Robert Hodri - Level Designer

[Hourences]

And besides, after seeing PhilipK's and the other GRIN guys portfolios I was kind of discouraged to call myself an environment artist

Don't really.

Yeah, everytime I look at the job sections of various companies, all I see are positions for senior or experienced artists/designers. Kind of frustrating, but I guess there were so many other people before me in that situation. Relocating would also be no problem for me.

Try anyway. Your work is good enough that it may compensate for experience. Also a lot of studios simply try to scare off beginners, and then I mean real beginners. Furthermore sometimes a studio may be looking for a senior person but be able unable to find the person they want, and then ultimately go for a good non senior guy just to have at least someone. In the end anything can go, so just try really. Trying doesn't hurt.

The further away a studio is the more unlikely you are to get hired. If a region has recently has known some studios shutting down, you are unlikely to get hired in that region because the remaining studios will focus solely on the people that were let go at the other studios. Especially for local studios apply anyway, even if the studio is not actively looking for someone. Being good, and local, may still get you an interview.

Yeah, maybe in 10-20 years I'll apply there seriously, I don't think id is a company that hires a lot of guys from europe without any professional experience or shipped AAA titles at all

You'd actually be surprised how many people there are hired at companies like Valve, Epic, iD with no or little experience but just an absolute killer portfolio. Not saying you should apply because that is indeed unlikely to work out right now, but really, it is not impossible either

It is 50 percent about skill, and 50 percent about luck and contacts really. Job hunting as a starter can be very frustrating at times, because half the time you really simply have to be the right guy at the right place and time to get it. The same way people do actually manage to start out at a company like Epic or iD. I know a guy I used to mod with, he has no game dev experience but just made levels for the community. He just got hired as intern at Epic. I can tell you another 50 of these stories really. Don't underestimate "luck" and the frustrations or joys it brings.

[Skjalg]

You also need to remember that even though a killer-awesome studio is interested in you (which they probably will be with that portfolio) it usually means they want to exploit you a little too, which they cant with a seasoned pro.

edit;

What I mean by that, which probably isnt so clear, is that you are just as likely to get a job as a seasoned pro because you come with an extra benefit. (ex. the eagerness to do overtime with no pay).

[Hourences]

Yes, now to make you and other starters scared

Half the game studios on the planet are mismanaged to near the breaking point. Only you won't notice because you just start out, you don't know what to look for, and hell you are happy to have a cool job. This is one of the prime reasons why studios usually crash after a year or 5, or 10 max, and why few actually manage to afloat. Of that half a portion will try to exploit their employees. Either by because they simply don't have enough money but are otherwise nice people, or more likely because they really try to take advantage of you. And hey, as a starter you'll accept anything because you don't know any better and/or you are happy you got something. When I started I had to bring my own PC to work. Seriously. That stuff you don't pull off with someone who has experience because you'll get the middle finger.

Point being, don't sell yourself too easily with your portfolio, or accept a job but keep on looking for something better.

[2d-chris]

It's simple, apply ... what I'd give for the artistic talents you have!! Your work blows mine right out the window

Don't get caught up in politics and all that shit. You'd have to be damn right out of your mind to take a look at your portfolio and cross you off a list. Apply to Crytek! If you want me to poke our lead artist just give me a nod, I'd be very happy to

[Zeta]

I really do not see you having any obsticles with such a great portfolio.

[-HP-]

Apply to Crytek! If you want me to poke our lead artist just give me a nod, I'd be very happy to

Yeah, and you're from Germany, so that's a plus right? Why not... Like hourences say, trying doesn't hurt!

[Steppenwolf]

He is even from Darmstadt, right next to Frankfurt. It would be stupid not to try at least.

[BJA]

@Hourences: Thanks for the tips and little inside stories! bringing your own PC to work...wow, that's somehow funny but also really sad.

@Skjalg: I think as a starter you don't really have another choice than letting you be exploit, at least at the beginning.

@2d-chris: Actually that's what I'm doing and I also applied to Crytek about a month ago. And thanks for your offering to help, would be great of course

@Zeta: Thanks

[tofu]

":1bjohwe0]

Apply to Crytek! If you want me to poke our lead artist just give me a nod, I'd be very happy to

Yeah, and you're from Germany, so that's a plus right? Why not... Like hourences say, trying doesn't hurt!

What they said

[BJA]

I already applied for the level designer position in Frankfurt, maybe I could give the environment modeller vacancy in Kiev a try. Though I can't read the russian job description

[2d-chris]

Let me ask around the various projects here, the website is not always up to date

Do you want to do level design or environment art? It's safe to say you'd be good at both but environment art seems to be your strongest accorrding to portfolio.

[clayman]

impressive stuff dude! =)

[BJA]

@2d-chris: I'd like to do environment art, but wouldn't mind doing level design either. It's just that I've been doing more env art than levels the last years. Thanks again for your help

@clayman: Thanks

[Furyo]

I've seen people with 10 years experience struggle to reach half the quality of your work. If your relocation ideals include moving out of Europe, make sure to send me all your details and I'll pass that along here.