The Creative Industries

1. The Creative Industries

2. Outcome 2 Identify the roles and opportunities available within an elected vocational area of the Creative Industries sector.

3. Games design - Employment opportunities • Illustrator • Environment artist • Junior character animator

4. Knowledge, skills and qualifications Illustrator To work as an illustrator in a games company you need to have knowledge of the sector and various skills and qualifications in order to qualify for the job. Such as: • Qualifications • Very strong working knowledge of Photoshop. • Working knowledge of Illustrator and Adobe Creative Suite is a plus. • Working knowledge and understanding of print and production processes is advantageous. • Skills and knowledge • Exceptional traditional life drawing and painting skills. • Passion for contemporary culture, including video games, film and art. • Knowledge of anatomy • Perspective • Use of colour • Exceptional sketching and storyboarding ability. • Ability to work in a variety of styles

5. Knowledge, skills and qualifications Environment artist To work as an environment artist in a games company you need to have knowledge of the sector and various skills and qualifications in order to qualify for the job. Such as: • Qualifications • 2+ years of post-secondary educational experience in 2D and 3D art production. • Skills and knowledge • Superior 2D and 3D art skills. • Eagerness to learn new software tools and technologies. • Ability to work in a team setting, under deadlines and time constraints. • Expertise in 3ds Max, Photoshop, or other technologies utilized in the production of game art. • Strong technical background with ability to grasp new programs and systems quickly. • Ability to work with a high degree of self-direction and motivation. • Strong communication and time management skills. • Able to prioritize and multi-task. • Creative nature with strong problem solving skills. • Game experience preferred. • Advanced skills in one or more of the standard industry 3D packages • Knowledge of 3DS Max is an advantage.

6. Knowledge, skills and qualifications Junior character animator To work as a junior character animator in a games company you need to have knowledge of the sector and various skills and qualifications in order to qualify for the job. Such as: • Qualifications • Minimum of 3-year degree or equivalent work experience. • Excellent demo reel demonstrating an emphasis in human character animation, strong animation ability and good aesthetic eye. • Skills and knowledge • Thorough understanding and application of classic animation principles (staging, timing, anticipation, follow through, etc.) • All applicants should be fluent in one or more of the major packages with MotionBuilder experience an advantage. • Strong interest in video games. • Strong traditional animation/art background. • demonstrate exceptional animation skills • examples of movement • character and the human figure • Candidates should be fluent in one or more of the major software packages • skills in Motionbuilder is an advantage • Experience with engines, or video games animation experience an advantage. • Ability to understand a brief and take direction and communicate effectively with a wide variety of project staff.

7. Responsibilities as an employee Illustrator Illustrators within the games design company have a range of responsibilities to work to: • Developing key art images for packaging, advertising, print and the web. • Developing character illustrations from concept and sketches to finished product. • Mimicking pre-existing art styles • Developing new art styles. • Developing branding based illustrations.

8. Responsibilities as an employee Environment artist Environment artists within the games design company have a range of responsibilities to work to: • Model, texture and create collision in 3D for game environments. • Works closely with Programmers to ensure polygon counts and texture sizes are fully optimized for target platforms while minimizing any impact on artistic integrity of assets. • Participates in R&D of new techniques to implement into production pipeline. • Proactively seeks feedback from Lead Artist, Producer and Creative Director. • Ensures that artistic style is consistent with defined visual style for the game

9. Responsibilities as an employee Junior character animators Junior character animators within the games design company have a Range of responsibilities to work to: • Edit motion capture performances to a high level of quality as determined by the Lead Animator • Create high quality animations consistent to the character’s personality, design and movement style. • Meet project deadlines / milestones, as set by the Lead Animator and Production. • Assist in the integration of animation with designers and engineers to create compelling in-game animation. • Consistently meet project deadlines in a timely manner without compromising artistic integrity.

10. Responsibilities as a self-employed practitioner In the games design industry someone who is self employed will not have all the same qualities as that of a person working within an industry. Someone who is self employed will • have their own working hours • will have more flexible working hours if they are working within their own time scale. • They will have the responsibility of seeking out potential clients to sell their work to. • They will get to make all the decisions and be in charge of everything regarding their work, they will be able to manage all factors of how they handle a job rather than under someone else’s orders. • They can set their own deadlines • They can manage how much hard work they put into a project • They must be able to be flexible if a job comes up, they will have to work within their clients demands. • They will have to plan for the future, build a portfolio of work that will get them their clients • They can choose to work alone or to work on a project with another person. • They can take on any challenge that comes along without being limited to jobs that they could do under an employer • They can take the initiative in their work.