[nova]

Alo,

I used to have my mind set on what i wanted to do in the future (maybe in 3 years when i'm 20 or so), which was 3D work for video games. Now i have a graphics job and have gotten into 2D graphics and web design, and doing Photoshop stuff on my own, and my future is ironically blurred. I love sketching (p&p and Tablet) and working with Photoshop, and creating characters, personas and so forth. To help yous out more with what i do, click here for my site. Click here for my workplace. I do the 2D graphics in Illustrator and Photoshop. Moving on, my question:

Is there any game-related jobs out there that could use my skills, in creating characters or working at the company doing game art.. maybe sketching the whole time coming up with ideas..(other than Dhab's, maybe in conjunction)?


Shmanks,
Nova

[Jenn]

If you find one let me know

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DarkChyld

[Wrath]

You work for a golf multimedia company? lol...sorry, just strikes me as funny! =]

Seriously though, you have excellent talent and lots of potential, I hope you find all the answers you seek.

[digital-ghost]

http://www.gamejobs.com

[Frost]

Hey Nova.

Generally, if you're going to work in the computer gaming field, you'll most probably be asked to fulfill many aspects of gaming art like character design, concept art, modeling, texturing, etc. Usually artists have specialisations, as some will be better in modeling or texturing than others, in which case they will be given more of the tasks they excel at. At least that holds true for small to medium sized companies. Large companies will be able to afford specialists in different fields for concept art and such under smaller time-framed contracts. Take Spooge or Loki for instance, they are often called upon by companies to do specific tasks, although you'll probably never see a small company investing money into such a pro to do work for them.

You should think about what you want to do... both have their pros and cons, either working for a small company or large. When you work for a small one, you have more input and more creative freedom to do as you wish, more control. It is also much more work pressure and fun to work in a small company as more weight resides on your shoulders, even though the pay might perhaps be lesser. Medium to large companies can afford more and are more organized, where everything has to be 'categorized into a neat little slot', so you'll end up having very specific tasks for you to do and you'll have very little freedom in your work; although you'll be paid bigger bucks, you'll also be excpected to really excel in your work.

You should also take note that there is no (or little) room for amateurs in the big leagues. (not that I'm implying that you are!)

Hope this helps out a little. These are my views on this subject.

[Worthy]

I worked in games for 4 years, and agree with Frost's comments.
The more you know, the better candidate you'll be for a respective company.
If you are interested primarily in 2d..then you might want to work on texturing the 3d characters and backgrounds, as well as background artist..and for that, you obviously want to get really good at PS, as well as learn about UV mapping in Max, Maya, Mirai..etc.
If you are interested in characters..Id work a lot on sketching, and then get really good witha polygonal modeler like Mirai..or Max. Those are the two biggest software packages in the games market I have found..especially Max of course..though a lot of companies use Mirai (which I vastly prefer).
I have bookloads of contacts and friends in the game industry, so if you need any suggestions for specific states or countries..or any other info..dont hesitate to email me.
Hope that helps!

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3D Sculptor
Viewpoint Digital

[black_fish]

I agree with what the other people said. If you want to be work on something specific in the game industry like character design, you have to be extremely good (and I don't think you're there yet). If you want to work as an artist you have to know a lot about 3D, animation, texturing and about all the technical stuff that makes 80% of 'game art'.
Graphic design and game development have nothing in common. And I don't remember having ever seen a graphic designer being hired in the game industry. So you have to make a choice, you have to learn the tools of the trade and you have to be willing to work really hard.

[Frost]

In an addition to what Worthy just mentioned, aparently a lot of developers are also using Maya. I think learning MAX is a must, Maya a second.. Mirai and Softimage would I imagine be a more distant third.

[Seph|roth]

Frost,

Im new here and i was just reading up on some posts and i noticed you're from montreal also..
Do you mind giving me your email adress, id like to ask you a couple of things since you seem to know a lot about the drawing business and stuff..

Actually, just email me at [email protected]
You dont need to leave a message just as long as i know where to reply.

Thanx !

[Frost]

Seph: for info on any one person, just look up his user profile (the face and question mark) icon above the post.

But here's my email addy: [email protected]
=)

cheers!

[Jeezus]

/me notices frosts total posts count

..be careful who you trust, seph|roth :P

[nova]

Wow, thanks for the replies

I guess the next thing to say is that I'm glad I finally found a well-informed group of artists that are willing to share what they know with someone like me I think i know more than i'm supposed to know about digiart and these kinds of jobs at 'barely 17 and female'.. and i still need to know anything i can work at while i'm living at home and hacking away at my future.

And fortunately for me, Digipen is in my area (about 20 minutes away from where i live now) and i'm considering it in my college plans. Besides, they collaborate a lot with Nintendo which is right next door.

Again, thanks Frost, Worthy, an' black_fish

Wrath: yes, it did sound a little wacked when i first heard about the opening, but what are you going to do? you gotta get your foot in the door and get a hold of the experience one way or another, eh?




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* * * ** Nova
!

[egerie]

grumble grumble.. Does anyone gets 'Forbidden' when trying to access Nova's website ? *clicks like a madwoman*

Anyway Nova, I hope you find something and train a lot drawing, being curious about other artists, etc.

I fiddle as a character design on a game but in the small league

Ps: Frost, Seph|Roth I'm in Mtl too

[Seph|roth]

Frost,

Thanx man, i didnt know about that user profile thing. After all, i am new on here.
I have to admit im impressed by the amount of people that come on here !
Cant wait to post up some artwork