Portfolio Critique Wanted

[brettcarel]

Hey everyone! I am just getting ready to send out my resume to a bunch of different game companies. But before I do, I would like your input on if there are ways I can improve it! Let me know what you think!

I am looking to transition from my field in packaging and marketing to a Graphic Designer in the game industry. My website is brettcarel.com

Thanks!
Brett Carel
Sr Graphic Designer

[yaustar]

From a quick glance, where are the UI design examples of your work?

[brettcarel]

I'm sorry, I meant to type just Graphic Designer and not UI. I am looking into adding them to my portfolio and had been heavily researching on current trends this morning when I made the post. My current portfolio is primarily in packaging and marketing.

[yaustar]

Which side of the games industry are you aiming for? THe publishing or development side?

[brettcarel]

Right now I want to break in. My skills are more applicable to the publishing side than the development right now. I have UI experience, I just need to reflect it in my portfolio.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by brettcarel

1. I am just getting ready to send out my resume to a bunch of different game companies.
2. I am looking to transition from my field in packaging and marketing to a Graphic Designer in the game industry.
3. My current portfolio is primarily in packaging and marketing.
4. I have UI experience, I just need to reflect it in my portfolio.
5. My skills are more applicable to the publishing side than the development right now.

1. Long-distance?? From what I can tell, you live in Oklahoma. If you aren't looking for freelance package design work, you're going about this the wrong way.
2. The game industry doesn't use graphic designers all that much -- mostly packaging, manuals, websites, ads, stuff like that. See #5.
3. Then the only thing you'll be hired for (if anything) is packaging and marketing.
4. Yes. You need to tailor your portfolio for the thing you want to do.
5. Most definitely. So what you need to do, then, is move to a publishing hub, OR make a development portfolio, then move to a development hub.

Some articles you should read:
http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson41.htm
http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson24.htm
http://sloperama.com/advice/lesson27.htm
http://gamedevmap.com/
http://gameindustrymap.com/
http://www.igda.org/games-game-july-2010

[brettcarel]

Yes I do live in Oklahoma. The places I am looking at are in Texas and Colorado though. I'll move to the coasts but if I have places in my region then I would like to try them first. I want to relocate though.

[tsloper]

Originally Posted by brettcarel

The places I am looking at are in Texas and Colorado

And which game publishers are in those two states?

[brettcarel]

Critical Mass Interactive and Midway are the only I can think of right now. Midway obviously isn't an option. Looks like I'm heading west

[tsloper]

I recommend you go to GDC next month. www.gdconf.com