3 answers
Rodolfo
Student
Lisbon, Portugal
1
Question
Asked
1459 views
Am I too late to start a career in Concept Art?
Hello,
I was recently let go from my job in the aviation industry due to the Covid-19 crisis. I am now 31 years old and currently looking for a different career path.
I always had a passion for drawing and concept art in general, and I used to practice as a hobby but I never made a career out of it. Also, I never had any formal education on it.
Could anyone working in this area help me to clarify some doubts?
1. Am I too late to start a career at 31 yo, particularly having no degree?
2. Do I need a university degree or a more technical course would suffice?
3. Given my age, would I be in disadvantage compared to younger people?
I'm guessing this is a highly competitive area, and I would love some advice to help me decide if I should invest in it.
Any help would be highly appreciated!
Thank you and regards,
Rodolfo
#art #career #artist #conceptart #videogames #digitalpainting #drawing
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3 answers
Gloria Ortiz
Instructional Designer
845
Answers
Irving, Texas
Updated
Gloria’s Answer
Hi Rodolfo,
I do not believe that there is ever a too late, especially at this time in history. Most people will change careers several times during their work life. The challenge here is what you want out of that next career. It sounds like you would be going into it without any previous work experience. I worked into my mid-30's with no college diploma, so it can be done. A technical course should suffice, especially in combination with the talent that you have already developed. Do you have a sense about how you want to apply your passion for drawing and concept art? Is there an area where you want to focus like Marketing or Graphic Design? I would say that you should not just look at learning about what you do, but focus also on learning about the industry where you want to apply your knowledge. This could be as simple as understanding how they would want to see your work - a specific type of portfolio, for example. In addition, how will you do your art? Are there software programs you may need to learn to improve your chances? I know several artists who have learned Adobe Illustrator so it allows their artistic ability to transfer into the digital world easier. You are going to need to learn as much about the new career that you want to enter as the one that you just left.
I am sorry about the loss of your job. I was made redundant (laid off, we say in the USA), at nearly your same age. I was actually 33. I could not get another job in the job role that I had, so I had to work for some time in a job that I didn't like. In that time, I also worked toward my college diploma because I knew that I might need it to get back into my chosen field. After I got my bachelor's degree, I got back into training and development, I continued on to get another degree, this time a masters degree, so that I would not lose the job that I love ever again. Well, I could still be made redundant again, but I made sure that I had the knowledge that I needed to get another job if necessary. All of this to say, you can do extraordinary things if you have passion and patience. Those two things will get you through a lot of hard times.
Good luck on the start of your new career. What a wonderful, exciting adventure ahead of you.
Gloria
I do not believe that there is ever a too late, especially at this time in history. Most people will change careers several times during their work life. The challenge here is what you want out of that next career. It sounds like you would be going into it without any previous work experience. I worked into my mid-30's with no college diploma, so it can be done. A technical course should suffice, especially in combination with the talent that you have already developed. Do you have a sense about how you want to apply your passion for drawing and concept art? Is there an area where you want to focus like Marketing or Graphic Design? I would say that you should not just look at learning about what you do, but focus also on learning about the industry where you want to apply your knowledge. This could be as simple as understanding how they would want to see your work - a specific type of portfolio, for example. In addition, how will you do your art? Are there software programs you may need to learn to improve your chances? I know several artists who have learned Adobe Illustrator so it allows their artistic ability to transfer into the digital world easier. You are going to need to learn as much about the new career that you want to enter as the one that you just left.
I am sorry about the loss of your job. I was made redundant (laid off, we say in the USA), at nearly your same age. I was actually 33. I could not get another job in the job role that I had, so I had to work for some time in a job that I didn't like. In that time, I also worked toward my college diploma because I knew that I might need it to get back into my chosen field. After I got my bachelor's degree, I got back into training and development, I continued on to get another degree, this time a masters degree, so that I would not lose the job that I love ever again. Well, I could still be made redundant again, but I made sure that I had the knowledge that I needed to get another job if necessary. All of this to say, you can do extraordinary things if you have passion and patience. Those two things will get you through a lot of hard times.
Good luck on the start of your new career. What a wonderful, exciting adventure ahead of you.
Gloria
Great advice
Amy Lloyd
Ashley Gryta
Customer Operations, Performer
5
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Ashley’s Answer
While I do not have any experience in this particular field, I am here to echo: it is never too late! I used to go to a massage therapist who became disenchanted with being a therapist- so she told me she was going to architecture school. She worked side jobs to get herself through, but a few years later she is working in her field. She was 40 when she first decided she wanted a career change.
There are many different ways to achieve your dreams- and it is okay for your dreams to change over time.
There are many different ways to achieve your dreams- and it is okay for your dreams to change over time.
Louise Cooper
Copywriter
21
Answers
Orlando, Florida
Updated
Louise’s Answer
It is never too late to change careers. You don't have to have a degree in the design field, but most design jobs require an associates degree of some kind at minimum. To gain experience in the field, you could go to portfolio school, which is typically a non-degree program of 1-2 years where you build up your portfolio aka book of design samples to convince a potential employer to handle you. You could see if any nonprofits need help with design work as an employee, intern or volunteer.
It is extremely competitive, but you will never know if you can do it unless you try, and being laid off gives you the perfect opportunity to go for it. I know how it is to be laid off, and I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your passion.
It is extremely competitive, but you will never know if you can do it unless you try, and being laid off gives you the perfect opportunity to go for it. I know how it is to be laid off, and I wish you the best of luck in pursuing your passion.