07-04-2014, 06:32 AM
Wall of text, just wanted to write. You don't have to read <3
Hi guys! Long time and no post. I've been trying to enjoy the summer for a bit (just kidding, swedish summer means rain) and had to prepare before the interview came. But now it's over and I've already received the results! I got admitted!
So I'm going to start studying game art in a town called Malmö just a bit south of where I live. It's going to include a lot of 3D and stuff, but I'm still going to try and do a bunch of art when times lets me, since that's still going to be the main goal, being a better artist all around. I'm under the opinion that all art complements each other. Besides the best advice I got about art is that the road is never straight. Going to be a fun and long journey!
Figured that I might aswell share some thoughts about the interview and how to prepare. Since I did it last year I could reflect on what I did wrong and what could be improved.
So one of the first things I had to get out of the way was that I usuall float away when I speak; it doesn't always get to the point. I can talk about one subject and float into another one. I believe that during interviews like this it is very important that you are clear about anything you talk about. Make them understand what you want for yourself and for them.
Before heading down there I tried analyzing games (since that's what they teach) and explore what my general opinion was about the "industry" and genres. Because I didn't want to get blindsided by questions, which happened last year.
Last year I got a question that went something along the lines of "20 people have said the exact same thing as you, what makes you stand out?"( had to do with me thinking I could be a good concept artist)
It was a tough question to get on the spot, I might've gone a bit defensive, like, "I've sacrificed a lot of time, blabalba" kind of ashamed about it right now haha.
It is a simple question though now that I've thought about it. You just have to be honest and clear about how you stand out. If you like making character, tell them you love imagining personalities. If you like history, tell them you can recall a bunch of awesome story references. If you can take criticism, say that! You see, simple!Woah!
I was so nervous this time too. That was the only thing I really couldn't control. It got better when I was at location of the interview, but still my hands stiffened up like icesticles when the drawing test came. Even though I did gestures of people at the train station.
Someone reminded me of doing sketches before I started the test itself. Damn that was so obvious, and still I didn't do it last year. So I took a piece of paper and drew a bunch of hands (which was one of the subjects) both to get that numb feeling out of my hands and to explore interesting poses. It lead made the whole thing go quicker I assure you, no going back to erase or rework stuff.
Be smart about the whole thing. They want to hear certain qualities about you, but you shouldn't lie about yourself. The unemployment office here in Sweden had a mandatory thing that I had to attend. Which was mostly a waste of time while being souldraining to the core. Though I did learn very useful things there. One thing is that knowing what personality you are and how to express that is key to interviews. Just by knowing simple adjectives you can describe yourself with, you can stand out easily. See if you can use words that people don't throw around that much.
You'll show that you have self-perception which is golden.
All in all, it was awesome to have a goal get completed like that. Tried thinking that if I get in or not, it won't define me as a person. Felt very healthy.
Thanks for giving me critiques and advice guys, it means a lot to me.
Picture inbetween answers to last posts!
clockodile
Thanks man! It feels a lot more fun to paint him now. I've taken a longer break from it now. But painting something you don't like won't go anywhere, so it was refreshing :D
Glad you like it, always those quick sketches that look good haha.
They are awesome, have to catch up with them too. Only seen like 2 or 3. Love their guests :D
Adzerak
Yeaah I hope so. Gotta get back to him after this long break! That seems to be the most important aspect anyway, having a bad foundation is bound be break the whole thing. Haha I love that you say that, I royally screwed up the face more than ten times probably. Had to bring in different references to get it back on track. Yeah just keep at it man, it'll get better :D
Seriously that's the most awesome part, you really feel like a pirate too! Thanks a bunch dude! It usually works out when it's very simple values. Maybe I will :D
No explanations for these, too much text! Well, I bought some Anthony Jones tutorials, so that will show!
Hi guys! Long time and no post. I've been trying to enjoy the summer for a bit (just kidding, swedish summer means rain) and had to prepare before the interview came. But now it's over and I've already received the results! I got admitted!
So I'm going to start studying game art in a town called Malmö just a bit south of where I live. It's going to include a lot of 3D and stuff, but I'm still going to try and do a bunch of art when times lets me, since that's still going to be the main goal, being a better artist all around. I'm under the opinion that all art complements each other. Besides the best advice I got about art is that the road is never straight. Going to be a fun and long journey!
Figured that I might aswell share some thoughts about the interview and how to prepare. Since I did it last year I could reflect on what I did wrong and what could be improved.
So one of the first things I had to get out of the way was that I usuall float away when I speak; it doesn't always get to the point. I can talk about one subject and float into another one. I believe that during interviews like this it is very important that you are clear about anything you talk about. Make them understand what you want for yourself and for them.
Before heading down there I tried analyzing games (since that's what they teach) and explore what my general opinion was about the "industry" and genres. Because I didn't want to get blindsided by questions, which happened last year.
Last year I got a question that went something along the lines of "20 people have said the exact same thing as you, what makes you stand out?"( had to do with me thinking I could be a good concept artist)
It was a tough question to get on the spot, I might've gone a bit defensive, like, "I've sacrificed a lot of time, blabalba" kind of ashamed about it right now haha.
It is a simple question though now that I've thought about it. You just have to be honest and clear about how you stand out. If you like making character, tell them you love imagining personalities. If you like history, tell them you can recall a bunch of awesome story references. If you can take criticism, say that! You see, simple!Woah!
I was so nervous this time too. That was the only thing I really couldn't control. It got better when I was at location of the interview, but still my hands stiffened up like icesticles when the drawing test came. Even though I did gestures of people at the train station.
Someone reminded me of doing sketches before I started the test itself. Damn that was so obvious, and still I didn't do it last year. So I took a piece of paper and drew a bunch of hands (which was one of the subjects) both to get that numb feeling out of my hands and to explore interesting poses. It lead made the whole thing go quicker I assure you, no going back to erase or rework stuff.
Be smart about the whole thing. They want to hear certain qualities about you, but you shouldn't lie about yourself. The unemployment office here in Sweden had a mandatory thing that I had to attend. Which was mostly a waste of time while being souldraining to the core. Though I did learn very useful things there. One thing is that knowing what personality you are and how to express that is key to interviews. Just by knowing simple adjectives you can describe yourself with, you can stand out easily. See if you can use words that people don't throw around that much.
You'll show that you have self-perception which is golden.
All in all, it was awesome to have a goal get completed like that. Tried thinking that if I get in or not, it won't define me as a person. Felt very healthy.
Thanks for giving me critiques and advice guys, it means a lot to me.
Picture inbetween answers to last posts!
clockodile
Thanks man! It feels a lot more fun to paint him now. I've taken a longer break from it now. But painting something you don't like won't go anywhere, so it was refreshing :D
Glad you like it, always those quick sketches that look good haha.
They are awesome, have to catch up with them too. Only seen like 2 or 3. Love their guests :D
Adzerak
Yeaah I hope so. Gotta get back to him after this long break! That seems to be the most important aspect anyway, having a bad foundation is bound be break the whole thing. Haha I love that you say that, I royally screwed up the face more than ten times probably. Had to bring in different references to get it back on track. Yeah just keep at it man, it'll get better :D
Seriously that's the most awesome part, you really feel like a pirate too! Thanks a bunch dude! It usually works out when it's very simple values. Maybe I will :D
No explanations for these, too much text! Well, I bought some Anthony Jones tutorials, so that will show!