Content Mindmap

NUA Lecture - Geraldine Cross, HR & Consultant

Geraldine Cross currently works on HR contracts to various companies, but has worked as a consultant in games companies like Ubisoft and Payload Studios. Today, she gave us advice on the current state of the industry and what to keep in mind when applying for a job.

Firstly, she explained the difference between larger and smaller companies. Larger companies tend to stick to tradition, whereas indie companies often are created from passionate, innovative people or people who came from companies that closed down.

A lot of companies suffered by failing to adapt. The game is now no longer the main part of the company - it has become a lot smaller a part due to the sheer size and scope of games companies today. It is important to be flexible and adaptable to any situation as the industry changes very quickly and it is easy to get left behind if you do not keep up.

Geraldine stressed the importance of making contacts - It is hard to get into the industry and it is vital that you keep up to date with people and the technology. She offered these points to survive in the industry:

•  Make sure you find what you are good at and stick to it.
• You have to be able to handle constructive criticism & be able to work upon it.
• You have to be resilient and accept that your project may get cancelled.
• Try and stand out when looking for a job - Quirky is good, but make sure you show the effort you put in
• If you fail to get a job, improve your application.
• Don't be afraid to follow up on your application if you don't hear back from them.

She further iterated that there is no absolute right answer as to what to apply for. Whilst larger companies offer a more solid foundation, they can be restrictive. The creative process is often managed by a pipeline you won't get to see. Although smaller companies will offer more creative freedom, there is less job security, and you may often be working freelance. However, Geraldine stated that you should never work for nothing, unless it is something like work experience.

Harvard Reference: Cross, G. (2015) NUA Lecture 2 February 2015

NUA Lecture - Robin Silcock

Robin Silcock has worked in a variety of roles. Currently she is working with Norwich Indie Game Developers as well as arranging the Norwich Games Festival. In the past, she has worked at Ukie (The Association for UK Interactive Entertainment) as well as studied at Norwich University of the Arts. She has come today to give advice on the industry as well as making contact with others in it.

Firstly, she talked about what you should consider when looking at a company:

• Company Size - Larger companies may have more specialised roles depending on the game type
• Company Culture - The specific job roles as well as the size of the project they're working on.

She went on to suggest taking part in Game Jams, where a team of people work in a short amount of time to produce a game.

When contacting a person, she suggested to keep in mind the following points:

• Use twitter as an in-road for more formal communication
• Keep your emails short and make sure to ask a question (try to keep to around 3 sentences)
• Minimum 24 hours to get back to someone, but make sure to at least get back to them

When creating business cards, Robin suggested to use Solopress as you will get much better quality business cards than from places like VistaPrint.

Finally, she said to get involved:

• Attend NIGD meet-ups.
• Norwich gaming festival happening in April - Norwichgamingfestival.com
• Hot source.
• UEA concrete magazine.
• Go to as many conferences as possible.

Harvard Reference: Silcock, R. (2015) NUA Lecture 29 January 2015

NUA Lecture - Chris Green - 3D Environment Artist

Chris Green currently works at Sony London, primarily as a 3D environment artist.

Firstly, he explained the primary roles that he has as an environment artist:

• Constructing environments
• Creating high quality assets
• Creating photo-realistic textures, such as taking photographs.
• Outsourcing.

He then gave some pointers that should be considered when creating 3D art.

• Inspiration is everywhere, so long as you look for it.
• Be realistic with your work - Focus on quality.
• Consider the story - What are you trying to tell the audience?
• Make sure to have good composition, guide the audience around.
• Keep a good variation on detail, have a mix between large, medium and small detail. Start by working large, and then focus on the detail after.

Like the others, he also stated that networking is vital. He advised that we join up on forums such as Polycount (3D and 2D) and ConceptArt.org (2D) to share your work and receive crits.

• Use Google Hangouts, it is like a virtual office space.
• Go to 'meet-ups' that are arranged in these Hangouts.
• Contact Artists through social media.

Chris also gave advice about application to companies:

• Get a LinkedIn account.
• Keep your CV concise, preferably 1 page is enough, and make sure to spell check!
• Research your company before applying
• Write a cover letter to the company with your application, but do not make it generic!

He also explained how best to manage your website and portfolio:

• Show your best work first - First impressions mean everything.
• Don't use splash screens on websites.
• Keep a professional email on your website.
• Replace the work in your portfolio frequently.
• Keep up to date with techniques and practices - The industry changes rapidly.
• Make your portfolio relevant to the role you're applying for.

Harvard Reference: Green, C (2015) NUA Lecture 23 January 2015

NUA Lecture - Hollie Bennett, Social Media & Community Manager

Hollie Bennett currently works at Playstation UK as a Community Manager. She co-runs the Playstation Access Youtube account as well as the social media sites for Playstation UK.

• She started out as a Community Manager for Destructoid, visiting conventions and working with the site.
• Then was employed as a Consumer & Community PR Executive at Namco Bandai, before coming to work at Playstation UK.

Hollie explained that there are two types of PR for a games company:

• In-House - For the magazines and the gamers
• Agency - For the public masses and the casual gamers

However, PR is more for the press, whereas her role as Community Manager is for the public.

• Creating coverage via press releases, events and previews.
• Managing assets such as pictures, trailers as well as when, where and how to release them.
• Being creative is a big plus.

A Community Manager needs to be 3 things:

• A leader
• A participant
• An advocate

There are also risks to being a Community Manager, however:

• Legal risks : Leaking content when you weren't supposed to.
• The Brand : The community has to look good, or else people won't be interested
• The Users : Inevitably, arguments & bullying will happen, and you have to keep the people in check.

But why should you build a good community?

• Acquisition of new fans.
• Retention of existing fans.
• Support, giving customers help when they need it.

Social media is great for expanding the community, however, there are things to keep in mind when having a company social media:

• Images increase interaction, so use them as much as possible!
• However, do not have more than 20% text in an image.
• Shrink URLs to keep things tidy.
• For Twitter, use hashtags to create conversations and bring people together.
• Also consider promoted tweets, trends and account names.
• Keep content regular and, in most cases, on-topic.

Harvard Reference : Bennett, H. (2015) NUA Lecture 22 January 2015

Creative Skillsets - Games Artist

http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/games/job_roles/330_games_artist

This site is very useful in outlining what should be required to get into various roles in the creative industry. This page is about a Games Artist, which covers both 2D, Concept and 3D artists.

Firstly, it explains what is required of a games artist:

• Have an art portfolio demonstrating a range of work and originality of style
• Be able to draw from life, also having knowledge of anatomy and architecture
• Have a flair for colour, composition, perspective, modelling and texturing techniques, lighting & mood
• Be able to work as part of a team and independently
• Be imaginative and creative
• Have strong observation skills and attention to detail
• Have good communication skills
• Be able to work to a style guide

Then, it explains the overall work of a Games Artist:

• "Some games try to look as realistic as possible while others aim for a more stylised look. It is the Artist's job to model and texture characters and objects to achieve the desired result."
• "There are various specialisms within the art department, including 3D object modelling, character design, textures, and environments. Each Artist has responsibility for the creation of particular art assets with a game, but there is also a lot of movement between roles."
• "Some Artists specialise in the design of human figures and characters, others in buildings and landscapes, and some in textures for 3D objects. "
• "Artists must be aware of the technical capabilities and limitations of the platform that the game will be played on. They must also take on board feedback from QA Testers."
• "3D Modeller - builds the characters, objects and environments of the game, including life forms, scenery, vegetation, furniture, and vehicles, etc. They need to balance visual richness and detail with the limitations of the game's technology."

Then it explains the best ways to get into the industry, as well as what would be required from an applicant:

• "Most Artists in the games industry possess a degree or HND in an art subject, such as fine art, graphic design or illustration."
• "You should also learn how to use 3D graphics packages such as 3D Studio Max, Maya,  etc., and 2D packages such as Photoshop. Game Artists might also use software tools that have been developed in-house."
• "To have a chance to get your foot in the door for most art roles, you should have an art background and education." 
• "Most game art involves 3D graphics, so you will need to understand the basic mathematical concepts involved."
• "You will start off in a junior role and decision you will need to make early on is whether to specialise in 2D or 3D work."

Harvard Reference: Creative Skillsets. (2015) Games Artist. Available from <http://creativeskillset.org/creative_industries/games/job_roles/330_games_artist> [Accessed 18 January 2015]

NUA Lecture - Stef Bow, Junior 3D Artist

Stef Bow is a Junior 3D artist that began work recently in the company Sports Interactive, which is most famous for their game Football Manager.

Firstly, she began with her history, and how she got into the industry.

• Stef used to be a teacher, but eventually discovered that it was not for her.
• Having been inspired by the film Finding Nemo, she went back to get a career in games design.

She then went to explain how best to get accepted for work at your company of choice.

• Make sure to tailor the CV to your company.
• Make sure to know and play the games of the company that you apply for.
• Be prepared to go to multiple interviews.
• Expect the company to be very thorough in their interviews, they may ask you anything and everything about your work.

She explained that there are various different roles that a 3D artist can take up, the main three being the Environment Artist, Character Artist and Asset Artist.

She also offered some pointers as someone starting out in the industry:

• As a junior artist, ask how the company will support you.
• Make sure to build up your online portfolio.
• Invest in a domain mane and use your real name.
• It is about the quality of your work, not the quantity.
• Put your site on a business card to hand out during meet-ups.
• Make sure you have the skills needed to be in the industry.
• Technical skills such as:
• 3D Software (3DSMax, Maya)
• Painting/Image software (Photoshop)
• Sculpting (zBrush)
• Game engines (UDK, Unity)
• Communication skills
• Research skills
• Organisation skills.
• Motivation!

Finally, she suggested to take a look at the site GamesJobDirect.

Harvard Reference: Bow, S. (2015) NUA Lecture 15 January 2015