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How to hire a great 3D artist - 5 top tips

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3D artists are in high demand these days. We live in a three-dimensional world that demands accurate representation and that’s true whatever corner of the creative industries you find yourself in right now. The need to hire skilled and experienced 3D artists who can visualise an idea and then render it accurately in 3D is there in almost every creative sector - from entertainment to architecture and everywhere in between. Because 3D models and renders are vital to an incredibly wide range of businesses.

How do you hire the perfect 3D artist?

Who or what is a 3D artist?

3D artists allow manufacturers to visualise their designs and get ahead in the marketing game. They let them “see” the product before physical work on it even begins so they can iron out any imperfections before production behind. In fact, even if your business doesn’t produce physical products, 3D artists can create works in virtual and augmented reality to help bridge that emotional gap between brands and consumers and convey a message with literal depth.

They use a multitude of canvases to achieve this. Some choose to start with pen and pencil before moving onto the digital realm while other work entirely within the computer using software programs such as 3DS Max, Blender, Autodesk Maya and many more. These visuals are then often used as models from which to build physical versions at scale.

How to find and hire the right 3D artist

There are hundreds of 3D artists on Creativepool alone and thousands more scattered across LinkedIn and other social media platforms. But how do you narrow down your search? Finding the right person to bring your ideas to virtual and then physical life is incredibly important and demands more work than simply typing “3D artist” into Google and hoping for the best. This would also take an inordinate amount of time and time is perhaps the most precious commodity for creatives.

Whittling down the right pair of hands to visualise your concepts and ideas and finding the best 3D artist for your needs means asking yourself and your potential candidates the right questions.

Here are some questions to ask when you're about to hire a 3D artist.

1. Are you experienced?

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The first thing you should be looking for is experience and, generally speaking, the more, the better. Experience means that the artist possesses a particular set of skills and knowing what sort of skills your candidate has to bring to the table can significantly help narrow down your selection process.

Generally speaking, 3D artists should be adept at 3D modelling, concept art and architectural visualisation. They should also have strong computer skills as well as teamwork and networking skills. Above all else, however, they should have vast reserves of creative potential and artistic talent. This might be difficult to spot but the more time you spend around truly creative people, the more likely you are to spot what sets them apart.

2. Are you established?

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If a 3D artist tells you they don’t have much of a social media presence then it’s time to start being suspicious. For one thing, social media is a great way of scoping out previous work and customer reviews and references, which will all go some way towards helping you to ascertain how professional and skilful a 3D artist is.

Of course a 3D artist's worth isn't just measured by the size of their following on social media. They should also have a portfolio of their best projects. Aside from their best work, a portfolio also consists of other details that can help you make an informed decision. Pay attention to all these details to see if the person is really up to the challenge and how their work compares to what you want. If you're not impressed by their best work, don't expect them to improve their quality for your project. Because that won't happen.

3. Are you reasonably priced?

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Of course, this will depend on whether you’re hiring a freelancer or hiring a 3D artist to join your team full or part-time. Freelancers reserve the right to charge their own prices and will set a rate based on their experience and general market value. Beware, however, that cheap doesn’t always mean good value. 

The best option is to find a middle ground between artists with inflated prices and those that are a little more affordable. Also, always ensure you settle on a price before the job begins, otherwise it can lead to arguments and misunderstandings further down the line. And always sign a contract!

4. Are you open to cooperation?

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Do you want a 3D artist who will crack on with minimal interruption or would you prefer an artist that’s open to working closely together with your team in a more cooperative fashion? If the latter is the case then ensure the artist you choose is open to cooperating with their clients and appreciates the value of a second, third or even tenth opinion.

Cooperation and consultation are particularly important when it comes to alterations. Everything starts with your initial idea, of course, but the 3D artist will make most of the modifications. The best course of action is to work together to spot any errors, obstacles and issues.

5. What’s your specialisation?

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A specialisation refers not only to the kind of software a 3D artist uses or the sectors and industries they’ve worked for in the past. It can refer to anything they feel sets them apart from the competition.

Do they specialise in designing characters for animation or gaming, for example? Or do they specialise in creating 3D environments? Perhaps they might have lots of experience when it comes to 3D printing or visual effects? Maybe they even specialise in virtual and augmented reality? Whatever you’re looking for in an artist, there is bound to be one with the exact blend of skills and niche interests waiting to receive your introductory message.

Using Creativepool

Looking to hire a 3D artist? Creativepool has thousands of super-talented members waiting to make your projects work better for their users.

There are 3 ways for you to find a 3D artist on Creativepool.

1. Search and Contact

Want greater control of who you work with and the process behind it? Searching for talent directly and then handpicking who you would like to work is a great way to be proactive in your talent hunting. 

Simply search for 3D artists and browse through the results. You will be able to look through projects, CVs/Resumes of the talent listed to make an informed decision on your next hire. 

On Creativepool we use a series of indicators to rank our members based on job title. Looking through the top 25 ranked 3D artists is also a powerful and quick way to view the best in talent on the platform.

Once you have found someone whose style and experience works for you, contact them directly by clicking on the message tab. Searching is ideal if you have a very specific idea on who it is that you would like to be working with. 

2. Post a studiogig 

Looking for a freelance 3D artist? The quickest way to find available talent is to advertise your brief. With us, briefs for individuals are called studiogigs.

Posting your role is formulated to be quick and easy and once you have posted your role, we get busy behind the scenes selecting the best talent to send out your brief to and then post the role on the jobs board. Once you have advertised your brief then just relax and wait for applicants to come to you directly! 

3. Post a job 

If you are looking for a permanent 3D artist, then advertising a 3D artist job is the way for you to attract talent. The process is identical to posting a studiogig.

Once you have posted your role we will check the details of the adverts, send out job alerts to our community that best match your criteria and post on the jobs board. Like studiogigs applicants will apply to you direct.  

Whether posting a job or a studiogig or searching for talent you are in control on who you hire. You are under no obligation to choose any of the applicants, and you negotiate with them directly on rates. 

If you need any help on your talent hunt. You can chat with us or send us a message. We'd be happy to help.

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