Firstly, sorry if this is in the wrong forum - I wasn't sure if it belonged in the "Breaking into the Games Industry" section or one of the arty forums. This post seems fairly general in its beginner-ness so I stuck it here, feel free to move it if I was wrong. _ My query is this; I am an artist and illustrator by trade, I am generally quite competent in the traditional 2D artistic setting (Pencil & Paper, Adobe Illustrator & Photoshop etc...). I am currently brushing up my draftsmanship (both observational and conceptual) ability, and am confident that I will be able to compete with the standard that the games industry seems to demand of it's concept artists, character artists etc... in the non too distant future. I know very little about the fundamental engineering of a video game. I understand things up to the point where the concept sketch is sculpted in a 3D program - but shortly after that, my brain switches off. Recently, I have discovered 'Blender', and several of its tutorials. I remember downloading it when I was in college - and it turns out it still resides on my computer (Though I may download a more recent version, just to stay up to date). From what I have seen and understood of this program so far, it seems to be a good starting point for someone like me (with virtually no 3D computer modelling experience) to bring some of their concepts and sketches to life. Bearing in mind that I am not a total klutz, and that given time I think I could come to terms with Blender... A) Are my assumptions about Blender being a good starting point for taking my design to the next level correct? Bi) What are the prospects for an artist like myself within the video game industry (both before I have explored 3D and once I have exlpored 3D)? Bii) What form would this work in the video game industry take? - Please be as specific as possible, what would be expected of someone like me? What would the deliverables be? What environment would the work take place in - ie: An office? A studio? Work from home? C) With the required dedication that I possess, is this type of work in the video game industry a REALISTIC ATTAINABLE GOAL? D) This one's a cliche, but even artists need to pay for food and petrol: What's the pay like? I am extremely greatful to anyone who can provide me with answers to these questions. Please explain them simply, not only so that I can understand - but so that any one else with a similar query can grasp them too. Thank you very much. TB

Disclaimer: I'm not an artist, but I work with them. :)

Quote:Original post by Burd Turger
A) Are my assumptions about Blender being a good starting point for taking my design to the next level correct?

Most of the professional modelers I know happen to work with either Max or Maya, but Blender is used as well. I suppose that if you're completely new to modeling, it doesn't really matter too much which software you start out with.

Quote:Bi) What are the prospects for an artist like myself within the video game industry (both before I have explored 3D and once I have exlpored 3D)?

Take a look at job listings and see what the requirements are. I would wager that most games are not in 3D, so being limited to 2D art doesn't make you unemployable.

Ah, I didn't realise it was "Programming Only".

Actually, I already freelance as an Illustrator and Graphic Designer - just not in the gaming industry. I've worked in studios and on internships, but currently work from home.

What I meant was;

Does the gaming industry follow a similar format, a group of people working towards a salary within a studio environment, or an office? Are the salaries temporary or do they come as a contractual agreement (as is the case with the type of freelancing I do) etc...?

Thanks for clearing it all up anyway. Which forums would I be best advised to repost the individual questions?

Quote:Original post by Turd Burger
Does the gaming industry follow a similar format, a group of people working towards a salary within a studio environment, or an office? Are the salaries temporary or do they come as a contractual agreement (as is the case with the type of freelancing I do) etc...?

Both.

Quote:Which forums would I be best advised to repost the individual questions?

Probably Visual Arts.