Career advice

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Career advice
by Ben van Hamelen on Oct 11, 2012 at 2:18:57 pm

This is a bit of a different subject than usually discussed around here, but hey, why not? I'll give it a shot.

A while back I lost my job as a 3D artist to overcapacity. It appears jobs for 3D artists are as hard to come by as when I started looking for my last job. Add in an apocalyptic economic crisis and you're done. Despite having a pretty decent portfolio (http://www.fireinthesole.com), if I may say so myself, it looks like I won't be finding a job as a 3D artist anytime soon.

Now, here's the problem: I don't really see what other jobs I could persue with my current portfolio. I studied communication and multimedia design and taught myself 3D on the side, but don't really have a 'design' portfolio (nor communication).

So, I would like some input. What kind of jobs could I apply for with my current portfolio that doesn't involve being a streetcleaner? Or do you know of international (preferably European) companies that hire junior 3D artists at the moment? I'm willing to go to great lengths to do what I enjoy for a living.

Thanks in advance for any input, it's _greatly_ appreciated!

Ben van H.

http://www.fireinthesole.com/

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Re: Career advice
by nic lipscombe on Oct 16, 2012 at 9:34:39 am

Hi Ben,

- just a suggestion - most good designers/artists i know work freelance. They sometimes work through agents and usually do some form of teaching, lecturing or one to one coaching when they can in between contracts.

I have myself been looking for some one to one coaching in Maya recently and i can assure you that people who have the knowledge and experience you have are hard to find and would be most valuable to a college or teaching venue. Most people with your skills - and you again sometime soon, will be back working hard in the industry while the students out there will be left struggling with the manual, surrounded by full time lecturers who - in my experience - don't know enough.

I'm sure that if you begin with showing your samples around design agencies and agents direct you will soon find the projects rolling in. And in the mean time perhaps set your self up with a few guest lectures/master classes at your local college - they pay pretty good - and maybe some one to one coaching? - £20 an hour?

Best of luck (follows hard work and bravery of some sort)

Cheers

Nic Lipscombe

http://www.nic-lips.com

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Re: Career advice
by Ben van Hamelen on Oct 16, 2012 at 2:55:53 pm

Hey Nic,

Thanks for replying. I'm actually in the process of going freelance, but that won't earn me enough to get through the month, I'm afraid. I'm still a junior 3D artist with only a few connections in 'the business'.

Your idea of teaching sounds good, I might include that in my services. Not entirely sure yet how to reach those who're looking for one to one coaching though. I've always wanted to become a teacher in 3D eventually, but preferably in like 10 years. The reason for this is that I don't want to become one of those teachers you mentioned. The ones with little knowledge (though I think I have that covered) and hardly any experience. I want to be able to tell my future students how the industry works and I believe that you have to be at least senior level for that.

Guest lectures are a different story though. Those are usually about specific topics and not so much dependent on experience, but instead on skill and knowledge.

Cheers, you gave me some ideas to work with. Further suggestions are always welcome, people!

Ben van H.

http://www.fireinthesole.com/

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