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Where did all my motivation go?
July 1, 2010 - 2:47am
- 1215 reads
So I'm sitting here knowing full well that there are a few pieces of work that I should be working on for my portfolio yet I'm not doing them. I can't seem to find the source for my lack of motivation. After I did my 15 day project I was pretty motivated to do stuff; even after I went to GDC '10. Now I feel drained as if all that happy feeling of modeling and texturing just flew out the door.
Right now I'm working for the Census Bureau but I haven't gotten anymore assignments from them for a month. I haven't gotten any response from any of the game companies I sent resumes to. And why would they respond, my portfolio isn't that great and I don't have any professional experience making video games. Does this sound like depression to you guys? or am I just procrastinating? Not to mention I don't have a lot of money(bills, bills, new computer, bills), I still live with my mother, and she wants to kick me out ASAP. Did I mention that I still need to work on my 2d skills as well. Not even all the E3 coverage got motivated. I must be crazy not to be motivated by all the cool stuff coming out. So where did all my mojo go(if I had any to begin with)?
It can be tough sometimes mate...i usually just take a few days off where i dont do any art and watch some really awesome films that have cool stuff in them (LOTR, SW, Aliens, GITS etc.)
Dont let it get you down though man...these droughts happen to the best of artists so you are not alone.
Come back after a few days and i bet you feel better 
well, it's been a couple of weeks now and I still don't feel any different.
I have to agree with "metalliandy"; I usually do the same....either surf the net reading "Art Stuff" or something totally different for few days.So, "couple of weeks" might not be enough as a break for you....for me 2-3-days and fresh with new additional ideas to what I am working on. It's all depends on the individuals. Art can be a wild ride to some people at times...however, it's all good!; especially when one feel that lack of motivation or feel this might be a sort of "depression"...no!no!!no!!!; you must learn to flow like a river; for example,a piece of wood flowing on a stream generally will continue to flow unless something either slows it down or block the flow but eventually that same piece of wood will continue-on flowing, either by a stronger current or another piece of debris.....So,the point is to keep moving forward...like that piece of wood.
I have to agree with "metalliandy"; I usually do the same....either surf the net reading "Art Stuff" or something totally different for few days.So, "couple of weeks" might not be enough as a break for you....for me 2-3-days and fresh with new additional ideas to what I am working on. It's all depends on the individuals. Art can be a wild ride to some people at times...however, it's all good!; especially when one feel that lack of motivation or feel this might be a sort of "depression"...no!no!!no!!!; you must learn to flow like a river; for example,a piece of wood flowing on a stream generally will continue to flow unless something either slows it down or block the flow but eventually that same piece of wood will continue-on flowing, either by a stronger current or another piece of debris.....So,the point is to keep moving forward...like that piece of wood.
Thanks for the metaphor.
I'm going to visit my family for the weekend and see my new baby cousin. maybe that will keep the flow going.
Kaze369, I think me and you are in the same boat my friend. But I think there is a way out. Try to find a interest. Braden your Pa-lit a little. There is always room for more Info 
Look for other things that got you interested in this field in the first place. Like for me I have some Freelance experience. So I'm going to take that experience and put it out there in Turbo Squid. Just to see if anybody will buy my building Models. Like it's not going to hurt? There are plenty of Options.
Its hard when you get bogged down by the drudgery of everday life, and i think it plays a big part in how motivated you are to pursue the more creative aspects of your life. Bills and work and bills and surviving always have an impact on you and its hard to get out of that rut when you have all these other matters to worry about. At this moment in time what are your goals? what are you hoping to achieve? Without clear concise goals its easy to simply sit back and do nothing or put things off to a later date. Put your goals up somewhere so you can see them everyday and constantly remind yourself that this is what you want to do. I recently got an audio book called 100 ways to motivate yourself, as cheesy as it sounds there are quite a few little gems in here that really hit home for me to get up and get cracking. Motivation doesn't have a schedule so it might take some time for the juices to get flowing again. Hopefully you get back on track pretty soon.
Its hard when you get bogged down by the drudgery of everyday life, and i think it plays a big part in how motivated you are to pursue the more creative aspects of your life. Bills and work and bills and surviving always have an impact on you and its hard to get out of that rut when you have all these other matters to worry about. At this moment in time what are your goals? what are you hoping to achieve? Without clear concise goals its easy to simply sit back and do nothing or put things off to a later date. Put your goals up somewhere so you can see them everyday and constantly remind yourself that this is what you want to do. I recently got an audio book called 100 ways to motivate yourself, as cheesy as it sounds there are quite a few little gems in here that really hit home for me to get up and get cracking. Motivation doesn't have a schedule so it might take some time for the juices to get flowing again. Hopefully you get back on track pretty soon.
well, my current goal is to get a 3d modeling job in the industry. I'm try to get some game development experience by working with a MOD group. My long term career goal is to be an Art Director. getting my foot in the door hasn't been easy. I feel like I've been black listed or something.
Ok well if your goal is to get a 3d modelling job, would you says your skills level is up to par in order to get a job? Maybe a more short term goal would be to develop these skills further? As for game development experience i dont think a mod is the be all end all in terms of getting experience. Eat3d have a good few dvd's that teach you to use UDK why not just try making some levels yourself or making models and assets to use for these levels. working on projects like this will surely help more towards your ultimate goals.
Ok well if your goal is to get a 3d modelling job, would you says your skills level is up to par in order to get a job? Maybe a more short term goal would be to develop these skills further? As for game development experience i dont think a mod is the be all end all in terms of getting experience. Eat3d have a good few dvd's that teach you to use UDK why not just try making some levels yourself or making models and assets to use for these levels. working on projects like this will surely help more towards your ultimate goals.
I've asked this kind of question about skill development, but it's never clearly defined. it's not easy to define what I should be doing against what I'm doing now.
MODs are one of the few ways noobs like me can get any type of game development experience; it's that whole catch 22 thing. eat3d has a bunch of good stuff trust me I know. I have a good majority of them in my collection. Part of me knows that I have a bunch of stuff that I could be doing and that's what my first post was about.
Im in the same boat man, believe me. It hard to know what you should be doing, where to start, how to get better but its all down to just DOING IT!! Iv got quite a few dvds myself and i know that if i actually work through them, study them and learn from the dvd that my skills HAVE to get better. But with the looming possibility of failure, i tend not to start things. If i dont do it i cant cant fail right? this is the most destructive mentality i have and im trying my best to shake it off, im taking things slow and trying not to look at the big picture just yet. Cause i know if i look at how long my journey will be i quickly lose confidence and motivation, by focusing on this moment and where i am now helps keep things fresh and exciting. I know one day i will reach a point where my software knowledge doesn't dictate my limitations instead its my own imagination is the only hurdle to over come. Stick with it man. Like i said before about goals, why not as a short term goal, give yourself a deadline to finish a dvd and take notes so your go through then try but these skills into a simple practical application. But to be honest man i could be pissing into the wind cause i dont know what skill level your at. For me im at the bottom of the pile and have only dipped my toes in the water, but im determined to get better.
Im in the same boat man, believe me. It hard to know what you should be doing, where to start, how to get better but its all down to just DOING IT!! Iv got quite a few dvds myself and i know that if i actually work through them, study them and learn from the dvd that my skills HAVE to get better. But with the looming possibility of failure, i tend not to start things. If i dont do it i cant cant fail right? this is the most destructive mentality i have and im trying my best to shake it off, im taking things slow and trying not to look at the big picture just yet. Cause i know if i look at how long my journey will be i quickly lose confidence and motivation, by focusing on this moment and where i am now helps keep things fresh and exciting. I know one day i will reach a point where my software knowledge doesn't dictate my limitations instead its my own imagination is the only hurdle to over come. Stick with it man. Like i said before about goals, why not as a short term goal, give yourself a deadline to finish a dvd and take notes so your go through then try but these skills into a simple practical application. But to be honest man i could be pissing into the wind cause i dont know what skill level your at. For me im at the bottom of the pile and have only dipped my toes in the water, but im determined to get better.
well, my skill level is about here: www.btm3d.com.
Well youve clearly got a solid foundation in 3d. But there is always room for improvement. Seeing as you have some eat3d dvd's you should be able to learn quite alot from them. Where i was in college a guy have the pillar dvd by Riki and i was blown away by how awesome it was. It took alot of the mystery out of things for me. As a beginner one thing i tend to do is look at art work and models and scenes as a whole. Never looking for basic forms and structure and it can be very daunting when you see really great work thats highly detailed. But with dvds like this the process is broken down and made more manageable. Like me i think we have a long way to go but dont get too bogged down because your still learning. Dont worry about getting a job or anything just yet, focus on the matter at hand. To build upon your current skills.
It's hard to keep going sometimes, I worked in the industry for two years and the company went belly up so I was left not sure where to go and what to do I've got to University to get a degree as I lucky got my first job in the industry on self taught skills alone. All I can say is set yourself small goals like do one new model each week, modelled, textured, high res and low for game uses it keeps your skills fresh and adds to your portfolio with each new piece as your skills increase you will be able to drop some of the older, poorer looking pieces.
Good luck !
Just my two cents
Watch this http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WGsaQ-92PT8
Interesting indeed... it's really a sweet thing to be free and see yourself involved doing what you love to do. It's worth the efforts to gain access to that space,now the process of gaining access to that "free space" varies from person to person;I get it!.
It can be tough sometimes mate...i usually just take a few days off where i dont do any art and watch some really awesome films that have cool stuff in them (LOTR, SW, Aliens, GITS etc.)
Dont let it get you down though man...these droughts happen to the best of artists so you are not alone.
Come back after a few days and i bet you feel better
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