11:00 Man I totally agree. Great advice. As a 3D artist/motion designer, I was terrified when openAI's Sora was announced. Scared me so much that I went on a AI deep dive to figure out how much trouble we're in as artists. After using different AI image/video generation models, I'm nowhere near as worried as I was before. They're still very flawed, currently takes a ton of repeat prompting to get to the result you're after and looks lifeless. My advice for up and coming 3D artists looking to make money is this: 1. If you're having trouble finding a job in 3D or simply don't want a job, you can still make GREAT money. 3D is a versatile skill, as he says in this video, and you can use it to make any kind of content you want. A great place to start is to create your own small projects in 3D and make engaging videos about HOW you made it. Do this on TH-cam and other social platforms CONSISTENTLY and build your name. Eventually you can take on sponsors or start a patreon if you desire in addition to ad revenue. 2. You can combine your skill of 3D with a popular niche like sports, health/medicine, literally anything that has a built in audience, and create a TH-cam channel in that format. Use your 3D skills to make unique, engaging content on something that already has a tried and true audience. This is currently what I do for a living after being laid off from my job as a motion designer a few years back. Try your absolute hardest to think of what you want to do and how to monetize it. Jobs/studios are great but you also have the option to do things on your own, making exactly what you want to make everyday, making great money IF you go hard enough. The same creativity we put into our creations, should be used to create income opportunities for ourselves. And for goodness sake PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. You'd be AMAZED at the opportunities and success that can come to you in this field if you simply DON'T QUIT. Staying passionate during tough times really is the cheat code to all of this. It beats out talent easily. Hang in there, go hard and you can have a great life doing this.
0:09 it's not a complicated answer. YES, it is worth becoming 3d artist at any age of time. even in 2040. but you have to keep in mind about being updated with skill, finding solutions that cut your time but enhances your creativity. brings something new and not generating same results over and over. because if you are doing same thing over and over and expect something drastic, you aren't made for 3D artist world. i have been in 3D animation and rigging world for almost a decade now, started in 2015. people asked this same question then, people ask same question now. and answer is same. YES it is. but it depends on how you choose to grow.
Nice video Matt, definitely some truth nuggets in here. 5:20 this is a fantastic point that not a lot of people are aware of - 3D is used in so many other fields than 'creative'. I was working in Games & Animation before moving over to the Energy industry doing energy safety and training videos or incident re-enactment. I am using the exact same skills as I did working on a Netflix series as a senior character artist. But the energy industry is so much more stable, in some cases can pay better, than the video game or animation business. Be smart folks, it's important to chase dreams but sometimes its just common sense to know when to jump ship. The gaming industry is incredibly volatile right now.
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again. However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
AI would be valuable in some aspects. However, AI isn't gonna replicate the considerations, experience and interaction that an actual 3D artist will have. AI is limited by the users interactions with its software and to be frank, you would be able to offer more if you keep at it. Besides that, while AI can be used to help model objects it wouldn't have the same decision making that you would have in changing some details. Trust me, while AI is useful it won't shelve your career and not by a longshot since it will always be contested by many if anyone attempts to do so.
Wanna thank you for all of your videos, as an aspiring hard surface 3D modeller who took a gap year before going to uni to work on my skills and portfolio, I am so glad I discovered your channel and joined your community. You're a big inspiration and you have some amazing words to say!
the thing about AI is this: its a tool. just like digital media was when it first gained popularity 20 years ago. I remember the forum threads of people hating on "photoshop noobs" that "cheat" with filters and layer painting rather than putting in the skill to learn how to blend and layer color and paints, etc in physical art mediums. now Digital art is just another form of artistic expression. because its just a tool. like watercolor vs oil vs photoshop, no difference. For any current artist to survive, they will need to learn to use the AI tools and benefit from them as a time saving tool. I make EXTENSIVE use of chatGPT and stable diffusion to help me with brainstorming and iterating on concepts quickly. rather than investing days of effort on stuff that just gets rejected. I can get close or just gain inspiration from what the AI produces, then go on to copy it in my own style and technique, Any artist who does not quickly adapt this line of thinking will quickly be outpaced by the rest of us and fall into obscurity, or be forced to focus on physical media, as there is still a market for real work out there, not just digital.
While I understand this concept that it’s “a tool” it will unfortunately not stop at that stage. Adapting to it and using it is going to end up in more loss of jobs and creatives as companies look to squeeze every single cent out of production. Look at Meta, Zuc already wants to completely replace all mid level engineers with AI not because it’s efficient but because it will save more money. It’s up to anyone how they want to use AI but for all of my personal and paid work unless specified I will continue to work with Real human artists.
Just a bit of advice for new artists: please don't be in the mindset that you should accept crunching or over-work as expected behavior when working as a 3D artist. When I was managing 3D artists I had a hard rule on no crunching. If crunch is a regular expected behavior in a studio then it's usually a sign of bad management. Where you're located is also huge. I am making up some numbers here as I don't actually have the data to back up this claim, but my hunch is that post-covid 90% of Junior-Med level art game jobs from the US have been outsourced (remote jobs). From my experience working in game production for 11 years (last role was as a Lead 3D Artist), I generally don't find the industry at large studios to be creative (perhaps ever?). I think it is worth it if you really love 3D art, however there are much easier ways to make money. AI does make individual artists more productive in studio which reduces the team sizes (I've seen it happen). But it's nothing new, it's a tool like anything else. The same way Photoshop made a lot of 3D artists more productive, AI does that in a much more major way.
Love this! Just like Rick Rubin, you have to lead with the art. I've been learning 3D almost every day since March, and once you get to a certain point, in today's world it's really easy to think "how can I monetise this?" but by keeping it for myself it's been really rewarding. Thanks for your insights, really valuable. Out of curiosity, did you go back and forth about monetising your 3D skills throughout your journey?
I did and I’m starting to see what I can do with it but also maintaining my main goal which is to educate. Most of my drive really would be based towards a community driven model but I’m doing my best to avoid making paid courses that aren’t just available on my patreon.
Nice Video Matt, I accept everything what you said. But I have a question. I know this industry pay is less compared to other industries especially where you are a junior. But after getting years of experience , is there a possibility of getting some range of high salary in this field? If yes, what will be the possibilities?
Yeah absolutely there is it just requires the work to get there and make that type of salary entry level is always a low ball salary but once you get to those higher end positions the pay gets better
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again. However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again. However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
11:00 Man I totally agree. Great advice. As a 3D artist/motion designer, I was terrified when openAI's Sora was announced. Scared me so much that I went on a AI deep dive to figure out how much trouble we're in as artists. After using different AI image/video generation models, I'm nowhere near as worried as I was before. They're still very flawed, currently takes a ton of repeat prompting to get to the result you're after and looks lifeless. My advice for up and coming 3D artists looking to make money is this:
1. If you're having trouble finding a job in 3D or simply don't want a job, you can still make GREAT money. 3D is a versatile skill, as he says in this video, and you can use it to make any kind of content you want. A great place to start is to create your own small projects in 3D and make engaging videos about HOW you made it. Do this on TH-cam and other social platforms CONSISTENTLY and build your name. Eventually you can take on sponsors or start a patreon if you desire in addition to ad revenue.
2. You can combine your skill of 3D with a popular niche like sports, health/medicine, literally anything that has a built in audience, and create a TH-cam channel in that format. Use your 3D skills to make unique, engaging content on something that already has a tried and true audience. This is currently what I do for a living after being laid off from my job as a motion designer a few years back.
Try your absolute hardest to think of what you want to do and how to monetize it. Jobs/studios are great but you also have the option to do things on your own, making exactly what you want to make everyday, making great money IF you go hard enough. The same creativity we put into our creations, should be used to create income opportunities for ourselves. And for goodness sake PLEASE DO NOT GIVE UP. You'd be AMAZED at the opportunities and success that can come to you in this field if you simply DON'T QUIT. Staying passionate during tough times really is the cheat code to all of this. It beats out talent easily. Hang in there, go hard and you can have a great life doing this.
I love this! Thanks for the comment!
0:09 it's not a complicated answer.
YES, it is worth becoming 3d artist at any age of time. even in 2040. but you have to keep in mind about being updated with skill, finding solutions that cut your time but enhances your creativity. brings something new and not generating same results over and over. because if you are doing same thing over and over and expect something drastic, you aren't made for 3D artist world. i have been in 3D animation and rigging world for almost a decade now, started in 2015.
people asked this same question then, people ask same question now. and answer is same. YES it is. but it depends on how you choose to grow.
Completely fair take!
Nice video Matt, definitely some truth nuggets in here. 5:20 this is a fantastic point that not a lot of people are aware of - 3D is used in so many other fields than 'creative'. I was working in Games & Animation before moving over to the Energy industry doing energy safety and training videos or incident re-enactment. I am using the exact same skills as I did working on a Netflix series as a senior character artist. But the energy industry is so much more stable, in some cases can pay better, than the video game or animation business. Be smart folks, it's important to chase dreams but sometimes its just common sense to know when to jump ship. The gaming industry is incredibly volatile right now.
Thanks! It’s really unfortunate the way things are right now but hopefully some day it will normalize a bit!
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again.
However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
AI would be valuable in some aspects. However, AI isn't gonna replicate the considerations, experience and interaction that an actual 3D artist will have.
AI is limited by the users interactions with its software and to be frank, you would be able to offer more if you keep at it.
Besides that, while AI can be used to help model objects it wouldn't have the same decision making that you would have in changing some details.
Trust me, while AI is useful it won't shelve your career and not by a longshot since it will always be contested by many if anyone attempts to do so.
Wanna thank you for all of your videos, as an aspiring hard surface 3D modeller who took a gap year before going to uni to work on my skills and portfolio, I am so glad I discovered your channel and joined your community. You're a big inspiration and you have some amazing words to say!
Thank you for being a part of this community and thank you for your kind words! I’m glad my content helps!
thanks for the advice, you pop up right when i'm needed.
btw i notice the background music is a bit distracting tho, little too loud.
Yeah I was having issues on this video but I got it corrected!
@@crypticvisionary its only distracting for a bit like at 12:30 min or at 16. Maybe it because of the song. everything else is fine.
i love 3d. till i die yall. with money or no money
It’s the best
the thing about AI is this: its a tool. just like digital media was when it first gained popularity 20 years ago. I remember the forum threads of people hating on "photoshop noobs" that "cheat" with filters and layer painting rather than putting in the skill to learn how to blend and layer color and paints, etc in physical art mediums. now Digital art is just another form of artistic expression. because its just a tool. like watercolor vs oil vs photoshop, no difference.
For any current artist to survive, they will need to learn to use the AI tools and benefit from them as a time saving tool. I make EXTENSIVE use of chatGPT and stable diffusion to help me with brainstorming and iterating on concepts quickly. rather than investing days of effort on stuff that just gets rejected. I can get close or just gain inspiration from what the AI produces, then go on to copy it in my own style and technique, Any artist who does not quickly adapt this line of thinking will quickly be outpaced by the rest of us and fall into obscurity, or be forced to focus on physical media, as there is still a market for real work out there, not just digital.
While I understand this concept that it’s “a tool” it will unfortunately not stop at that stage. Adapting to it and using it is going to end up in more loss of jobs and creatives as companies look to squeeze every single cent out of production. Look at Meta, Zuc already wants to completely replace all mid level engineers with AI not because it’s efficient but because it will save more money. It’s up to anyone how they want to use AI but for all of my personal and paid work unless specified I will continue to work with Real human artists.
Thank you for your Videos here and on Insta, you are awesome!
I am currently studying to become a 3D artist and your videos help me a lot!
I’m glad the help! Thank you for following me!
Thank you, brother artist!
Of course!
Thanks for this honest video, it gives a lot of motivation again 🙏🏻
I’m glad it helped!!
"Matt you should make videos on 3D modeling."
"haha yeah maybe..."
😅😅
Just a bit of advice for new artists: please don't be in the mindset that you should accept crunching or over-work as expected behavior when working as a 3D artist. When I was managing 3D artists I had a hard rule on no crunching. If crunch is a regular expected behavior in a studio then it's usually a sign of bad management.
Where you're located is also huge. I am making up some numbers here as I don't actually have the data to back up this claim, but my hunch is that post-covid 90% of Junior-Med level art game jobs from the US have been outsourced (remote jobs).
From my experience working in game production for 11 years (last role was as a Lead 3D Artist), I generally don't find the industry at large studios to be creative (perhaps ever?). I think it is worth it if you really love 3D art, however there are much easier ways to make money.
AI does make individual artists more productive in studio which reduces the team sizes (I've seen it happen). But it's nothing new, it's a tool like anything else. The same way Photoshop made a lot of 3D artists more productive, AI does that in a much more major way.
Love this! Just like Rick Rubin, you have to lead with the art. I've been learning 3D almost every day since March, and once you get to a certain point, in today's world it's really easy to think "how can I monetise this?" but by keeping it for myself it's been really rewarding. Thanks for your insights, really valuable. Out of curiosity, did you go back and forth about monetising your 3D skills throughout your journey?
I did and I’m starting to see what I can do with it but also maintaining my main goal which is to educate. Most of my drive really would be based towards a community driven model but I’m doing my best to avoid making paid courses that aren’t just available on my patreon.
I do wonder if it will have the opposite effect and cause people to appreciate the real thing more and create more of a demand for it.
I’m fairly confident that will happen look at how pissed people are at coke for using AI to make their holiday commercial
thanks bro
You are welcome!
Nice Video Matt, I accept everything what you said. But I have a question. I know this industry pay is less compared to other industries especially where you are a junior. But after getting years of experience , is there a possibility of getting some range of high salary in this field? If yes, what will be the possibilities?
Yeah absolutely there is it just requires the work to get there and make that type of salary entry level is always a low ball salary but once you get to those higher end positions the pay gets better
i say no, wth the new AI PROGAMS THEY DO A EPIC JOB THEY WILL BE LIKE CAD WAS TO ENGINEERS LESS ENGINEERS NEEDED
That’s an L take not gonna lie also AI is not epic the video models look like our trash
@@crypticvisionary AND THIS ONE th-cam.com/video/VGzkW3AsqwU/w-d-xo.html
u can do it for hobby 4 sure.........but to land a job, and make it as a career in gamedev AAA...NOPE !!
I wouldn’t say that sure the market is tough but the opportunity is out there
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again.
However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
Thank you for making the video. I've recently been having some doubt in what I'm doing. This video has made me motivated again.
However, I'm still terrified of AI taking my potential career. I don't think AI will fade, and it will eventually be a complicated part in businesses. Rest of the vid, I'm with u bro 😁
We will for sure see what happens! I’m glad the video helped!