Getting Started in the Art Industry... some questions

[Ardescoere]

Hi there,

I had a few quick questions and wasn't entirely sure which forum to post this in. As I saw the best paid art jobs thread I thought this would be at least somewhat applicable as well.

When you get started in the art field there are two choices as far as I know... Move to where the jobs are and get hired by a larger/smaller company (if you can) or go freelance and do it all yourself.

So say you want to get hired by a company who does, I don't know, video game design. Do you absolutely have to move where they are and be on sight or do companies let people do remote work? I know this may seem like a dumb question but I am curious.

And if you were looking to get into things on the Freelance side of things, does anyone have any suggestions on the methods to start that?

I realize some people are going to ask to see my sketchbook to give me some advice. I just don't have one up yet. I do however know that I need a lot of practice before I try to make it a job. I just want some guidance on what steps I would need to take when I am ready to make the leap. Also... is going to art school a necessity to get a job in the industry?

Thanks in advance!

[Qitsune]

Art school is only a necessity if you can't get the skills otherwise. I know that I couldn't have learned what I know in 3D if I hadn't been to school. On the 2D side, I'm mostly self taught. But each person is different.

As far as I know, it's better to be hired by a company and then move where they are than move and hope to be hired by someone local. You could move somewhere just to be hired by a company elsewhere. This is also the most stable way to work and once you are in, you have most of your time to do art and improve. If you freelance, a large chunk of your time will be handling administrative, marketing and communication tasks. It can be fun, but it's also stressful and leaves less time for art.

In the game industry, unless you are a top level known artist, most of your freelance clients will be small startups or indies, who usually have less money to spend on art. Doing advertainment is an option, but it works better if you can team with a programmer and then your clients will be ad agencies.

[Shard]

to my experience when you're hired for a company you're supposed to work on site.
when you'll be lucky to have someone offering you the position trust me you'll move there without making a big deal of it..i left my country, my family and all my friends for the job i wanted. never made a better choice.
imo freelancing is too uncertain unless you made a name for yourself to rely on for a steady income, art schools are not necessary as long as you can do the job it doesnt really matter but of course it helps.

[Qitsune]

An other good thing for schools: contacts and internships. Some schools are better at that than others however.

[Dusty]

Yup, most of the time they will want you to relocate...but there is outsourcing companies such as Liquid Development:

http://www.liquiddevelopment.com/

I believe the way it works with them is they organize props and other things by freelance artists, then they turn it all over to the developers that request it. My last company worked with them and that is how I understand it. I think there is a "home base" of it, but I think they just contract out a lot of artists, too.

I would still highly recommend trying to get in with a job on site if possible.
I worked for an outsourcer in Holland many years ago and it was interesting and they were great guys, but I gotta admit getting my paycheck from time to time was a little bit of a pain.

I would also say unless you have just the most amazing portfolio to definitely do your research and go to school. It isn't "necessary", but it certainly does not hurt...and you learn a lot. The thing about school is it forces you to learn. Can you honestly say you will self teach yourself all of these various programs, applications, studies, etc on your own? Some can...but it's rare.

-D

[Ardescoere]

Thank you guys :) This actually does help quite a bit.

Out of curiosity just because you guys mention the going to school bit. For things like concept art what degrees would you say are the most helpful? Illustration, Fine Arts, Animation, etc..? I mean there are tons of posts on schools and the like. But in terms of the programs I am kind of adrift.