Here is some advice for people trying to get into the games industry. I have tried to be as
un-patronising as possible and I hope you find it useful in making your break in the world of digital art.

If you don't have something like Alias, Softimage or 3DSMax then use the free 3D programs that are constantly being given away with computer magazines like Computer Arts by Future Publishing. Though they are not quite up to the same standard as high-end Silicon Graphics machines, given time they will show you an understandind in 3D. I started using 'Imagine' on a very old Amiga, but through practice I managed to get some half decent stuff out of it and got my first job.

Have a go with whatever you can find and start to make some things. I always find making a simple robot is always easy to make and can sometimes look good. They are very easy to animate as well, but beware - practically everyone tries to make one of these at least once in there lives, so Art Directors are fed-up with seeing them - just try to make them that little bit different though and it should be alright just as a space filler in your folio.

It's always good to have some kind of scene, a kind of still life. This can be in the form of a table top with some of your favourite things on. This will demonstrate a variety of modelling skills in one single picture. Along the same lines a folio should always contain a scene of an environment. This can be in the form of a room in a Castle, Spaceship or your bedroom and will show your skills in scale and proportion, and again your dedication at doing something grand.

One thing to avoid is straight simple rendered landscapes with nice hills and clouds - anyone can do these and everyone does on something like Bryce. I always get the impression you are not actually creating these scenes, you are mearly clicking the render button and showing that you own some landscape generating software and should be kept to a minimum.

It's also always good to model something natural - this is the hardest part and the ultimate goal in 3D modeling. Try doing something like a flower rather than a human head for starters and then work your way up to more complex geometry.

Last but not least try to include 2D stuff in your folio aswell. I can't stress how important this is. Anyone can read manuals and operating instructions for software, but not everyone can draw and paint so you shouldn't rely on 3D art alone. This is very important.

Put all your work on a floppy or CD and try and take photo's or scans of your 2D stuff, put them in an envelope along with your C.V. and a covering letter and send to some of your favourite companies. The hardest part is waiting for a reply. I think I must have sent about 40 letters over a two year period before getting a job in this industry back in 1992. Yup! 2 years, but in that time I developed my skills sat in my bedroom and eventually got a foot in the door and have never looked back. If you really do want to be a 3D modeller than you really do have to work for it and take into account that so many other people want to be that as well so just try to show something a little bit more eye-catching and different.


I hope the above helps and makes sense, but please remember these are my own personal beliefs and should not be taken as gospel. Best of luck.