Sending out portfolio to studios

Submitted by bumskee on
Forum
Job and Work Experience

hi!

My first post here. [:)]

I am about to jump onto the band wagon and try and squeeze myself into the games industry for some 2d work. I was thinking of sending my portfolio to pretty much every studio I can find, just wondering if this was a common practice? Or is there a better alternative of getting your name out?

I have noticed lot of big studios have employment section where you submit your resume and so on for future positions. Has anyone successfully gained a position through this system?

Any past experiences, advices, suggestions all appreciated.

Cheers,

Min

Submitted by souri on Thu, 10/11/05 - 3:48 AMPermalink

There's an article on Sumea on portoflio questions for 3D artists, but I think it's worth reading if you're submitting 2D work. If you're sending out your portfolio to every studio, there's a good chance that your work will land on the desk of many of the guys in the article. [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/sarticle.asp?art_ID=16"]Check it out here[/url].

Submitted by Red 5 on Thu, 10/11/05 - 4:18 AMPermalink

I think employers generally prefer to look at an online portfolio because it's easy... but you need to hook them first.

My advice is to email the companies you wish to work for, and include a single image of your very best work and a link to your online portfolio.
Sometimes that initial image can make or break your chances of scoring a job... if it's great then they'll want to see more.

Don't forget to follow up if you don't hear anything for a couple of weeks, this shows you're keen... and sometimes a phone call can go a long way too... persistance can pay off.

Good luck mate!

Submitted by bumskee on Fri, 11/11/05 - 3:30 AMPermalink

Souri, thanks that was a good read, eeek, tough industry huh?

Red 5, sounds a bit risky like a double edged sword. :) thanks might give that a go.

Chaos, Thanks for all the info, I glimpsed through some, looks very informative. I will definitely read more up on it.

Well I still have about two months before I quit my job, guess it's time to do some research and fill up my portfolio.

:)

Min

Submitted by Red 5 on Fri, 11/11/05 - 4:14 AMPermalink

quote:Originally posted by bumskee
Red 5, sounds a bit risky like a double edged sword. :) thanks might give that a go.

I guess you could consider it risky, but you have to stand out from the crowd if you want to get noticed.

There's an American book called "how to get a job in computer animation" (Ed Harris) and in there you'll find a chapter written by myself, which suggests some quite radical methods of getting your foot in the door of game studios... all I'm saying is there's a lot of people trying to get in and those who are creative in their approach sometimes stand a better chance than those who aren't.

I get a fair few emails from people looking for work, I know what I like to see and I will often take a chance on a person who is persistant, even if they have no prior industry experience (providing they provide me with examples that are up to the level I require)... some of these people have proven to be my best workers in both skill and work ethic.

Submitted by souri on Tue, 15/11/05 - 2:47 AMPermalink

quote:Originally posted by bumskee

Souri, thanks that was a good read, eeek, tough industry huh?

Actually, I'm curious as to how 2D Artists/Concept artists fare in the games industry. It's still a young industry, but it seems more and more professional concept artists have been involved in the games industry in recent years, rather than it being the job of the art/creative director or whoever happens to draw the best in the team.

From my limited observations, it seems full time concept artists tend to be well versed in other aspects of game creation like modelling and animation (Lachlan from Pandemic, Jason from Imaginery Numbers for example do a range of things along with concepting). It makes sense though since concepts aren't really needed at the end of a project, and you well can't be sitting around doing nothing.

Concept artists who do concepts only are usually freelancers and hired by contract for a few months. I think I read on CGNetworks that most of the professional concept artists that have worked in the games industry are concept artists first and foremost that do work for games if the opportunity arises. So they tend to do a whole wide range things (concept, story board, matte painting) for lots of different clients (film, advertising etc).

Anyway, I've been a bit slack on getting my interview to [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3226"]Rowan[/url] but it'll be interesting to get his insights on concept artist'ing in the local games industry as I know he's had a look into it. If any concept artists in the industry are reading (Lachlan, Jason, Unit etc), if you could shed some better light onto it, that would be great [:)]

Submitted by bumskee on Thu, 17/11/05 - 10:14 AMPermalink

I think you are right souri, it's not a big industry is it? growing certainly but so are the number of 2d artists. Or maybe it's just too competitive like 3d area. Well I know two artist here in sydney that works as a concept artist. :P I still have time till I run out there and try make a name for myself so I think I will sit tight and build my portfolio for the time being.

Red 5, yeah being patient and persistant, both very taxing. :)

Min

Submitted by Mdobele on Thu, 17/11/05 - 8:58 PMPermalink

I know for a fact that HalfBrick studios in Brisbane are currently seeking a couple of Artists primarily with 2D skills. You should check them out... www.halfbrick.com

Posted by bumskee on
Forum
Job and Work Experience

hi!

My first post here. [:)]

I am about to jump onto the band wagon and try and squeeze myself into the games industry for some 2d work. I was thinking of sending my portfolio to pretty much every studio I can find, just wondering if this was a common practice? Or is there a better alternative of getting your name out?

I have noticed lot of big studios have employment section where you submit your resume and so on for future positions. Has anyone successfully gained a position through this system?

Any past experiences, advices, suggestions all appreciated.

Cheers,

Min

Submitted by souri on Thu, 10/11/05 - 3:48 AMPermalink

There's an article on Sumea on portoflio questions for 3D artists, but I think it's worth reading if you're submitting 2D work. If you're sending out your portfolio to every studio, there's a good chance that your work will land on the desk of many of the guys in the article. [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/sarticle.asp?art_ID=16"]Check it out here[/url].

Submitted by Red 5 on Thu, 10/11/05 - 4:18 AMPermalink

I think employers generally prefer to look at an online portfolio because it's easy... but you need to hook them first.

My advice is to email the companies you wish to work for, and include a single image of your very best work and a link to your online portfolio.
Sometimes that initial image can make or break your chances of scoring a job... if it's great then they'll want to see more.

Don't forget to follow up if you don't hear anything for a couple of weeks, this shows you're keen... and sometimes a phone call can go a long way too... persistance can pay off.

Good luck mate!

Submitted by bumskee on Fri, 11/11/05 - 3:30 AMPermalink

Souri, thanks that was a good read, eeek, tough industry huh?

Red 5, sounds a bit risky like a double edged sword. :) thanks might give that a go.

Chaos, Thanks for all the info, I glimpsed through some, looks very informative. I will definitely read more up on it.

Well I still have about two months before I quit my job, guess it's time to do some research and fill up my portfolio.

:)

Min

Submitted by Red 5 on Fri, 11/11/05 - 4:14 AMPermalink

quote:Originally posted by bumskee
Red 5, sounds a bit risky like a double edged sword. :) thanks might give that a go.

I guess you could consider it risky, but you have to stand out from the crowd if you want to get noticed.

There's an American book called "how to get a job in computer animation" (Ed Harris) and in there you'll find a chapter written by myself, which suggests some quite radical methods of getting your foot in the door of game studios... all I'm saying is there's a lot of people trying to get in and those who are creative in their approach sometimes stand a better chance than those who aren't.

I get a fair few emails from people looking for work, I know what I like to see and I will often take a chance on a person who is persistant, even if they have no prior industry experience (providing they provide me with examples that are up to the level I require)... some of these people have proven to be my best workers in both skill and work ethic.

Submitted by souri on Tue, 15/11/05 - 2:47 AMPermalink

quote:Originally posted by bumskee

Souri, thanks that was a good read, eeek, tough industry huh?

Actually, I'm curious as to how 2D Artists/Concept artists fare in the games industry. It's still a young industry, but it seems more and more professional concept artists have been involved in the games industry in recent years, rather than it being the job of the art/creative director or whoever happens to draw the best in the team.

From my limited observations, it seems full time concept artists tend to be well versed in other aspects of game creation like modelling and animation (Lachlan from Pandemic, Jason from Imaginery Numbers for example do a range of things along with concepting). It makes sense though since concepts aren't really needed at the end of a project, and you well can't be sitting around doing nothing.

Concept artists who do concepts only are usually freelancers and hired by contract for a few months. I think I read on CGNetworks that most of the professional concept artists that have worked in the games industry are concept artists first and foremost that do work for games if the opportunity arises. So they tend to do a whole wide range things (concept, story board, matte painting) for lots of different clients (film, advertising etc).

Anyway, I've been a bit slack on getting my interview to [url="http://www.sumea.com.au/forum/topic.asp?TOPIC_ID=3226"]Rowan[/url] but it'll be interesting to get his insights on concept artist'ing in the local games industry as I know he's had a look into it. If any concept artists in the industry are reading (Lachlan, Jason, Unit etc), if you could shed some better light onto it, that would be great [:)]

Submitted by bumskee on Thu, 17/11/05 - 10:14 AMPermalink

I think you are right souri, it's not a big industry is it? growing certainly but so are the number of 2d artists. Or maybe it's just too competitive like 3d area. Well I know two artist here in sydney that works as a concept artist. :P I still have time till I run out there and try make a name for myself so I think I will sit tight and build my portfolio for the time being.

Red 5, yeah being patient and persistant, both very taxing. :)

Min

Submitted by Mdobele on Thu, 17/11/05 - 8:58 PMPermalink

I know for a fact that HalfBrick studios in Brisbane are currently seeking a couple of Artists primarily with 2D skills. You should check them out... www.halfbrick.com