newbie question

onaled515 · 01-06-2011, 06:39 PM

Is it frowned upon to look up individuals in the department you are trying to get into and ask if they would mind critiquing your portfolio? for example if i wanted to obtain a career as a concept artist and in the credits of my favorite game I see the names of concept artists for that company, is it ok to try and look them up and email them through their company website for a possible portfolio critique?

tsloper · 01-06-2011, 07:55 PM

No, it's not frowned upon (generally). But whether or not an individual will want to honor such a request? No way to tell.

How would this critique occur (what is it you're envisioning)? And what kind of feedback do you want? What level of detail?

onaled515 · 01-06-2011, 08:45 PM

I was thinking by email from linkedin. I regularly look for individuals on linkedin that are in the industry from my favorite companies. I am hoping to get a positive critique(meaning honest, letting me know which designs are good and why and which are not good and how to improve). I have posted a critique on here before and had a few positive critiques, but there are still some other questions i need answered. Im tryind to get as much info and advice as i can before the feb GDC.

tsloper · 01-06-2011, 09:22 PM

If someone does agree to give you a critique, make sure that your request is very specific (as you did in your parenthetical above).
And what is your GDC plan? Anything like these?
http://www.igda.org/games-game-february-2007
http://www.igda.org/games-game-march-2006
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson54.htm
http://www.sloperama.com/advice/lesson46.htm

onaled515 · 01-06-2011, 09:46 PM

I have been to GDC in san francisco twice and austin once. I know i wasnt full prepared the first time i went portfolio wise nor networking wise. Since then I realized what specific position I am aiming for, networked and made a few contacts, worked with a local indie iphone gaming company, and taken some more classes at school. I know i am more prepared this time and have much more confidence in myself. its just that I live in memphis,tn and dont want to come back home with the same info i have gotten in the past. I am aspiring to become a UI/GUI/Front end designer and I have a graphic design degree. I have been told to learn 3d and I also took a class on flash. I can and always will have to get better at my craft, but isnt there a point where companies see your potential and give you a chance but just not on AAA titles, maybe some mobile games or digital games. kind of like professional sports, they will draft you but put you in a developmental league to get better, but you are still part of the team?