Need help with inspiration/success

#1

Hi everyone,

So I’m kind of new to CGSociety. I have spent the last 4 years learning to be a 3D modeler for games at a university. I feel like I made a huge mistake going to art school because I’m leaving here with beginner knowledge, a huge amount of student debt, and I worked while in school too, so I didn’t invest as much time in my school work that I’d like.

Don’t get me wrong, it was cool to go to university for game development, but I don’t feel like I’m even employable in game development at 22 years old. I want to be a 3D modeler and texture artist but I feel really down trodden. I finally got a lot better at my work and I still feel like I’m so far away from being good enough to work for people.

How did some of you get into the industry? Or what are you doing now? How do you get over doing something you want to do but feeling like the whole world is against you on it? I really want to work on games but I feel like it takes a long time to get in the industry.

I’m currently in the office at my job right now so I can only post a link to my work thru my art station. I intend to ask for WIP help on my next project.

Thanks everybody! Just feeling kind of down on myself that’s all. I know its normal to feel this way, but I think I will feel better hearing what everyone else is doing so I can hear about people’s different paths into game development.

#2

I hope my advice is not that too late. Anyway, for the others advantage too, in order to succeed in any endeavor whether its a gaming related career or not, I think one must be open to continuous learning about your choice. Don’t give up easily if you failed once. There are still new opportunities around. You must also maintain a very supportive and skillful social circle. Lastly, you must believe and have confidence in yourself that you can always elevate to a professional status.

#3

Thank you for your feedback! I feel as though I go thru swings with my confidence, and maybe that’s just because I keep getting better and my standard for myself keeps getting higher.

I appreciate the advice, I’m not one to give up on anything easily, but I think its always failing in order to succeed multiple times that I struggle with the most.

Do you have any advice for that? How many years of making mistakes does it take you to get to a good spot? I think that mistakes is not the right word, but rather they are learning experiences. I think I have an issue with perfectionism too… I don’t know! I just want to make cool art and keep getting better at it!

#4

Do you have a link to your work, so we can give you advice on what you could improve on?

One of the most common problems with 3D artists who are struggling to create quality work, is their lack of knowledge/mastery of the fundamentals of visual art. When I was art directing and going through hundreds of portfolios, that was the number one problem I saw in 3D portfolios, and it continues to be the number one problem in most subpar 3D portfolios.

I highly recommend you read this article I wrote on the subject: http://forums.cgsociety.org/showthread.php?f=166&t=1028244

You might want to read the sticky threads in the Art Techniques & Theories subforum too (linked below in my signature), as they contain a lot of very helpful tips on how to be more effective in your artistic development.

#5

Yes! I’m on Art station currently.

Http://www.artstation.com/artist/ladycatton

I know that I’m not pro quality yet, and I’m working on that. I’m trying to get better and edge flow in the retopology process, human anatomy, and texture painting. I know I have a really long way to go, but I guess the fear of never getting good enough is kind of what’s taking me out currently.

I’ll check out the link you posted! Thank you for your help!

#6

Having seen examples of your work, it’s very obvious that what you’re lacking isn’t any of the technical processes you described, because those can be learned relatively easy. It’s the fundamentals that are difficult and that’s what you’re severely lacking. Start reading the Art T&T sticky threads–you really need the help they’ll provide for your artistic development.

#7

Thank you! I really appreciate your guidance in showing me the places to look for getting better. I’ll be doing what I can to explore the artistic aspect of game art instead of just the technical ability.

Cheers!!!