Almost exactly what happened to me. After some contracts (some more temporary than others) I was finally going to enter my first full-time full-benefits studio job in fall of 2021. By April of 2022, my entire department was basically laid off. I was lucky enough to find another job (contract again ... oh well) with a company that sort of works as a third party to help more major companies with their creative projects. Apparently I was very lucky because I keep applying to more permanent jobs and not hearing back or hearing back "no" fairly quickly. I like your channel a lot because I think I would much rather create graphic novels than work on video game concept art, but with two young kids and no comics or graphic novels to my name, it feels to risky to jump careers right now. Still, just working a little bit at a time when I can and hopefully eventually I'll have something to show.
I feel like I'm in a similar situation, so I relate so hard to this! I have a young kiddo at home, so it's hard to find time to work on my graphic novel. I've just been chipping away at it for like an hour or two each evening if I get the chance. There's a Japanese expression: 「塵も積もれば山となる」"If dust piles up, it will become a mountain." So let's keep piling that dust!
Love these podcasts Tim, I've watched them all. Some ideas for future episodes: Your thoughts on conventions / art shows / in person selling Switching mediums / style / subjects after you've established yourself already Health problems from art, carpal tunnel, neck pain etc solutions How to deal with finances as a freelancer Keep up the great work !
I love learning more about your history as an artist! I would be interested in podcast on the subject of freelancing. How do you get clients? What are some of the struggles of freelancing? Any red flags when you're working with clients? I think I'm one of the weird people that got their first game industry job by literally just applying. I knew some people in the game industry (mainly teachers from classes I had taken), but I didn't know anyone at the job I applied to. I will add the caveat, though, that one of the interviewers at that company knew one of my teachers from Brainstorm School (I listed the classes and teachers I had on my resume since I didn't have much else for art education). She asked my former teacher about me and he gave me high praise, so that probably helped.
Yeah I think something on Freelancing would be good. Those questions really help me to frame it up. The networking you can get from schools is actually pretty good. That's awesome you got the job just by applying! I'm sure it was mostly you. I think often people just need to confirm there are no surprises when they ask around :)
Loving this series- your perspective and thoughtful comments are very calming and realistic in a landscape that is stricken with paranoia and worry.
Thanks! That's great to hear!
very helpful Tim
I dream of working in game dev so I appreciate the story.
Almost exactly what happened to me. After some contracts (some more temporary than others) I was finally going to enter my first full-time full-benefits studio job in fall of 2021. By April of 2022, my entire department was basically laid off. I was lucky enough to find another job (contract again ... oh well) with a company that sort of works as a third party to help more major companies with their creative projects. Apparently I was very lucky because I keep applying to more permanent jobs and not hearing back or hearing back "no" fairly quickly.
I like your channel a lot because I think I would much rather create graphic novels than work on video game concept art, but with two young kids and no comics or graphic novels to my name, it feels to risky to jump careers right now. Still, just working a little bit at a time when I can and hopefully eventually I'll have something to show.
I feel like I'm in a similar situation, so I relate so hard to this! I have a young kiddo at home, so it's hard to find time to work on my graphic novel. I've just been chipping away at it for like an hour or two each evening if I get the chance. There's a Japanese expression: 「塵も積もれば山となる」"If dust piles up, it will become a mountain." So let's keep piling that dust!
Love these podcasts Tim, I've watched them all.
Some ideas for future episodes:
Your thoughts on conventions / art shows / in person selling
Switching mediums / style / subjects after you've established yourself already
Health problems from art, carpal tunnel, neck pain etc solutions
How to deal with finances as a freelancer
Keep up the great work !
Yeah those are all awesome ideas! Thanks for taking the time to list those out. I really appreciate it.
Glad the podcast is working for you so far!!
love your podcast. It's very calming to listen this while drawing. and guess what I got my first job as a Artist.
Awesome! Congrats!! Glad you are enjoying these :)
I love learning more about your history as an artist! I would be interested in podcast on the subject of freelancing. How do you get clients? What are some of the struggles of freelancing? Any red flags when you're working with clients?
I think I'm one of the weird people that got their first game industry job by literally just applying. I knew some people in the game industry (mainly teachers from classes I had taken), but I didn't know anyone at the job I applied to. I will add the caveat, though, that one of the interviewers at that company knew one of my teachers from Brainstorm School (I listed the classes and teachers I had on my resume since I didn't have much else for art education). She asked my former teacher about me and he gave me high praise, so that probably helped.
Yeah I think something on Freelancing would be good. Those questions really help me to frame it up.
The networking you can get from schools is actually pretty good. That's awesome you got the job just by applying! I'm sure it was mostly you. I think often people just need to confirm there are no surprises when they ask around :)