How does one make it as a freelance artist?

[mapper724]

I'm curious, How does one make it as a freelance digital artist whether it be 3d, Photoshop etc. I'm more interested in the 3d part but does anyone know of say one of the easiest ways to go about it? The reason I ask is because a friend and I are currently going to school for 3d and are thinking about doing freelance work. How does one start that?

[bclark22]

Personally, I don't freelance, but I do know some people who do or have done freelance work.

My advice would be to finish school and work really really hard during your time at school following tons of training DVDs and other training materials. I am just getting out of school and am VERY far ahead of other kids in my major, because they never practiced outside their time at school. You will not learn everything you need to learn at school, I guarentee it.

Other than that, You'll want a very good demo reel and portfolio website to show off your skills. Remember that we are in a very visual-oriented career path so if you have amazing work and skills you can show off, I am a firm believer that you will not have problems finding a job.

You can use websites like this one, creativecow, and other 3d forums to get work in their job sections. There is also sites that are specially designed for freelancers, such as www.elance.com and www.freelancer.com

[mapper724]

K Cool thanks. :)

[Crispy4004]

This may vary from industry to industry, but I wouldn't bother trying to scour the internet for 3D freelance jobs. There is probably decent stuff out there relating to CAD, digital painting, and/or graphic design, but with 3D it's always slim pickings for rather poor gigs.

At least with the VFX industry, my understanding is most freelancers are actual company employee's brought on to finish a project. After that's done they'll either keep you around, some other studio will pick you up for a similar scenario, or you'll need to re-apply elsewhere. The goal is after a while of freelance work you make it as a resident artist.

Whatever freelance work you are looking for (or job for that matter), the best advice I can give is to create an outstanding portfolio and work will come to you, and with that contacts. Also look at current trends, and try to develop skills that are more specialized than what everyone else is doing, because those are the artists people need most.

Last keep in mind many studios have recruiters specifically looking for young talent on sites like this so remember you have an audience. Never hurts to mention in your WIP threads that your a student seeking a job, internship, or even current leads you might have. Worked for me. Also it wouldn't hurt trying to seek out these people and try to go to events they will be attending.

[Crispy4004]

I am just getting out of school and am VERY far ahead of other kids in my major, because they never practiced outside their time at school. You will not learn everything you need to learn at school, I guarentee it.
My school has a decent sized animation department, probably around 90 or so students, with maybe 50 students currently taking 3D classes, but the majority still seem to wind up illustration artists, storyboard artists and/or traditional animators. I guess that comes with the Cal State Disneyland persona (CSUFs other name). Out of all that I've meet maybe 5 3D artists here that actively get their work critiqued on forums. The difference can be night and day.

It's important to remember though your real competition is not going to come from the school you attend, unless of course you are at a place like Van Arts with students who already have a professional quality to them. It's going to come from that small percentage of students at other schools as wild about 3D as we are, which actually do make up a lot of competition in a small industry.

[Sathe]

Build up your folio with cool stuff and work comes to you. Simple as that.