What Do 3D Environment Art Tests From AAA Studios Look Like?

Let's look back at various environment art tests that have existed in the Games Industry over the last few years.

00:00 Intro
2:00 Bizzare Creations
2:47 Splash Damage
06:02 Bungie
06:25 Crytek UK
08:28 TT Games
10:12 ArenaNet
10:58 Art Test Discussion
11:35 INSANITY!
14:30 Outro

[Droxcy]

A 3-month probation will go a lot further than an art test will, imo. Especially in a market where people have zero runway in their own lives due to layoffs and an impossible job market. I interviewed for a role outside of art and had 3 interviews with 3 different managers and got an offer and then had it rescinded. Cannot imagine doing a 1+ Week Art test - wait for feedback another week or so then another week of comms just to not get a job you very much need.

[TheCthogua]

I took the the Naughty Dog temple test back in '08 or '09 and the instructions I got with it specifically said "This is an 80 hour test. We expect it to be done in two weeks." I didn't end up getting that job 😅 That said the aura around a lot of these marathon tests back then was that it was as much about whether you'd be willing to throw yourself on the sword for this job as it was demonstrating skill.

[schi]

Your videos help with the learning process a lot, thank you for posting them!

[jasmdc]

Ive spent all of 2023 and most of 2024 looking for work as an environment artist. I've had all sorts of art tests:
- one weekend to make a high quality prop start to finish (intricate design, lots of details) (Ive done several of these with similar time requirements)
- two weeks for a modular kit based on a photo (focus on kit reusablity, you were allowed to texture and decorate with existing textures)
- 8 hours for 2 assignments: one detailed sculpt and one big hardsurface piece

I've never had to actually do an environment but I know of people who have, though I don't know the specifics.

Good luck everyone, it's rough out there!

[darrenpinard]

15 industry vet, every so often I get asked to do an art test, don't have a problem with them as long as they pay my time.

[apresmidi]

Interesting video, cool to see stuff that's so relevant to the hiring process.

[adriancampos]

Haven't seen that thing in a while, I did that ND test back in 2014-15 ish can't remember exactly. It did threw me off that it was strictly modeling mainly because the polycount was pretty tight and it included foliage and destruction which a lot of the detail comes from texture work. The instructions were also pretty vague on purpose.

I decided to use normal maps even tho they said to focus strictly on modeling to give it better definition than a low poly abstract painting. It was a risky move since it would mean that I would have to uv everything and make normal maps which makes it take even longer but I felt like it needed it. Ended up finishing it in 2 weeks while working full time, then got some feedback and had to do some adjustments.

Once I got the job, I realized the art test was designed to test cultural fit as well since we all know its really hard to get quality work in that time and its more about prioritizing, resilience, and autonomy since ND’s culture was really hardcore at the time.

That kind of work mentality is not sustainable for a lot of people but if you're up for it at least for a while, you’ll definitely learn a ton. Was it worth it? Hell yeah, those days at the kennel have been one of the most artistically rewarding experiences I’ve had in my career.

[VicoSotto.]

I remember doing the Naughty Dog art test in late 2000s-/early 2010s and yes, the modeling and texturing are separate tests. Good times, damn I'm old.

Wish you can also run back the Art Of War winners, the old ones.

[kaito]

Jesus, which role was the Naughty Dog art test for? Can't imagine it was for a junior level

[zohahs]

This is nice one, please do similar or lighting artist test.

[AdamLeis]

What's the restriction on using baked-in texture/normal maps? Seems a lot of the complicated nuances might be bakeable depending on the lighting needs. Obviously, if the lighting shifts a lot in the scene, you probably want more real surface details instead of baked-in fakes, but dang.
Edit: never mind - seeing the Naughty Dog env and him saying "it's a modeling test, " yeeaaah, dang.

[efwfew]

Wew some of those test are a mess.. the Crytek one, that's a lot of work for an art test, hope the position is worth it

[AzraelArt]

some of them are crazy...
art test should not be longer than a 1-3 days, or with monetary compensation.

[jakedelmastro]

Damn I'm shocked this was an art test! I wish I could hire an artist who I knew could do this! (if you are one, pls get in touch with me :), I will pay you)

[coffeediction]

Two weeks unpaid Art Test? Are you serious? xD