Quote:Original post by NanoH
Sure, I don't mind sharing some of my portfilio and resume. I didn't want it to seem like I am currently advertising our project, which I'm sure is a common thing on large forums.
I am, at the moment, the HR/RM for Utherverse Digital. We are an MMO/Constant Reality company that has currently over-taken SL and is expanding exponentially. You can e-mail me at nanoh@utherverse.com or ICQ me, 3635580 if you have specific questions that you don't want to post on a public board. I'm at this company to be ground floor in something huge and because of the company culture.
I have worked for several large companies, both Canadian and American, and if you would like to talk about my experience and how it can help you make better decisions, please feel free to contact me. I don't feel comfortable having my Resume or Portfolio public, but if you would like to view it, don't be afraid to send me a message! I am more than willing to share if it can help others attain their goals, which is why I love my position.
Here we go!
Sephyx:
Based on my experience only, I would say a portfolio is much more important than a degree. Many talented artists, programmers, and designers have not completed basic education such as high school (quick edit: but lots go on to secondary education in different or related fields!). But yet, they are in high demand in our industry.
When I receive a portfolio package, I look at the demo disc or enclosed art portfolio before I do the resume which includes their education.
I am pretty firm believer that art and design school, such as AI and others, can give you a step up in the networking department. It can also help with your skills. But if you are missing the critical elements that make a genius programmer or natural artist there is not much they can do help you in terms of getting a leg over the competition.
As for your specific designer question, that's a hard one. Only a few companies have the size and capacity to have a game balance designer. RTS developers are the first that come to mind. As an entry in the market, I'd recommend any design position that is available. From there, you can weasel your way into the position that influences balance and design choices. At most smaller companies or non-RTS specific companies that position is probably just a designer.
Some things that would be beneficial to you, as a balancer, would be a good knowledge of classical games and board games. Chess, checkers, risk, ect. I am sure you have heard it before. But in a critical balance position, this is important. You have to know what rules and checks affect games and why.
Hope this helps!
nsmadsen:
Please e-mail me if you are interested in qualifications. I feel uncomfortable having my address and phone number on the internet at the moment.
You are totally correct though; the portfolio matters much more than the school name attached to it. Whether the applicant can accomplish that portfolio without the school completely depends on who it is!
For some people art, design or programming school is a great choice. For others who are naturals at what they do school should be a thought if they can't find appropriate positions in the industry. I went to school, and it was a good choice for me, but maybe not for others.
Jarrod1937:
While I can't answer specific questions related to Photoshop, I do know what our art department is looking for currently. Attractive but low poly models are in demand. As our engine needs to render up to several hundred avatars at any given time that are ideally user customizable, the lower poly the better.
Since I'm not an art lead and can't give you specifics like they can, I will give you a story instead that really sticks in my memory.
The director and I went to a local portfolio showcase that had designers, artists and programmers portfolios and projects on display. Out of the several hundred there, only one modeler portfolio really stuck out. The young lady had taken a risk and gone where no one else had. She had modeled a Victoria Secret runway model while everyone else had done penguins and donkeys.
The director was immediately interested. She had gone out of bounds to create something edgy and creative. It was impressively done, low poly but still good looking, and very applicable to our current project.
We offered an interview on the spot.
As for specific qualifications regarding 3DMax, the title is not as important as what you can do with it. We will gladly overlook a certificate paper if you can produce the product we would look for in a timely matter. If you would like a better idea on what you should concentrate on specifically regarding modeling and art in general, please e-mail or PM me and I will put you in touch with our art lead.
GPxz:
As with the questions above, it depends on the portfolio! The quality of the portfolio, in my experience, has a much heavier weight than the paper attached to it. If you are self taught but can output a higher quality audio, art, designer or code product than someone who went to school, welcome aboard!
School, in my opinion, is great for networking and for developing skills you haven't worked on before. Naturals are naturals; if someone is a great artist or programmer there isn't going to be alot that a school will be able to teach you.
Your chances depend on the work you put into your portfolio and resume. School or no school, it depends on your skills and presentation.
JWalsh:
By the bike racks. 3PM. ;)
Giedrius:
Absolutely. The last two programmers we have hired have no formal education and have both dropped out of high school. They were immediately picked up by companies, but I do think that is pretty rare.
It's a case by case scenario. Are you a great programmer who can get a position you will be happy with in the industry without a secondary education? Then, obviously, you shouldn't need school. But as above, it's a great networking opportunity and a chance to learn things you wouldn't know otherwise.
If, without school, you can create a demo/portfolio/resume that shows your competence, skill and talent that deserves a place in our industry at a position you would be happy to be in then good for you! But if that was the case, you already know it and have an offer or two in your pocket. And we should be doing a meet-and-dinner soon. ;)
d000hg-
You're right, and it's pretty position irrelevant. If you have spelling mistakes, blatant errors or nothing interesting that stands out you can get thrown in the pile if the company you applying to receives alot of correspondence.
Alot of what I am looking for when I view resumes and portfolios depends on the project, the position and what I put in our recruitment advertisement. If I am trying to find a programmer with gobs of .net experience, I will be a quite a bit more lenient on personality and interest factors when considering a first quick view at their demo or resume.
If we are trying to find a level designer or modeler, the old adage is right. If you don't capture my attention in the first couple seconds you are going to hit the maybe pile.
Are you more than qualified for the position? Sure. Am I going to miss great hires at low rates by doing this? Absolutely. But when you are wading through 30 demos a day and have other responsibilities, it simply comes down to a time issue. You go to the interview or the no pile based on what's on your demo case or your resume based on first impressions.
At larger companies where there is a more diverse and appropriate HR and hiring team they may have time to spend a couple minutes investigating each entry. I don't however, and so as unfortunate as it is I can't spend the time I'd like to viewing all the applications that are sent our way.
[Edited by - NanoH on October 30, 2007 4:24:31 PM]