Hello! My name is Seth and I'm a recently graduated 3D artist making my way in the video games industry and could really use a mentor to help help direct my efforts as I work my way into that all important first position as an artist. Currently I volunteer my skills remotely for an indie startup company as a texture artist, I'm constantly working to improve my skill set and keep my portfolio updated, and I attend as many networking events as possible while maintaining and updating my linkedin account. Right now I work for a major game studio as a build verification tester and will have been in the industry as a tester for a year in May.
I would really appreciate advice and critique on my art work, direction as to which projects I should pursue to make my portfolio attractive to studios, and interview advice with how to answer difficult questions. Anything else would be absolutely appreciated but these are my primary objectives in reaching out here.
Many thanks in advance to any 3D artist out there that can help me get to that all important first artist job in the industry -- I hope to speak with you soon!
-Seth
Answers
Hey Seth! You may already know this but just in case I wanted to reach out. The VA south of Seattle has person whose job is solely placement of Vets in the Puget Sound. I know for a fact that they have contacts with Nintendo in North Bend and Microsoft in Redmond. As you know, there are also many smaller gaming companies on the eastside and this person should have contacts with some of them. Thanks for your service Hero; reach out if I may help in any way.
Hi Seth,
Thank you for your service. I have been in the advertising and marketing field for almost 25 years. I have been a graphic designer and art director for most of that time. I feel you have started down the right path in gaining valuable experience with your current job.
To advance further, I think you should consider what path may offer you the least resistance to gain even more experience in order to fill out your portfolio to get to the job you really want.
Remember that 3D artists are used everywhere now, not just video games. As others have stated, the medical field (specifically medical instrument companies), pharmaceutical companies, interior design firms and architecture firms all utilize 3D graphics to market their products or for educational purposes. Other areas to consider should be movie and television production companies. Local news stations enhance their broadcasts with 3D graphics in their title screens and during elections, for info graphics. Also, education companies and professional training companies always use information graphics in their training and sales collateral.
My advice is to look in fields you might never have considered before as they might allow you the opportunity to start and enhance their graphics as you enhance your skills. This would provide you the stepping stone you need to get into your dream job.
Scott
Dear Seth,
I wish I knew 3D graphic arts because I want to design a new science fiction theme park, including the robots, the buildings, the rollercoasters and the maglev trains.
That said, I believe you could bring your 3D art skills to the fast evolving field of 3D printing, where seeing the 3D finished design is key to programming the robots that guide the computer-based cutting machines. I believe this field is going to be huge in the coming years and your skillsets set you up well to get in on the ground floor.
3D art skills are also being used extensively in new websites to illustrate technical products, i.e., industrial robots, drones, IC chips and boards, and so working for a web development company, a high end one, would give you a good career path.
3D artist skills are also being extensively used in ebooks and especially in ebooks that use technical drawings for education, training and specification writing.
And obviously, you have the skill sets for gaming design. You should look into the University of Southern Florida that has one of the premier game design education program in the US.
Good luck in your career. Regards, David Eastman, former US Navy, ASW
Thanks for your response Shannon! I've actually explored many avenues already, including your suggestions. It's not an easy industry to get into and I'm exploring any and all possibilities to do so -- just gotta do as you do and never give up. If I ever have the option of veteran mentor or not though, I'll take a veteran any day :) Have a great day and thanks again for your response!
-Seth
Hi Seth,
This may not be be the best place to connect with a mentor. You might have better luck in your field connecting either with alumni from your school or on a board that has a larger population in your field, such as reddit. Best of luck.
Regards
Shannon
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