[Portfolio] - Brad Myers: Character Artist
interpolator
Okay, I am getting ready to apply to a couple of smaller game companies as an entry level or junior character artist, and I was wondering if I could get some feedback on my portfolio site.
To be honest, I'd like to wait another couple of months so that I can finish up some of the newer projects I have been working on (more focused at next-gen), however; I don't want to pass up some of the great job opportunities I have been seeing around the web by waiting too long. So my current line of thinking is: "why not give it a shot? While I work on my portfolio in the meantime."
Also, I figure some people won't like that I have a WIP model in my portfolio, but its really the only next-gen thing I have going, so I didn't want to leave it out entirely. However, the main project that I feel I need is a regular human character (next-gen) which I am going to do ASAP.
So enough excuses, here it is: www.ICantBelieveItsNotHighPoly.com
[Edit] This is the new URL by popular demand: www.BradM3D.com
To be honest, I'd like to wait another couple of months so that I can finish up some of the newer projects I have been working on (more focused at next-gen), however; I don't want to pass up some of the great job opportunities I have been seeing around the web by waiting too long. So my current line of thinking is: "why not give it a shot? While I work on my portfolio in the meantime."
Also, I figure some people won't like that I have a WIP model in my portfolio, but its really the only next-gen thing I have going, so I didn't want to leave it out entirely. However, the main project that I feel I need is a regular human character (next-gen) which I am going to do ASAP.
So enough excuses, here it is: www.ICantBelieveItsNotHighPoly.com
[Edit] This is the new URL by popular demand: www.BradM3D.com
Replies
But if you really want the image then maybe you can put it to the side and make your buttons going vertical instead of horizontal, with your name above the buttons.
The currently seeking employment text looks unprofessional and its annoying to see it waste that important line of space on every single page. If you're forwarding this portfolio to employers then its kinda obvious you are seeking employment anyway.
I also think the [Headings] are a waste of space, at least put them somewhere else so that it doesnt take up another 3 lines (for example in that new reorganized top navigation bit).
No one cares about your news but its nice to see you dumping it down there so people dont have to scroll through it. But I still dont like the fact that its there when its unnecessary.
The fading background outline effect thingy fades too fast. I think it will look better if you try making it fade longer so that it almost reaches the end of the div.
How come the demon is still WIP? I remember seeing that aggggges ago on polycount somewhere.
I hate side scrolling pages, some of your images force me to scroll sideways. I especially hate it when there is a lot of space on the left that would have prevented the need to sidescroll if the image was in the center of the page instead.
Cant you make those 3d help links all the same size? Looks a bit tacky with them being all different sizes. Or just replace them with URLs. Or, remove the whole tutorial page completely
Probably I would remove the sub-D character modeling if I was applying for character work in your position, I think it doesnt do the rest of your work justice. I know you just finished the star wars girl but it was a strange choice for a portfolio piece if you are applying for games work, maybe you are applying for film work as well?
You should make some low poly enviros and put your characters in the environments!
One thing tho, the specular map for zombie sub zero, looks like an over saturated version of the diffuse? Am I missing something cause I think if you are supposed to completely desaturate it, you may get better results... I've seen a color single washes over a black/white specular before, like a PS variations wash or something.. for flesh people use blue a lot I guess, but I dont commonly see the full color specular, I dont think thats right, from what I know.
overall though, im sure the seniors on this site will give you the real deal, ive just been watching your work and thought i would comment.
PS: your picture in the "about me" section looks like you are one of those guys that used to beat up the computer geeks... your going to give the recruiters bad flashbacks!
haha nice work! cant wait to see more.
Ya Brad is a Beast-a-saurus rex. Great work man, a lot of improvement. Agree with all the crits, just change the website a bit ans start applying.
Any way buddy,i like all ur works and my special vote goes to ur psp character, and know what?,one of my colleague here,referred to ur psp marcus character for his new psp project.
All the best!
Vj
Your low-res models are top-notch and show that you can really use your poly's well. Now, you are limiting yourself in getting hired if you only showcase that - your hi-res looks like it could be showcased as well, but it doesn't really pop until I scroll all the way down. I'd really render both hi-res and low-res, side by side and so everything pops up into the page as soon as you click the thumbnail - then the recruiter can scroll down and read the info.
I would apply now as even with rejections you can re-submit your improved stuff later and that will show dedication and progress. My last job I applied 3 times for (through referrals) and first two times it got lost - and that's with multiple people knocking on AD's door twice a day! So don't be afraid politely hammering recruiters every 1-2 months until you succeed (as long as you show some serious progress, that is).
Good presentation will go a long way, proper layout and order in which things are showcased - you are basically trying to impress people whom are not artists nor technical gurus, but like to look at pretty things and overly compressed things (before they pass them on to people that can actually judge it)...
Many of the points mentioned have been bothering me, I guess I just had to hear it from someone else.
Yozora: Your like banner police today, ha ha. Okay, I changed the banner up and its like a 3rd of the size now and better looking I think. I'm kind of bummed that some people don't like the logo I went with, when I choose the website name I wanted something that would be memorable. Kind of an attempt to do something like Ben Mathis did with his site poopinmymouth.com. Anyways, the logo is possibly just a weak attempt at what Ben has already done, and I am open to changing it; I just like how it kind of helps people remember my sites name.
Yeah, the news is on the bottom so you don't have to look at it if you don't want, and I figured same goes for the entire tutorials and about me section being on separate pages and all. I'm also going to work something out for the heading size and the fading.
The demon is still WIP, because I haven't worked on him in ages, ha ha. I never finished him because I wanted to learn more about texturing before I tackled the armor and all. I'll probably finish him some time in February though. I have some other stuff I have to work on first.
I'll also make the images small enough so I don't have to side scroll on my laptop. If my laptop browser doesn't need to side scroll, I figure I should be in the clear. Finally, I fixed the 3d help links so they are all the same size.
Thanks a lot for the in depth crit dude.
Microneezia: Thanks for the encouragement and for following my progress. The high poly star wars chick was simply an attempt to do something polar opposite of what I have been working on. I wanted to show diversity in my work and get some more high poly work done to show.
The specular maps for zombie subzero did end up kind of crazy, and it has always bothered me. I followed along with the workflow used in the eat3d pillar dvd, for making specular maps; however, I am pretty sure I didn't handle the blood correctly. Anyways, its something I am going to work on.
BTW I never beat up computer geeks, just tried not to let it be known that I am one of them.
Cody: ha ha, much appreciated, yeah I'll start applying as soon as I get this website all worked out.
vj_box: Yeah, I definitely need more next gen stuff. That's pretty much what I am going to focus on for the next few months.
I am glad you guys like my psp characters, does your buddy need a junior character artist?
Ivan3d: Thanks for the input. Okay, I get what you are saying about how I arrange my pieces. I'll try and work out a better setup.
BTW, It's always interesting to hear how people landed jobs, and I didn't know that often times the people looking at the portfolios are not actually artists themselves. I'll try and keep that in mind when I'm revising my website.
Please keep the crits coming though; I feel this is really helping a lot so far.
Psp gears chars and zombie sub zero are my favs, really like the demon too just not too fond of the texturing atm (very monochrome and kinda dull at the moment, prefer the plain normals and ao on the low poly version).
Anyways, looking good so far, hope the job hunt goes well
So, I made most of the changes mentioned to my site. I also finished a few more things and posted them up.
I'm interested to hear if you guys think I have a decent chance of getting an entry level position as a character artist. I would also like to hear about what sort of things I could work on specifically to increase my chances of landing a job.
Best of luck w/ the apps man!
-Tyler
I get away with mine because its so short, tgz3d.com.
game dev, whats_true, Thegodzero: Okay, point taken. I actually had Ben Mathis as one of my teachers and he was one of my first major inspirations, hence the name I came up with. However, I totally see what you guys mean, and the last thing I want to do is turn off anyone with a seriously stupid website name. I thought it was kind of catchy at the time, as it would be something memorable, but I guess to most the url is simply annoying.
I'm going to see if I can change it, does this cost money or anything? I'm no web developer and I vaguely remember setting up the whole account and all.
Everyone cool with TheGodZeros suggestion of "bradm3d.com"? I'm thinking of going with that url atm. This way I'll get rid of my dumb logo too... argh it's going to be a pain in the ass ha ha.
Back to my original question though... Do you guys think I stand an okay chance of getting hired? And, what should I work on specifically?
It's simple, hence; easy to remember, funny, offensive, and it isn't taken. Hey it worked for Ben Mathis right? Who's with me?
done. I'm serious though. That would be a perfect domain name.
Breakneck: I had to google rapelay to see what you meant... I didn't even now this stuff existed.
Seriously though, I'm going to keep it simple this time with the name. I think TheGodZero has it right on the money, simplest name possible. Hit me up with some sick names for urls in a couple of years when I'm not such a newbie in the game industry okay.
The domain shouldnt cost you $15. I buy mine from http://www.godaddy.com/, they got some offer on there that when you buy some other service from them then the domain gets a lot cheaper. Basically the domain itself costs $11, but if you buy some random crap with it (like a calender for example) then it costs $8.
The godaddy site looks like a complete mess I know, but I've used them for over a year now with no problems.
Its not massive savings, just thought I'd tell you anyway
bradmyers3d is ok, not ideal but ideal has been taken
BTW: I'm going with BradM3d.com instead of BradMyers3d.com because occasionally people spell my last name wrong. This is the most simple solution as I see it just using my last initial. Say goodbye to the ugly butter logo
[edit] Just checked it now and its working already.
I'm thinking about trying to pick up some freelance gigs in the mean time as EQ suggested a while back.
On sub-Zero I'd copy and rotate the smoke plane 90° to give it some volume.
The gun has some obvious smoothing issues.
The horse is your best work, though giving it two different sections for the high/low is still something you might want to re-consider.
As for the 2D section, I'd scrap it for now till you have more work on the level of your GF's portrait piece.
I know I am capable of doing much better 2d art, I just dont really want to waste any time doing 2d atm. So Ill probably take it down until I get better work in there as you mention. So again, thanks for the awesome crits, Im going to get right on all these points.
Ged: Yes that is the AO kind of screwing things up. I should probably revisit that model and fix some of the errors like that. I was kind of rushed making it and didnt even notice until you just mentioned it. Thanks for bringing it to my attention!