Calvin ✨

...because often you'll be tasked to do something, and will run into an insurmountable technical roadblock - it's your job then to find a way to navigate around it, or even turn it into an advantage! #techart #careeradvice

Especially in the early stages of a production, those unique solutions can have far-reaching consequences for the whole project. The better you have the big picture in view, the more effectively you can guide the project in a technically sound direction. #techart #careeradvice

This is probably the most difficult thing, especially in large teams, but it's something only tech artists can do. We are uniquely positioned to understand a problem from all angles, and take into account the needs of all involved departments! #techart #careeradvice

As for the boring stuff, the practical skills you'll find useful include but aren't limited to: - 3D Art - Rigging - Programming (Python & C++ and/or Blueprints in #UE4) - UI/UX - Shader & texture creation - VFX - Statistics & all Math - everything I forgot #techart #careeradvice

But if you only take one thing from my ramblings, let it be this: become a sponge, and gobble up all of the knowledge you find, regardless of disciplinary boundaries. There is so much to learn and that's so very exciting! #techart #careeradvice

Q1: Is there some kind of (unspoken) max. age for entering (senior)? Q2: Is it enough to have the most important abilities and (mostly) catch up with the rest (asap) "realtime"? Q3: Is a "tech artist" the same as "creative developer" or even more standard?

1. The industry as a whole is unfortunately a bit ageist, but in my book, if you have relevant or related experience, that makes you more valuable to a team, not less! Seniority is more about competence than years served in the corners of the game industry that I've seen.

2. Depends on the position and needs of the studio, really. I encourage learning as we go, but having a good base of relevant expertise is useful. But for example, on my team, each tech artist has a different specialty and focus, and not everyone could do everyone else's work.