Back from my 4th GDCEu / Gamescom

I was lucky enough to have been chosen as a Conference Associate for GDC Eu for the 4th time, and spent the first week of August in Cologne, staying with my brother who is studying medicine in the university rather than at a hostel.
Escaped extremely hot weather in Israel. Not that Germany was exactly cool.

It was a pleasure seeing my once-a-year game development geek friends, and to make a few new ones I'll hope to see in the future. Alex, my super confident Greek friend, couldn't make it this year, but I've applied some of the things he taught me, and walked myself right into a few press presentations.
Was expecting a good Gamescom, but got a lot of exclusive videos rather than hands on gameplay. Good year for shirts my size, a few other choice pieces of swag.
Showed my portfolio around, including a great review from some creatives working at Motiga, Handed out some business cards, and followed up in the week since.
I probably could have done more of that, as always, Not sure if my dreams of breaking into the game industry will be realized this year, but it doesn't feel like it.

I was lucky enough to find a position as an archviz artist at a studio within walking distance, practically the only one in my hometown. Wasn't lucky enough to keep the position, with gaming on my mobile device being one of the reasons I was laid off. I really need to find a job at a game studio where playing isn't just tolerated - it is encouraged.
Even though I knew it might not last, it was still frustrating to be let go, especially now that I'm sitting at home wondering what my next move ought to be.

Gonna shut my trap and give you some speed paints to look at.
I'd show the work I did at the archviz studio, but my boss thought otherwise.

On the (Job) Hunt Again

Finished modeling, texturing, lighting and rendering my architectural visualization. Gave the renders a post production treatment in photoshop, and started applying to jobs.
Unlike concept art, I actually see posting for such positions in Israel. I have no idea how much competition I have or how I compare with others, but at least I have hope.
Being sent a confirmation that my CV has been received is a refreshing change from the days where I applied to jobs I had no intention of pursuing, just so I can get a break from my concerned mother.

After a few days of taking things easy, I felt like there's still plenty to do on the concept art side of things, where my long term plans still lie, and I dusted off the gun concepts I had worked on, finishing them today.

Sign ups for the GDC Eu Conference Associate program have come in last Monday, naturally I signed up. Mom told me she would sponsor just one more such trip to Cologne, so I should probably talk to her about making arrangements to do so, though I still hope I get hired soon and manage to provide for my own travel and accommodation expenses, as well as perks.

Speed Paints:

Not changing direction, more like switching lanes.

It's the middle of April and I've been unemployed for over a year (again.)

Had a few job interviews, of those a few seemed genuinely exciting and interesting, but there's no use crying over spilled milk, and trying to reapply won't change the results.

Just experiencing the usual problems - it's either a lack of experience, an irrelevant portfolio, a mismatch between my personality and the job requirements that makes me shoot it down, or just plain bad luck.

I'm currently thinking it will take me a few more years before I can become an expat, I decided to go with architectural rendering.

Might be able to find a full time position in Israel doing that, and it's not completely unrelated to my game art dreams. Saw a job ad for a studio designing booths for trade shows that seems amazing... Not sure how important the experience requirement really is, but it can't hurt to try.

I found a series of tutorials for architectural rendering in 3ds max + v-ray, which seems to be the software of choice, and having watching them all (and learned a ton) I'm now making progress on my own project, using CAD plans I found as a sample on Autodesk 360.

I've just completed the modeling and set up a basic sun systems and a few cameras to test some clay renders out.

I hope this works, I'd like to make it to Cologne in August again, hopefully as a GDCEu Conference Associate for the 4th time running.
Who knows, maybe having some 3d work in my portfolio will open up the right door.

Also finished working on the dragon egg a while back

And did a silly thing in reply to a tweet about "salamandersona"

Now to go back through memory lane, and pick out my favorite speed paints since the last time I've posted here