Don Ott
Position:
Associate Prop Artist
Company:
High Moon Studios
My name is Donald B. Ott II. I am an Associate Prop Artist at High Moon Studios currently working on an unannounced project slated for release in 2010. After graduating high school, I joined the Marine Corps where I spent close to 8 years enlisted. After the Marines, I decided I wanted to get into the game industry and found a school where I received my Bachelors of Science degree in Video Game Art and Design.
I like to think of myself as a success story when it comes to school, in that I had no prior 3D experience at all before going and by the time I graduated I was top of my class and had various opportunities for employment. I have always had a passion for video games and consider myself very fortunate to get to work in such an amazing and exciting industry.
The traditional role as an Associate Prop Artist is to take the direction of both my Designers and Senior Artists to generate assets that would fit into the environments of the game. I generally receive either concept art or a piece of reference to begin working on my asset. In the event that I don't receive a concept, I will gather references on my own and start with a basic iteration on my mesh for feedback. If my Senior is happy with the direction of the model, I will then unwrap and texture it, and put the asset into our Game Engine. From there, my Environment Artist (the artist who works above me) or our Designers will work with the Game Engine placing assets and building the worlds. Occasionally my tasks can range from building placeholder meshes, to fixing issues with collision in the world, to creating giant environmental destructibles. As a Prop Artist, I am regularly expected to be flexible and shift gears depending on the requirements of the level, or I can spend several days or even weeks working on a high quality final piece of art for the game.
Associate Artist (Props/Environments) Description:
A developing individual contributor that assists in the design and creation of 3d prop and environment artwork for assigned aspects of products.
- Creates interactive props and 3D environments.
- Creates 3D models and 2D texture maps from 2D concept art and photo reference.
- Supports artists in developing high resolution environments.
- Works closely with the Senior Artists and Lead Artist to achieve realism.
- Reports to the Lead Artist and Senior Artists
Requirements:
- Ability to create 3D props and environments and 2D texture maps from 2D concept art and photo reference.
- Strong high and low resolution modeling skills.
- Advanced texturing skills using normal map techniques.
- Strong traditional art skills.
- A strong passion for video games.
- Minimum of one year of 3D modeling experience or equivalent education.
- Highly proficient in one or more of the following software packages: Maya, 3ds Max, Mudbox, Photoshop and ZBrush.
Competencies:
- Communicates and collaborates effectively with the development team.
- Strong problem solving and trouble-shooting skills.
- Strong interpersonal skills.
- Continuous learner.
- Ability to adapt to change.
View available jobs at High Moon Studios!
The tutorial that I am writing is based on a snapshot of similar props an artist might be given with day-to-day tasks. While some strive to make characters and vehicles, the life of a prop or environment artist can range from something as small or simple as a trashcan on the street, all the way up to buildings and environments that you see in games. The concept is that this pallet could be found in an FPS (First-Person-Shooter) in some sort of warehouse. The tutorial will guide you through the step-by-step processes that I would go through as well, from the very beginning of concept all the way to unwrapping and texturing, and getting it ready to put into a game.
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| Modeling and Texturing with Autodesk® 3ds Max® Software
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