Unit 11

Unit 11

After College

There are many different routes one can go after they have finished their college course. Such as university to further you education or you can jump straight into a job.Don't forget there are apprenticeships which you can get qualifications as well as money.

Skills
I will create a small mind map of all the skills that I posses and the ones that will be helpful for completing any given project.

These are a handful of skills that I will use during this course.

UCAS Statement

I will do a draft of my statement which will be improved on loads before its finished.

I am a college student with the ambition to utilise my skills in the field as well as improve my weaker skills. My interest in the game industry has risen from growing up into to gaming with the xbox coming out in 2002 by the time I was old enough to know what it was I had one. Still till this day I heavily play the Xbox one but I always make time to create new work and enjoy doing so.

When I first entered my course I thought it wouldn’t be for me because they spoke a lot about drawing which I have neglected over time but they reassured me that I will do fine. They were right when we did the 3D modelling I loved it and was learning fast.

Because I didn’t get a C in English I had to do level 2 which they said was games design but it was interactive media. That course taught me a lot about Photoshop which I had used a little before.

After my first year of games design I had gotten a high merit which I was pleased with and my tutor said I could have got a distinction with a little more work but next year I should aim for it.

Over the summer holidays I looked around for some work experience and contacted a guy who wanted an album cover created and I told him that it would be 3D and taken into Photoshop he was fine with that. He sent me some images of what he wanted and how he wanted it, he was completely open to interpretation. He provided me with an image for war of the worlds. When I finished it and sent it over to him I was nervous that he’d hate it but instead he was the opposite and loved it.

I am a martial artist and achieved my black belt on June 18^th 2017.It was the hardest thing I’ve done in my whole life and it has been my greatest achievement of my life. Luckily I had prepared 4 years of training just for that one day. I had an idea what I was going up against but still couldn’t predict everything. Taking a black belt for me wasn’t about destroying it but surviving it and that’s why I think I earned it because by the end I was knackered but I didn’t stop because I wanted to show my determination.

This is good but it lacks detail and has some mistakes in it.

Second Draft

I am a college student with the ambition to utilise my skills in the field as well as working on my areas for improvement, Such as Drawing and Digital Painting. My interest in the game industry has risen from Playing games since I was a child. By the time I was old enough to know what a console was, the Xbox had come out and before I knew it, I was playing one Still to this day I still heavily play the Xbox One but I always make time to create work whether it be 3D or digital concepts and enjoy doing so.

When I first began studying Games Design at Kidderminster Academy I thought it wouldn’t be for me because they spoke a lot about drawing, which Is a skill I have neglected overtime because I didn’t practise enough and got to the point where I lost the interest in it and only recently started picking it back up. But they reassured me that I will do fine. As soon as we began 3D modelling however, I took to the software very quickly and I have gotten better and better with it ever since, producing My sci-fi case along with my bmx scene. Prior to this course, I did a Level 2 Interactive Media qualification at the same college mentioned above. That course taught me a lot about Photoshop which I had used a little before.

After my first year of Games Design I had gotten a high merit which I was pleased with and my tutor said I could have got a distinction with a little more work, and that next year near I should aim for this grade by improving my sketchbook work.

Over the summer holidays I decided to gain some work experience by contacting client online. One in particular wanted an album cover and I told him that it I could design the cover in 3D, take it into Photoshop and render the models as a digitally-painted product. He sent me some images of what he wanted and how he wanted it; He was completely open to interpretation. He provided me with an image for War of the Worlds When I had finished the piece and sent it over to him I was nervous that he wouldn’t like the work, but instead he was the opposite, he loved it!

I am a martial artist and achieved my black belt in June 2017.It was the hardest thing I’ve done in my whole life and it has been my greatest achievement. Luckily I had prepared 4 years of training just for that one day. I had an idea what I was going up against but still couldn’t predict everything. Taking a black belt for me wasn’t about mastering the belt but surviving the experience and that’s why I think I earned it, as by the end I was exhausted, but I didn’t stop because I wanted to show my determination and desire to succeed. I will aim to bring these same qualities to the course and long-term, engineer a path into the Games industry, which is my career goal.

This has been improved to make it more appealing to read.

As I have started writing a UCAS statement I am going to look a 3 university course I would be interested in.

Worcester University

This university would be a good choice because of the location. Travelling there and back wouldn't be hard.

Courses
Computer Games Design and development Bsc
(https://www.worcester.ac.uk/courses/computer-games-design-development-bsc-hons.html)

Game Art BA
(https://www.worcester.ac.uk/discover/game-art-ba-hons.html)

Both of these courses are 3 years long and none of them have sandwhich years.
The Game art course is a BA but the Computer games design and development is a BSc.

Both of these courses interest me because they're both to do with games which is my peak interest of all the design industries out there which is the games industry..


What is an apprenticeship? 

An apprenticeship is like a job but after your employment time is over you are give a qualification.The qualification you receive depends on the level of apprenticeship you have done. 

This is an apprenticeship in Hales Owen College

This apprenticeship is for the games and graphic development industry the apprenticeship takes place at Hales Owen College which is not to far from where I live making it ideal. The apprenticeship is at level 2 and requires 4 GCSE's at a D/3 level and a level 3 in English and Maths.

Completing this course will grant me a pass to move up to level 3 which contains a range of vocational courses such as IT,business and media.I cannot find information to how long the course is.
This course links to my interests because it teaches about programming which I haven't done and knowing about coding and programming will make me more desirable when it comes to interviews for a job.


I have found another apprenticeship on www.findapprenticeship.service.gov.uk/apprenticeshipsearch

This doesn't relate to the games industry but being a black belt in Tae Kwon Do I could have a job in the games industry but still teach people martial arts because it's also what I am passionate towards.
The club I train at doesn't have many instructors so I have to help at some points and he wants me to start teaching so I can own a club myself and he's even thought about hiring me.

They have advertised the level of the apprenticeship as intermediate level.The Apprenticeship is initially for 12 months with a view that it will extend into a full time martial arts position. The selected Apprentices will gain qualifications throughout to develop their career in Martial Arts.

This is my final apprenticeship.

Mip.

Internships

An internship is a period of work experience, offered by an organisation, usually lasting for a fixed, limited period of time. They are typically undertaken by students and graduates looking to gain relevant skills and experience in a particular field.

VR Internship (neutral design) London, United Kingdom.

Skills Required

Competent with 3DS Max for 3D modelling (low and high poly)

Ability to create and optimise geometry.

Efficient in UV mapping & Unwrapping for textures and light-maps.

An eye for detail and realism.

A desire to learn new tools, technologies and techniques.

Ability to communicate effectively in English.

Duration 3 Months.

This internship is paid. Salary:£70 per day.

I am interested in this internship because it involves 3D modelling and VR is becoming more popular so it could be a great industry to jump into.

Art internship (Sumo Digital) Nottingham, East Midlands, United Kingdom

Skills Required

Excellent knowledge or at least one major 3D package (ie Max or Maya).

A good understanding of the whole 3D asset creation process:

High polygon to low polygon baking for the creation of normal maps.

UV unwrapping and layout

Creating textures for PBR Shaders

Optimization and technical constraints.

Good knowledge of Substance Painter and designer.

Knowledge of Zbrush or Mudbox would be advantageous.

Duration 10 Months
Doesn't mention a salary.

I am interested in this because I want to go into 3D modelling within a Job which this will provide and it is inside of the games industry.

Junior Graphics Designer, Greater Manchester,North West England.

Skills Required

A relevant graphic design degree or similar

Well versed with Adobe Creative Suite

Must to mac literate

HTML, CSS knowledge

Comfortable working with both print and web mediums

A portfolio with a balance of creativity and craft, a great eye for typography, colour and layout

High levels of accuracy and attention to detail

The ability to communicate ideas clearly and comfortably.

Paid a set salary is not mentioned.

Duration 1-3 Months

This is not my exact interest but would be a great set of skills to learn.

James Temple
E:jamestemple2010@hotmail.com
M:07376135391

Recent Employment: 
Freelance Project (album cover)
2017 (summer holiday)

Responsible for creating a concept for an album cover based on an image sent by my client. The image I was sent was an image from war of the worlds and the client wanted a design based on that. My initial idea was to create the scene that the robot would go in because I already had an idea on what that should be. After I started working on a few simple designs for the robot in 3ds max and chose the one I thought best fit the theme. The whole scene was rendered in Bryce which is a fractal landscaping program. Once I was finished touching up the image in Photoshop I emailed the main render and the album cover front and back. He had no complaints and loved it. By doing this project I proved to myself that I can work with a deadline and finding out he loved it raised my confidence with 3D work.

Pioneer Center, Cleobury Mortimer
2017 (6 months of employment)

Work included serving food to all ages at the center washing up after. Morning shifts could include collecting bedding and setting new bedding out.

WMTS (waste management total solution)
2015-2016 (ON-CALL)

During the work I was responsible for reporting health and safety breaches as well as monitoring the site for pollution incidents.

Further Education	Kidderminster Academy	Level 2 Interactive media (Pass),Level 3 Games design (High Merit)
GCSE	Lacon childe school	3 C’s 2 D 1 E

Skills:
3Ds Max, Bryce, Adobe Photoshop Mac and PC literate, Freelance, Microsoft Office, Drawing

Bio:
I grew up in Cleobury Mortimer, went to school at Lacon Childe then travelling to Kidderminster to attend my first year of college studying interactive media level 2. Became a black belt in Tae Kwon Do in 18/06/17 which was the greatest achievement of my life. Went on to study Games Design level 3 at Kidderminster Academy and finished the year earning a high level merit.

Artist's Statement

Every artist has a set of skills that are often unique an artist statement can give others an insight to your special traits that make you who you are.

When I first started using 3 dimensional software such as 3Ds Max like everyone I wasn't any good but with practice I became better.Now I have a year experience,I continue modelling and enjoy it because there are no limits to what I can create and I can put the world in my perspective.

I am inspired by the game industry because I play games heavily, its a social interaction that appeals to my personality in real person I am quite shy and to be brutally honest I am not sure why. I have met and spoke to a lot of people online that I've never seen or know and every time I play there's a new experience waiting for me which I find fun.

My greatest critic is my dad because he has his own creative talent taking art and following into sculpting which is very similar to what I do and we share an interest in the 3D world. My dad drives and pushes me to help me achieve the best I can and I strive to impress him as well as myself. I am very proud of how far I have developed in creating 3D work and this also inspires me to create more.

No artist's are the same that's why I love looking on art station at other artist's and see what they like to create and how they make it.that's why I believe every artist is worth for their own reasons and unique creative talent which makes them interesting to talk and interact with.

When I go to create something I normally picture how it looks inside my head and sometimes I have issues creating it but though experimentation and various attempts I will have figured out how to create it. This is a weird process when I think about it although it seems to work for me.


Jobs in the industry

Concept Artist

A concept artist is a designer who visualizes and creates art for characters, creatures, vehicles, environments and other creative assets.Concept art is used to visualize ideas so that modelers, animators and VFX team can make these ideas production ready

Everything you see in games was once a concept created by a concept artist and handed to other people so that the asset,character or vehicle could be put into that game world.

This is a job working for the developer Blizzard this job specifically looks at the game Overwatch which they are looking for a concept artist to focus on characters. 

Requirements

Minimum of 2 years’ experience creating concept artwork for animation, film or video games

Experienced with digital content creation tools such as Photoshop, Painter, etc

An exceptional understanding of human and creature anatomy and a keen eye towards form, shape, structure, and silhouette

Superior eye for light, value, composition, color, staging, and detail

Able to carry an idea from the conceptual phase to the finished illustration and an understanding of translating these ideas to real-time game environments

Understanding of the distinctive Blizzard Entertainment visual style and a passion to push it to the next level

A passion for games   

Responsibilities 

Create character concepts including character sheets, movement studies and detailed breakouts for equipment and weapons

Iterate on game assets with production artists via paint overs, studies, and group critiques

Salary not listed.

This job is not in the UK but in the US

This job is not the best for me because of the requirements but if i could meet all of those it would be a dream job working for a high end games company.

Games Artist

This is an example of a game artist job on the website https://www.artstation.com/jobs

A game artist is an artist who creates art for one or more types of games.In video games, game artists are responsible for all aspects of game development that call for visual art. Game artist play a vital role and are credited in video games for their work.

Being a games artist would require you to have experience with any leading 3D modelling software.

The average salary of a games artist is $75,000

There are a decent amount of games company's in the UK so if I found the right place I could get a job being a games artist.

There are a lot of degrees one could have to become a games artist it just needs to relate to  the field of work.

I would love to become a games artist because I enjoy 3D modelling and want to make that my career.

2D/Texture Artist

Skills & Requirements

To be successful in this position you have:

Deep & highly proficient knowledge of Substance Designer

Knowledge of PBR and physically based material standards

High proficiency with Maya or similar

Strong communication and mentoring skills

Good eye for appropriate style and detail

Able to produce materials in a wide variety of styles and themes

Multiple shipped titles within the industry

Knowledge of material optimization for real time engines

Knowledge about material blending systems

Job Tasks:

Produce benchmark materials using Substance Designer

Mentor, support and train the environment team in up to date methods and technical standards

Oversee and develop our material library

Work with Lead Environment Artist to ensure materials are of correct Aesthetic

Work with Tech art and Engine code to refine our material pipeline and feature set

Salary is not listed

This job is located in Stockholm,Sweden not ideal location for me.


3D Modeler

Location: Bucharest, Romania

Responsibilities

Create or adjust High-Poly assets, including modelling, unwrapping and texturing;

Implement requested feedback and changes;

Contribute to our never ending journey of quality improvement.

Requirements

Excellent knowledge of modelling, texturing and unwrapping;

Excellent knowledge of 3DSMax;

You will have both an artistic eye and know how to use technology in to your advantage;

A portfolio or showreel that demonstrates your seniority and relevant experience.

Experience with Photoshop; Unity3D and a passion for automotive design are a bonus.

No salary mentioned.

This job heavily appeals to me because I have been 3D modelling for full year and have become good at it. This job is in Romania which is not an ideal location and I would not take this job.

Technical Artist

Location:Royal Leamington Spa, Warwickshire, United Kingdom

Requirements

•Substantial working experience in the video game industry

•Shipped multiple titles as a Technical Artist

•Experienced developing custom tools for Digital Content Creation tools (Maya, Max, Photoshop, etc)

•Excellent verbal and written communication skills

•Expert knowledge of at least one game tech art area: 3D Modeling, Animation, Shaders/Materials, VFX

•Strong art creation skills in your area of expertise

•Conversant in all areas of game technical art

•Extensive understanding of the performance implications of game art asset creation

No salary mentioned.

Responsibilities

• Develop tools to improve art asset management and art pipeline efficiencies

•Coordinate with other tech artists to provide consistent, high quality, team support

•Oversight of art content pipeline, from tools all the way into the game

•Support and educate artists and engineers in the use of the art pipeline and user-facing engine tools

•Provide hands-on support to artists and engineers in regard to asset performance and validation

•Collaborate with partner studios to share technology and best practices

•Review creative process and identify opportunities for tool improvements

•Develop tools with an eye towards usability and efficiency

•Solve challenging technical issues in the art asset pipeline

• Collaborate with engineers to diagnose and resolve in-game problems

•Document pipeline and tools development processes

•Inspire and empower the art team to optimize their processes

This job does not appeal to me because it doesn't involve much modelling if any.

Roto Artist

Roto Artists work closely with the Compositing Artists to integrate all layers and elements into a seamless VFX shot. It’s the very trusted and established route into a career as a VFX Compositor, the world over.

Skills

• Understand the principles of garbage and articulate roto, basic keying, matte maths, edge offset, shape animation and an appreciation of motion blur and edge fall off

• A strong eye for detail and precision

• High level personal quality control

• Knowledge of relevant software (see below)

• Ability to communicate with colleagues and work as part of a team

• Ability to take direction and willingness to address feedback

• Ability to manage priorities and bring multiple tasks to completion within a deadline.

• Enthusiasm to learn and develop professionally

• Adaptability

The salary can be from 14k-25k depending on if its junior or senior job.

There are a handful of jobs in the UK however I can not find a specific one.

This job does not appeal to me because I am mainly a 3D modeler.

Match move artist

Match Move Artists translate and imitate the camera movements in live action shots and match those movements in 3D. They position tracking points on live action shots and, using those tracking points, they work out the co-ordinates in the relevant 3D program.

Salary can range from 19k-35k.

To be a Match Move Artist, it is likely you will need to gain a degree in a 3D discipline, such as computer graphics or computer animation.

To do this role, you will need to:

Be skilled in the use of the relevant software

Be interested in computer graphics and/or computer animation

Be methodical with an appreciation for accuracy

Pay close attention to detail

Understand maths and physics

Have good communication skills

Have good team-working skills

Be able to take direction and be willing to address constructive feedback

Be able to deliver on schedule, working calmly and efficiently under pressure

Show respect for the procedures and requirements of a particular studio, production or pipeline

Have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures

This job does not appeal to me because I do not like to work with cameras.

Story board artist (Animation)

A storyboard artist visualizes stories and sketches frames of the story. Quick pencil drawings and marker renderings are two of the most common traditional techniques, although nowadays Adobe Flash, Adobe Photoshop, and other storyboard applications are often used. The digital camera is one of the latest techniques in creating storyboards.

In animation, projects are often pitched on the basis of storyboards alone (that is, a screenplay may not be written until later), and storyboard artists continue to work throughout the production to develop particular sequences. After a sequence is edited the director and/or storyboard artist and team may need to rework the sequence as it becomes evident that changes need to be made for timing and story

The average salary for illustrators is $44,850 per year. The highest earning illustrators average $91,200 per year and the lowest earners average $18,450 per year.

This job does not appeal to me because It involves a lot of drawing which is not my strong point however I still enjoy doing it.

Animator (Games)

Animators in the games industry are responsible for the portrayal of movement and behaviour.

Most often this is applied to give life to game characters and creatures, but sometimes animations are also applied to other elements such as objects, scenery, vegetation and environmental effects.

You will usually need an animation-related degree, including games animation. If you are considering taking a games course in higher education.

To do this role, you will need to:

Have knowledge of traditional and computer 2D and 3D animation techniques

Be creative and imaginative

Have knowledge of full motion video (FMV)

Be able to work as part a team and also on your own initiative

Be able to take responsibility for organising your work within the production schedule, managing files and meeting deadlines

Understand the production process

Be able to communicate effectively with other teams and disciplines is essential

Have some knowledge of programming, ideally

Be able to reveal attitude, emotions and mood through a character’s movement and behaviour

Understand the timing and appearance of human and animal movement and facial expressions, and be able to lip sync

Be able to create memorable characters that will appeal to players

Have spatial awareness and a feel for movement over time

Have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures

Artists and animators who have less than three years of experience report an average salary of $49,481 per year. Those with between three and six years of industry experience average $63,214 per year.

This job appeals to me because it involves games but I haven't had any practice with 3D animating.

Layout artist

In most cases, Layout Artists break down 2D storyboards into 3D shots. They use production designs and models as reference to build locations and major props, to block in the position of characters, to select camera angles and to plot camera moves. They are responsible for staging every shot and plotting the action that will take place within each scene.

Salary ranges from 15k-40k

To do this role, you will need to:

Be highly film literate and able to meet the filmic needs of a production

Have proven artistic skills including a strong sense of composition and perspective, good use of light, shadow and colour

Be able to create atmosphere

Have a good understanding of editing

Have strong IT skills

Understand the principles of cinematography including use of lenses, positioning and moving the camera, etc.

Be able to apply motion capture to computer-generated models

Be able to take direction and be willing to address constructive feedback

Have good communication skills

Have good team-working skills

Be able to work with a minimum of supervision

Have good problem-solving skills

Be able to deliver on schedule, working calmly and efficiently under pressure

Show respect for the procedures and requirements of a particular studio, production or pipeline

Have knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures

To become a CG Layout Artist, it will help you to have a degree in an art-related subject such as illustration, fine art, sculpture, computer animation, graphic design.

This job does not appeal to me because I am focused towards 3D modelling.

Evaluation

Unit 11 has been given to us to show and make us research into all of the options that are available to us and which direction we want to go.In this unit I have researched the different directions I can go after finishing college such as university courses,internships,apprenticeships and job roles.During this unit I have learn't a new direction and that is an internship.

I feel a lot more knowledgeable to the directions I can take after college I believe the correct option for me is to either go straight for a job or get an apprenticeship or internship. The pathway into the industry is a lot more clear. For me to become more employable I need more experience with the software's I use and lots of more practice with drawing as I would like to be able to quickly draw my ideas instead of taking awhile and not having it look clear.

To conclude Unit 11 has shown me all the possible directions I could go after college and which one is right for me.