https://builder.zety.com/resume/final-resume

https://builder.zety.com/resume/final-resume

Skills, roles and responsibilities during my 3D environment creation (Task 6&7).

Because I planned to created a 3D environment my initial responsibility was to learn the necessary skills required so that I could begin the production process and achieve my end goal. Before I decided to create this 3D environment I had little past experience in creating 3D assets at all, nor any familiarity using software such as Cinema4D or Blender, so I took the responsibility upon myself to learn new skills via YouTube tutorials and general trial and error using Cinema4D on my computer at home during my spare time on the weekends or after college, these newly developed skills and techniques I was working on and picking up over the weeks would eventually be used once I began creating my 3D assets. During the time that I was focusing on learning how to improve my modelling skills I had to also manage my time during college hours, I found myself putting time into the research mainly, although when it came down to it creating the mood board it became very effective early on when I started to use it as a reference for me to build my virtual room off of, my environment was heavily influenced by the buildings left in ruin in games like Fallout 4 and The Last of Us, furthermore I also included real life examples such as the abandoned apartments of the Chernobyl, combining both virtual reality and real life I was able to build up a pretty realistic imagine of what I wanted my environment to look like before I had even finished my first real asset.

Skills, roles and responsibilities during the recording + editing of sounds (Task 5)

Similar to Tasks 6&7 i had no previous experience at all when it came to recording,editing and developing the sounds I needed for my game environment. When brainstorming for the sounds I mainly thought back to the games I had played before which had were of a similar genre to what I was planning to create. Using my what i remembered about these games such as I knew what types of sounds Id require to fully achieve my end goal. After I had planned out what I needed I then began to think of ways I could create sounds from scratch at home at home or sample 2 sounds together to create one, this was done with my the buzzing of the broken light sound effect for example.As stated earlier I lacked any prior experience with sound editing so I hadn’t used anything like Logic Pro X before, so once I had all the sounds prepared it was mainly down to messing around with all the different effects available until I was happy with the outcome. During the editing process I initially aimed to clean up the fuzzy background audio, I did this using the ‘Expander’ effect so that the main sound was made louder and the background audio was decreased in volume. – I used a YouTube tutorial for this tip.

Conclusion

In conclusion, i found the best way to overcome any challenge i faced was to either use tutorials available to me on YouTube or just spend an hour or so experimenting around on the programs.

Progression plan for going into the games industry

For the rest of this year and the next i will be continuing on with my current course at college, during the second year is when ill be heavily considering my future options, whether i enrol at a university, go straight into employment or find a higher apprenticeship position.

All these progression routes will eventually lead into the industry, however each of the three choices have their own advantages and disadvantages. For example if i were to secure a higher apprenticeship position after i finish my second year at South Devon, the higher apprenticeship has the possibility to last between two or three years. After i complete the higher apprenticeship, theres always the possibility that the studio which i enrolled as an apprentice for decides to offer me a position full-time. Although taking this route could get me into the industry quite easily.However i don’t think id take this pathway because of the “chance” that i might not be offered the position at company i was an apprentice for, resulting in me wasting a few years working as an apprentice for them. Id rather be able to give myself a better chance at getting into the industry by earning the further qualifications first needed to secure a job, instead of relying on the possibility that an employer decides to keep an apprentice on. To get the further qualifications needed id obviously need to enroll onto a university course. Using my research on relevant University courses available to me in task 1 i was able to see what courses would be available to me with the qualifications earned after i leave college a year an a half from now. For example if i decided to apply at Staffordshire University’s Computer games design and programming course .The course takes up to 3 years full-time or 4 years full-time taking me up to the 5th year mark. The course covers more than one skill in the design and programming industry, so in theory after graduation in theory id be a “jack of all trades”, having skills in both the programming and design/modelling sides needed in the industry, increasing my chances of employment. Being this “jack of all trades” will increase my chances of being hired by already established studios who are looking for multi skilled employees. One of the big disadvantages i see with this specific University course is the location. Id be required to move from Brixham to Staffordshire, which currently im unsure about doing so as its 200+ miles away from home. I aware that this industry doesn’t have a lot of opportunities available in my local area, with the ‘closest’ jobs (shown on ArtStation) being either in Brighton or Warwickshire and they’re still both around 200 miles away, so far this is the main disadvantage ive noticed when planning out my future after college, whether or not i want to move away this far away.

3D Modelling Artist:

What does a 3D modelling artist do?

A 3D Modelling artist creates the models for all 3D art assets found within a game, ranging from characters,vehicles,furniture,weapons,rocks,trees and so on. The process of creating a 3D model for a game will often start with a brief or a 2D drawing from a concept artist, which they will build their models based on. Depending on the individual game studio or game project requirements it isn’t uncommon for a 3D modelling artist to specialise in a given area. If this is the case a 3D modelling artist can become; environment artists, character artists or vehicle artists. However in other studios 3D modelling artists can be responsible for modelling several types of assets or an entire level.

The median annual salary for 3D artists is nearly £50,000. 3D artists earn around £30,000 annually, while the highest paid earn close to £85,000 a year.

What skills do 3D modelling artist possess?

• Using 3D software: create artwork using a range of programmes, know the latest technologies and techniques
• Using game engines: implement art into game engines, understand their technical constraints and possibilities
• Art: have a strong artistic ability, good understanding of form,colour, texture and light, know how these elements work together
• Knowledge of game play: imagine how a character or vehicle will be experienced when a game is being played
• Collaboration: work well with other artists, designers and producers
• Organisation: work within the production schedule, manage files and meet deadlines.

Tools used by 3D modelling artists today:

• Image editing software (Adobe Photoshop)
• 3D modelling, sculpting and painting software (blender,Cinema4D, 3D SMax,Maya, Mudbox, ZBrush, Substance Painter, Substance Designer, Quixel)

Working Patterns of a 3D modelling artist:

3D modelling artists commonly work normal office hours, (35 to 40 hours  weekly), if there are deadlines needing to met they may be required to work additional hours. Many artists work freelance,part-time and temporary contracts are also very common.

Concept Artist

What does a concept artist do?

Concept artists are largely responsible for the style and look of a game. They’re the first to draw the environments, enemies and player characters. Concept artists are given a brief from the game producer(s), which they will create sketches based on the briefs demands. These sketches are used to help 3D artists, producers, programmers and publishers understand how the game will look.

The drawings of the concept artist are a vital part of the game’s early development stages as they are the starting point for all the artwork and an important part for marketing plans.

Whats a concept artist good at?

• Art: be very good at drawing by hand, understanding of composition, draw in a way that matches genre styles such as fantasy, sci-fi or cartoon.
• Creativity: imagine how a character will look, starting from a written brief
• Using art software: create 2D and 3D art using a range of programmes, know the latest technologies and techniques.
• Communication: work with the other artists and in the team, share the vision with the designers and games developers
• Knowledge of games: understand gameplay, have market awareness, appreciate how art will be experienced as a player

Who does a concept artist work with?

Concept artists work with all the other members of the art department. They report to the art director and often work closely with the creative director. The art department consists of; 3D modelling artists, Environment artists and Texturing artists.

The average salary for a Concept Artist is £24,000-£30,000 for an experienced concept artist, with starting salaries for entry level concept artists being between £17,000 and £20,000.

Working Patterns of a concept artist

The working hours of a concept artist varies a lot. Permanent office positions are quite different from freelance, it all falls down to what you’re working on at the time, whether its; mobile game, AAA game, movie. The size of the studio and teams also plays a role.

Marc Holmes, Senior Concept Artist and Illustrator- “It varies wildly. Mine is now sitting at home, working freelance. It used to be going into an office and managing a 40+ person art team in the morning and drawing all night. So it varies a lot. Depends on the project!”

From this answer on an AMA forum its clear that the hours are really quite versatile.

Professional behavior whilst working in the creative sector

• Reliability
• Time management, Attendance and punctuality
• Commitment and Efficiency
• Self-Presentation and Communication skills
• Contribution to Team Projects
• Personal Responsibility (more catered towards freelancers)

Pros and Cons

Pros:

Job security, growing industry and money

Cons:

Extra working hours to meet deadlines

Roles within the Games and Interactive design industry

Video Game Tester

Becoming a Video Game Tester is a seen as one of the best entryways in the video game industry. Game Testers are largely responsible for detecting glitches, bugs and digital flaws – in short when they play the game they’re playing to break it. Entering the industry through this route is also a great way to learn about how video games are created because you’ll be expected to work closely with the Dev team.

Developer

Being a game Dev is seen as one of the highest roles in the industry, especially in recent years with the decreasing amount of openings for becoming a game developer (dropping by 65%) the challenge of getting one of these Dev positions without prior experience in the industry is near impossible.

Multimedia Artist/Animator

Being a Multimedia Artist makes you responsible for designing, visualising and creating graphics and animation for video games and other multimedia. You are responsible for bringing the writes’ ideas to life.

Getting into the industry

Video Game Tester

what to learn: Computer science, game play, hacking, and quality assurance.

Game Developer

what to learn: Code, computer science and game development

Multimedia artist/animator

what to learn: Graphic design, art (portfolio more important than a CV), computer science and game design

Apprenticeships in videogame programming

Junior Unity Developer, at The Open University UK Milton Keynes

The role: VR

“We are a small team dedicated to supporting the uptake of new educational methods, practices and technologies. As a Junior Unity Developer, you’ll have a games development degree (or equivalent experience) and join us at an exciting time as we expand the team and help us bring to life the possibilities of virtual reality (VR).”

Skills and experience

Can develop in Unity and C+

Can implement well designed, structured, code

Comfortable working and communicating with others in a team

Comfortable prioritising and managing own workload

Experience in any related areas such as 3D modelling, animation is advantageous

Junior Game Programmer for Playable Ads Leamington Spa

The role: Playable Ads

“As Junior Game Programmer for Playable Ads, you love coding and have a passion for games. You understand design and what a potential player might want to see from our games in order to install them.”

Skills and requirements

Some experience as game programmer with C# even if it’s in personal projects/game jams.Experience with Unity.

Excellent communication skills.Knowledge/experience with HTML would be a plus.

Android / iOS / Amazon or UI experience would be desirable.

Interest in design and how marketing works in games would be ideal.

An avid interest in either console or mobile games, preferably both.

University courses available:

Games design and development, Manchester Metropolitan University

What does the course offer?

This course offers typical design-based studies along a broader focus on elements, including mobile and social gaming. + Manchester is a growing hub of creative industries. The uni also allows for a third years’ study to be deferred while you take on a placement before finishing the course.

Computer games design and programming, Staffordshire University

What does the course offer?

It covers more than one discipline in the field, design and programming so in theory by graduation you’d become a ‘jack of all trades’. This is useful for established studios who are looking to hire multi-skilled employees and for graduates who want to build their own studios from scratch.

Additional information:

Staffordshire’s game design studio is sponsored by Epic Games. Also the uni holds regular events which are visited by industry professionals; these are perfect for picking up pointers and potentially being discovered while you’re still studying.

Work Experience – 3D modelling

Junior 3D Artist position at Archilime Visualisation

This company dedicated mainly to producing high-end photo-realistic architectural visualisations.

Open to applications for aspiring junior creatives, who will be primarily tasked with creating 3D models, these models range from being used for attaining planning permission, to creating marketing material to help sell a scheme to the wider public – meaning that now two modelling jobs are never the same.