Jobs in 3D Modeling

From researching 3D Modelling jobs, I found numerous job listings and compared the repeated skills, responsibilities and expectations of applicants.

Commonly expected Software

It is expected of applicants to be proficient in certain software. Autodesk is a common company referenced throughout the job listings. Almost all of the listings make reference to either Maya or 3D Studio Max, with the Environment Artist Role (Figure 4) expecting applicants to be 'Strong with using 3D Studio Max'. So Autodesk 3D Modelling software seems to be a must to be working in professionally.

Another industry standard software includes Adobe Creative Suite, with Adobe Photoshop being the favourite among companies. The Rockstar Games listing (Figure 2) expects expertise in Photoshop, so this shows that its used in professional companies that produce AAA Titles.

The job with Ubisoft (Figure 5) lists experience in hard surface and organic modelling and Amplified Robot (Figure 11) expects experience using ZBrush. This suggests that knowledge and experience with sculpting software is necessary to be working to a professional standard.

While some of these I am skilled in, there are others that I can improve in, and software like Mudbox and ZBrush I haven't ever used. So this is one avenue that I could go down for my dissertation.

In terms of technical skills, a lot of listings make reference to optimisation to import into Game Engines. Figure 1, 7, 8 and 11 mention Unity as a game engine the applicant should know, while Figure 4 lists Unreal Engine 4 as the game engine experience is needed with. I have experience with both, and so this may require more research to decide which I might need to use, if at all necessary.

Common Skills

As well as the ability to use this software, a number of skills are needed for a lot of the listings. I have made note of the recurring mentions:

• Ability to model assets with optimisation in mind
• Poly Count consideration
• XView Checks to ensure assets are game ready
• Ability to model environments
• Highly Detailed
• Large resolution
• Sculpting/Organic Modelling
• Baked high poly to low poly for optimisations
• Ultra-realistic/Photo-realistic
• PBR Shader
• Lighting
• Rendering Engine/Game Engine
• Engines that support this workflow
• Texturing
• Consistent scale
• Consistent with Environment
• consistent resolution 
• Physically based rendering systems

I intend to continue researching these skills I've identified as the expectation of professional 3D Modelling Jobs which can inform my Final Project. Specifically, identifying skills that are relative to Environmental Artist jobs to narrow down the limitations and expectations of my work and the workflow i follow

Portfolio Expectations

Having listed what they expect, a lot of companies expect a portfolio which demonstrates an understanding and the ability to use these skills in practice. Particularly, to demonstrate that the applicant has experience in creating assets from concept art stages through to implementation (Figure 7, Figure 1) This is something I need to consider when documenting my Final Project, and for 3D Modelling tasks I undertake in the future, as if I chronicle them through stages, I can show this journey in my portfolio.

 

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Figure11

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Current Goals

From this research, I have found some techniques and terms I am unfamiliar with, so my next step is to investigate these skills, and test them out to identify a workflow. I also want to narrow down my investigation into specific Environmental Artist jobs, and identify skills that are unique to that role, rather than 3D Modelling.

Sources:

Indeed.co.uk. (2017). Job Search | Indeed. [online] Available at: https://www.indeed.co.uk/ [Accessed 30 Aug. 2017].

Reed.co.uk. (2017). Jobs and Recruitment on reed.co.uk, the UK's #1 job site. [online] Available at: https://www.reed.co.uk/ [Accessed 30 Aug. 2017].