SIP Inquiry

So, after sending off an inquiry as to the usefulness of my school's SIP for landing a job in the video game industry (art-wise), I finally got a response from the president of brokenbulb game studios, Jason Moore. This is the conversation:

Me:

Dear Jason Moore,

My name is Brandon Gilmore. I met you last night at the IGDA Phoenix meeting (your speech was great). I am currently attending UAT in pursuit of a degree in video game modeling, specifically focusing on 3d environment art.

I am asking for your opinion on something which I will describe to the best of my ability herein:

My school has recently implemented something it calls SIP (Senior Innovation Project). This consists of about 4 classes that guide a student through the process of designing, and possibly creating, an innovative project. All students must come up with something (preferably in their field of study) to innovate upon. And this is for each individual. Let’s say a group has an innovative idea for a video game. The designer can claim his innovative design. The programmer may come up with some new AI method or what have you. The artist, under the innovation requirements, is kind of out of luck there.

This is a graduation requirement for all students of the University. The graduation requirement was once a portfolio, but it is my understanding that said requirement is being phased out, with this SIP replacing it (they currently co-exist, but soon may not).

Some concerns students have with the SIP is that it requires an extensive amount of time, time that could normally be spent on creating a passable portfolio. So much time, in fact, that many students are having to create lackluster portfolios during school so they can get the SIP requirement done for graduation.

Another concern with this SIP is that some majors are more able to do this than others. As stated before, a programmer could easily work their innovation into a portfolio. However, for a 3d modeler, it is my understanding portfolio implementation is quite a bit more difficult, if not impossible. From what I have learned through CGI communities such as Polycount and CGSociety, the hiring process for a 3d artist involves a quick scan of the portfolio and resume, followed by the interview. The users on those communities that are involved in hiring processes for gaming companies are very quick to tell posters what should and should not be in a portfolio. Based on these recommendations, I do not see any innovative project being acceptable, as simply creating a new character or prop does not fall under my school’s idea of an innovation. As I understand, 3d artists are slaves to our tools. Any innovation in the tools requires a programming skillset. That would not make me a programmer, not an artist. While I, personally, can learn these concepts, not many artists can, and definitely not in the time span of college.

So I ask, do you feel there is any use for this SIP project in the video game industry, specifically for 3d artists such as what I aspire to be? Do you see this being considered whatsoever in the hiring process? Are any of my concerns valid? Finally, what perceptions am I in error about? Thank you for your time.

Sincerely,

Brandon C Gilmore

P.S.: I understand that your company does not do too much work in 3d art, but any opinion you may have on the matter would prove valuable. Or if you know of any artists that might be able to answer the questions, as well.

Reply:

Brandon,

Thanks for the email. Your email is very well thought out and I can see that you are quite an intelligent person approaching this disagreeable SIP with an eye towards understanding it better. Well done.

First and foremost, as you already alluded to, I am not currently in the 3d world when it comes to hiring. So everything I say should be taken with a grain of salt. That being said, we work a ton with art, and obviously are in the exact same field of gaming.

My first impression of the SIP program, as a local gaming business owner, is that it is a fantastic program. My impression as a student I'm sure could be different. See, as a business owner, I'm not interested in hiring everyone with a graphic degree. I'm interested in hiring the best someone for the job. That means that I want someone who has done something above and beyond what everyone else in the field has done and can do.

Don't get me wrong, art is art, and I want to hire someone who shows me the best art. But the truth is that there are many qualified people in the grouping of "best level of art" and when it comes time to pick someone out of that group, I'm going to look for someone who shows me something special.

The fact of the matter is that it is precisely BECAUSE of the incredible challenge to innovate in an Art program that makes succeeding so special. Not everyone can do it. It seems like an almost unfair task to be placed on every student. But again, I don't care. I'm not looking for every student, I'm looking for THAT student. And this challenge gives every student a chance to BE that special talent.

As for the time that it takes to perform a SIP getting in the way of a portfolio, I have to say I'm skeptical that one would preclude the other. A portfolio is something that will grow over time forever. Things you've done a long time ago and things you will do tomorrow will make it in. Given the fact that you're not going to infinitely grow the size of the portfolio, you don't necessarily need 1,000 examples. Just put in the best examples. If working on the SIP project means that your portfolio is bad, then I think there is something else wrong.

Also, you are half correct in saying that what employers do is scan through a portfolio and resume and decide on doing an interview. The thing is, you're skipping an important step: getting me to LOOK at your portfolio. Too often people apply for a job and simply attach a portfolio and resume as if it doesn't matter to them. So when I open my email, I see nothing but attachments to a blank email. I can assure you that when I open a job response and it starts with them telling me about them and why they want the job, I am 100% more likely to give them a shot. And here's the kicker. If in that email they tell me that they went above and beyond, or did something innovative in their field already, I'm going to be excited opening their portfolio. Art is somewhat subjective, as you know. If I open your portfolio assuming you could be a rockstar, I'm going to be more inclined to side with your art.

So that's my take on the SIP. The question becomes, what the hell do you innovate. And truthfully, that should be 90% of the work. If you spend the majority of your time figuring out "the idea" that IS innovative, then the work will come easy. My only guidance I can give you with regards to innovating in 3d art is to think about what currently sucks for artists, or employers of artists.

Obviously whatever you land on as your "innovation" you hope is something that people go, "wow, that is actually useful." Which means you should start with what would be useful and then work backwards to see how to innovate the problem away.

Hope that gives you another subjective opinion on the matter. If you need any help or if you have ideas you want to toss by me, feel free.

Good luck with your project!

Regards,

Jason Moore

www.BrokenBulbStudios.com

President

My Reply:

Jason,

Thank you very much for taking the time to respond. I have found this to be very insightful. I never really approached the SIP concept from quite the perspective you gave. Upon thinking of it, there are many artists that may be more than qualified for a position, but a selection must be made SOMEHOW, so standing out in a positive way would be of benefit. And I see that this SIP can allow for that, if done correctly. I also thank you for the reminder of getting someone to LOOK at the portfolio. To be honest, I did not consider that applicants would merely send a blank email with links. I wish you luck with your company.

Sincerely,
Brandon Gilmore