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A LONG THREAD about my experience as the Art Director of a small studio, my own personal criteria on hiring artists and advice for getting hired as an artist -probably in general
#ArtistOnTwitter #artistsupportpledge #IAMSomebodyArtistClub
#ArtistOnTwitter #artistsupportpledge #IAMSomebodyArtistClub
[1] For context, I have a BFA in Digital Art and Animation and I was hired out of college as a freelance Illustrator/Animator at a small digital art studio, Epic Made ( http://getepicmade.com ). That was 2013.
I am now 29 and the studio Art Director (AD) and have been for 5yrs
I am now 29 and the studio Art Director (AD) and have been for 5yrs
[2] We are a small, very close team. We currently work with clients as opposed to our own IP. Finding clients is HARD. Finding LONG-TERM clients, even more difficult. This means money is a primary concern, making full-time positions beyond a small, core team difficult to sustain.
[3] Most studios like ours have only 1-2 months of expenses/salaries in the bank on a good day, which means job security is never certain, but with the right people, you can weather anything. Despite the "struggle," working with my team at EM is still the best job Ive ever had.
[4] I am responsible for hiring artists at EM.
STOP READING if you arent interested in brutal truths.
PERSONALLY, I don't care if you have a degree. That is NOT the case for every studio, but I'm sure Im not the ONLY one with this opinion. It DOES add context to your skill.
STOP READING if you arent interested in brutal truths.
PERSONALLY, I don't care if you have a degree. That is NOT the case for every studio, but I'm sure Im not the ONLY one with this opinion. It DOES add context to your skill.
[5] In my experience, the industry only cares about 3 things:
Are you skilled?
Can you meet deadlines?
Can you communicate?
I will not be speaking to race, gender or sexual biases because I don't have any. I can't speak for others.
Are you skilled?Can you meet deadlines?Can you communicate?I will not be speaking to race, gender or sexual biases because I don't have any. I can't speak for others.
[6] Skill is not the same as style. Style is a choice and is subjective. Skill is less-so. If you do not have impressive technical skill (regardless of style) you aren't getting hired. Though I do keep silent tabs on artists that are "close" to see how they improve.
[7] I look at your portfolio BEFORE YOUR NAME!
Have a diverse gallery that shows that you CAN draw more than your chosen style. One or two life/anatomy drawings. One or two digital paintings. Some cel-shaded graphic illustrations, etc. It will drastically increase your chances.
Have a diverse gallery that shows that you CAN draw more than your chosen style. One or two life/anatomy drawings. One or two digital paintings. Some cel-shaded graphic illustrations, etc. It will drastically increase your chances.
[8] This is because we often hire with a particular project in mind. If you can't PROVE that you can deliver on the specific project's skill and style requirements, it's hard for me to justify giving you a chance. It's not personal, it's a risk. All it takes is 1 piece as proof.
[9] Deadlines are important. Fast turnarounds help w/costs AND allow us to take new work faster, but aren't EVERYTHING.
DON'T LIE. If you take 20hrs to render an illustration, claiming you can do it in 7 hurts everyone. Speed is increased with practice and comfort with a style.
DON'T LIE. If you take 20hrs to render an illustration, claiming you can do it in 7 hurts everyone. Speed is increased with practice and comfort with a style.
[10] Most projects we have require that a fully rendered illustration be complete in 7-10 hours (on average).
Style obviously manipulates that number, but generally, it is rarely outside the brackets of 4-16hrs (Half day - two days of labor).
Always know how long it takes you!
Style obviously manipulates that number, but generally, it is rarely outside the brackets of 4-16hrs (Half day - two days of labor).
Always know how long it takes you!
[11] Aaand communication. I shouldn't have to say,
"Be professional, honest and respectful, return calls and messages within 24hrs, don't be an asshole if you don't like how something went down -we can talk it through," but I do...
The FASTEST way to get kicked off the team...
"Be professional, honest and respectful, return calls and messages within 24hrs, don't be an asshole if you don't like how something went down -we can talk it through," but I do...
The FASTEST way to get kicked off the team...
[12] ...is to fuck-up anything in those quotes 
Surprisingly, its mostly not returning calls or messages mid-project.
Look, shit happens. If something explodes in your life, I will 100% understand -we will work it out.
DONT. JUST. GHOST. ME.
You won't be asked to return.
Surprisingly, its mostly not returning calls or messages mid-project.
Look, shit happens. If something explodes in your life, I will 100% understand -we will work it out.
DONT. JUST. GHOST. ME.
You won't be asked to return.
[13] There is still a TON I can speak about but this is Tweet 13... So DM me with questions or comment below if you think the answer can help the community too.
PLEASE
RT the top thread if this was helpful. If it is, Id like more than just my small audience to see it
Thanks
PLEASE
RT the top thread if this was helpful. If it is, Id like more than just my small audience to see itThanks
