I'm currently looking at the possibilities that being a full-time terrain artist could afford me. I have a lot of history around developing terrain, and I've been told that my artistic talent for terrain design is fantastic and I've got a moderate amount of knowledge around basic data editing in the galaxy editor. I'm currently working with someone on a map that's not a paid position, but the reality that I could turn this into a full-time or part-time source of income has been brought to my attention. That being said, I have a few general questions regarding the possibility of finding work doing this on a team as a paid artist.
What do terrain artist positions usually offer financially? I've seen financial offers for data editors, UI creators, ability creators and the like, but not much in the way of terrain artists specifically.
Are terrain artists generally expected to have other skill sets? I know it's always a good idea to be able to offer as much as possible to a team, but are teams typically trying to combine terrain design with another role in the team?
What time constraints are terrain artists typically given?
What are teams typically looking for when hiring a terrain artist?
1. Depends. Projects itself can range from simple maps to Total Conversions.
2. Not really(but again, it depends), and you answered that question in part.
3. If its a paid position you can imagine the expected turn around time to be 'damn fast'
4. Experience, Portfolio work, Samples etc(Not limited to the Sc2 level editor). Self dedicated and passionate. That would be the general/standard criteria.
and I've been told that my artistic talent for terrain design is fantastic
Yea that reminds me of bad singers that say their friends and family think they are great.
In conclusion, I would not bank on this being a full time source of income. Definitely not. Part time source, thats a possibility.
I suppose your bolded quote deserves that response. In this case, I was told that by the person I'm developing a map for right now. Moot point, but I wanted to clarify against the idea that "Mommy says I'm beautiful..." is where I fit with that. I admit, I chuckled when I read it and facepalmed.
Nonetheless, thank you for the answers! I've got experience and a small portfolio of SC2 maps (Unfortunately, I lost all my Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, and Unreal Tournament map files from a hard drive failure a few years back), but I wanted to get some general information before I actually tried to advertise myself for a team.
Would love additional feedback if anyone else had thoughts! :)
It will be hard for you to find work as a terrainer. One reason is because not many projects pay people for work since there is no money in map making at this point. Another reason is because there are a ton of people that enjoy terraining. Many people will join a project to do terrain work for free. Of course if you can make yourself stand out from the rest with exceptional work then you can get some paid terrain work when the openings are available. At this point full time income isn't possible. Part time is a possibility.
He is pretty good btw. The person who says so is me. Id rate him as well.. a 7.5 on a 10 scale 10 being the best I have ever seen (Dwarfius, and some other terrains done for cortex roleplay).
I dub myself as a terrainer but then this guy came along and showed me a map and I was pretty awed. I rate myself at a 5-6.. maybe 5.5. It's good to have someone work on your terrain when they love the work and they know what theyre doing for a change ;)
It will be hard for you to find work as a terrainer. One reason is because not many projects pay people for work since there is no money in map making at this point. Another reason is because there are a ton of people that enjoy terraining. Many people will join a project to do terrain work for free. Of course if you can make yourself stand out from the rest with exceptional work then you can get some paid terrain work when the openings are available. At this point full time income isn't possible. Part time is a possibility.
I have money and I have paid people before to create map assets for me. You know, I'm good with all other aspects of editor except terrain. I have an eye for artistic ability however I can not do art to save my life. My terrain that I try my damnest to make turns out to be barf and I scrap it leaving dissatisfied.
As for you Gorezug, make a post looking for work and offer examples of your previous work so people can get a feel for your terraining techniques. Also offer pay scale based on map sizes as an example, you know more more about it than I do and an estimated time for a finished product. You just have to market yourself out there and if the price is right, you may get some sales.
Hey everyone!
I'm currently looking at the possibilities that being a full-time terrain artist could afford me. I have a lot of history around developing terrain, and I've been told that my artistic talent for terrain design is fantastic and I've got a moderate amount of knowledge around basic data editing in the galaxy editor. I'm currently working with someone on a map that's not a paid position, but the reality that I could turn this into a full-time or part-time source of income has been brought to my attention. That being said, I have a few general questions regarding the possibility of finding work doing this on a team as a paid artist.
@Ickynesss: Go
1. Depends. Projects itself can range from simple maps to Total Conversions.
2. Not really(but again, it depends), and you answered that question in part.
3. If its a paid position you can imagine the expected turn around time to be 'damn fast'
4. Experience, Portfolio work, Samples etc(Not limited to the Sc2 level editor). Self dedicated and passionate. That would be the general/standard criteria.
and I've been told that my artistic talent for terrain design is fantastic
Yea that reminds me of bad singers that say their friends and family think they are great.
In conclusion, I would not bank on this being a full time source of income. Definitely not. Part time source, thats a possibility.
@EternalWraith: Go
I suppose your bolded quote deserves that response. In this case, I was told that by the person I'm developing a map for right now. Moot point, but I wanted to clarify against the idea that "Mommy says I'm beautiful..." is where I fit with that. I admit, I chuckled when I read it and facepalmed.
Nonetheless, thank you for the answers! I've got experience and a small portfolio of SC2 maps (Unfortunately, I lost all my Counter-Strike, Day of Defeat, and Unreal Tournament map files from a hard drive failure a few years back), but I wanted to get some general information before I actually tried to advertise myself for a team.
Would love additional feedback if anyone else had thoughts! :)
It will be hard for you to find work as a terrainer. One reason is because not many projects pay people for work since there is no money in map making at this point. Another reason is because there are a ton of people that enjoy terraining. Many people will join a project to do terrain work for free. Of course if you can make yourself stand out from the rest with exceptional work then you can get some paid terrain work when the openings are available. At this point full time income isn't possible. Part time is a possibility.
lol This scrub is the type of "Quality" that a map marketplace would have brought :P
@Imperfect1987: Go
That's actually along the lines of what I was thinking. Thanks for the feedback!
He is pretty good btw. The person who says so is me. Id rate him as well.. a 7.5 on a 10 scale 10 being the best I have ever seen (Dwarfius, and some other terrains done for cortex roleplay).
I dub myself as a terrainer but then this guy came along and showed me a map and I was pretty awed. I rate myself at a 5-6.. maybe 5.5. It's good to have someone work on your terrain when they love the work and they know what theyre doing for a change ;)
Keep it up Gore!
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I have money and I have paid people before to create map assets for me. You know, I'm good with all other aspects of editor except terrain. I have an eye for artistic ability however I can not do art to save my life. My terrain that I try my damnest to make turns out to be barf and I scrap it leaving dissatisfied.
As for you Gorezug, make a post looking for work and offer examples of your previous work so people can get a feel for your terraining techniques. Also offer pay scale based on map sizes as an example, you know more more about it than I do and an estimated time for a finished product. You just have to market yourself out there and if the price is right, you may get some sales.
@Sware: Go
I will do that soon! Gonna finish up the project I'm on now.