You asked to take a Selfie

week 7: EOC Career Goals

I have always chased after my goals; even if that meant clawing and scratching in the face of adversity.. Over the years this became something that meant so much to me, that I sacrificed practical bits of myself just to accomplish my goals. I feel that in achieving my goals, I have often erased little histories of underachieving, un-optimal tact in my personality and the parts of me so completely against persevering. Ultimately, my goals have had a resounding effect on my success:

I’ve been resolute enough to compete at the State Level in SkillsUSA four years in a row and become the President of my Chapter. I competed at the International Level in the Marketing Division in DECA. I went on to over take a variety of chair/board member positions and earn leadership titles too many to count, before even graduating high school.

Now, at 20 years old I am the Art Director for two pending television series. I have over six years of experience in 3D Animation and Modeling, Graphics, and I’ve invested the latter have of my life towards 2D Graphic Design and Concept Art. It’s hard to pinpoint an “end-all, be-all” career goal for myself as I have already accomplished so much. I think the best focal point here is this opportunity opens doors for myself and this (or any) company willing to open its doors and allow me to meet the demands of the work ahead. Work that would, ultimately, present itself as more than something that meets the criteria of a singular career goal.

EOC WK 5 Whatever Works

The woman prepared herself by allotted one-on-one time with a person who could and would place her with an invaluable opportunity to network. The scene was set with the intension of being a casual evening, again focusing on who she is and who he is to her.  Before her was presented an individual who clearly had experience as a professional; “dabbling” in the art field as well as the physiological. Someone with this background is a key person for her to have made important, close connections with. This allowed her to utilize his background to meet her needs for an expansion both for notoriety and for her personal business growth.

The scene where she reveals both her talents and her interests, provide for him a living asset; someone or something of a project which he could present to those with whom he had previously connected with. This provided for him notoriety and business growth. This is such an important concept in the film; serving as a reminder than when a networking opportunity presents itself, the circumstance explodes beyond the expected horizon (The plot twist involving the ménage à trois) for both parties. More importantly; both parties absolutely benefited from the “meeting”. What she did was allow herself to become a bigger voice (as demonstrated by her sudden change in demeanor and jargon when she was made to realize her works had value) and therefore more interesting, beneficial, marketable, and in lieu of professional.

Furthermore; this prompt begs the question: How far would you go to get your dream job? In this context, this is to almost ask how far I would go to network and if my actions would in any way parallel hers. The answer? They absolutely would. In a less comically ironic setting, I would absolutely provide myself as an asset the second I have made a business connection. There is no limit to how versatile I should make my abilities, interests, and background. And as for her; explaining the context of my work, the inspiration—the passion—these are all speeches and techniques I would derive from the woman in this movie. It proves something to the individual you are trying to connect with; providing an intellect and an investment (maybe not personal, but it must absolutely be presented in a personable manner).

My dream job is to be an Art Director (although I will settle for a concept artist position) for either an Indie Game company (meaning, a company that opened small and with the intention of breaking into the mainstream) or an established, AAA video game company (Blizzard Entertainment). I have already reached out via Twitter to people who work for and operate Indie Game companies, Blizzard, and a number of other AAA game companies. Gaining notoriety this way is the easiest step in reaching into the interests and obtaining a name for myself within those companies as I am certainly not in the ideal location for meeting any of them face to face. The furthest I would go is investing serious money to go to several conventions or “networking events” where I know that these key representatives from those companies will be at. Blizzcon 2015 as an opportunity for me to go to has passed; but in the future that would be an easy $800+ investment I am far more than happy to make. As that as a small scale example, I believe the furthest I would go is to attend bigger events-hopefully internationally, hopefully in the UK, Korea, and Canada as those are key locations for both video game industry news and video game industry conventions/conferences. Location and opportunity are key when it comes to meeting the right people.

The Deeper Meaning Behind "Swingers"

Now, I know what you're thinking given the above title. This is not, I repeat, not about the post-modern way of life we call "swinging". This is about the 1996's movie "classic" titled Swingers. 

The movie portrays a metaphor for approaching success and the way by which successful networking is achieved. It takes a very, near-painfully, relatable protagonist on a repetitive adventure in a search for a romantic partner. This is the metaphor. The deeper meaning of Swingers is that this act of repetitive, continuous trial-and-error is the process of networking. You will try, you will not know what you are doing yourself, but you will do it. You will fail. And in the blunt explanation behind it all; eventually you will understand what the proper protocol for presenting yourself will be. 

The concept is not the end-all, do-all un-motivating resolution we all come to for networking. It is the story of "How do I get there?" "How do we get there?". Example begins when the protagonist is thrown out of his comfort zone; in a predicament when he is forced to move forward in life and find a new (business) partner. He’s starting over, starting fresh—like we all are when in search of a job. He takes the long ways of trying to put himself in the right places to meet new (business) partner. En route to figuring out where he ought to be, he and his friends are relentlessly holding meetings, reaching out to people around them, and proactively discussing business opportunities and careers they want to hold onto in life.

To be successful you must be constantly gripping onto success; be, as in the movie, “money” be “so much money”. The motivation between these friends allows the protagonist to continue on a Hero’s Journey, an epic; his search for a new (business) partner. It is important to note that this movie is a guide; you will fail, but you will learn. As does the protagonist when he first attempts to reach out (with Nikki) and completely fails by approaching the situation as someone he is not, then by being relentless in trying to get her response/attention, thereby ultimately dissatisfying her and failing himself.

He eventually finds success with another woman; eventually coming into his own self and then making the best decision possible by rejecting his old partner and garnering success with someone who will be able to make his career grow.

WK2 EOC-"3 PROFILE STATEMENTS"

Skilled 2D and 3D artist, well-equipped to produce conceptual layouts for game sequences. Knowledgeable with a variety of creative design software.

Ambitious 2D conceptual and portrait artist with six years of expertise in a variety of 3D modeling software.

Endowed digital and traditional mix-media concept artist with a knack for character design whose interpersonal skills make for excellent communication and team-player capabilities. Very adept at interweaving storytelling and design experience effectively and efficiently in creative software.

AJ EOC WK 1

Generally speaking, I thrive in the most chaotic of work environments. The promise of my abilities allows me to serve any creative purpose while sustaining great rapport with clientele and a continuously building portfolio. My background falls somewhere between fine and contemporary art design and years of revolutionizing my customer service abilities. I bring a unique level of ambition; unconcerned or dismissing of what is generally held to be original, artistic and imaginative. My sole mission is to innovate and demonstrate my understanding of art by following one's internal sense, independent of reasoning. I prefer what is new, unusual and different. I continue to do this and build relationships with a variety of clientele by creative designs that secure sense of one's own worth through actions and ideas pursued in the present that will affect the future. That of business and artistic relations.

That being said, I work best in an environment that is fast-paced that lends me both autonomy and teamwork opportunities throughout any creative process. It is that moment, when the ideas start to flow, that I am humbled by how inspired I am when I and a creative team/ambitious client put our minds together. I so appreciate working in tandem to cover all aspects of a project.