Advice Needed for Beginner

[smithy_gas]

Hi all,

 

I have recently been posting more frequently due to the fact I was offered an opportunity for a job in Bristol at a visualisation company. Needless to say I didn't get the job due to the old not enough experience paradox.

 

Anyway from my degree in architecture I have struggled to get a job to continue along that path but really got into the visualisation I had to complete for the company. Getting rejected after getting so passionate about the position was really frustrating but now drives me to improve and take a career in this field seriously.

 

My main question is to carry on, would it be best to continue practicing my skills and scenes at home, building up a nice portfolio of images to try and get into the industry this way (are there any Arch Vis people working in or around Bristol?) or to go maybe back into education to improve chances.

 

I don't want definitive advice because I know there isn't really any but maybe to provoke a good discussion.

 

Thanks,

 

Craig

[Jonathan]

Hi Craig,

 

Im actually in a similar position at the moment. I work for an architecture firm (part 1) and have found that it is visualisation that really excites me. Im no Max expert for sure and I have enrolled on a Masters course in design and digial media in order to provide me with a more visual and graphic foundation from a different perspective as well as allow time to create a better portfolio. I think an architectural background is vital but the journey just begins here!

[smithy_gas]

At least you have managed to get a part 1 placement! That is really good news at least. I think it is vital to have the background too but obviously having the knowledge of digital arts would also be a great platform to build on. Do you do much visualisation in practice?

 

It certainly does begin here, although a job of sorts is a better start I think for myself...

[Devin Johnston]

My main question is to carry on, would it be best to continue practicing my skills and scenes at home, building up a nice portfolio of images to try and get into the industry this way (are there any Arch Vis people working in or around Bristol?) or to go maybe back into education to improve chances.

Craig

You already have an Architecture degree, unless your going back to school to get a major in computer animation or something along those lines I'd focus on learning the software and producing steller imagery for your portfolio. The problem you're going to have right now is there is a large pool of unemployed people with lots of viz experience looking for any job they can find and you will have to compete with them. That means your portfolio will need to be top notch just to get your foot in the door so I'd spend as much time as possable learning and producing work to make yourself as attractive to a potential employer as possable.

[smithy_gas]

Good call. I agree with what you say and probably wouldn't go back into education for another degree or masters, maybe some small courses but then again I have improved ten fold already just by doing and learning the software this way. I was thinking of doing some small projects myself (private residences etc.) that would obviously show off my architectural skills as well as viz skills I believe. Thanks for advising though, I presume this isn't a career where you could freelance straight away or gain clients through sheer hard work, I know I have a lot to learn just by browsing these forums.

[Devin Johnston]

I think everyone would prefer to freelance than work for a company if they had the client base to sustain them, problem is it takes a lot of work to gain enough repeat business in order to make a living.

[smithy_gas]

Yeah I agree with all of that. I think for now it will be best to improve my portfolio, make some fantastic images and return to the company who turned me down this time, and make sure they can't refuse to give me employment! Unless any other members here know of any more companies or studios operating in the South West?

[Tommy L]

Read some photography books.

[lugeto]

In my experience constantly working on your portfolio helps you to better understand and work the programs. Your skill caan only become better, and when you feel that you are at a stage where your 3d skills impress yourself then i say goto a bunch of firms with your best stuff and show them what you can do. its all about the motivation and your willingness to become better, and you need to show them that that is your attitude forward. a nice exercise would be to take a bunch of photographs with different design styles and try to replicate them in 3d. when you have that aced then go for it! best of luck with it all. :-)