While studying animation and doing a year in IXD, I drifted towards making 3D art. This is largely due to me being a big fan of games from a young age and I would love to create gaming visuals. During the Professional Practice unit in the 2nd year, I examined the various job roles in 3D and have narrowed it down to 3D Artist, 3D Environment Artist, or 3D Prop Artist.
- Earn a degree – not a requirement but shows you’ve learned technical knowledge and design fundamentals. Likely to have collaborated with other classmates like in a studio
- Learn the basics of design software
- Explore the different 3D design niches – game design, film, tv, advertising, etc
- Complete an internship
- Have a portfolio
- CV specific for 3D design
Internship
Prospects.ac.The UK describes an internship as a job usually undertaken over summer months or after graduation to gain experience in a particular field between 3-12 months. It is often seen as a bridge between university and work. Googling “3D Artist Internship” will show a list of available jobs right now. These are usually from big companies that can afford to set aside a budget to teach and train.
For example, Epic Games offers internships throughout the year and offers a 3D Artist Internship. This is a job I would like to apply for when it is readvertised as it seems to be a very student-friendly environment and involves software I have used before. The job will involve producing props, environments, texturing, and making environments game ready.
Similary to Epic Games, EA offers internships at remote opportunites. Wide range of projects and locations to work at. EA require both modelling and animation skill so more of a generalist postion.
What is a Junior 3D artist?
A Junior 3D Artist is a position above an intern. It is the most common graduate position. A junior usually doesn’t mean they lack skill. it is just a matter of practice an a junior is normally more supervised, but less supervised than an intern and have more company demand and responsibility than an intern.
CD Projekt Red Junior 3D Artist
- International Studio
- Low amount of years experience
- Similar software to what I can work
- Produced some of my favourite games and an industry leader
- More of a generalist position and includes 2D
- India game developer so I’m not familiar with the games
- Need to work fast from concept to finish
- Low experience levels
Cloud Imperium Junior 3D marketing
- National Studio
- Marketing means usually creating advertising stills or cinematic trailers
- Low experience levels, just need to be skill
- Local Job
- VR work, not familiar with this niche
- Not a certain amount of years experience, just need a strong 3D portfolio to stand out
- Various daily tasks from modelling to concepts to texturing