[dontfallin]

I was wondering what courses you've taken and how you went about getting into commercial arts?

[Kuren]

How I went about getting into commercial arts...hmm...well I'm not there just yet. I don't consider I'm there just yet 'cause freelance for me is pretty bad right now. Due to the 9/11 thing and the depression of the computer industry, I have lil work. And my networking connections aren't that strong.

Well...high school, that's a no brainer, nothing really happened there. After gradution, I took the Digital Arts Program at CDIS back in 1998 or so, and then I proceeded to do freelance work here and there. One thing worth of noting was I did the mod for Starcraft called Gundam Century. Without that, I probably wouldn't have gotten to where I am now...maybe it would have been better or worse...who knows. Another thing is that I worked at Staples (part time, yeaup) and I ended up meeting Rob Cunningham, the art director of Relic Entertainment. His buddy ended up going there looking for a laptop and I managed to help him out a lot. He was happy and we ended up talking, so he recommended that his friend from "some game company" come in to see me. A week later, a guy with a toque comes in and asks how Homeworld is selling, I say "I don't know" and he responds "well, I'm actually the art director for Relic Entertainment...and was just curious". I pretty much crumble before him in awe. lol.

From then forth...no I never got a chance to work at Relic ...I got an interview at Relic...they liked my stuff, but I was too strong in the character department...the area which they didn't need. I went on to do more website work, and then I met a guy named Ben Koshy on the Gundam Mailing List. He saw that I was looking for a job, and that I made GC for Starcraft. He liked what I could do and decided to introduce himself as the vice pres of W3 Media Ltd. The company that hosts/owns Gundam.com and apparently many other large sites. So...I worked there for several months being laid off due to IGN's shut down of their affiliates banner network...which was also the source of my pay. Months pass and I'm still freelancing...with not enough pay to even pay the bills...so yes I am still at home. W3 Media did get official support from Bandai Ent to do some of their sites...one of them is the official Escaflowne movie site (www.escamovie.com). I worked on it a bit...but nothing really worth noting...aside from just critique and suggestions.

Right now, I'm out of work...I think like a lot of artists and computer gurus right now. Or maybe I just need more network connections. Blah.

Ok so my answer turned into a short ramble autobiography of the sorts. heh...

Anybody need a character artist, illustrator or web designer?