This is a career question more than anything, but I’ve been stuck on this matter for a while now and would be very grateful to have a new perspective from someone who is from the industry and/or have worked for studios.
I’m a Junior Character Rigger, with a background in 3D modeling and unreal engine, looking to break into the industry. I’ve realized that if I were to follow rigging professionally I would mostly be stuck with freelance work, which is not ideal for me since I want a studio job eventually. In studios, rigging is usually given either to a technical animator or a technical artist… I cannot animate and tech art roles aren’t exacly junior friendly. Studios are mostly looking for mid/senior artists to fill that role.
In University there was a lot of conflicting advice. Athough I like character art I was told to persue environment because it’s “easier to get a job”. Aside from that my course was VERY lacking in the technical side, as it was mostly to graduate artists. My skillset has always been stuck between roles and it is so confusing to determine what I should focus on. I’ve started learning python because it is relevant to tech art, but I figure I wouldn’t be hired anywhere without studio work expirience.
Should I then focus on everything character? That being modeling, texturing, shader, rigging, groom/cloth, etc? My thinking is perhaps that way I can start as a Junior Character Artist to later move on to a Character TD role…
What do you guys think? I would really appreciate some help haha