Question about the need for diversity in concept art

[Phait]

I've been wondering...

As beneficial it would be for me to be able to put out conceptual work in environments, vehicles, weapons, characters, architecture - being diverse lending to a bigger potential to land a job.. is it necessary? I can imagine some artists specializing only in 1 area - characters or weapons or vehicles... this would mean the game dev. would need to hire another/more artist(s) - and as much as they may want to spend money on someone with great skill, they most likely don't want to if they really don't have to.. thus I see the need for a diverse concept artist is obvious.

Anyone's thoughts on this? I'm just wondering where I should go with my (pre)concept art. My learning priorities are anatomy and lighting/shading, for now.

[tegehel]

My 2 Euros (for a change). Learn everything now, specialize later, or when the job demands it. See my post about getting a job in the game industry. Too much specialization can be hurtful (trust me, I've been there).

They will hire you if they know they can count on you for pretty much everything. Or they will hire you if they like, say, your modeling, but can see that you've been trained in other areas as well. They want to see that you're not just a modeler, but that you have an understanding of the rest of the job, i.e. what the other people will do prior to and after the modeling part.

My advice : your portfolio should have life drawings, concepts, rendering, finals and/or animations. Paintings, pen and ink, collage, whatever.

Lastly, think about it: If you can hire one artist who can do it all, or 3 artists who all specialize, who do you think they will hire? think $$$. Jack of all trades wins.

Later, when Jack's well established, Jack can specialize, but since Jack (you, in this case) is in the beginning of his journey, Jack should explore one and all.

Good luck,

C.

PS: tell me you're name's not really Jack, that would be funny.

[Phait]

Heh, names not Jack. Close - "Justin". I have been reading your other thread, very informing and I'm very glad I'm able to take in all this information and all the great work I see at this place. I appreciate your time replying :)

[Leopoldo]

I totally agree, do everything.

Not only will you be good for the company money wise but also you will find out what you really like doing.

I've found that it's only after doing alot of different things in a sharp production under a tight deadline that I have found what I like and dont like to do and what I might be better at doing.

That's why I'm starting to do 3D stuff as well and some sound design work.

Have fun,
Leo

[MCORRIERO]

I believe that pushing yourself to the limit is the best way to get ahead in this career. Try a little bit of everything. If you land a job doing storyboarding for whatever company, you could end up doing characters design and then maybe even move on to Matte painting. Companies do have people that specialize in certain areas, but those people may have been working in another area before that. Being diverse just allows for more opportunity. I saw your work, I like the Ideas.