Task 5: Job research

http://www.crytek.com/career/offers/overview/austin/art-animation/art-senior-character

For my research on what job I would like to do as my ideal job; which is currently senior environment artist in cry-tek.

Senior Environment Artist

Description:

We are looking for an exceptionally skilled environment artist to help create high quality environments and assets with a strong understanding of player space, composition, functionality and performance optimization.

Responsibilities:

·         Collaborating with Art Leads to create visually impactful, functional (and fun!) game worlds and levels

·         Helping to block out and develop new areas and levels with a strong understanding of player experience, optimization and finalization

·         Creating realistic models and textures for both architectural, hard edged and organic environments

·         Create game play assets/props and props that fit the environments

·         Manage texture quality and fidelity to remain consistent with other assets

·         Mentor other artists and share techniques and tips

Skills/Qualifications:

·         5+ years game experience

·         At least two console or PC titles shipped from concept through final as an Artist

·         Experience with Mudbox or ZBrush and the process of converting high-poly sculpted environments into lower poly game assets is a must

·         Strong texture painting skills

·         Superior eye for color and detail when creating texture maps

·         Ability to read a 2D concept and 'accurately' translate to model and texture

·         Good understanding of composition and player experience/player pathing when creating an environment space

·         Fluent knowledge of at least one major 2D package (Photoshop, Painter, etc.)

·         Strong polygonal modeling skills- able to generate clean and efficient models with efficiency and timeliness

·         Must have passion for Environmental Art and ability to see it as a character

·         Excellent verbal communication skills

·         Ability and willingness to accept and follow direction, collaborate productively with others, and work to meet deadlines as necessary

·         Excellent organizational skills with the ability to multitask effectively, prioritize competing demands, and follow through on details

·         Strong interest in games, preferably with specific industry experience shipping titles for Playstation 3, PC, Xbox 360, etc. XBOX One and PS4 experience a plus

·         A strong portfolio (must be submitted online), candidates who do not provide work samples will not be considered

 Pluses:

·         Strong foundation in at least one of the traditional arts, sculpting, drawing or painting

·         Strong knowledge of human and animal anatomy

·         Experience with physically based materials

·         No crybabies

·         Sense of humor

This is the job specification for cryteks senior environment. Being a senior role means a lot of responsibilities which is mostly collaboration and teamwork, which is essential in any job role then it’s about the role itself, being an environment artist requires you to know and understand the ways and techniques to create them, and knowing the fundamentals and all the advances knowledge of creating environments. As described you should be able to create architectural, hard edges and organic environments. The new responsibility I need to develop is mentoring other artists and share my skills, this is something I would have to develop by time.

As far as the skills go it’s a must to have experience which itself is very hard to obtain however very important because to become a senior you need experience in the field, the knowledge and techniques developed through experience cannot be self-thought. Adding to having at least two shipped games as an artist. Having that shows you know how a game is developed from start to finish which is very ideal for being a senior artist.

Going down to skillset is being able to sculpt high poly surfaces and be able to convert them to low poly without losing much detail. I have some experience in that as I did that for my gladiator project however still not professional. I would need to master it. Then the usual skills that need to be mastered is the texturing and modelling skills. Also finally being able to concept.

I need to be able to organise and multitask flawlessly getting a lot done in a short space of time without rushing anything. This is something I’ve been learning since school it’s a life essential skill that’s thought throughout however I need to master it effectively by having a workflow and prioritizing effectively.

Lastly having to know strong traditional skills and understanding of human and animal anatomy is important which I think every AAA studio would demand and I think the visual design is teaching me that very well and it’s something I would keep develop on and no cry-babies.

Without forgetting a really strong portfolio of my best work containing both traditional and 3D work pieces.