I'm tired of 3d modeling and everything that goes with it.

godforgivesme · May 26 2025

I'm not sure how relevant this shitpost will be, but I just have to speak up.

I've been doing 3d for three years now.(im 23yo) Thought it was my dream and the whole activity suits me pretty darn well, couse i love games and weapons and i love the whole process of making 3d. I have a pretty decent weapons portfolio that I've been working hard on. Yes, I realize that this portfolio is not top tier and that many people have much better pieces and for less time, but anyway. I can't find a job for about a year now, all jobs require experience, and the test tasks imply this very experience. But one of the main problems that many studios that gave you test tasks don't give you feedback after rejection, and you don't even realize what your mistake was. I applied to a lot of studios. Some of them told me right away that I had a good portfolio, but they needed experienced guys, some of them already had me on the short list, but again, there was a guy with experience who took my place. I don't understand what I should do, how much longer I have to knock on doors and get another rejection. Am I a loser or am I just unlucky? I have completely lost the motivation to create anything, and now doing it through the pain and remnants of discipline I have left in me.

I mean i know that im still probably young and everything, but i cant let myself spent more time for nothing

I apologize for the unnecessary venting and whining, I just don't have the energy anymore.
Here is some of my works if you are interested!

https://www.artstation.com/dmytroko

zetheros · May 26 2025

make your own game. The people in charge aren't game developers, they're marketing and MBA. Treat the studios you've applied to as your competitors. Our industry is in turmoil, so use that to your advantage and strike when the iron's still hot.

Maybe you can get in touch with Klean, he's a streamer who's making his own game. The artstyle is pixel art, not PBR, but he's into the mil-sim kind of stuff that you seem to be into. https://www.youtube.com/@kleanisklean/featured

either way, keep it up. Your work is good for 23.

iam717 · May 26 2025

Work looks tight, but yeah, indie and smaller teams if you can are the go to, also look into what your "skill set" can also be applied towards, like fabricated works and not game specifically. 'clothing' ect. all the best with it. agree with ze.

sacboi · May 26 2025

FWIW the third weapon pic, it's material finessed variation plus contact wear patina is pretty accurate because I'd worked with similar military grade hardware as a profession when alot younger way back in the day. Might also add polymer components are as they should look after constant use in real life so you've an eye for precise detail. Now thinking outside the box have you thought about outlier industries involved creating 3D content as well. For example companies specialized producing simulated virtual training for either police, military, security, govt or private contractor close protection agencies? anecdotally during times of geopolitical instability, does seem too promote growth in this sector.

kanga · May 26 2025

godforgivesme said:

...Yes, I realize that this portfolio is not top tier and that many people have much better pieces and for less time, ...

From yr own comment above it's no mystery that you don't have a job.

Look with your eyes! As my Dad was fond of saying. You are in artstation where the best weapon smiths in the world have their work on display.

Vary your subject by modelling old to futuristic weapons. Check out Lone Wolf: https://www.artstation.com/lonewolf3d, study the guy's modelling ability, skill at presentation, range of subjects and do likewise. Keep doing likewise till they are knocking down your door.

Udjani · May 27 2025

Great portfolio! Would recomend sending an email to Dekogon, got my first jobs there and was working with them until last year. They don't always have weapons and military stuff to do but they always have lot's of hard surface work.

Noren · May 27 2025

It's a bit like adding insult to injury, but to address the elephant in the room: At least according to your portfolio, you are a young man from Ukraine. Unless you are applying to companies that are in Ukraine themselves, that's probably a major red flag, especially for companies with an HR department, since, at least to my knowledge, you are not allowed to leave the country and at worst, you might get drafted or displaced down the line. So if you could dispel those concerns in some way, that might help.

As for your portfolio: Looks good to me, but I'm not a weapons expert. Maybe get rid of the pepe the frog sticker as some might see that as offensive (probably not people working on military shooters, but you never know, and it would be a stupid thing to lose a job over).
Then, three complex pieces should be fine in theory, but it's still on the lower side and might add to the impression of little experience. No one can look into the future, but I'd say if you keep at it and add some pieces, maybe broaden your horizon a bit from only weapons if that's ok for you, there's a good chance you'll get lucky sooner or later if your general situation is sustainable. Or you could go the way kanga suggested or do something in between, but the air is thinner at the top.

Edit: Maybe show some wireframes, textures etc?

godforgivesme · May 28 2025

Noren said:

It's a bit like adding insult to injury, but to address the elephant in the room: At least according to your portfolio, you are a young man from Ukraine. Unless you are applying to companies that are in Ukraine themselves, that's probably a major red flag, especially for companies with an HR department, since, at least to my knowledge, you are not allowed to leave the country and at worst, you might get drafted or displaced down the line. So if you could dispel those concerns in some way, that might help.

As for your portfolio: Looks good to me, but I'm not a weapons expert. Maybe get rid of the pepe the frog sticker as some might see that as offensive (probably not people working on military shooters, but you never know, and it would be a stupid thing to lose a job over).

Yep, I can't leave the country and I don't know when I'll be able to do it. But also i cant be drafted couse of my age, they only take people from the age of 25. But im not really sure how can i dispel those concerns

And yeah, im now trying to work on new piece where o gonna show the whole breakdown, maybe it can help so hr's could see my skills idk

P.S. What is wrong with pepe the frog? Whats offensive about him?

Noren · May 28 2025

Nothing per se, as far as I can tell, but variants of it have been used for racist memes and classified as a hate symbol in the past, and I wouldn't trust people to always make a distinction in that regard.

HR usually won't be the ones judging your skills (other than going through a check list), that will (hopefully) be done by the artists.

Eric Chadwick · May 28 2025

You can read up on Pepe here, and why it's generally not a great design to use https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pepe_the_Frog#Use_by_the_alt-right

NikhilR · May 29 2025

kanga said:

godforgivesme said:

...Yes, I realize that this portfolio is not top tier and that many people have much better pieces and for less time, ...

From yr own comment above it's no mystery that you don't have a job.
Look with your eyes! As my Dad was fond of saying. You are in artstation where the best weapon smiths in the world have their work on display.
Vary your subject by modelling old to futuristic weapons. Check out Lone Wolf: https://www.artstation.com/lonewolf3d, study the guy's modelling ability, skill at presentation, range of subjects and do likewise. Keep doing likewise till they are knocking down your door.

I doubt given the circumstances around the game industry that even if his work was "top tier", that word has lost all meaning and companies aren't going to come knocking on his door because he's comparable to lone wolf.

I do recommend diversifying into other applications for realistic 3d weapon models with the understanding that it's going to be mostly gig work for the foreseeable future.

MindMyBeeswax · Sep 17 2025

Hey there. Made an account just to leave a reply here. I've been a 3d artist for well over 25 years and I have to say your work is top notch. The attention to detail and models are excellent. I think you have to remember that we're going through a period where ppl that worked at Pixar for 20 years can't find a job, so it's not just about your work here. Everything is on hold atm. Who knows what the hell is around the corner, but one thing is for sure, you're very good at making guns and you love making guns, so keep making guns! If AI will wipe out all CG jobs in 5 years, it will wipe out everyone else's as well.

'Don't listen to the naysayers!'

BootScoot · Sep 18 2025

Gotta say I agree with MindMyBeeswax - your work is very good. Keep chipping away!

Vastra · Sep 18 2025

Your portfolio is great! You have made some very cool and highly detailed weapons!

I have tried making simpler handguns and it is not easy. Your work is very good.

But I totally understand what you mean. Many studios want experience, but in order to get experience someone has to let you in. It's this evil circle, it's like the chicken and the egg.

poopipe · Sep 18 2025

Vastra said:

But I totally understand what you mean. Many studios want experience, but in order to get experience someone has to let you in. It's this evil circle, it's like the chicken and the egg.

this isn't new.

This is a pretty old thread now but I think Kanga made the best point really.

I hire people in the UK,
it's difficult for me to hire anyone from overseas in the first place - there's a salary threshold and it's well above junior money.
It's even harder if the source nation isn't "a friend"
It's basically impossible if that person is from an active warzone

I hired someone from the area in question before hostilities became "official" and it was a lot of expensive ballache, it'd be straight up impossible now.

OP is unfortunately a victim of circumstance - hopefully they can see past the disappointment and not lose hope long term.

gnoop · Sep 19 2025

Stop doing weapons , there are mil or more people on planet Earth , former school students who wants to make games and start with either weapons or robots. Even if you find that job it would be like Ch. Chaplin in Modern times . Nobody looks at portfolios nowadays , with generative AI it could be anything and they are usually boring as hell with everything perfectly same telling you nothing .

Look for what games do worse of all . Some absolute crap. sky, trees , repeating materials , believable human animation and show them you can do better . It's not easy although and sometimes does take a life long experience. I ones found my way to sneak in with just a tiny bit better way to make skies I think and yet initially it was mostly a pure lack . A friend of a friend recommendation. The sky thing is why I hadn't been instantly laid of after the first project like others who then never worked in gamedev again , experience or not.

Anyway art is a career path for those silly/brave enough to be self confident and believe in themself whatever happens or what others tell you. Half end up with a syringe or a bottle in their hand by their 40 ths yet my hat off . So be aware of the risk . The purpose of art colleges and art departments in unis is not to learn anything but rather to get befriended with someone who could later give you that recommendation.

Ruz · Sep 19 2025

I have been 3d modelling since 1995 and still enjoy it

aumramaram · Sep 26 2025

I've been in charge of reviewing portfolios. The quality isn't an issue, it's the fact that there are only three pieces. This might mean that those pieces took a long time to make, or that you have only been able to produce good assets for a short while. In either case the solution would be to get more experience.

Another thing is, you are trying to land a lead role in your first acting job. Weapons are made by the creme de la creme; they are hero assets. Players spend countless hours looking at them, up real close, so no mistakes can be made. They're also a huge technical headache as you have to take into account animations, modularity, effects, downscope variations... it's a huge mess. Your work looks very good but it's unrealistic to aim for a weapons job as your entry position. Your value to them is being able to produce less critical assets, quickly and reliably. You have artistic skill, so you just need to position yourself more strategically and you will get a job.

Sage · Sep 29 2025

Your work is pretty good. Keep adding more work. Make some weapon packs and sell them.

Undertopian · 1:53AM

These are just my two cents from the perspective of a stylistic prop artist, but hopefully some of my words might help a little!

As others have suggested in this thread, in regard to not having experience, you could always try your hand at freelancing/commission work for indie devs. While they may not be able to provide a salary like the bigger studios, it's a great way to connect with people in the industry, work on some cool ideas, and gain experience (and a bit of cash) along the way.

I would also encourage to think about working in the art/entertainment industry as a marathon, not a sprint. A year without an offer may feel like a terribly long time, but unfortunately it's not uncommon for artists to go through that.

I've been learning 3D since 2011 and really didn't start making money off of it until about 4 years ago. While I haven't secured a salaried position at a studio so far (to be fair, it's not my goal at the moment as the industry is going through a weird phase) the small gigs I do get are frequent and varied enough that I feel it adds value to my work experience.

It takes time to build these skills/experiences, and you may have to get a little creative to gain them. Some have mentioned already to work on your own game; that's a great idea. You can also focus on just making a complete environment or diorama in a game engine and post it on communities like here in addition to ArtStation. (This is how I got my first commission!) Working on larger projects like that can show potential clients/employers that you can create other assets besides guns, as it's likely you'll be asked to work on a variety of tasks other than weapon creation for your first job.

There's a big difference between creating assets for your personal portfolio vs creating them for an actual production (each client may have completely different requirements! I had to pivot and learn how to work with UDIMs and displacement maps very quickly for one project, while another had very tight polygon and texture limits for VR), and that kind of production problem-solving experience is probably what employers are seeking. They're likely prioritizing artists who can hit the ground running being familiar with a production environment.

As you've mentioned, you're only 23, so you've still got plenty of time and energy to continue working on your stuff. As long as you don't give up and keep connecting with others, you will get to where you want to be. Keep your goal in sight--remind yourself why you want to pursue this career--pace yourself, and you'll be there before you know it.

(Btw, your portfolio looks good so far! You have a good eye for presentation. I'm interested to see what other hardsurface objects you'll be able to create.)

(Also, whenever I'm feeling a little burnt out, I sometimes re-listen to interviews of my fave artists and devs, or behind-the-scenes stuff from my fave games. The GDC YouTube channel also has some great stories from folks who have been through everything during their creative journeys, with some insightful nuggets of wisdom to share as well. Figured I'd share this in case this might help you or anyone else reading this!)

I'm tired of 3d modeling and everything that goes with it.

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