I started of the course with multi interest in a variety of subjects from concept art to film and not knowing my desired route which would be take after I graduate. This carried on until I was introduced to the gaming modules which I really enjoyed, and found myself coming up with my strongest work. I then had to narrow my strengths further down as just saying my specialist skill is too broad. I regard myself as someone who would be more of a creative / design role as I believe myself to have a creative mind and allot of group projects have started off with me coming up with the initial design. Therefore I enjoyed my time coming up with Designs and Concepts for level. I realised my art skills are not as strong as some others in my class so a concept artist was ruled out. However I can defiantly see myself as a Level Designer as its something I have really enjoyed. I also believe I have a decent skill strength in modelling environments and I enjoy it but I'm not someone who is keen on been told what to do, for example the design team telling me to model for example a character they have designed. I like to be more creative thats why a level designer I feel is more appropriate for myself.
Displaying my work is a real weakness of mine, Throughout the three years at Leeds College of Art I have produced a good variety of work which I have not Displayed to the public, not even social websites such as Youtube and Facebook. From doing Creative Industries I have learned a better understanding of how to brand yourself through the use of logos and a website, something I didn't really think about it before but it's defiantly a key aspect if you want to get anywhere within the industry. Presenting work to professional standard is very important and as I am wanting to be a Level Designer / Modeller I have learned upon the most effective way to present my work through the use of showreels, 360 degree turns of models and a camera run through of some of the level designs in which I have created, to make my work look more professional to help me in my career path.
Doing all this enabled me to gain a better understanding of what I am and what I hope to achieve, as well as giving me an identity and making my work look more professional. I have learned that keeping to a timescale is very important and giving yourself weekly deadlines is a great way of keeping yourself on target, ass too many times I get complacent and think I have more time than I actually have and deadlines soon come and go. Also too be proud of our work, especially in the group projects we undertook as we were trying to perfect things too much before going to the next stage when it was actually fine, be confident in what others think of your work as its something your going to have to be when it comes to working in a team in the gaming industry, your going to have to keep to strict deadlines and your work, as I am a modeller, my work will probably get passed on to a animator or even a texture expert, just don't be scared at what other's think and getting over that mindset, just be confident in what others think.
Been drilled into how important it is to be confident in your own work and ability, has led my to improve my online presence. I have already come up with a branding name and logo and have brought myself a website domain, In which I plan to show my portfolio of work for people to see and I am welcome to provide other people advice and any questions they may have. Also I like the idea of doing some tutorials on youtube just to improve my online presence and increase my confidence. I have also set up on many social sites such as Twitter and Facebook in which to promote myself and display the quality of my work.
I believe the standard of my work has improved other the 3 years and this came with focusing my desired passion to a pacific area. I am now allot more confident then I was a couple of years, where I was starting to regret my decision of taking a course in Film, Games and Animation in favour of Graphic Design which I undertook at a diploma level. But once been introduced to the gaming modules my motivation and passion for the course dramatically increased along with the quality of my work to the point I am happy to set off into the gaming industry or at least take the next step up and sometime apply for my master degree which would be great but I have a range of possible directions to undertake.
My Three Year Plan once I leave is firstly to keep funding myself, I have a part time job working in CO-OP so although its not something I want I am going to continue working part time over the summer as I need money to live off. However i do not want to overboard myself with part time work as I need time to continue working and improving my knowledge and portfolio, I have already discussed a possible summer project as part of Pushing Polygons in where we are going to design a zombie horror funfair which I am looking forward to starting. Of cause online presence is very important and i plan on keeping very up to date with that through the many sites and get my website fully functioning. I would like to just email local companies asking if i Can come for a day visit to see if i can ask questions and see the working environment in person, as-well as been cheeky and keeping in contact, sometimes you need a bit of cheek. Visit Gaming meets and conventions, I have looked at the local ones in my area and very easily reachable, the only problem I have with these if everyones after the same thing, but even so It would be valuable experience to listen to a variety of talks and chat and gain advice from people who have plenty of experience, also sneak them a business card. And finally of cause if theres any jobs that come up which are appropriate apply for them, and keep searching through a variety of different forms such as Creative Magazines or follow companies on twitter, or just keep checking the websites. Sometimes though we might have to be patient, keep doing projects and hope that job will eventually come. Just keep yourself active and keeping a good presence.
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