Hi there,

My name is Nathaniel Hoefer I am new to this forum. I recently spent a lot of time going over the Forum FAQ, especially the lessons concerning portfolios and job placement and I am interested if I can find some answers to the questions that I have.

I am extremely passionate about creating art, and I have recently graduated with my Associates Degree of Game Development. I am pursuing environment art as my career and trying to fill my portfolio with 3d assets that I have created. Now my first question is what sort of assets should I fill my portfolio with? Such as modular assets, entire environments, or detailed models? The reason I ask this question, is because I am currently working two jobs and I find it difficult to put as much time into my portfolio as I want to and I want to show the studios what they want to see.

My second question pertains to location. I live in Kansas and I understand that I'll have to move in order to get a job. My question is: will the studios be more inclined to hire me knowing this, or will I have to move before I apply to even have an opportunity to attain a job?

I understand that being hired as an Environment Artist might be a long road ahead of me, but I will continue to pursue it and grow.

Thanks beforehand for any helpful comments, and here is a small portion of my unfinished portfolio that I threw together. I'll take any critiques.

http://www.gamedev.net/gallery/album/410-unfinished-portfolio/

1. Deciding where to go as an Environment Artist
what sort of assets should I fill my portfolio with? Such as modular assets, entire environments, or detailed models?
2. I am currently working two jobs and I find it difficult to put as much time into my portfolio as I want to
3. My second question pertains to location. I live in Kansas and I understand that I'll have to move in order to get a job. My question is: will the studios be more inclined to hire me knowing this, or will I have to move before I apply to even have an opportunity to attain a job?

1. Show GREAT environments. What's your specialty -- interiors, urban, countryside, extraterrestrial? Show off your best stuff, show that you're a GREAT environment artist.

2. Nobody said this would be easy. Try harder!

3. I thought you said you read the FAQs? Read them again. And read this too: http://sloperama.com/advice/m73.htm

Tom, I would like to thank you for all the insightful information that you provide under all your lessons and your comment, and one thing that really clicked for me yesterday is that I haven't truly realistically looked at how I can get into the industry. I was just hoping to get in, but last night I did a lot of thinking. I believe I came up with a game plan to increase my odds:

1. Continue to work in Kansas to save up money and work on portfolio
2. Do lots of research on California and where to live
3. As soon as its financially possible, move to California
4. Get a standard job to support family
5. Apply, apply, apply for industry job

Let me know what you think about this plan that I came up with if you have time. I haven't had much time to think about it, but its time that I stop relying on wishful thinking.

Knowing that I haven't done any research at all, do you have any suggestions where I should start looking for a location in California? or maybe another state?

That's a plan.

As for the research, use gamedevmap and gameindustrymap for starters.

Hi Nhoefer146,

Here are some thoughts regarding portfolio creation.

I like the plan you are working on. Here are a few suggestions I have to improve your odds.

1. Make something! This is the best way to earn the type of experience you will need to get hired.
2. Network as much as possible.
3. Consider starting in Quality Assurance to get in the door. We have a talented environment artist on City of Heroes who started here in QA out of school in order to get in the door.

Best,

Destin

Thanks for all the advice!

Destin, when you're talking about Quality Assurance, is that something I could do here in Kansas, or would it be an option right after moving?

Quality Assurance, is that something I could do here in Kansas, or would it be an option right after moving?

Read the FAQ on QA.