ABANDONED HIDEOUT

[Amit Dutta]

Yo Amit, any advice for someone trying to get that first job? tips and tricks? cheat codes? lol, Im still trying to work my portfolio...

First I'll answer your question with a question. Have you tried to send your stuff to FFG or Paizo?

If not, your first cheat is to f%"c@$ g just DO IT. Don't censor yourself first. You will know pretty quickly, within a few weeks once they run their new series of runs for artwork if it makes the grade. You'll get a bulk bcc email asking for interest in taking jobs. That easy. If you don't send it, you won't get it. That's actually the best tip. Cutout your self censor.

I think some of your stuff is probably up FFG's alley for style and quality. I think I've seen worse that has been published. They have shit starter rates so most pros won't stick with it for too long I would say, so they are always looking for new meat. Don't know about Paizo, haven't sent them my stuff yet.

realise that you are as good as your worst folio piece, so be brutal with your "maybe" pieces. If there are obvious or large flaws in any fundamentals of any piece really reconsider keeping that as representative of your work in your folio.
Better to have 3 awesome solid pieces only than to have 3 solid and 7 flawed ones.

The other main thing I learned is that you need to shotgun your folio like a beast consistently. I always sent at least two emails each night after an hour max of researching for new companies/recently successful or about to be successful kickstarters that matched what I wanted to do. Researched and stalked ADs to contact directly, publishing houses, indie game boards, boardgamegeek forums, polycount, conceptart.org, even reddit gamedev subs. All resulted in some work eventually. after 3 weeks of this I already had a large list of places to send my stuff to that I still haven't got around to but will. I also plan on resending my newest work to the best clients or ones I would want to work for in the future, after a few months or when I have some spare time. make it a priority to promote.

Make sure your emails are polite, get to the point quickly (no essays on your art struggle), don't talk about your work except if you want to highlight specific areas of interest/specialisation relevant to their projects, but don't harp on about it. Don't use desperate language and don't be chummy or too informal either because it comes across as unprofessional. Make it appear like you are very interested in their work, that you are available, and then a link to a folio, And maybe attach a couple of your best suited pieces (check if they have any submission requirements, some don't like attached images, some do).
. Give it a go today, don't put off what you can do today to tomorrow..
Then just repeat.
Hope that helps!