Companies where you got started
polycounter lvl 13
Hey guys I was just wondering what companies were the first to employ you in the games industry. I'm currently trying to break in anywhere I can really and just wanted to know which companies were willing to take on junior artist or even consider them when deciding on new hires. Oh and if you need or know someone that needs a junior artist or someone that not afraid to take on any challenge, send them my way 
thanks! www.bradleywascher.com
thanks! www.bradleywascher.com
Replies
Your portfolio looks fine, you should just send it around to all the companies you're interested in really.
To reply to the topic, my first job was as an intern at MonteCristo, working on Silverfall, unfortunatly, they've closed shop since then, rip.
My first job was at Bungie on Halo Reach as an environment artist. Also did an internship at Sony Online Entertainment on EverQuest one while I was in school for about 3 months. Also an envio artist there.
In my exp, i got into movies before i got into games. Movies require more people per project right away. Later to work at a video game company, and now im in NY.
Sr = We need you to play a pretty big role, you'll need to mange your time and responsibilities well, more than likely there won't be anyone who can easily step in and replace you.
Notice no mention of shipped titles experience or other bean countery yard sticks. Those are highly inaccurate and just because someone got in the credits doesn't mean they're what you're looking for.
If you show Sr level work, you can land Sr level positions without ever having worked in a studio. Experience shows through in your portfolio, not your resume...
I heard back from companies offering me internships, junior positions, regular positions, but no senior ones though (not surprising).
The way I see it, most companies if they like your work but you aren't qualified for that position will hold onto your information so they can contact you when they need someone. This has happened to me twice so far, where I've been rejected for positions that I knew I had a slim chance of getting, but the companies come back a few months later with an art test or offer on a new position that fits my qualifications.
Good talent is hard to find, especially when its coupled with a friendly, competent person.
As for 38 studios, yes we are hiring environment artists. While we currently have filled up our "junior artist" slots, I encourage you to apply anyways as per-mentioned by all of the above comments.
Yea you bring up a good point, you can't totally discount production experience, there are only some things that are learned under fire. There is something to be said for being able to stare a deadline in the eye and not blink as it threatens to swallow you whole. Where an intern might cower in terror, a jr might develop a nervous tick a Sr will get shit done and wonder what all the noise was about.
I think a person can prepare themselves pretty well by working on a deadline and putting their stuff in any number of engines. Those two things end up working out so many kinks. It can go a long way in separating them between a Jr and a Sr at least in workflow and knowledge which can help build of the confidence.
If they're an assclown slacker who doesn't know what they're talking about, that normally comes out in a phone interview. There isn't much I can offer in the way of advice, other than don't be an assclown =P
Am I a Jr or a Sr?
Are you going to be the guy answering questions or the guy asking them?
If you're guy #2 just don't be so cocky as to think you know it all and things might just ship without someones tires being slashed... =P
(well technically I did contract work for a military sim company called Titan, some months prior to working at Mlantern).
Super lucky break.
it's like you are a baby in diapers, you grow up and throw them away, become old, then need diapers again.
first job was at blitz games as a junior texture artist.
Im now in limbo though where Im not a junior but Im also not a senior. companies at the moment are mostly after seniors and juniors but just normal artists not so much. Gonna start applying again after xmas though.
best of luck to you man, my advice is make sure your CVs awesome and your portfolio shows potential. And then when you are happy post it everywhere, even if they havent advertised for junior roles. took me about 20 CVs to get my first job, got one phone interview and several rejections but it happend eventually.
kind regards
Tom
I started doing mobile and casual game art for a company called Magellan Interactive - though I don't think they necessarily hire "junior" artists as much as a general artist. At the time, I didn't have focus and eventually realized I wanted to do character art as my main job. I left the company, worked on my portfolio for a few months, got a job with another indie company called Piranha Games - then went freelance (real freelance not "unemployed" freelance) then have worked for a few big companies since then...
After about 3 or 4 months, my "Junior" status was officially removed.
Nearly a year later, my first project was complete (Spyro The Dragon - The Eternal Night), I asked if I could move onto a Character Artist role and was fortunate enough that the team needed one.
During my period there I underwent a lot of role change (much like Gav), lead and senior roles without the official titles.
At the end of the day, I was happy to take on a role I didn't apply for to get my foot in the door and showed my worth throughout my time at that studio and eventually moved to a role I wanted and was happy with.
Now in the US and loving it.