Pixelation

General => General Discussion => Topic started by: sonic_reaper on August 11, 2009, 03:43:45 am

Title: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: sonic_reaper on August 11, 2009, 03:43:45 am
I've been looking for some freelance work for the last couple of months now and ... nothing.  It's one of three things; the developer can't afford me; the developer doesn't respond to the ad; talks begin, but nothing ever becomes of it.

I don't mean to sound like a whiny baby--but what the heck?  I remember a couple years ago when there actually seemed to be a lot of opportunity, and people were approaching me with jobs.  Now, it's like shooting in the dark.  I've literally replied to all the job wanted postings at this forum, on other forums, and just done general searches online.  I emailed 10 potential developers on one particular day.  Two responded.  One said they couldn't afford me, the other said they had a job lined up, but its been a week now and they haven't gotten back to me.

I'm sure many who've worked freelance can understand the feeling.  It's frustrating and hopeless.  But I'm really starting to think that maybe this particular field is just ... done.  Dried up.  Nothing more to see here folks.  Cause it certainly seems that way.  Not even some of my old contacts (nvision, particularly of all people--and we know he's an amazing artist and constantly working) could get me some gigs.

Argh.  Posting this to vent, I suppose, even at the expense of sounding particularly whiny.

But how's everyone else doing, who's working part to full time doing?  Maybe I'm just going about this the wrong way.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Frychiko on August 11, 2009, 04:19:33 am
Heh, I'm noticing a lot of posts/talk about Pixel art jobs these days. Brings back memories :)

When I was out of a job 3-4 years ago I tried to pick up some freelance pixel art work again (previously worked as a full time pixel artist for 3-4 years about 8 years ago). During the 3-months I found only one (low-paying) gig so I eventually had to go get a day job again.

When I started working again I found more gigs coming in (not all exclusively pixel art though) and it was stable part-time income for many months. I stopped doing it after a while because doing two/three jobs at the same time was stressful for me. For part time income, it was just okay. Full-time wise, I never found enough freelance/off-site/remote work out there unless you take up a full-time position in-house somewhere (of which there were plenty!). 

I eventually started my own business in another field so I don't do art anymore and don't know how the scene is these days.

You'll need more than a couple of months to find something...

Those are my thoughts.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: sonic_reaper on August 11, 2009, 04:29:01 am
Yeah luckily for me I am working a full time job at the moment.  However, it's totally unrelated to art, and the pay could be way better.  Without it though, I couldn't function.  However, for a long time now, as I've said, I've been searching high and low and the pickings seem really slim.  I just find it a strange contrast to the amount of work I was receiving 2-4 years ago.  It really does feel like the scene has 'dried up'.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Gil on August 11, 2009, 01:10:24 pm
Have you tried contacting Chris? He used to give me jobs all the time. I'm sorry to hear you have troubles finding work.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Conzeit on August 15, 2009, 07:51:19 pm
ugh! so I am not alone.

SOME time I chose to make a living on this O_O
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: big brother on August 16, 2009, 12:18:09 am
I feel the collective pain also.  :(
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Ryumaru on August 16, 2009, 12:39:15 am
I do remember a time when I got emails much more frequently interested in having me do art for them. If I could say one thing, broaden your horizons- create a concept art portfolio, not only will it benefit you in trying to get pixel art jobs but it may become an avenue that you will enjoy all in itself :]
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Atnas on August 16, 2009, 12:18:25 pm
Yeah, I highly recommend having an online portfolio for people to see your art. I'm not so sure about gallery sites because I don't use them, but I suspect that you're less successful to only have an account on one of those because you're also directly competing with those around you if someone is looking for an artist. (then again, it doesn't hurt any) Having drawn items, pixelled items, and animated items are important to a developer looking for an artist. It's also important to state you're looking for work somewhere.

Mockups, especially animated ones, are very important. I know that not only did the iphone developer I'm working with now send me one of my own mockups, he also sent me pixel art by Kenneth Fejer and Xion as examples, both from their personal pages.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: sonic_reaper on August 17, 2009, 05:52:35 pm
A personal website seems to be the right direction.  I've been meaning to get one up for ages.  I should start on some designs, since I would want it to be personalized with my own art/pixel work.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: CharlesGabriel on August 18, 2009, 03:52:06 am
A personal website seems to be the right direction.  I've been meaning to get one up for ages.  I should start on some designs, since I would want it to be personalized with my own art/pixel work.

That, and also try lowering your standards a little in terms of charging money... I mean if it's really that bad you can try working for a little less and landing that job which is still a gain in the end, a gain for your pocket, which needs it. Also you have a full time job, don't worry about making art for money for now unless you have no jobs and such... I mean at least I would do it cause I need the money, if I don't need it I just do the art for fun... but I only accept jobs if the pay is reasonable and or I need emergency cash lol.

Good luck man.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: ter-o on August 18, 2009, 06:10:14 pm
You don't need to build up a website from scratch, like people used to do back in the day. Either start a blog at http://wordpress.org/ or http://www.blogspot.com or put up some gallery page with http://gallery.menalto.com/ or http://coppermine.sourceforge.net/

You'll get your site up and running in no time and no need to know html / javascript etc.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: sonic_reaper on August 19, 2009, 07:35:58 pm
Hm, that seems easy, but not particularly professional.  Don't get me wrong, I appreciate the links, but I had the impression that companies/individuals won't take you seriously if you're work is uploaded to a blog site.  And it always looks better when your web page is named after yourself.  It lets people know who you are.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Gil on August 20, 2009, 05:06:16 pm
A blog is actually fine if you plan on writing stuff about particular art pieces. If it's just a portfolio, then no, it isn't professional at all.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Lawrence on September 06, 2009, 04:57:07 pm
A blog is actually fine if you plan on writing stuff about particular art pieces. If it's just a portfolio, then no, it isn't professional at all.

Loads of highly skilled artists in the industry use blogs, gallery-sites etc. as a portfolio. I don't know why you'd think it's unprofessional.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: Gil on September 07, 2009, 12:36:02 pm
For every one of those you can provide I'd be able to provide a website of an artist who chose for a professionally designed portfolio. If it is within one's capabilities to create one, there's no advantages to a generic blog that just holds a single post with art.
Title: Re: Have all the good jobs dried up?
Post by: junkboy on September 08, 2009, 02:04:08 pm
Recession + niche & outdated graphical style probably doesn't equal a lot of job opportunities. I'm honestly surprised people still can make a living on this stuff.