06/03/2014

The road map to becoming an environment artist

I've been thinking about where I want to go and be when I finish uni and well I'm pretty sure its having a job as an environmental artist. Therefore I've searched around the web and found a job perfect for me (http://hire.jobvite.com/CompanyJobs/Careers.aspx?k=Job&c=qAx9VfwV&j=oYVsYfw3&s=Indeed) however there is some places I need to improve before I can get the perfect job I desire.



This job is entails concepting and modelling for a stylised world, they are asking for:
- A person with strong enthusiasm and understanding of how to build caricatured architectural and organic landscapes with whimsical appeal
- A person well versed in Photoshop, 3DS Max and other 2D/3D applications
- A person that is confident with modelling, lighting and texturing low poly assets for visually memorable worlds
-A passion for games and creating environments
-A good sense of scale and spatial awareness
-A solid understanding of how the environment affects game-play
-A person that is eager to work in a fast paced environment
-An understanding of the importance of scope
-Thrive in a small team environment
-A disciplined person with a strong work ethic
-Someone that sees themselves as a team player
-Being able to model environment geometry from simple mass-out to finished states
-The ability to UV map and paint custom texture sets for levels
-The ability to light environments to enhance and evoke a strong sense of mood
-The skill to finish environments with detail objects, decals, dynamic lights and animated objects
- 3 years of progressively responsible experience in video game environments
The portfolio must also demonstrate a strong understanding of light, value, composition, colour, and staging in environmental design. It must also show fully realised environments that create specific moods in a playful and charming way.



I feel as if I have a few of these requirements such as;
-A passion for games and creating environments
-A good sense of scale and spatial awareness
-A good knowledge of Photoshop and 3DS Max (I also know how to use Maya, Mudbox, UDK (to a simple level) and Illustrator).
-A solid understanding of how the environment affects game-play
-An understanding of the importance of scope
-Being well disciplined
-Someone that sees themselves as a team player
-Being able to model environment geometry from simple mass-out to finished states
-Being able to thrive in a small team environment
-The ability to UV map and paint custom texture sets for levels
-The ability to light environments to enhance and evoke a strong sense of mood
-The skill to finish environments with detail objects, decals, dynamic lights and animated objects




Some of these things I feel like I am good at however they do need to be improved and this can be done by continuing to work on them.

Things I need to continue to work on:
-Photoshop and 3DS Max
-Confidence with modelling, lighting and texturing low poly assets for visually memorable worlds
-Having a strong work ethic
-Being able to model environment geometry from simple mass-out to finished states
-Thriving in a small team environment
-My ability to work in fast paced environment
-The ability to UV map and paint custom texture sets for levels
-The ability to light environments to enhance and evoke a strong sense of mood
-The skill to finish environments with detail objects, decals, dynamic lights and animated objects

The things I need to do before getting my dream job:
-Work in the industry for 3 years
-Become a master at Photoshop and 3DS Max
-Make an outstanding portfolio of lots of work showing off my passion and skill for working with environmental art
-Work on soft skills such as working in teams and the ability to talk in front of large crowds (this can be achieved by doing group projects and presentations at university)
-Continuing to develop 2D and 3D art skills




By doing this process I finally know what to aim to get done for the future, most of this can also be covered in university time therefore if also work on it in my own time I will be able to get to where I want to be sooner rather than later :)