SUMMARY
This document provides an overview of art tests, which are a final hurdle for artists looking to enter the games industry. The article covers why art tests exist, what they test for, and how to prepare for them. It also discusses the expected timeframe for completing a test and whether it's appropriate to ask for compensation for your time.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
Art test are the final big hurdle for artists to get into the games industry they fall in the middle of your interviews, so if you want to freshen up on those before diving into this article properly head on over to Link to interview article and once you have read that article you can always return here. But if you already have, then let's go!
There are also a lot of things that go into how to make the best possible art test, how to get to the core of what they expect of you and nail your art test so you can get that job at the studio that you want so badly!
There are many different aspects and forms of art tests, so make sure you go through them properly and don't skip any of the planning because you are excited.
First let's take it back a step!
When a studio offers you an art test, it's a really good sign, it shows you that they really are interested in getting you onto the team as a valuable addition to it. However, before you get to that step they do want to see if you can make it through an arttest.
Most art test are designed test your skillset for things the company is looking for and will often mention that specifically in the test itself. But there are some general things they do test for as well.
<aside> 📍 WORKING UNDER PRESSURE Your ability to deal with pressure and what choices come out of that
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<aside> 📍 YOUR ARTISTIC INSIGHT How you approach things during the test and how you approach your artistic choices
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<aside> 📍 YOUR PRIORITIES And also what you focus on during this short amount of time
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<aside> 📍 READING AND EXECUTING A BRIEF Dealing with briefs like you would in the industry and how well you can execute them
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<aside> 📍 USING A NEW WORKFLOW Sometimes a test will need to be done in a specific workflow and will test your knowledge on the techniques
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<aside> 📍 HOW QUICK YOU WORK This is really insightful for working within an industry that’s full of deadlines
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You're probably feeling really excited about the idea of just reading the brief and starting it, however there might be some additional things that need to be discussed before you can get started.
But before we dive into some of the preparations, make sure that you have everything you need to get started, sometimes it's not really a good time to work on the test for example, in which case you might just want to reschedule the test. This is not an issue at all, just ask for it!
<aside> 📍 During or after the interview
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<aside> 📍 After an email interview
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Since arttests are usually depending on different company workflows and techniques the art tests usually reflect them as well. This means that we get a whole bunch of different options depending on the company and the different projects they might be working on.
However, to generalise let me shine a light on some potential art tests that might be offered.
<aside> 📍 LEVEL ART Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 GREYBOXING (BLOCKOUTS) Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 MODULAR ASSET CREATION Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 PROP ART Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 DIORAMA CREATION Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 TEXTURE CREATION Placeholder
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<aside> 📍 Others are definitely possible depending on the company…
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This is a contested topic when it comes to art tests, normally for the art tests that I've seen they last for a week maximum and not longer then that. The reason for this is that there have been incidents where people work for 2 - 3 weeks for smaller companies, they deliver the art test and then they just never reply. Basically outsourcing their work for free labour making use of your time. However, I would say that this doesn't happen that much, but it can happen, so keep it in mind.
<aside> 📍 Short Timeframe: Couple of hours
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<aside> 📍 Medium Timeframe: 1 week average
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<aside> 📍 Long Timeframe: 2-3 weeks
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The timeframe also depends on what kind of test it's going to be, so for a full scene creation it might be a week or even longer then that (say roughly 10 days).
However for a prop it might be shorter, like a couple of days up to 5 days. So keep these estimates in mind when you get the brief and you start planning for it, and double check the timeline they have set up for you. Delivering before the deadline is good, after the deadline is always negative (unless some personal issues come in between).
<aside> 📍 READ AND UNDERSTAND THE BRIEF Make sure to understand all that the brief is saying, and know the restrictions that you are working with.
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<aside> 📍 FORM A PLAN OF ACTION Do some planning, break down the concept and prepare for the next step
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<aside> 📍 PRIORITISE AND EXECUTE Focus on the larger and more impactful things first and work you way down the list.
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<aside> 📍 TAKE REGULAR BREAKS TO REMAIN OBJECTIVE A test like this forces you to stay working on it for longer periods of time, don’t do this, take breaks and detach. This will help your art.
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If you got a brief send you it’s time to take your time and read through it properly.
I've seen a lot of people that are so excited to just get started that they forget to read through the brief and miss some crucial information, so read the brief at least three times and make sure to write down the most important information on a post it note and stick it on your screen or something, make sure that you can't miss it.
AFTER READING THE TEST YOU SHOULD KNOW:
<aside> 1️⃣ THE GOAL OF THE BRIEF
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<aside> 2️⃣ THE DEADLINE
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<aside> 3️⃣ WORKFLOWS YOU WILL USE
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<aside> 4️⃣ HOW TO PLAN THE TIMELINE FOR THE TEST
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<aside> 5️⃣ WHAT THEY ARE LOOKING FOR THE MOST
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