3D Finding Work In London

[driedgrape]

Hey Guys,

 

I know this might be in the wrong place, but it seems pretty quiet in the 'jobs forum'.

 

I'd love a little advice from the people out there, im a 3d vizualiser, fresh off the boat in London, and have just started looking for work. I was just wondering what are the best agency's to go too, and the best websites too look at. I've only come across a few sites so far (creative pool, and the theitjobboard).

 

Any advice or tips would be most appreciated!!

[adamf]

Think the best way to get work might be to send your CV and some example of your work to every viz firm you can find.

 

Being honest though not sure you are going to find any viz firms hiring now to be honest.

[Nic H]

definately avoid agencies, they tend to make your hire out rate so expensive studios wont hire you unless really pushed, and to be honest most agencies are basically useless and will sell you to anyone and everyone. some agencies (wont name names repackage your cv into their own AWFUL layout as part of the service they offer)

 

approach studios with your own cv and images, email, then call.

[driedgrape]

Thanks, I appreciate the advice. I'll have another Google and look at some of the studios that are about in London.

 

There seems to be a lot more freelance positions than permanent ones available.

[Tommy L]

I found it hard getting work here in the UK so i started up my own company not many companies deal with max here i agree sent your cv out to campanies.

 

make sure you know photoshop because that is an animator right hand friend unless you have knowleadge with photoshop company will not hire you unless you have that on your CV. i would also say you need to have a demo reel to show what you can do with max and photoshop. The demo reel need to be about 3 minutes long no longer or the employer will get bored

 

Anthony,

I would disagree with pretty much all of this. Most companies in the UK used Max when I was there (3 years ago).

You do not need to use Photoshop. As a tool that must be learnt, I would say photoshop is the one you have to learn the shallowest to be able to be a productive artist in a studio setting. It is also not useful for animation.

You certainly DO NOT need a reel to apply for positions. A bad reel is worse than no reel. And if I received a reel as an employer, I would probably not watch 3 minutes of it.

 

Be honest with your application. Just send your best work in digital format, a cover letter to say you want a job and you'd like to meet. No rocket science here, no tricks.

I personally think the world would be a better place without agencies, also, they tend to not have a clue what an architectural visualizer does.

Edited December 16, 2008 by Tommy L

[Iain Denby]

In true Harry Hill style.... who can be right, Tommy L or Libertycityanimation? There's only one way to find out...............FIGHT!!!!!!!!!!!

[amer abidi]

my final word is unless you know photoshop or another painting application is unless you learn one of those applications then i guess you won't get anywhere. you cannot just take images off the net because that is againist the copyright law you have the right to so from the company

 

??

[mattclinch]

ok, im going to dish out advice for the OP. i dont think there is any point in argueing over which softwares to know, as i will hopefully illustrate. please note this is simply insight gained through many people and post-university submissions, and not necessarily the advice of my employer.

 

looking for jobs in the uk? first step.. research. find out the names of the companies and the people who you would like to work for. know their work, read up on their history and past jobs they have worked on. get a feel for the type of work and rough idea about the split of work they do (planning/marketing/overseas/animation etc). then... apply. send off CV's, along with a few samples of your strongest work (less is more - give them enough to see your talent, but leave them wanting more) weighted according to the type of work the company undertakes - if they are fundementally animation based, then an animation lead examples and/or reel is preferable, if not, then stills and a well worded CV will likely be sufficient. find out who you are sending it to. a quick call asking who is in charge of recruitment takes seconds and addressing the email/letter to the correct people is vital (this should almost certainly be someone who is also an active artist/designer). also, if the company has a submissions policy asking for CV's and portfolios in a certain way make sure you follow this. if it appears you can't follow a basic instruction to submit a PDF for example, this will make your application immediately less appealing. follow up applications with a courtesy phone call to the person who received your CV in a week or so if you have had no response - it shows your keen and on the ball. no one likes a lackadaisical cold CV'er...

 

any vis studio worth its salt will appreciate artistic talent and eye over any software knowledge. software can be taught, though its knowledge is obviously crucial to most roles. a strong portfolio is also a must, so use your best pieces to get their interest and get them to bring you in for an interview and then stun them with your remaining work, wit, charm and artistic flair.

 

best of luck!

Edited December 16, 2008 by mattclinch

[Tommy L]

my final word is unless you know photoshop or another painting application is unless you learn one of those applications then i guess you won't get anywhere. you cannot just take images off the net because that is againist the copyright law you have the right to so from the company

 

Anthony,

Im not quite sure what you mean when you refer to copyright law here.

I think you have strong opinions and Im glad you bring them to the table. But Im afraid I do still disagree with your opinions in this thread though.

In order to get a job in a 3d related position, you do not need to be a well-rounded fully fledged artist. Just to show potential in one area and to interview well is often enough. A good design studio will acquire talent and nurture it. Digital artistry is not disconnected from traditional artists skills. I would rather employ a good artist/teamplayer with un-refined photoshop abilities and an inclination to learn than someone who has a lack-lustre eye and bad communication skills but can cut a mask.

I guess Im saying that the difference between an artist you would hire as a freelancer and an ideal job candidate are not always the same thing.

 

For example, I met a kid at a job fair, his name was Anthony Marino. He had a fantastic eye for photography and fonts. Weird combination, but from this I knew two things, he would understand light and composition. This was about 18 months ago and I still remember his name because he was such a nice guy.

 

Anyway, this is an enjoyable discourse, so dont be offended by my disagreeing with you. I just think your version of an employable person is different to mine. Maybe because I entered this industry with no 2d/3d skills. I had an architects degree and a decent art portfolio and sketchbook. I was wiling to learn and showed artistic talent. I would look for the same in a candidate.

[AJLynn]

That's not a huge deal. You can buy CDs of textures. Not being able to paint textures in Photoshop won't make you unable to get a job. It's the economy that will make you unable to get a job.

[Tommy L]

If you take textures off the net like images (wood) and you put it into the 3ds max as a bitmap and you don't have permisson that is a beach of the copyright law. unless you have permisson from the site or person to use them in your scene. You need to learn to make your own texture in photoshop

 

you're crazy

[Tommy L]

Yes andrew you can buy the texture does not mean you can use them without the owners permission

 

Tommy

How is that? because i know the law?

 

Firstly, yes it does.

Secondly, like a quirrel with glass underpants, I can plainly see youre nuts. I have no idea what you are talking about. I looked at some of your other posts, such as 'starting a company on ebay' and I really think everyone should ignore your advice. Nothing personal. I just think your advice is bad. I also looked at your work on your myspace site and I dont think youre qualified to be giving career advice. No offence.

[AJLynn]

Anthony -

 

Normally I wouldn't want to discourage anybody from posting, but I'd like to ask you to please stop writing in ways that imply expertise on subjects in which you do not have expertise. It will confuse the other users.

 

BTW - "squirrel with glass underpants" - nice one

[AJLynn]

There should be a rule that anybody who wants to complain about immigrants who do not speak English must do so in well written English.

[Tommy L]

Wow, what a fool. People like you make me sick, I know this is not the place to vent, but wow, what a fool...

My wife is asian, I live in Chicago along with many other wonderful people of many wonderful races. I work with disadantaged kids who face bigotry and racism every day and sometimes I get so angry I just dont know what to do with myself. I would like to meet you face to face 'Libertyspaz' and ask you a couple of questions.

[AJLynn]

LOL ... of course he isn't English... wouldn't be caught dead speaking english...

He is Irish...innit?...where no one says Londonderry when you could say Derry...

 

Hey, I know Irish people whose command of the English language is good enough they could be mistaken for Americans

[EddieLeon]

Going back to the original post, I would like to point out that things do seem a little slow on the forums in general lately. Maybe it's because everyone is getting ready for the holidays, or just busy looking for work. Either way, it would be great if anyone else can add their 2 cents on how some of the artists can find employment or projects.....within the Arch Viz industry

[seamus]

Hey, I know Irish people whose command of the English language is good enough they could be mistaken for Americans

 

Should there not be a "that" between "enough" and "could"?

[Ruprect]

Wow..what a post. I only wanted to know what the work situation in the UK was like and ended up getting a discussion on copyright laws and racism.

[seamus]

Not sure. But I agree with all of their other comments!

[AJLynn]

Adrian's right. Were done talking about that fool, let's see some on-topic discussion.

[GARRY HARKIN]

Anthony O'Connor please take down our countries flag as your embarrassing yourself and your fella country men. Can I just say that Anthony O'Connors views do not represent Ireland.

[ZFact]

I'll second that Garry;... What a load of bull s**t

[Tommy L]

Hey Guys,

 

I know this might be in the wrong place, but it seems pretty quiet in the 'jobs forum'.

 

I'd love a little advice from the people out there, im a 3d vizualiser, fresh off the boat in London, and have just started looking for work. I was just wondering what are the best agency's to go too, and the best websites too look at. I've only come across a few sites so far (creative pool, and the theitjobboard).

 

Any advice or tips would be most appreciated!!

 

Do you want to post some work? It helps to know what kind of position you'd be looking for. Then this thread will be back on track and we can give some more accurate advice.

[3D_IC]

This is what I did when I landed in Australia three years ago from the UK.

(Bearing in mind that I had already worked in the 3d industry for years,

you could however produce a hand full of really good images and do the same thing)

 

1 - Look through the RIBA or local architectural registration organisation and get all the achitects addresses in your area. Also look through yellow pages and other directories for numbers addresses etc. Finding a person in the organisation is also necessary as a letter addressed to the studio without a "for attention of" name will likely get opened by the secretary and binned or forwarded to the lower management.

 

2-Create a short, to the point cover letter (don't mention your sallary expectations) and print out your best images on the best quality paper A4. Try to include something from different areas i.e Interior, exterior, section slice through, aerial, planning etc or images taylored to the style of the architect/3d studio you are trying to get into.

 

3-follow up with a call to the person a couple of days after your letter has been received to ask if he/she received it and if they need to see any other examples etc.

 

4-If you manage to get an interview take along the images you sent with the cover letter plus others. Talk through how you created them, the process and what you could have done better. A good artist is never happy with his work.

 

After I'd sent out my letters I went to the agencies and the first thing they said was 3D artist....whats that? the second thing they said was "give us your list of architects and developers and we'll contact them for you. Yea right!!

 

the main thing to keep in mind is not to be disheartened when you are turned down for a job. It may take 20 no's before you get a yes. Try to enter your 20th interview like it was your first because first impressions count.