Alistair Hill - Level/Environment Artist

[smok3y]

Hi, everyone! 

 

Please could you take a peek at my portfolio? It's still a WIP, but I'd appreciate any advice from the experts on this site. Here's a couple of quick questions for clarification:

• Should I post level files to download and play, or will screenshots suffice?
• The more content the merrier, or only show your best work? I'm thinking of posting more textures, tutorials, MIPs (Maps In Progress) etc. but don't want to clutter the site.
• Should I refer to my community handles, or just peddle completed work under my real name?

 

I have a bunch more questions, but here's my site for now: http://www.alistairhill.net.

 

 

Thank you!

Alistair

Edited July 6, 2013 by smok3y

[knj]

this is folio or blog ? or smth else ?

first  what is showing to me are some articles ? if you are env art / level art - screens (the best ones) should pop up and show your work, after looking at your site i cant tell are you a designer, artist or i dont know

[smok3y]

Thanks for the feedback, KNJ!

 

It's all related...what you're seeing on the first page is indeed linked to my blog, which talks about my thesis on game design: graphics vs. gameplay. I could just provide the link straight to my portfolio alistairhill.net/maps, but I totally get what you're saying about making a distinction...I tried to keep it broad as I'm interested in both level design and environment artist junior positions. Do you think a skills page would help, or just declare myself a level designer and leave the other (texture examples) content on there?  

[knj]

i think you should decide what job title you want to have and show it, or maybe put online several pages showing you as a designer/artist ect

[TarrySruman]

Elaborate more on the pages for your levels and make the pictures much bigger. Right now you click on a map and get a thumbnail-sized screenshot and half a sentence explaining what it is.

[smok3y]

Thanks, guys.

@KNJ: I'm just working on that now, thanks for elaborating!

@ TarrySruman: I totally see your point...the older maps have less info because they're older screenshots from archived files, but I should make an effort to revive them and keep consistency. All pictures should lead to a larger image, when you click on it, but I think you're saying it would be better to make all images quicker to see/more accessible, rather than having to do an extra click to view the native size. Regarding the text, that's a great tip too! I've recently seen some great examples that breakdown the time and what/who was involved in making them...it was silly to think that viewers would just assume it was all my work, including concept/art etc.

[smok3y]

KNJ/TarrySruman: please could you check out my updated portfolio? I've tried to take all your suggestions into account. http://www.alistairhill.net/maps/

 

Cheers!

[smok3y]

...or anyone else can provide input.

[Setin]

I would say that you need more pictures. Also I would remove that filter you have over all of your pictures, just show what it actually looks like. Only 2-3 per map is pretty low. If possible, videos would be an excellent addition to the site so that we can see the maps in action. People have a low attention span and you have to capture an employers attention very quickly and wow them, so videos can definitely help with that. 

[smok3y]

Thanks, Setin! Yeah, I definitely agree that a video would be great...need to dedicate some time to learn how to merge video, so I can provide a highlight reel of maps. 

 

BTW: I really liked your DE_Petrol...baffled why it didn't place! Oh and just a few more days until Heisenberg's return

[Kedhrin]

please get rid of the flash. simple is best. the only time i like flash is when an image grows on the screen (with no animation), i don't like open and closing tabs.

 

your portfolio should be the first thing that comes up, i probably wouldn't read your blog.

 

i had a hard time navigating your site, i would've almost instantly looked over you because of this.  i'm not sure what i'm looking at, i'm not going to spend time looking at your research - i want to see your levels, screenshots and layouts - keep the overly complex stuff as sub options.

[smok3y]

Hi, Kedhrin: as you didn't pass me up, did I get the job?

 

Thanks for taking the time to look it over and provide excellent feedback. Will definitely revisit my images and try to make the portfolio come up first.

 

It almost feels like conforming to everyone else's layout--whilst still standing out--is tougher than making the levels themselves...which I'd much rather have everyone talking about!

Edited August 14, 2013 by smok3y