ivy
is it possible to get in gaming industry as an artist who is self taught
So, i have huge passion for videogames since i was a little girl. Here i stand. One time graduate, two times school failed(because my parents chose what i should study.this means gardening and agriculture) i recently moved another country, where i took time to discover my artistic and (still poor ) programming and 3d skills. Here comes a question, is it possible to get a job somewhere in gaming studio as an artist without being going to university(i cannot afford education what i want unfortunately) #game-design #gaming-industry
2 answers
Andy Wang
Andy’s Answer
Hi Ivy,
That's a very good question. Training and a degree from a good university can be helpful. It can demonstrate that you have the tenacity and work ethic to complete projects. But simply having a degree doesn't guarantee that you'll be able to get into the gaming industry either. I'm not a recruiter, nor have I done any hiring for the gaming industry so I cannot speak to the specifics of what they're looking for. But as someone who has worked in the industry for over 10 years I have some knowledge.
It takes a combination of talent and hard work. If you have a great portfolio or demo reel then your actual degree won't be as important. What school and coursework can do for you is give you a good foundation from which to build your skills and expand your portfolio. Friends might tell you that your work is good, but if they are lying to you or don't have a good, aesthetic sensibility they aren't actually helping you. Assignments will force you to work on areas that you might be weak in, forcing you to get batter. Feedback from peers and instructors is also very valuable. And in the industry, you won't always get to choose exactly which projects that you work on so these processes can ease you into that mindset.
Ultimately the answer to your question is yes. It is possible to get into the gaming industry if you're self taught. But it will be much more difficult. I've known a few artists in the industry without completed degrees. But the majority of artists that I know have graduated and all have at least attended art school in some capacity.
Don't give up though. There are so many tutorials and forums online where you can get tips and learn skills while also getting feedback. The quality of those lessons and feedback vary so be aware of that. I encourage you to continue with your education. Working and going to school part time can be a viable option. It's what I did.
Andy Wang
Thankyou. Which programs should i learn to use?
ivy
It really depends on the type of art that you want to do. For illustration and digital painting Adobe Photoshop is the industry standard. If you're doing more graphic design work then Adobe Illustrator is the way to go. 3D modeling has a few options, 3D Studio Max, Maya, and zBrush are some of the main ones but I'm not a 3D artist so I cannot provide much insight there. I hope that this helps to clarify things a bit.
Andy Wang
I have little experiences with photoshop and different kinds of compositions. Im curious about blender. How popular is it in gaming industry? Thankyou anyways :)
ivy
I've heard of blender but again, I'm not a 3D artist so I don't have much personal experience with the 3D software packages. I do know that zBrush is popular for high poly modeling. Sorry that I can't be more helpful on this.
Andy Wang
Quip Turner
Quip’s Answer
In fact, the fact that you are self-taught can be one of your biggest assets and ways to distinguish yourself from other people trying to get the same job.
I recommend creating what's called a "Portfolio", meaning a notebook or collection of samples of your work so you can demonstrate your skills. I also recommend building relationships with people who are in the gaming industry. Connect with people on LinkedIn or in other areas of your life, ask to meet with them just to understand their role, their industry, their company, etc.
However, please do not ask for a job. Just ask them questions, be curious, and offer that if there is ever anything you can do for them, to please let you know!
Stay in touch with these people, too - it may take weeks, months, maybe years - but you never know where the relationship will lead to!