Well this is my first blog post EVER! So let me just start by giving the reason for starting this blog. I am looking to change career by going into the gaming industry. I have always wanted to do this ever since I learnt how to program. I love games and I have never stopped finding it fascinating how games are made and what new techniques developers use to acheive results for specific features.
I graduated from Queen Mary University of London 3 years ago with a 2:1 in BSc Physics & Computer Science. Since then I briefly worked for a property development company, Manhattan Properties, as IT research & development. This job included looking for new technologies to use in their high-end properties, as they use home automation supplied by Crestron, I went into learning about Crestron systems. With Crestron integrated into a home you have the possibility to control your lighting, HVAC (Heating and Ventilation), security/alarm system, all AV equipment, etc. The Crestron systems required programming, so I saw this as a chance to utilise my skills and go into that, plus it was cool to control and use the Crestron systems. Anyway, I continued to work at Manhattan Properties for 3 months, but found myself not progressing and achieving what I thought I'd be, so I found that I could continue to work with Crestron and Manhattan Properties but as a separate entity. A friend that I met at university always talked about starting a business together and now that I thought we had a service/product to sell, I contacted him about the idea and from that TC Innovations was born.
For the next 3 years we built up TC Innovations from scratch, initially developing websites for companies including Manhattan Properties and Crestron, but then went on to programming and installing Crestron systems into properties. We had a brilliant year in 2008 and were overwhelmed with projects, but it was very difficult to expand and bring new people on board, as we still wouldn't be able to afford staff and a larger office. We finally decided that to expand we would have to take big risks with our personal finance and at this point it was just not an easy option to take, so we should pursue the careers that we always wanted.
Now I am looking to break into the gaming industry as this is my dream. During the 3 years running TC Innovations I have been learining and practising 3d modelling using 3ds Max. I want to embrace my artistic skills as I feel more comfortable in this line of work and I have many ideas that I feel I can express best through 2d/3d art. I have an art background as I was studying and producing art work from as far back as I can remember up until my A Levels. I always continued to sketch ideas and kept a little sketch book where I doodled whenever I was bored. This is one of the reasons I started this blog, because I want to display all artwork I can dig up and post up on here, no matter how bad it is. I would also love people to critique my work and tell me where I can improve, as I think this is an important factor in growing as an artist.
Right now I have got to a good level of skill on 3ds Max and am now using ZBrush to do detail work and paint textures, and I also use PhotoShop to draw concepts, touch up 3d stills and paint/touch-up textures. I will be posting up my work as I go along and any work in progress.
Check back to see my work and please leave comments!
