How I Got Hired as a Character Artist For Games

Strategy can go a long way in creating a portfolio that gets you hired.

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00:00 Intro
01:09 My First Portfolio
07:20 Strategy
13:05 Be Open
19:26 Be Persistent

[priooonty]

sir your " you don't need to be famous on social media " is a blessing to extreme anti social people like us ❤

[abladao]

This might help someone that is on the look. But my journey has been quite interesting here on our 3D world. I was always focusing my portfolio on very cartoony/stylized 3d character to get into studios like Pixar, Disney, etc. I was working in Brazil on a studio for almost 3 years, building my folio and a good professional network. And as J said, I started applying to places in general in Europe, in the end I joined LEGO Group, which if you think about it isn´t animation industry anymore, but hey it is a massive company, very good life in Denmark, amazing benefits and I get an insane work-life balance. So yeah, never stop looking and close doors even if they aren´t the ones you started looking initially from day one. Stay patience, if you do this every day and every week, at some point you are going to end up in a nice place guys!

[davidwilson]

I landed my first job as a 3D artist around 18 months ago so I thought I'd share my journey and offer some advice. The first thing I would say is that your'e never to old to pivot career. I was working in construction until the age of 26 before deciding I wanted to become a 3D artist. This wasn't an easy decision as I knew nothing about 3D and the idea of leaving a good salary job to start again was a scary one. I was lucky enough to have the support of my parents who let me move back in with them whilst I worked full time on a portfolio - something I hated doing but knew I needed to do in order to focus fully on learning 3D and getting a portfolio together as quick as I could. It took me around 18 months to learm Maya, zbrush, and substance painter and get my portfolio to a place where I was ready to start looking for jobs. This was a pretty greuling 18 months, 12 hour days and minimal social life but this is what it took and if you learn to love the process - which I did (although extremely furstrating at times) you will get there. But you need to fully commit and envision yourself one day finally landing that first job - and truly believe that it will happen. However it took me close to a year of constantly applying for jobs afte this, before getting my first interview. I found a list of all the game studios in the UK and I emailed every single one of them. It will be difficult to land a job through the usual job sites like linkedin/indeed as there are thousands of applicants, so I'd advise emailing companies, even if they are not hiring, as well as attending industry events to get face to face with employers. I felt like giving up after a year of applications and was close to pivoting again into a more reliable career, but I stuck at it. You will get there if you truly want it enough. Anyway, hope that helps anyone who is struggling with their first break at the moment.

[blockeddefault]

this is what i’m actually looking into. I’m studying in college and i’m still improving art because i want to be a character designer for video games. This is perfect for what i want to do

[zenpenmc]

Im forgetting who I heard this from, but someone once told me to make "art" and not just "game art" for my folio. That really opened my eyes and it lines up perfectly with what J is saying about being true to our interests and all that stuff. Great vid!

[bart.mistrot]

Hey man, you killed it!

When I was in the Air Force for radar systems, our best instructors were the people who still were passionate about the material. I feel that’s why so many people gravitate towards the channel, you give a fun look into this world of character art that is pretty fresh and exciting. We can tell from the amount of care and prep time that goes into each video. Plus your member portfolio critiques are all extremely helpful and don’t pull punches which is what someone needs to get better.

Every video like this of yours I feel like I’m getting a paid product for free lol, one of the reasons I’m a channel member because it’s such great content.

Keep it up J.

[mash]

This is actually the first advice that helped me understand on how to get started in the industry and how to build a good portfolio. Usually I‘m overwhelmed by all the great artwork and the competition out there. Thinking I have to be able to create all kinds of things and work way faster than I am. So makes a lot of sense to focus on the work you want to be hired for and have diversity in your own limits. Being persistent and patient not just with the studios but also with yourself helps a lot!

[terrifyingvoid]

you dont need a perfect porfolio. shows a perfect porfolio

[ochavezart]

What has stuck with me the most is what they told you, "do more of this." I was given that advice on a specific image, and on my previous instagram people would heart that image alot. I do like the explanation of doing production big projects and in between small projects that are not production. That can serve as a reminder to fall back into doing work for yoy, but also showing the original ideas one has as an individual. Also changing one's thinking about thumbnails as marketing, your art as a product, and yourself as a business of one is another big take away for me. Not just having an artistic mind but also a business mind is important to get work. Businesses don't wait to have the perfect product, or be famous to start selling to their target clients.

[bikotheanimator]

I was working at Deck Nine Games as a junior animator, but I was laid off on May 19. I am searching for jobs again. I would like to get into film/animation. The most amazing thing I experienced was working at Pixar as an intern in Summer 2019.

[vinayarts]

Even thought I am trying to be a environment artist this video did gave me some insights I should look into and I am very grateful for it J hill, big fan sir 🤩🤩🤩

[vedanttiwari]

Thanks J, really needed this video right now, it works as a therapy and obviously helpful in all ways. We're so grateful of your videos! <3

[frazaobr]

I 100% agree about having fun, when you're enjoying what you're working, this is when the magic happens, having the passion, seeing the hard work evolving and shaping into something nice, even with duty jobs this has to be the way to go.

After some rough time looking for a job, I finally start working in a game studio here from my country, and we are working hard to ship our first title, but this going to be HUGE for me. Currently, I'm trading knowledge with this studio, being humble by give and receive, at the end we both grow up.

I also agree and think the patience is the key, for some of us this may be sux for the inpatients, but let's take a day at a time.

[shoshaka]

Thank you so much for the transparency and the humble advices. I've seen and heard so many times 'make the absolute perfect portfolio with an entire array of full-sized game res characters including wires, uv shots' etc... While it's good on paper, it would take an individual an eternity to get a base level job to start growing from. Overall, this is the best 'how I got hired' video for me!

[AdaptAndConquer]

Thanks so much for this video J! 😛 I'm an aspiring concept artist and have been lucky enough to have done a few art tests recently for 2 big names but didnt quite make it in this time. Its been a bit hard to keep up the passion I've always had while currently going through my own "waiting period" at the moment looking for opportunities etc, your advice gives me a lot of reassurance thankyou so much 😊💯

Also I couldnt agree more with making sure you're having fun and enjoying the journey because in my sprint to become a professional I put aside the things that excite and inspired me to become an artist in the first place and I've had to take time to spark and rekindle that crucial joy and passion once again 😊👍

[pstuarts]

This is the exact video I need at this time, I'm studying 3D, not applying to jobs yet because I don't feel that I'm good enough, but def once I start to apply, I'll do itevery single day as you said.
Thank you J, you are an inifite source of inspiration.

[itsgonnabeanaurfromme]

What i gleaned from the first one, is that you make a portfolio with different things. They want to be able to see and pick specific types of art they like and want you to expand on it.

[DearReah]

The big pillars/small bricks analogy is super helpful, thanks!

[casiitard]

You are seriously my favorite person to learn from in this industry. Always inspiring, always well thought and well put. Awesome stuff.

[TexelionDprints]

I applied three times to a freelancer studio, they never answered. Then a friend got a job in that studio thanks to another friend who knew the boss, they needed people to make stylized assets, told them about me, got an interview with the boss and he said that my style was exactly what they were looking for, I got hired immediately.

I wonder if it's worth it to even spend months or years sending resumes. They don't give a shit, they don't even look at them, it feels like most studios hire people who know people working for them.

Don't even send them the whole portfolios, only chose a few pieces that match the kind of stuff they do and join them to the email. If the studio is known for making stylized art, send them stylized characters and assets. If they make realistic military shooters, show them that. Match the style of the studio you're aiming for.

And if you want to become a character artist, focus on ANATOMY based on photos and real people. I see a lot of aspiring artists who can't even sculpt a face correctly or have bad proportions.