Every day, we improve their professionalism and quality, as well as their knowledge and skills. But how do we know that’s enough to get a place in the AAA-Game project?
As you embark on your journey to enhance your professionalism, it’s crucial to reassess your development roadmap periodically. It is the key to transitioning from a Junior 2D/3D Artist in a small startup to a Senior Artist, or even an Art Director, in a renowned GameDev company. The potential for growth and advancement in this industry is immense, and it’s up to you to seize it.
Don’t you have a checklist? Then read on as Ninel Anderson (CEO at Devoted Studios) assembled for an interview at the Get Hired podcast with some of the most famous Art Directors:
- Jeremy Fenske (Art Director in Palia);
- Emmanuel Valdez (Art Director at Visual Concepts);
- Chris Matthews (Art Director and Co-founder of Ridgeline Games);
- Neel Upadhye (Creative director | Ex-Star Wars );
- Artem Volchik (Art Director at Raid Base Inc).
Together, they created the best artist portrait for the game studio. Read to the end, and you will learn which five main qualities must be adhered to get a job at Singularity 6 or even Riot Games in a year or a few years and participate in creating cult games like Valorant or Marvel.
1. Increased Involvement
And you would like to see at 1st place some supernatural skill? All brilliant – simple! But at the same time, do not rush to think that involvement is simple. Sincere engagement is much more important than skill and technical skills. If you are involved in the process and want the maximum result, you will find a place to gain the necessary knowledge and skills.
Artem Volchik
Each studio is looking for something special in its employees. These requirements may vary depending on the genre and specificity of the work. But one thing unites them in the search for the right artists—the desire to give everything to the task.
Increased involvement is a genuine love for your project and will not be “portrayed.” You either love the project and are ready to do what’s best for it every day, or you just do the work day.
Even if you are adept at queries in artificial intelligence platforms, you will not draw or create a better creative than an indeed involved employee of the artist will.
So, the first thing you need to do is make sure that you love the project that you’re in. Also, honestly answer the question, “How much do I love my profession? I love my profession and hope to become a better version of myself daily?”
2. Build Your Portfolio Gradually
Jeremy Fenske
Add to the portfolio jobs in which you are confident and reflect your professionalism to the maximum. In addition, it should be done constantly, as creatives are created.
Don’t try to confuse art directors who will be watching your portfolio and doing a lot of creatives—there is no need to abuse the creatives from the artificial intelligence platform. An experienced art director will quickly understand where your job is and where AI-generated content is. Don’t believe me? Watch a snippet of an interview with Jeremy.
Where can I get a good portfolio if I still need to work for an excellent company and get suitable offers? Dedicated Studios offers several sources:
- Go to interviews to get test tasks and try to do them at the highest level. If you do not pass, ask for feedback and improve the work.
- Think about the layout for your project so you can increase your creativity and get the first work in your portfolio.
3. Transmedia Approach with Creativity
Neel Upadhye
There is a very efficient approach, which Neel Upadhye told us about. It is an approach called Transmedia. Neel, who has dedicated his career to storytelling, describes it as follows: ‘I’ve spent my professional life crafting stories. It’s the best way to convey the importance and essence of a game to its users.
Your work is not just to create a creative or beautiful picture. You must adhere to the transmedia principle and help the end user enjoy the story through your creatives. We strongly encourage you to watch Ninel’s interview with Neel to maximize your Transmedia image. If you use this advice confidently, you can get a job at AAA projects.
4. Don’t Let Fear Hold You Back
Many people hesitate to take the first step because they fear making mistakes. Jerami and Chris believe true professionals stand out through their proactivity and inner courage to take responsibility. Just listen to Chris’ story, and you’ll understand what we mean.
During interviews, you might not have all the answers to every question. However, if you stand your ground and take ownership, showing that you’re not afraid to admit, ‘I don’t know yet, but I’m willing to learn and acquire that skill as needed,’ you’ll demonstrate your hunger for
5. Take the First Step with Confidence
Despite having an extensive portfolio and knowledge, you may hesitate to take the first step. Perhaps you’re afraid to reach out to a recruiter or share your resume on platforms like Behance or Station due to simple uncertainty.
Jeremy emphasizes that even industry giants like Singularity 6 regularly review responses to their job openings and invite applicants for interviews. You don’t need Jeremy’s phone number or the contact details of other art directors to land opportunities on significant projects. Sometimes, all it takes is responding to a job posting that pops up worldwide daily.
Don’t let fear hold you back. Be bold, take that first step, and seize the opportunities.
Final Advice
As mentioned earlier, there are approximately 1,000 job openings for artists of various levels worldwide every day. These range from junior positions to leads and art director roles. Each of you has an opportunity to secure a job in a regular company or a startup studio and join an AAA project.
We’ve distilled the essential points you need to become an artist in a major company:
- Stay engaged.
- Regularly update your portfolio.
- Embrace the transmedia approach.
- Be proactive and unafraid of making mistakes.
- Take the initiative, and don’t hesitate to reach out first.
We recommend revisiting this list at least once a month. Reflect on whether you’re genuinely engaged in your current project or, if you don’t have one, whether you’re passionate enough about the profession to create your projects.
By conducting this kind of self-analysis monthly, you’ll strive for more positive answers each time, increasing your chances of working on an AAA project and even aspiring to become an art director one day.