Craig Ramsay Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Hey guys, i'm after a bit of info... I am considering upping sticks from Scotland and moving over to NY. I'm just really putting the feelers out just now but i'm wondering how much demand there is over there for experienced 3D artists? (5yrs CG architecture experience using Max,V-ray, Brazil, FR, AutoCAD, Photoshop & Combustion) Also as a general figure what sort of salary would a CG artist be paid in NY? Thanks in advance for any advice Craig Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 How easy is it for a Scott to move to the US to work? Just wondering... NY has a number of good CG arch-vis firms, but whether or not they would be in a hiring frame of mind I wouldn't know. Or what a position would pay. Not very helpful. Most renderers in the NY market are single owners. Working for yourself here means you can earn fairly good money. Although its nearly impossible for one renderer, even with some freelance help, to get rich. You could do enough work to make yourself a salary of about US$100K per year, but your life would be not much more than work and coffee. So a job at a firm would have to be below that, probably half. And since most renderers are former architects, they may be cheap and poor business managers. Have you seen my WIP 'rendering task breakdown ' list? How do your skills stack up? Ny is an expensive place to live. You need to think backwards. How much would it cost me, in salary, to have a certain lifestyle there? Now you know the minimum you need to earn, and see if its within what you could earn, whether as an employee or a freelancer. For a look at some of who is already in the NY market New York Society of Renderers Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
IC Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Ny is an expensive place to live. You need to think backwards. How much would it cost me, in salary, to have a certain lifestyle there? So is Edinburgh! And the UK 'Standard of Living' is surprisingly low. None of my friends earn less than the average UK salary (in fact a good bit more in 95% of cases) but we all live in shoeboxes and run our Visa bill up every month just to live an ordinary life. It's not a hard luck story but in most other countries with similar levels of culture and civilisation, we'd be doing MUCH better. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 Very true Iain, that's one of the reasons im thinking about moving... property prices etc are becoming rediculous here! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 the UK 'Standard of Living' is surprisingly low...we all live in shoeboxes and run our Visa bill up every month just to live an ordinary life. Then you'ld feel right at home in New York. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
STRAT Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 So is Edinburgh! And the UK 'Standard of Living' is surprisingly low. None of my friends earn less than the average UK salary (in fact a good bit more in 95% of cases) but we all live in shoeboxes and run our Visa bill up every month just to live an ordinary life. It's not a hard luck story but in most other countries with similar levels of culture and civilisation, we'd be doing MUCH better. damn, you've just quoted my living status!!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moshenko Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I can't speak for NYC, but I wish more people would consider making the move to Toronto (that's Canada for the uninitiated). While our cost of living is increasing, it's nowhere near that of NYC, and Toronto is filled with some of the greatest, most affordable restaurants in North America. Good mountain biking and rock climbing nearby as well. Plus, I'm trying to hire people for full-time positions Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 I can't speak for NYC, but I wish more people would consider making the move to Toronto (that's Canada for the uninitiated). While our cost of living is increasing, it's nowhere near that of NYC, and Toronto is filled with some of the greatest, most affordable restaurants in North America. Good mountain biking and rock climbing nearby as well. Plus, I'm trying to hire people for full-time positions Canada is definitely near the top of the list of places to move to along with New Zealand Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
moshenko Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Glad to hear it! We have a shortage of experienced, knowledgable architectural illustrators here, in my opinion. The Toronto market is booming. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
4DM Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 So is Edinburgh! And the UK 'Standard of Living' is surprisingly low. None of my friends earn less than the average UK salary (in fact a good bit more in 95% of cases) but we all live in shoeboxes and run our Visa bill up every month just to live an ordinary life. It's not a hard luck story but in most other countries with similar levels of culture and civilisation, we'd be doing MUCH better. Ditto London, with knobs on!!! I actually think we are in the wrong business - all the people I know who live in large family houses in nice neighbourhoods here are lawyers, investment bankers, and...even more lawyers. Let us know when and where you find the greener grass! Cheers, D. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Craig Ramsay Posted August 22, 2005 Author Share Posted August 22, 2005 New York in my opinion is a very exciting place to live, lots to see and do Bingo, bored of Edinburgh to be honest and I know I don't want to stay here for the rest of my life so I feel at 24 years old I better make the move now or I never will I haven't decided on New York for definite, as I said I was just putting out the feelers... from the sounds of it NY might not be the best choice but i'm not ruling it out right now. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I'm trying to remember where I read it, but NeoScape in Boston is hiring. Oh, that's right...it was printed on Tshirts worn by NS's owners as they picked up the 3D Awards 'best still' and 'best animation' awards at the CGA party take my word for it, it was printed on the back of their shirts. Boston isn't where I'ld want to live, but it is a big American city, lots to do, and only 5 hours by a nice train to all-exciting NYC. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tolgahan gungor Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I want to live in turkey I would like to work in NY.. [would you like to see my architectural illustrations Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mbr Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I'd look around the US. There are many cities that are growing rapidly and there is need for arch viz guys. I'd guess NY is over saturated, as is LA. Don't know, but I do know that I'd never consider living there simply because the cost of living would be literally twice what mine is now. I am 5 minutes from downtown and have a nice loft, which in Manhattan would cost millions. Just things to think about. I really can't imagine Manhattan is cheaper than where you are, but I have no idea, really. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus_Rayvus Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 If you are looking to make money, I would say NYC is not the right place for you. There are a lot of studios hiring here and there are cool projects being done, but you'll live like a college student. If money is not your motivating factor to move, then I'd say go for it. Its a fun place to live. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 If you are looking to make money, I would say NYC is not the right place for you. There are a lot of studios hiring here and there are cool projects being done, but you'll live like a college student. Gus Where are you? What firm? As a freelancer, you can do quite well, but its a tough life, especially in a down year. The up years are tough, too, but there's money. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus_Rayvus Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I work at dbox in NYC. For what I pay in rent for my very small apartment, I could buy a house elsewhere in the US. I die a little inside every time I write my rent check. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ernest Burden III Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 I work at dbox in NYC. For what I pay in rent for my very small apartment, I could buy a house elsewhere in the US. I die a little inside every time I write my rent check. Well, at least you are working on some of the best architectural renderings being anywhere on Earth. I actually do not know anyone from that firm, I know most NY renderers. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gus_Rayvus Posted August 22, 2005 Share Posted August 22, 2005 Thank you, I think that is our general goal. While the work is very rewarding, NY tends to suck the financial rewards dry in the form of outrageous living expenses. As for demand, there is always a demand for the seasoned illustrator in NY (or anywhere else for that matter). Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShaunDon Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 Gus, I tried, but I just can't feel bad for you when your company's portfolio is the envy of our entire industry! I lived in NYC during my brief time at the Pratt Institute while contracting for the Portsmouth NH firm that I work for now. At the time (only two years ago) I was splitting a three-bedroom apartment in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, for $500 a month. It's the most un-hip neighborhood to live in and you're a 40 minute ride on the NR from Manhattan (unless they have a fulltime express line now?) -- but honestly, I absolutely loved it. I didn't mind the commute as I'm from Maine and we're used to the "you can't get there from here" way of things, and I wasn't familiar with NY when I moved there, so you could probably do a lot better. As far as Boston -- it's a young city, and you might like it a lot. A huge portion of the city is college students, and you see it on the streets wherever you are. It's also a beautiful city, with the Central Artery gone it's getting better all the time. Personally I prefer the tower-garden look of buildings clustered together facing eachother at every odd angle to NYC's grid, so in terms of enjoying architecture it's a better city for me. Walk across the Charles at night and it's spectacular. However commuting in Boston will drive you insane. The T (subway) is a mishmash, rush hour driving is pure insanity, and Massachusettes drivers are second only to RI as the worst drivers in the country (that's from a national survey, not just my opinion!). Don't do it. Get an apartment in Somerville/Cambridge or South Boston off the Red Line -- that's really the best option if you work downtown. I've visited Neoscape's offices on several occasions as we've done some work with them in the past -- they recently moved into a new office in Southie that's very nice, and both their staff and their work are very impressive. As Ernest pointed out, they took top honors this year. Best of luck! Shaun Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
joseph alexander Posted August 23, 2005 Share Posted August 23, 2005 What’s the deal with work Visas? If you’re UK is it a pain to get a visa? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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