I like to make 3D models… I’d like to get a job making 3D models… Unfortunately I have no degree to speak of yet so employment has been difficult to find. I’ve applied to over a hundred (literally, not figuratively) places, architecture firms, real estate companies, theater groups, etc… But I have yet to return a long-term job.
Although I should note, I have had some fairly successful one-offs for some set designers (my work was on HGTV this Saturday!), I’m having trouble coming up with long-term stuff. Any ideas on people that would be interested in having 3D models created for them?
I’m sure Elgin and others will speak up and talk a little bit more about the work they do and how it might help you find somethings that are interesting to you.
“3D Design” is a really broad description and you have better success if you narrow your search a bit more, if you’ve not done so already. In my mind, “3D design” encompasses everything from computer-generated imagery to architectural modeling to industrial design – with a lot of stops in between. As you might imagine, all of these things have vastly different goals and thus require some unique skillsets. You’ll need to bring a lot more to the table than familiarity with SketchUp, for example – which, incidentally, is most prevalent in architecture and interior design – to be a viable candidate. Most companies simply don’t have the time or resources to add an additional step and person to the process of conceiving of and illustrating a design for an office building.
I don’t mean for this to discourage you, but rather to say that you should try to give us more information about what you’re interested in modeling and know that you’re likely going to have to specialize in something to be able to market yourself as a valuable asset to folks. Once you’ve done that and you get your foot in the door, you can start to expand your skills and interests to include more interesting work. I, for example, started design with AutoCAD when I was 12 or 13 and today list proficiency (of somewhat varying levels, admittedly) with AutoCAD, Inventor, Solidworks, Pro/ENGINEER, CATIA and SketchUp.
It really depends on what type of modelling you want to do.
If you are a VERY artistic type, you may want to go to art school and work in the CG industry. The thing is they look more at traditional art background and skill than just the ability to model things. It is tough though you need to have a very wide skill set and be very creative.
If you are more into the visualization type stuff, I’m not sure if there is a large market for people who do ONLY that, you may want to major in architectural design or something like that. But in and of itself modelling visualizations of buidlings isn’t enough to be a marketable skill
I am sure others can help you more than myself and I dont know how old you are and what type of job you are looking for but if you saying you don’t have a college degree or it is in something like Agriculture and you want to do 3d design work that degree is not going to help you. Put together a resume and start to think about what you have to offer to the various place you wish to work.
That being the case I would be looking for internships for the summer and not “work” unfortunately anything that would be fun for you is probably too important for a company to give it to a high school kid, especially if they can hire someone with more experience. But if you apply to some companies for internships (probably not paid) you will gain some valuable experience and a resume item. Ultimately if you really want to do 3D modeling you need to narrow your field and then find out what degrees/ certifications people working in that field have. That way you will know what to pursue.
As of this morning. I now have a job with an architecture firm in New York! Excitingly, the main bulk of the work will consist of teaching SketchUp, and with converting floorplans from AutoCAD into 3d models. I have experience teaching several classes at my high school in which we worked with both programs simultaneously, so this is right up my alley.
