were not a good fit for you either. At least not at this time. Company fit is very important, so maybe you're just better suited for a different position/team or studio.
All that said, the guys portfolio is pretty awesome, you can tell he works hard and is oozing with talent if he still has a year and a half to go. At least you know you didn't get beat by some guy with a worse folio. It likely just came down to a gut feeling the team had or he might've known someone who works there.
Replies
Assuming that you are somehow being brain washed and all of your personal art will now look like WoW orcs is silly. There is so much to learn from interning at a large company, and art style is very near the bottom of that list.
Reread my post and yeah, comes off a bit harsh. Blizzard treats their fans very well and their fans likewise have a great devotion, it's mostly win, win. But i'll stand by my point that some take this devotion too far, potentially at the expense of their future. The grass is always greener...
Does anyone know of any other studios offering internships or anything similar at all?
^Well said!
As many have said before; Your skills get you the interview, your personality and interpersonal skills get you the job. Once you have a job you will learn even more skills that are not related to being better at your craft, but well help you work better.
Here's crossing my fingers!!!!!
Hey good luck man! Hope you get it, judging by your work it looks like you'd fit right in and really be able to expand on your skills!
That's exciting! I hope the best for you
The phone interview time was adjusted for an actual scheduled time, thankfully. Yesterday I was informed it would be any time today but they changed it to a specific time next week.
I'll save the energy of posting every tiny detail and just say if I did or did not get it within the next several weeks.
A couple people emailed me telling me they're scheduled for interviews too, so good luck to you guys!!
I'd hire you just off that weapon set you did.
Hope it goes well!
I'm curious, seeing as there is apparently absolutely no way to get an internship at Blizzard, do they hire juniors from time to time?
Dean: What do you mean there is no way to get an internship at Blizzard? Because you're not a student? It's too late to apply?
If you're talking about level of skill required, it is generally acknowledged that an intern would be at a lower skill level than a junior or associate artist.
To answer your question, yes, they do open associate positions from time to time. Their bar is incredibly high, regardless. Even their associate positions require experience and a completely bad ass portfolio.
Fail! Sorry, yeah, because I'm not enrolled in an education. AFAIK you can only get an internship if you're A): A student and
One question if anyone knows. If they passed on the application, are we going to get some email to confirm that we didn't make it? If we do get a letter are we going to be critiqued?
It does, thank you for sharing mathes! Are you allowed to disclose details about the test? (Subject, limitations, requirements etc)
Shame, oh well.
Interesting read:
http://cgquest.com/2007/08/06/studio-guidelines/how-to-get-a-job-at-blizzard-entertainment/
Sounds like 99% of all companies out there at least from a game artist perspective. From talking witha few folks from blizzard they really want to see a kickass portfolio with several pieces in their style.
Blizzard tries to reach a wide range of people and therefore needs you to be extremely technically proficient with your polys and textures. Generally speaking in terms of environments and props if it doesn't effect the silhouette it doesn't belong. Also if you can't use the same texture on 10 different objects then it better be damn unique.
I will not be attending the Evolve conference. It's on the other side of the country and I'm a student. I hope they don't really think students on a realistic student budget are going to be able to afford to pay for round trip flight, stay, food, and tickets all by themselves. Especially for such a young conference.
GDC is another story. I was willing to shell out the money for that, albeit it was only a 10 hour drive (one way) for us.
I have no idea on what they would do if they passed on someone's application. I highly doubt they're going to write a critique letter on what you can improve for every applicant, I'm sure there were thousands!
It is a new convention but it looks like it has alot of potential. I'll let you know how it goes.
As far as the internship goes, I'm sure alot of people applied so I guess they won't be able to explain why the rejection for anyone. Anyway Good luck on you're interview, you'll do good!
I can't even imagine what kind of ninja art skills the successful applicant has although I'm sure it was nothing to do with your ability. My guess would be they just found someone more suited to that kinda work, but I have no clue how these things are decided so who knows.
I know the guy that is in the process of getting into the internship, he is pretty badass. We've been talking to each other through the whole process for like the past 4 weeks and he got it.
After he "officially" gets it I'll post his link up.
You can see a link to my folio in my signature, I'll also send you a PM with the link.
Buck up though, you should be proud how far you made it for possibly the most coveted art positions for guys right out of school. You're young and have your whole life to keep pushin' wherever you want to, just a minor setback.
This basically, I can't imagine it was due to a higher requirement of quality, must have been something like a personal preference for a different guy that 'fit' more or something.
I believe they went with the other guy because he hadn't had a job yet and still had another year and a half of school left, so they probably felt he would benefit from the internship more than I would. His work is pretty badass too.
That being said, he gave me his permission to link his work:
(official portfolio) http://tysonmurphyportfolio.blogspot.com/
(tons of sketches) http://gardenturtle.blogspot.com/
I waited for a whole year with no steady gig, and I was so pissed I missed out on Blizzard's internship during the time I was in school. But look at me now, God has given me a chance with Vigil.
Just be patient, be honest in your effort and work hard. You will get what actually fits you
You did nothing wrong being honest and yourself in the interview. If they passed on you, then they were not a good fit for you either. At least not at this time. Company fit is very important, so maybe you're just better suited for a different position/team or studio.
All that said, the guys portfolio is pretty awesome, you can tell he works hard and is oozing with talent if he still has a year and a half to go. At least you know you didn't get beat by some guy with a worse folio. It likely just came down to a gut feeling the team had or he might've known someone who works there.
I'm just waiting to find my fit too