Conclusion of the Module – Professional Development – 7th May 2019

This is my Final Blog post for this Module – Professional Development. I will show my final pieces of work in this module and last thoughts and feelings.

We were tasked to create a number of items within this module to help aid in our presentation to employers in the working world. I created a CV, Business Cards, a Website and completed a report in my area of interest in the industry. 

CV

You can also see it attached in the PDF – CVFinalandCoverLetter06 – with the Cover Letter I completed for the job I applied for as part of this module. 

I started off with a colourful purple CV as I was going off to make something like the Creative CV’s I found upon research. I then matched my website colour to this as I really liked the colour. However I learnt it was to much and I could go for something more subtle and get a great impact from it. 

I have the image from my business card in the corner and the headings are in the colour of the website colour (Dark Blue), this was to take away from gender stereotyping, which the purple appeared to girly which wouldn’t suit with the games industry in particular. I also do generally prefer darker colours and part of me going lighter in the first place was most people tend to tell me to lighten up my colour choices. In the end I stuck with my instincts and feel it worked well. 

Business Cards

Initially with the business cards I was going to put my artwork on them, but I didn’t like the idea of choosing which would best represent me and what I wanted to do. It was suggested to model something that meant something, that explained me. I set about modelling the image above, it includes history (the old lamp, old book) which I love, my glasses are the focus (which is an item of me) and reading (I love to read). 

I lit it within Maya adding extra detail in, like wallpaper, wood for the table and textures for the books. Overall I am very happy with it, as it shows off my interests and my modelling ability in one image. 

Website

You can also see the website in the link – https://beckybanks.weebly.com/

Initially with the website I started off with it purple, to match my CV at the time. I later changed this to dark blue, I naturally prefer darker colours and feel it represents me more then the bright colours. I also wanted to get away from the website being girly aspect as particularly in Games it wouldn’t do very well.

The font used throughout my CV, Business cards and Website – using Lobster Font, Berlin Sans and Quicksand. I also have the the Business card image as my Contact Page image.

Report

3D Asset and Environment Modeller Within the Animation and Games Industry – Professional Development_Final_Draft

Within my report I discuss the 3D industry, in particular 3D modelling for Environments and Assets. I looked into the financial ups and downs, with working freelance or within a Studio. I also case studied two artists, one from Animation and one from Games. I followed their path through industry and discussed there approach to their work.

I finished off my completing a 5 Year Plan which is under the conclusion at the end of the report.

I feel I discussed a great deal of my chosen subject and approached feedback the best I could and am overall very happy with the outcome of my report. It has given me a great deal of insight into the industry and was an interesting experience to follow two artists paths.

Showreels

I have completed a general showreel previously in a prior blog post, I have took into consideration the feedback I received and re-edited the showreel, you will be able to see the new version below:

I have added in the client work as well as a turnaround of my 3D model work. I have also got some visual effects, 3D, 2D and Innovative work present on here. 

I have also put together a specialism showreel to show my 3D modelling and Environment work, which you can see below: 

It shows the walkthroughs (part of the walkthroughs for each piece) and the final version of each art piece next to it. I like the way you get to see the before and after shot for the colour and texture and feel it shows my work off in a great way. 

Both will be present on my website.

Throughout this module we gained information and insight into preparing ourselves for the industry, to be able to promote ourselves to a high standard. In particular the Interview we took part in was very helpful, I have been to several interviews and always wonder where I went wrong, what was it that wasn’t quite right, having it recorded showed me aspects of myself I needed to work on moving forward. 

I have come away from this with a strong CV, Business Cards and a Website to promote myself and my work moving forward. I have learned a great deal from the experience and now feel I am in a much more confident and better position then I was at the beginning of the process.

Week 13 Continued – Professional Development – 7th May 2019

In this blog post I will be discussing my interview, lighting change of images for my website and my report. 

 

Interview 

First up I would like to discuss my interview which I completed in Week 8 around the 11th of March, the aim was to apply for a real job in the area you want to work in and then the tutors would complete a mock interview with us based around your applied job. 

This was the job I applied for and you can see my attached Cover Letter. 

Within the interview there were good points and bad points, of which where: 

Good

• Smile
• Some Decent Answers
• Kept my hands on the table
• Used hand gestures in my answers
• good questions asked 

To Improve

• Wriggled too much (need to improve posture in areas)
• More Eye contact (in areas) (looked at the camera or at the book)
• Expand more on answers
• try to look less nervous

I did feel I had some eye contact within the interview but felt it difficult at times to know where to look (Emily, Adam or Camera) I also needed to check my notes to aid in my answers and I sometimes timed the eye contact wrong, so Emily and Adam where writing notes when I looked at them.

Some of my answers to the questions looking back where really frustrating to watch as I know what I wanted to say, they just were not coming out as clearly as I would have liked them to. In other cases I had some decent answers which where just missing the final element, working on the STAR stories moving forward will help me to gather my information together to tell a more precise story. 

Some of the feedback received from Emily and Adam where as follows: 

• Prepare a Pitch
• Need to boost myself up more
• Start off strong
• ask to repeat the question (to aid in time to prepare answer and understand question more)
• Answers where to general (need to be more specific)

In this case I could of prepared a pitch but not for the company as there was no information on the company, but why I wanted to work with VR would of been a nice way to go. 

I do find it difficult at times to boost up my talents, which I need to work on moving forward, I feel that I can always do better and maybe this is the reason why I find it difficult. 

As I mentioned the STAR stories should help with me starting off an interview strong and building up on that, I need to cut out the amount of waffle I add into answers. 

I also seem to avoid talking about specific programs or techniques in my answers, which could show the amount I know and impress an interview panel, a lot more then giving general answers.

I would also like to mention in the feedback part of the interview, Emily mentioned I could of asked about the training for VR, which I did in my questions at the end of the interview, Adam answered with information about Line Managers, which I didn’t question as these where questions to the company and I felt this was the answer that he wanted to go with. I didn’t realise that they didn’t understand my question and maybe I could of been more specific with the question. 

I would say that two interviews would have been beneficial, one to see where our weaknesses where and then a second to see if we could improve on the feedback we received at the end of the first interview. 

Lighting in Images for Website

In one of the sessions in class I showed my website to Emily, which I had added my 2nd year 3D work on in a selection of images. It was noted that the lighting was a bit dark and I could go back and improve these to add to the website. 

I decided that I needed to do this as I have worked a lot on lighting this past year and I feel I understand it a lot better. I also have a better grasp on Maya and so I went back into the file to work on the lighting. 

You will be able to see the old images which where on the website previously, below: 

I removed the lights I added in and focused on a selection and worked on the intensity. I had light from the fire and general lighting which would be a mix of the fire, lamp and candles within the room. I have increased the light, so it isn’t as dark and feel it sets the mood well in the room now. 

I am very happy with the outcome and have added the new images to the portfolio section on my website, which can see in the link – https://beckybanks.weebly.com/

Essay/Report

I gained feedback from Emily in regards to my report. Some of the feedback received was a follows: 

• The title needs expanding, so that is more descriptive
• I need to make the introduction more friendly in tone
• I needed to merge the opening of section 1 with the introduction (create a new intro to section one introducing the graphs)
• I needed to remove the 5 year plan from introduction and conclusion and move the 5 year plan section underneath the conclusion (at the end of the report)
• Need quotes about the software
• Need quotes about the difference between working Junior and Senior positions.
• Suggestions to add in a further reading section
• Remove a good chunk of the Chris O’Connell timeline (taking up to much space)

I feel I have done my best to address all the feedback received and you can now see my updated and final version of my report in the link below: 

3D Asset and Environment Modeller Within the Animation and Games Industry – Professional Development_Final_Draft

 

Week 13 – Professional Development – 28th April 2019

I have been working on my report/essay. 

 

I have sent off for my business cards which I have decided to purchase from Moo.com, the design I have decided on for my business cards you can see below: 

I opted for the Original Business cards with the rounded edges: 

I also gained a student discount when I purchased these of 15%. I opted for the rounded edges as I felt that they felt more friendly. I also tested out the template which you will have seen above before I decided to buy.

I would of liked to add an image of the delivered business cards to my blog for hand in, but the delivery is set after hand in.

I have also updated my website by adding in a few more of my pieces, as I finish them – https://beckybanks.weebly.com/

 

I have mainly been working on my essay which I have a complete draft of ready to send for feedback tomorrow (29th April). I am slightly over word count at the moment and would like to reduce it, so I have room for improvements. You can read the version so far in the link below: 

ReportEssayStructure04 – Professional Development

I am still awaiting a showreel which I am working on slowly but surely, this will be added to my blog as well as my website by hand in. 

Week 11 Continued – Professional Development – 7th April 2019

I have been working a lot on my portfolio this week for the other module, I haven’t got done as much as I would have liked. 

I started working on the Decision Tree for our Career Path, similar to the one we did in class but for me and my path. I feel this will help me plan out my 5-Year Plan. You can see what I have done for this so far.

It is a good start I would like to go over this and review soon as well as finish off my 5-Year plan for my Report/Essay. 

I am also in the process of rendering out my Walkthroughs for my art pieces on the other module, which I will then put together a showreel for my website in due course.

Week 11 – Professional Development – 1st April 2019

Adam discussed Career Narratives in class today.

 

Career Narratives

Have an understanding of narrative therapy:

• Was pioneered by James W Pennebaker
• Re authoring or re storying past stories, designed to help traumatic events
• Self- authoring or future authoring techniques
• Break your life down into 5 sections – write a story about your transition into each section (anchor emotion to each section, processing those emotions)

 

Career Context

• Career theory – career rainbow, archway and mini cycles
• Boundaryless career theory

Career rainbow – you’re going to have more than one role in your life at one time. (Student, worker…) (Parent, Worker…)

5 Sections of Life

• Growth (14-) (Concern for future curiosity, control),
• Exploration (14-25) (Crystallisation, specification, implementation),
• Establishment (26-45) (Stabilisation, consolidation advancement),
• Maintenance (46-65) (Maintaining and updating skills/knowledge, innovating),
• Disengagement (65+) (Deceleration, delegation, considering what’s next)

Can apply this to different situation:

• University
• Jobs

Boundaryless Career – 

• Interlinking boundaries of organisations and occupation
• Can move one industry to another (one job to another)
• Transferable skills

Portfolio career/gig economy – the fact of having a series of jobs, each for a short time, rather than one job for a long time: In order to pursue a portfolio career, you must be willing to risk personal change. (Known as GIG Economy in the US)

Self-expressionism at work – your personality, feelings, or opinions, for example: through an artistic activity such as drawing or dancing. Clothes are a fundamental form of self-expression.

 

Trait factor theory

• understanding of their individual traits (Aptitudes, interests, personal abilities)
• what’s out there (Economy, stock market, labour market, society)

 

Andy Warhol –

Born around 1929 – stock market crash (Great depression)

1936 – involuntary spasms as a child (mother nursed him at home)

1937 – free art course for children

……

1949 – moves to New York, changes his name, illustration for books, window dresser, (Jackson pollock – named greatest living painter – doesn’t like)

1957 – leading commercial illustrator, establishes own company (Andy Warhol enterprises inc)

1960 – dissatisfied with being a commercial artist, made hand painted pictures (based on comic strips and adverts)

1962 – Campbells soup can, first portrait (Marylin Monroe after her death)

1964 – continued to make films, including empire shot from an office facing empire state building

Carries around tape recorder, recording interviews and conversations.

1968 – gets shot (3^rd June) critically wounded

1969 – income as an artist (now earns more from his own art then those he creates for others)

1970 – hand painted Campbell’s soup is auctioned for $60,000

1974 – assembled time capsules

1977 – studio 54 opens – regularly attends

1980 – talk show in Japan ran till 1982, audience with pope

1982 – started working with Baptist

Wanted to keep individualism, interest in fashion, celebrity life…

The economy is awful, and gets gradually better…

He is a critique as to why mundane things are commercialised (soup) and why are celebrities put on pedestals

Andy Warhol – 5 Stages: 

Growth – Move to New York (More opportunities, better economy – good area)

Exploration – Own company – Leading commercial artist

Establishment – move away from commercial (Campbell soup, Pop Art) (Became dissatisfied with commercial work).

Maintenance – Move to film work (express through film better – carried around tape recorder – record interviews, conversations)

Disengagement – Time capsules, mentoring (Baptiste), books (Maybe talk show)  

 

Archway of Career Determinants:

Charlotte: 

Needs: Shelter, Food, Warmth, Financial security, Socialisation, good health,

Values: refuse to change to fit in, not being a dickhead,

Interests: Magic,

Labour Market:

Society:

The Economy:

Me:

Needs: Shelter, Food, Warmth, Financial security, Socialisation, Good health,   

Values: Refuse to change to fit in,

Interests: Supernatural,

 

Future Authoring

Mogali: wants to establish himself as part of the wolf pack who raised him.

• Must prove he is worthy to join the wolf pack (race)
• Gets sabotaged doesn’t win the race and cannot join the pack.

Game theory for decision making:

• Possible outcomes that could happen in each situation
• How you would feel depending on what happens
• How would this affect your further decision making?

Alternative to this is a Decision Tree, e.g. –

Should I accept new job:

Salary at least $50,000 (Y/N) – Accept/Decline

Accept – more than an hour commute (Y/N) – Accept/Decline. 

We worked in teams and created a version of the Decision Tree, I worked with Charlotte and Alice, you can see the Decision Tree below:

This was an interesting exercise and I will be creating one for homework which I am hoping will help me with my 5 year plan.

Average graduate income in the midlands– 16,000 – 20,000, Can still speak to careers and Adam for up to 3 years after you graduate.

 

Homework: Draw up decision tree for career – next steps after university, I feel this may help with my 5-year plan.

Week 10 Continued – Professional Development – 31st March 2019

My weekly update on my progress.

I have been working on my CV update this week, I gained feedback last week in regards to some changes I could make: 

• Black and white suggestion – I took on board but she agrees the colour looks better 
• I added the modules on the university section – suggestion to write a paragraph (16 modules overall and I preferred …. did well in….) 
• Add post production to the premiere skills 
• Add effects to the after effects skills

I have decided to stick with the coloured version of the CV as I feel this is a much better version. I have added the required information to the skills section of my CV. Finally I have updated the university section with a paragraph about the modules: 

Becky_BanksCV04

 

I have also been working on things for my essay, mainly trying to put together my 5 Year Plan, which I have made a start on: 

I know what I want to do in industry, I want to become a 3D modeller/asset creator or Environment Artist, I am just struggling with the how to get there through a 5 year plan. It is a good start it needs work though.

Week 10 – Professional Development – 25th March 2019

1 to 1’s 

The feedback I received was as follows:

• new layout for the business cards (the crop) looks much better 
• wallpaper colour for the business cards works better
• The name addition (3D Modeller (Environments & Assets)) was well received 
• layout on Moo was approved of.

 

• Black and white suggestion – I took on board but she agrees the colour looks better 
• I added the modules on the university section – suggestion to write a paragraph (16 modules overall and I preferred …. did well in….) 
• Add post production to the premiere skills 
• Add effects to the after effects skills 

 

 

Week 9 Continued – Professional Development – 24th March 2019

I addressed my feedback this week, of which was:

In reference to my Cover Letter: 

• I used the word ‘I’ to much.
• Paragraph 1 – needs to be about them (Complementing them)
• Paragraph 2 – Skills – how I can help them 
• Paragraph 3 – Signing off (look at my cv, portfolio etc…)

In reference to my CV: 

• Crop out the book pile in the image (make glasses the focus) Black and white it out.
• Link the skills together more (Maya skills with Maya etc…) (Maya – UV Mapping, Modelling, Texturing etc…) 
• Suggested line addition – “I do my best work when using technologies to be creative”
• Add in modules that link (3D Animation Module – in the education section) 

In reference to my Business Cards: 

• I asked about the job title I had added to my business cards – “3D Environment Artist & Asset Creator” – suggestion was “3D Modeller (Environments & Assets) 
• Crop down the image – cut out the book pile (make the glasses the focus) (try it out black and white)

 

Business Cards

First up my business cards, I have changed the layout of the image so it removed the book pile that Emily felt wasn’t right for the piece, making the open book and glasses the more central focus of the piece, I have also changed the wallpaper in the background as red was felt to strong, to much for the piece. 

You can see my progress of this below: 

Using the pattern and the wallpaper texture I created my own wallpaper for the piece and then added a beige colour, so the wall has a more neutral tone and less overpowering. The book pile now is no longer a focus. 

I have also changed finalised the font on the front of the business card (Lobster for my name, Berlin San FB for the rest of the information), I have also put it through the moo.com system to show what they would look like on the cards which you can see below: 

I feel this works well, Emily wanted the image to be black and white but I feel it would be lacking without the colour and texture that I have added, which is also showing off my abilities (Modelling, Colouring and Texturing).

 

CV & Covering Letter

Moving on I will now discuss my updates of my CV and Covering Letter.

First up the CV, I have added in the new image from the business card, rearranged the skills (they now match up), added modules next to the university section, re-worded the secretary for animation society section and finally I have changed the title/job to match my business cards (3D Modeller (Environments & Assets)). 

You can see the updates below:

There is one with the coloured logo and one black and white, I don’t really like the black and white but I have added it to show the difference. I feel it drains the life from it.

Moving on from this I went back over the Cover letter, taking out the word ‘I‘ where I felt I could re-word and re-structure. Also adding in a line or two, I tried to make the first paragraph more about them and the job they were offering: 

I do feel like it reads a little better and I have reduced some of the ‘I’ words but in some places taking it out made it sound bad and I wasn’t quite sure what to add in its place. 

I will also add them in PDF Form so you can read them in a different format if you prefer: 

Colour: – Becky_BanksCV02

Black and White – Becky_BanksCV03

I wanted to complete some more work on my essay this week but I ran out of time, I will complete some more this coming week. 

Week 9 – Professional Development – 19th March 2019

We had feedback 1 to 1’s in class today.

In reference to my Cover Letter: 

• I used the word ‘I’ to much.
• Paragraph 1 – needs to be about them (Complementing them)
• Paragraph 2 – Skills – how I can help them 
• Paragraph 3 – Signing off (look at my cv, portfolio etc…)

In reference to my CV: 

• Crop out the book pile in the image (make glasses the focus) Black and white it out.
• Link the skills together more (Maya skills with Maya etc…) (Maya – UV Mapping, Modelling, Texturing etc…) 
• Suggested line addition – “I do my best work when using technologies to be creative”
• Add in modules that link (3D Animation Module – in the education section) 

In reference to my Business Cards: 

• I asked about the job title I had added to my business cards – “3D Environment Artist & Asset Creator” – suggestion was “3D Modeller (Environments & Assets) 
• Crop down the image – cut out the book pile (make the glasses the focus) (try it out black and white) 

Week 8 Continued – Professional Development – 17th March 2019

My progress in the Professional Development Module.

I have been looking over my business cards to make sure the sizing is correct, colour and design is how I want it to look. I also need to start thinking about ordering them, I have also decided they will be double sided (Information on the Front) (Image on the Back). 

I had mis-sized them slightly as well so this needed sorting, which I did, I also wrote up what I was thinking of adding on the business cards (information related): 

I have one written with my name in the Lobster font which is on website, with the remaining text in a font called Berlin Sans FB which is a nice fit to go with the Lobster font. 

I also have a version in all Berlin Sans FB which is a more simplified version but still has a font I really like. 

I also have one in all Lobster font, but i’m unsure whether this is a little to much. I would use the Lobster font and Quicksand font like my website I just need to see if I can find it and download it to I can add it to my computer.

The business card design will run through all of my stuff: 

• CV
• Website 
• Business Card 

You can also see what they will look like on the business cards, I tried out adding them in on moo.com. You can see them below: 

 

Also this week I have been working on my report, using the selection of links I added to last weeks blog as well as new links: 

https://www.thebalancesmb.com/how-to-become-a-freelancer-1794507

I have started to construct my essay/report, which you will be able to read below: 

I feel I have made a good start and it makes more sense to me now I have started to write, I am confident about continuing and having a good report. I will of course like a proofread by Emily before hand-in but when I have written more.

 

I have had a glance over my CV but look forward to my one to one tomorrow to discuss my Cover Letter and CV then improve accordingly. As well as this I will be continuing the report and changing and improving throughout: 

• Website – some of the images are slightly to dark and need relighting
• Showreel – need to render out more turnarounds and walkthroughs, so I can complete this. 
• CV, Cover Letter and Business Cards – upon feedback 
• Report