Ask an Artist
The Question: "I am beginning to work on my CG art demo reel. I estimate that within two years I'll have a completed multimedia CD of models and rendering shorts. Would the inclusion of models for existing game engines be acceptable or considered a faux pas? And am I being too ambitious planning such a long development time for a demo reel, considering the speed that the industry is evolving?"
Submitted by: Simon Jensen
Answered by: Al Eufrasio (artist, Cavedog)
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The Question: "Being in the non-game graphics field I run into a lot of incompatibility and problems with conversions, so I am wondering just how are the output graphics targeted? Also, does a game artist focus most on product compatibility of the current market? the speed and ease of use? the complexity and appeal of the graphics? Do you target novices or the already addicted?... who decides, and which aspect takes precedence?"
Submitted by: Byzanthium
Answered by: John Gronquist (artist, Cavedog)
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The Question: "I want to be an game artist (ie. modeling, animation, texture mapping) but I am concerned about the annual income. I have no idea, earthly-or-otherwise, of what price artists fetch. I love art. I adore gaming. Could you please give me an estimated income range? I don't mind starving for my art, but I'm really hoping that it won't be neccessary."
Submitted by: David Johnson
Answered by: Jimmy Kowalski and Lisa Varner
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The Question: "How are 3D graphics rendered and made?"
Submitted by: Chris Trinh
Answered by: John Anderson
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The Question: "Do you think there would ever be a possibility of obtaining a job on artistic skill alone?  Is there even a section for people like me who only design charactors and plot lines etc, but don't want to go to school forever just so they will even LOOK at my work.  Also, do you know of any companies now that aren't so degree-biased?"
Submitted by: Andy Bliss
Answered by: Don Hazeltine
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The Question: "I'm a 3D animator graduated from Vancouver's Digipen school. Right now I'm working as a webmaster but I would really like to be a 3D artist in the game industry. What do you guys look for in a demo reel?"
Submitted by: Gian Delacruz
Answered by: Jason Piel
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The Question: "I'm changing careers. What you (game developers, artists, etc.) do interests me because I hope to develop art and computer skills in order to be a part of such teams. What do I do first? I do not know exactly what to ask, or what training I will need. What I would like to do is design web pages as special as these pages are, and be involved in game graphics, with a goal of doing other program graphics in the future. How do I go about learning what I need to learn?"
Submitted by: Linda Dreier
Answered by: Bob Munsil
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