your cocept vs their concept.
polycounter lvl 12
I hear different opinions based on this, the first being; you should work off your own concepts because people want to see your own ideas. The later; you should work off others concepts because thats what you will be doing in the industry anyways. However, I think both should be incorporated a portfolio, but what would an actual imployer want to see?
what do you think PC?
what do you think PC?
Replies
In general you want people on your team to do what you tell them, and in most cases this is "follow the concept because that's what we (or the client) approved!". If those guys are creative as well - awesome! But being creative usually ain't more important than following the concept in the first place. Personally, I don't think it matters unless an employer can afford (or cares?) to be picky. just my 2 cents...
Do whatever you need to do to produce a awesome final visual result.
If you can draw/paint well, then use your own concepts.
Otherwise use someone else's concepts (but get their permission first).
If you can't draw/paint well, work on those skills separately from your 3D portfolio. When your drawing/painting skills improve to the point of making decent/good concept art start using your own concept art as a basis for your 3D work.
Back to your question, some people just can't do full concepts themselves, but you can use existing concepts, photographs etc... for inspiration, use mood boards, just show that that you had a plan, iterated and made decisions.
I really feel it doesn't matter, your concept or someone elses, once it is interesting.
Dont agree with that at all. Why would you want to do that? Focusing on one thing is good, but if you are multitalented you should definitely show that at all times, multitalent is awesome and way too rare. Would you do the same with you resume, hide the fact that your worked as a character artist on one game just because you are applying for an environment position? :]
It seems to have done me alright up 'til now. I think so long as you do it to a good technical standard and match the concept well, it's all good.
Always ask the artist's permission first, though, and credit them where you can.
This is a great point snef, if you've actually worked somewhere by all means i think this shows dedication to that specific discipline. But as someone who's tried to break in for almost a year now, I'm finding having a varied portfolio hasn't really given me a leg up yet and i've applied to MANY places. I think when you haven't had a gig yet, they are looking for someone with a bit of niche appeal. But who knows maybe i've just been unlucky as of late or bombing my art tests.
That said i'm quickly becoming very happy where i'm at working with a small start up. I get to wear many hats from game designer to 2d environment artist (what i was brought on for). But my "multitalentedness" wasn't what got me the gig, it was solely my 2d skills. EDIT: and more importantly networking with other people around me who are good at what they do.
Once I thought I'd try my hand and dabble in a few disciplines, my former tutor told me (with a class for an audience) why be a 'jack of trades' and be good at many than concentrate and hone your skills to be excellent at one... Of course there are genius modelers out there that can do character and environ, but not that many...
With concept art, in the industry you'll be working on other people's concepts the majority of the time, so it helps to show you can do this. Your own concept art shows you have creativness and originality. So show both I say ^^'