Hi Jeff, could you introduce yourself to the viewers and tell us a bit about yourself?

I was born in Texas. Growing up, I was always drawing, even when I wasn’t supposed to be. I think some of my best sketches were done in math class and in church. I knew early on that I wanted to do art for a living, but I didn’t know if I would be able to make a living at it or not. My parents were very supportive, and helped me attend the Savannah College of Art and Design. At SCAD, I majored in Illustration. By the time I was graduating, illustration was pretty much a dead field. Only the established illustrators could get work.

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So, two weeks before graduation, I taught myself 3d studio max (with the help of my roommate), and put together a portfolio to send to video game companies.I must have sent to 100 places, and I only heard back from one. After a phone interview, they offered me a job, sight unseen. I accepted, packed my car, and drove to Illinois the day after graduation. It turned out not to be a good fit for me, and I only stayed for 5 months. Over the next few years, I went from company to company, moving up the ranks each time. My last job was at Ensemble Studios, which was closed down by Microsoft. I took this as an opportunity to become a freelance artist, and it has worked out great so far.

As a freelancing character artist what are your major principles for doing a great 3D Model?

I try to challenge myself to do something new with each piece, whether it is trying out a new technique, or a new program, or just trying to push myself in a different direction. The easy thing to do would be to start each project with an existing base mesh, and use the same techniques each time to finish out the piece, but when I do that, I don’t feel like I am growing.

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How long does it usually take you to create a 3D model? What percentage of project duration does it take to achieve such detailed works?

There are so many great artists out there, so one thing that sets me apart is speed. Some of my models were done in just 5 days. I try not to spend more than 2 weeks on any project. Zbrush is an amazing tool to help artists create things quickly. I try to rough out the whole model in the first day, and then I spend a set amount of time on each area of the model. I reserve the most time for the focal area of the piece. It helps to know how the model will be used, for instance, I knew you would never see the back of the Brute Chief, so I didn’t spend as much time on that area. The only exception to all of this is hard surface stuff. No matter how hard I try, I can’t seem to get any faster! Maybe someday…

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Are you formally trained as an artist or are you self-taught? There’s a well known debate in the design community regarding the role of education in a designer’s work versus no design education, what do you think about this?

In my experience, there is no such thing as a “formally trained” artist. Art curriculum seems to be dummed down for the masses. If someone is truly passionate about art, they will go above and beyond any training they are receiving. On the job experience is the best training you can have. Not once has my education helped me get a job, it’s all in the portfolio. When I was in charge of hiring at a couple of companies, I wouldn’t even read applicant’s cover letters or most of their resume. If their portfolio was good, I would look to see what their work experience was, but that was still secondary to the quality of the work. In a quick phone interview, I could tell all I needed to know to determine if they should be flown out for an onsite interview. If their work was good, if they demonstrated enough knowledge about the position they were looking to fill, and if they were a good personality fit, they got the job.

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On which projects you are working these days, and which project you enjoying the most?

Unfortunate, I am under NDA on the really fun stuff I am working. I have some movie gigs that are exciting, and I am also working on some game stuff for EA which is pretty enjoyable.

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What software programs do you use for your CG and why?

The only programs I couldn’t live without are Zbrush and Photoshop. The 3d programs all seem to be pretty interchangeable. Currently I use 3d studio max, and Maya, depend on what the client wants. I really want to try Modo, but i haven’t had a chance yet.

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Since you love creating characters, please give us a look into your top 3 favorite characters, and also explain what makes them so special.

I guess my favorite character I created was the Boxer. I was working in my spare time on an anatomy study. As it progressed, I started to see the face of a rugged boxer emerge, so I decided to take it in that direction. I guess I like him most because he wasn’t pre planned, he just sort of happened. I also liked creating the Brute Chief. I am a big fan of the Halo universe, so that was fun to do. My third favorite would have to be the chimera. This was another personal piece. Trying to blend the different animals was a fun challenge to tackle.

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What was the most important lesson you have learned since you started designing 3d characters that might help the newer modelers getting into 3d?

Practice, practice, practice! If you are trying to get a job, create 10-15 character, and then only submit the best 3 or 4 of them. It’s true what they say: you are only as good (to and employer) as your worst piece.

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Besides modeling and design, what do you like to do in your spare time?

In doing freelance, I have discovered that you don’t necessarily have less free time than working a regular job, it’s just distributed more unevenly. I might have weeks where I am working nonstop, and then a light week. I try to pick hobbies that can easily be put down at a moment’s notice. I like to play music, read, and spend time with my girlfriend. During the winter, I like to reserve at least a week for snowboarding.

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Where do you plan to take your designing career in the future? And what do you hope to accomplish in the next couple of years?

Wow, that’s a difficult question. At any point in my life, if someone had asked me that, the answer I would have given would have turned out to be wrong in a couple of years. I feel fortunate to be doing what I love for a living, so as long as I am still able to do that in the future, I will be happy.

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Do you have any helpful comments for our viewers out there about being a freelance artist?

Be patient. The work will come when you least expect it. If you have down time, use it to work on personal work. Try and get as much exposure as you can by posting on forums, entering contests, or even doing interviews. You never know who is looking.

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Well its been a great pleasure and thanks for taking the time out to talk with us.

Thanks.

For more information visit Jeff’s webpage:www.thenewred.com