Swot Analysis

Strengths

Concept Art (mostly landscapes, set layouts, Digital Art, Photoshop, Image Manipulation, Drawing, Bodyboarding

If someone asked a friend what my strengths are they would immediately say drawing. I post all the drawings I do on my facebook and the amount of likes and comments I've received from my friends is crazy. They all give me great feedback and comments which is nice to see. I've always been into/ good at drawing since I was young and continued persueing it all through my life doing art GCSE, A Level, Interactive media in game arts and now im on a game design degree. Bodyboarding is more of a hobbie, I've been doing it for about 11 - 12 years now and truelly love it. I consider myself to be pretty good at it however I wish I knew how to do more tricks.

Weaknesses 

Concept art only being able to draw landscapes and set layouts. Cant do characters very well or vehicles, SCI-FI, I cant do these things to a stantard that represents my landscapes or portrait paintings. I think this is really pushing me back because I think I would look a lot better if I was able to do concept for everything like characters, landscapes, weapons, props, vehicles etc. Although I am self taught and still learning this sort of puts me down sometimes. I am trying to work on this a bit, I get ImagineFX magazine every month which has free tutorials and loads of information from really great artists in the industry. There is also DVD tutorials I can buy on websites like the Gnomon Workshop, or there are workshops I can join from artists in the industry. I have also just completed a module doing life drawing in college, and while doing this I have noticed an improvement in my character drawings. Its also made me want to do some more traditional drawings and to explore different materials instead of sticking to digital.
I Don't have a paid Job or part time, however have 2 jobs going at the moment doing  artwork. But I do need a paid job as paying for car tax, insurance and petrol is starting to become really hard.
Spend a lot of hours in front of a computer screen. I spend more time playing games than I do drawing, I find it hard to sit down and draw for long periods of time. The longest I could draw for is probably about 2 - 3 hours. I think its because I start to loose interest or my mind starts going off the topic and starts to think about other things. I might be able to over come this by having breaks in between drawing sessions, maybe like an hour or so and then go back to drawing. I do try to draw everyday at some point though. I think my lifestlye is starting to become unhealthly. Especially now that winter is on the way and im not spending as much time in the sea surfing which is currently my only means of fitness. I don't get to see a lot of my mates anymore, I see the odd 3 and speak to them frequently over skype while playing games. A lot of my mates have moved off to uni and I dont get to see them any more, also I live quite far from college so I don't get to see them really appart from in college. Not a massive fan of going out to nightclubs, I don't like the idea of wasting me money on alcohol, I would rather stay in and draw. However if a drum and bass event popped up I would get straight on it and try to organise something.
Opportunities

2 jobs at the moment drawing concept art, one for a sci-fi short film, my role is to refine the original concepts to a life like resemblance for pitching. 2nd im drawing landscape concept art for a game. Even though these a free jobs at the moment I have been told that they may be able to pay me later on. I still think that its just as valuable doing this un paid as its really good experience for me. Everywhere I read on the internet from other artists say that you will end up doing a lot of free work to get into the industry. Doing enough free work will provide me a lot of experience and make me a more valuable person to higher than someone that doesnt have any experience.

Threats

I think the biggest threat I face at the moment is  not being able to do character concept art, or things like vehicles and sci-fi. I think if I dont do something about this now it could really effect me when I try getting a job.

Companies I would Like to Work for

Zenimax Online
http://www.zenimaxonline.com/about.html

Zenimax Online was founded in 2007 and have been building a world class online game development team. Their emplyees have worked with some of the best companies in the business and have worked on three or more MMO's. Zenimax is part of the ZMI team, which includes Bethesda softworks, Bethesda Game Studios, ID, and Arkane Studios.

I would like to work for Zenimax because they are heavily involved with the Elder Scrolls Online which is a game I'm really looking forward to playing, but also I love the art style of the game and other Elder Scrolls games which provides a lot of inspiration in my artwork. So, I wouldnt mind working for Bethesda either as they are the main producers of the Elder Scrolls games.

Example Job Role:

Environment Concept Artist

Division: id Software | Department: Art | Location: Richardson, US-TX, US

id Software is looking for a talented and creative Environment Concept Artist that is skilled at illustrating a wide variety of organic/landscape and  hard-surface sci-fi “tech” environments.  Ideal candidates will present previous and current work demonstrating an ability to create and refine rapidly, but with an artistic precision that can accurately and efficiently translate into the asset creation process as it relates to world building in games. The Environment Concept Artist will also be establishing the overall mood and lighting schemes for the play spaces so a strong understanding of the fundamentals of light, color, value, atmosphere, and composition will be stressed.

Responsibilities:

• Work collaboratively with the Art Director, Lead Designer and other leads in defining the overall look, style, lighting, and atmosphere of the game
• Create, mood paintings, production illustrations, environment concepts, etc. of a wide variety of sci-fi game play spaces and scenarios

Requirements:

• 3+ years of game or film industry experience as a concept artist
• Substantial examples of current and past work demonstrating a strong understanding shape, perspective, texture, color, lighting, and camera angles
• Ability to work quickly through concept iterations, but also able to create refined and precise concept drawings/paintings that easily translate into buildable game assets
• Extensive experience with appropriate and relevant 2D toolsets
• Self-motivated, but able to take feedback and criticism and properly reflect comments in work
• Excellent team player with very strong work ethic and a collaborative/cooperative attitude
• An understanding of and appreciation for milestones, schedules, deadlines, and efficient game development processes
• Excellent oral and written communication skills
• Passion for games and gaming

Desired Skills and Pluses:

• Matte painting skills a plus
• Significant contributions to at least one AAA shipped game
• Familiarity with id Software games, characters, brands, and universes
• Proficiency with modeling tools (Max, Maya, LightWave, Modo or other similar) or understanding of modeling process
• University or equivalent art-related degree

  

In terms of a dream job with a company, I don't really have any, I just have companies which art style inspire me so I think the main companies for me would have to be Blizzard, because I love the Diablo games and the dark fantasy art style with it, Zenimax, Bethesda. I am a huge fan of Ubisoft and EA games, but the art style isn't really me so I wouldn't class it as my dream job. 

http://www.wetanz.com/weta-workshop-services/

http://dylancolestudio.com/Professional/ROTK/pages/360p5_28.html

I've been getting into a lot of Matte Painting recently and creating art work for the film industry so another dream I think would be to work for Weta in New Zealand as a Matte Painter. Weta has produced concept art and the special effects in several films such as Lord of The Rings, Avatar and the Hobbit so to be part of that would be amazing! 

Cover letters

http://theundercoverrecruiter.com/how-videogame-designers-job-interview-blunder-led-him-conquer-world/

Game design example cover letter:
http://www.letters.org/cover-letter/game-designer-cover-letter.html

Peter Zaragoza
4906 Clay Street
Indianapolis,IN
Zip:46254
Peter.J.Zaragoza@spambob.com
Phone: 317-404-6884
Randy Parker
Value City Department Stores Inc
1884 Layman Court
Roswell
GA

Date: 18-11-2010

Dear Mr.Parker,

I read about your need for Game Designer at Indianapolis from the JobCentral.com . I have an excellent track record in most of the work related areas you’re seeking in the prospective candidate.

My work experience includes:

• Worked directly with the Art Directors on numerous projects, from start to finish, guaranteeing the games were keeping within there specifications and theme.
• As lead artist, I ensured assigned projects were finished and completed on time.
• Had the responsibility of taking older,
• outdated games, and renovating them to compete with the newer, edger, games out on the market.
• Generated marketing material for several titles in a timely and professional manner.
• Conceived new concept ideas and implemented them for the front end and in game pla
• 
  

I think this is the perfect place to take up new challenges and invite opportunities. For more details related to my education and experience you can get arrange an interview session with me.

Yours Sincerely
(Peter Zaragoza) 

What to include:

Write your name and address, Write Employer’s name and address, In first paragraph, include the information like why you are writing, position you are applying for and source of the job listing, In second paragraph, include the summary of your work experience, In third paragraph, thanks the employer and include the information about how you follow up.

Another good example:

http://www.kent.ac.uk/careers/cv/goodbadcovlet.htm

Rosalind Franklin 8 Russell Street Cranford Lancashire MN22 8YY rf333@hotmilk.com 7th February 2009 Mrs Matty Jenkyns Personnel Manager Manchester General Hospital Hollbrook Avenue Manchester MN1 5BJ Dear Mrs Jenkyns		Tries to find the name of the appropriate person to write to if possible
I am looking for a placement within a hospital environment from June to September of this year. I am writing to you as I understand that Manchester General Hospital may have appropriate vacancies available. I have a strong interest in laboratory procedures and clinical diagnostics which I understand are predominantly carried out at this hospital. As I live only 5 miles from your site, travel and accommodation would not be a problem for me.		States the job she's applying for. States when she's available to start and end the placement
I first became interested in the hospital environment after a school visit to your site.  I was taken on a tour around the laboratories where the differing techniques used in testing clinical samples for patients were demonstrated.  Since then, discussion with my careers adviser has confirmed my decision to aim for a career in this field.		Says why she's interested in the type of work
Through my degree course, I have been able to develop my interest in biochemistry, whilst improving my laboratory skills along with my numeracy skills. I have gained some experience in HPLC and have good computing skills, having used several scientific databases. I achieved 68% in my first year examinations and am hoping to achieve a high 2:1 for my course work this year. While at University, I have also been able to utilise my skills in working with people through a variety of vacation jobs. My work at a busy insurance office was valuable in teaching me the importance of ascertaining customers’ needs and providing clear and accurate information.		Summarises her strengths and how they might be an advantage to the organisation. Relob.ates her skills to the j
I would be most grateful if you could consider me for any suitable positions. I will be available for interview at any time and am at my home address in Cranford from late May onwards. At all other times I can be contacted at my college address. Please find enclosed my CV where you will find further information. Yours sincerely Rosalind Franklin Bad Example Dear Sir or Madman Doesn't give the name of the person he's applying to. It's not essential to do this, but may suggest a slight lack of initiative. Hasn't proof read the letter. I am about to complete my English and American Literature degree at the University of Kent, with a prospective result of a 2:1. As a literature student, I have a strong love of books of all types and see work in a bookshop as a career area which would be a good starting point for a career in publishing which is my eventual career aim. Admits that bookselling is not what he really wants to do. Repeats the word career three times in one sentence. I have good experience of retail, having worked as a shelf stacker for Sainsburies. I have studied modules in Shakespeare, War Poets, Dickens and Creative Writing all of which I feel give me valuable knowledge. My interests include reading, playing computer games and stamp collecting and I am currently reading Robbie Williams' thought-provoking autobiography. Hardly relevant experience! No mention of any experience working in a team or serving customers. Comes across as a passive loner. I am writing speculatively in the hope that you may consider me for any full-time vacancies that may arise in your store. I'm interested especialy in the retail side of a bookstore: interacting with customers and seeing where the modern tastes for literature lay. Spelling mistake: hasn't used a spell checker and not really forgivable for someone who has studied a literature degree I would be available to work from the beginning of June of this year. I have previous retail experience and believe that this, combined with my knowledge of and interest in books could be rewarding both to your store and to myself. Yours faithfully Frank Harrison A lot of repetition here. States again about his love of books and his previous retail experience.

Job Roles

http://www.blitzgamesstudios.com/blitz_academy/job_roles/art
http://archives.igda.org/breakingin/

Concept Artist








I have wanted to get into concept art for games/ films since I discovered it on my first year of interactive media in game arts. Before I did digital art I used to just be able to draw well with pencils and didn't really know what to do with my future, I knew I wanted it to be art related. I loved the idea of creating things that potentially didn't exist and was from your mind, I prefer this over portrait paintings as I find you can be more free and creative; even though I do enjoy portraits from time to time. I also feel that it is a really important process in any production for film or games as its the building blocks and foundations of the project. If you don't have the concept art, you cant really move on with the project. That is why I want to head towards concept art because it gives me a sense of real importance and you can design really creative and imaginative things.



I would also like to look into and start to learn a little about 3D modelling, especially ZBrush. Its kind of similar to drawing accept your drawing something that's 3D. I think this could also broaden my opportunities and make me a more valuable person to hire if I can produce concept art then also produce a rough 3D model of what I've created.






















What is the job? 


Skills needed to be a concept artist

Excellent illustration skills

Effective communication skills

Ability to visualise perspective and 3-dimensional space

A keen interest in design, architecture and film.

Ability to visually interpret other peoples ideas.

Ability to be flexible and to adapt to change when requested

Ability to work as part of a team.

Knowledge of the requirements of the relevant health and safety legislation and procedures.