Questions for anyone who is a 3D modeler for a living

[Sweeds]

Ok so I have a project for my high school speech class were I have to interview someone who has the same job that I want when I get older so if anyone here does like 3D modeling for games I would like you to please answer these basic questions.
Don't worry will not mention your name in the speech if you use your name in tom's hardware.

1. Is the job fun or does it get boring after while
2. do you usually work on one project by yourself or do you work on one thing with multiple people.
3. Do you specialize and work on one type of model (characters, basic objects, scenery, etc) or do you work on anything assigned.
4. Do you do anything other then modeling (like work on textures for the models)
5. how does it feel to see your model used in a game
6. what are the job requirements
7. does your job require you to travel
8. can you work from home
9. are there certain areas in the US that have more job opportunities in this field
10. any suggestions for someone pursuing this job path

I myself was not sure what category to put this in so admins do not ban please for this

 

[ssddx]

i'm NOT a game modeler though i am a 3d cad modeler by trade. not quite the same thing (cad is more industrial design) but i can tell you my thoughts and experiences...

1. how much you enjoy it depends on what you are modeling. sometimes its fun, sometimes its mundane. generally you need to like working in 3d if you go into this field

2. generally small projects such as individual models are done by individuals while a whole large project is normally made up of models done by multiple individuals.

3. generally yes, there is some specialization since some people are better at one type of modeling than another however there are also many cases where people are jack-of-all-trades and do multiple types.

4. not applicable to my field generally... but i will say that some people such as myself are graphic artists as well as modelers so it would not be unheard of to do both.

5. when you see projects you made get completed and used there is a certain sense of "hey i made that!". generally you also step back and critique your own work to see if it lives up to your expectations (well, if you're a perfectionist like i can be..)

6. generally anymore its a college degree. typically they also want you to know the specific program they want you to use while some are content to train you if they use a nonstandard program. it is best to know more than one program (the more you are fluent in the better!)

7. generally its an in-office job. cad has some travel associated with it but i dont think the same would apply to game designing other than concept art and project meetings.

8. generally no, you often need to work closely as a team in the same environment. i'm not saying that there are no work-from-home type opportunities only that i dont see this as something to expect.

9. sure, some towns and areas have many more opportunities than others. generally metropolitan areas have more demand, rural areas far less. demand is centered on how many such businesses are located in a certain area which desire such talents.

10. you'll want to go to college and get a degree. ultimately its just a piece of paper, but that will get your foot in the door. it would be a great idea to get a head start though and try and learn a few programs on your own. model as many things as you can and get very intimately familiar with those programs, modeling techniques and views. start building up a portfolio, keep it up to date. one thing i can say is very important: never take the easy road. never pick the easiest projects to model and breeze through assignments. the more difficult the project the more you learn and the more impressive your portfolio will be. be a perfectionist to some degree (dont spend too much time but give it your best). be personable, nobody likes to work with a grouch. be confident though respectful not cocky during interviews. if they dont ask to see your portfolio, ask them if they want to see it. also, it would not hurt to get familiar with at least the basics of photoshop or another graphics editing program. you'll want to skin some of your 3d models to make them more presentable (though modeling is still your first priority)

generally: make yourself desirable. the more skills you have, the more desirable you are.

while my experience is in the sister field of CAD drafting and modeling much of what i said is going to carry over a bit. perhaps an actual game modeler will chime in but this gives you something to work with for now at least.

 

[Sweeds]

i'm NOT a game modeler though i am a 3d cad modeler by trade. not quite the same thing (cad is more industrial design) but i can tell you my thoughts and experiences...

1. how much you enjoy it depends on what you are modeling. sometimes its fun, sometimes its mundane. generally you need to like working in 3d if you go into this field

2. generally small projects such as individual models are done by individuals while a whole large project is normally made up of models done by multiple individuals.

3. generally yes, there is some specialization since some people are better at one type of modeling than another however there are also many cases where people are jack-of-all-trades and do multiple types.

4. not applicable to my field generally... but i will say that some people such as myself are graphic artists as well as modelers so it would not be unheard of to do both.

5. when you see projects you made get completed and used there is a certain sense of "hey i made that!". generally you also step back and critique your own work to see if it lives up to your expectations (well, if you're a perfectionist like i can be..)

6. generally anymore its a college degree. typically they also want you to know the specific program they want you to use while some are content to train you if they use a nonstandard program. it is best to know more than one program (the more you are fluent in the better!)

7. generally its an in-office job. cad has some travel associated with it but i dont think the same would apply to game designing other than concept art and project meetings.

8. generally no, you often need to work closely as a team in the same environment. i'm not saying that there are no work-from-home type opportunities only that i dont see this as something to expect.

9. sure, some towns and areas have many more opportunities than others. generally metropolitan areas have more demand, rural areas far less. demand is centered on how many such businesses are located in a certain area which desire such talents.

10. you'll want to go to college and get a degree. ultimately its just a piece of paper, but that will get your foot in the door. it would be a great idea to get a head start though and try and learn a few programs on your own. model as many things as you can and get very intimately familiar with those programs, modeling techniques and views. start building up a portfolio, keep it up to date. one thing i can say is very important: never take the easy road. never pick the easiest projects to model and breeze through assignments. the more difficult the project the more you learn and the more impressive your portfolio will be. be a perfectionist to some degree (dont spend too much time but give it your best). be personable, nobody likes to work with a grouch. be confident though respectful not cocky during interviews. if they dont ask to see your portfolio, ask them if they want to see it. also, it would not hurt to get familiar with at least the basics of photoshop or another graphics editing program. you'll want to skin some of your 3d models to make them more presentable (though modeling is still your first priority)

generally: make yourself desirable. the more skills you have, the more desirable you are.

while my experience is in the sister field of CAD drafting and modeling much of what i said is going to carry over a bit. perhaps an actual game modeler will chime in but this gives you something to work with for now at least.

thanks a ton, the teacher wouldn't know the difference of what you actually do. This should be fine