Episode Transcript
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(00:00):
It's crazy, right?
(00:00):
Like when you think about how much the art world has changed,
gone are the days of lugging around
those massive portfolios.
Oh, yeah.
Now it's all about building your online presence.
And ArtStation, well, it's basically
become the place for artists to do that.
It really has.
I mean, it's like the ultimate hub for artists worldwide.
(00:21):
And what's so interesting is ArtStation
really understood how art was changing,
how it was being shared and seen.
They were kind of ahead of the curve in a way.
Totally.
So in this deep dive, we're going to really break down
ArtStation.
Why is it so important?
What makes it so valuable for artists, especially now
when the competition is insane?
We're going to get into all of that.
(00:42):
Yeah, and one of the things that really makes them stand out
is that they get it.
It's not just about throwing up a portfolio online
and hoping for the best.
They've created this whole ecosystem.
It's about connecting, finding opportunities, even learning.
It's pretty cool, actually.
OK, so let's get into it.
The portfolio is obviously still important,
but what makes what ArtStation does so different?
(01:05):
How is their portfolio stuff unique?
Well, first off, it's just so easy to use, which is huge.
Artists can upload super high resolution images, videos, even
3D models.
Oh, wow, 3D models, too.
Yeah, and you can do so much with them.
Imagine being able to see a sculpture from all angles,
360 degrees, or animators can showcase their demo reels.
(01:27):
It's like having your own digital gallery,
and it's so easy to navigate, both for the artist
and anyone checking out their work.
That makes a lot of sense, especially now
with artists working across so many different mediums.
But ArtStation is about more than just how things look.
They're known for having a really strong community.
Absolutely.
I think that's where they really shine.
It's not just about showing off your work in a vacuum.
(01:48):
It's about connecting with other artists,
getting feedback, learning from each other.
It's a very supportive and inspiring community.
So it's as much about networking and learning
as it is about self-promotion, which a lot of artists
are looking for.
But let's be real, careers.
How does ArtStation actually help artists get hired?
Right, well, it's become the platform for recruiters.
(02:10):
And I'm talking like the big leagues, video games,
animation, film.
We're talking studios like Blizzard, Industrial Light,
and Magic, those big names.
They're all on ArtStation scouting talent.
Wow, seriously.
So for artists, having a profile on ArtStation,
it's almost like having a direct line to these companies.
Exactly.
(02:30):
It cuts through so much of the noise,
and it puts your work right in front of the people who matter.
And it's not just the big studios either.
You've got indie developers, art directors, recruiters, all
sorts of people looking for talent.
So it levels the playing field a bit.
No matter where you are, you have
a shot at getting noticed by some really influential people.
That's the idea.
But there's more.
ArtStation isn't just about portfolios and networking.
(02:53):
They've also got a ton of resources for learning.
Really?
All kinds of stuff, like tutorials, workshops.
They're led by people who are actually out here
working in the industry.
And then they're full on courses.
Software, technique, you name it.
3D modeling, digital painting, concept art, pretty much
anything you'd want to learn.
Wow, so it's like having a built-in art school
(03:15):
right there on the platform.
Kind of, yeah.
It's amazing, especially for artists who maybe didn't
go the traditional art school route,
or maybe they want to specialize in something new.
It's a game changer.
It's really incredible that they've thought of pretty much
everything an artist might need to not only make it,
but to really thrive.
But I think it's easy to get lost in all the features
(03:37):
and stuff.
So let's bring it back to the listener.
Why should they care about all of this?
What's the takeaway?
Well, let's talk about visibility.
I mean, we've mentioned it, but it's huge, right?
ArtStation has a massive reach, like millions
and millions of artists and people who love art.
They're on that site every month.
It's not like you're just tossing your work into the void
and hoping someone sees it.
(03:58):
Exactly.
ArtStation has that audience.
They're engaged.
And they're actively looking for cool art.
You're already kind of ahead of the game just by being there.
So for an artist, it's kind of like having your work displayed,
not in just any gallery, but in a world famous one.
That's a good way to put it.
And that kind of exposure, I mean, it can change everything.
(04:18):
There's so many stories about artists.
They land their dream job because some art director or recruiter
stumbled across their ArtStation portfolio.
That's amazing.
I guess a visibility for sure.
But how else does ArtStation help artists stand out?
Because even with a great platform,
it's still super competitive out there.
Totally.
And that's where that professional presentation
(04:38):
comes in.
Think about it.
When you go on ArtStation, it's clean.
You're not bombarded with ads and distractions.
The whole design is about letting the artwork be the focus.
And you have control.
You can customize your portfolio layout,
decide how you want to present everything,
so your work really has the best chance to make an impact.
It's like the difference between an artist trying
(05:01):
to show their work on a busy street corner
versus having a beautiful exhibition in a gallery.
Yes.
Exactly.
It's about elevating the whole experience.
And you know what goes hand in hand with that?
Networking, connecting with other artists,
finding your community.
Right.
We did touch on the community aspect earlier.
But how does ArtStation actually help artists
(05:21):
build those real connections, the meaningful ones?
It's more than just comments.
Artists on ArtStation, they really engage with each other.
They're active.
They give each other thoughtful feedback, share tips
and techniques.
It even collaborates sometimes.
And you can follow artists you admire,
participate in challenges, and talk
about different disciplines, software, trends
(05:41):
in the industry, all sorts of things.
So it's like that supportive feeling
you get in a studio or a classroom,
but it's happening on this huge global scale.
Yeah, and those connections, they
can lead to some incredible opportunities.
Mentorship is big on ArtStation too.
You've got these seasoned pros who
are willing to help out artists who are just starting sharing
(06:02):
their knowledge and experience, which is so valuable.
So it's not just about getting that first job.
It's about building those relationships that
can help you throughout your entire career.
100%.
And for those who are looking for that direct path to a job,
we've talked about how important ArtStation is for recruiters.
But it's worth really emphasizing
how much it's changed the game.
(06:23):
How so?
Well, think about it.
The old way of doing things, sending your resume
and portfolio out to a million places,
hoping for a response, it's kind of a grind.
ArtStation flips that whole thing on its head.
So you're ready when opportunity knocks?
Yeah, it's more proactive.
With ArtStation, you're kind of always on.
And recruiters, they often search for talent
using specific keywords.
(06:44):
So if you're, say, a 3D character artist who specializes
in creature design, and you use those keywords on your profile,
chances are your work is going to pop up
when those recruiters are looking for someone
with your exact skill set.
So smart.
But what about learning and evolving?
Keeping up with the art world, which changes so fast,
does ArtStation help artists with that too?
(07:06):
100%.
That's where those learning resources are so key.
We talked about the tutorials and courses,
but they're always adding new stuff too.
Master classes, deep dives into software and techniques,
and even challenges and contests.
It really pushes artists to try new things and step out
of their comfort zone.
It's like endless professional development opportunities
right at your fingertips.
(07:27):
Right.
And for artists, that's huge.
It's a fast-paced industry.
You always have to be learning and evolving
if you want to stay ahead of the curve.
OK, so we've covered a lot.
Visibility, professional presentation, community,
career stuff, even learning.
But there's one more thing I think
is important to mention, personal branding.
Because it's such a crowded digital space,
(07:48):
how does ArtStation help artists create a unique identity
for themselves?
This is another area where the platform really excels.
Because it's so customizable, your ArtStation portfolio,
it really becomes a reflection of your brand as an artist.
It's not just about the individual pieces.
It's about how you put it all together,
the story you're telling.
So you're like curating your own artistic identity.
(08:11):
Yeah, exactly.
It's about showcasing not just what you create, but why.
What makes your style different?
What stories are you trying to tell through your art?
And ArtStation gives you all the tools
to do that, visually, conceptually.
It's huge these days.
Because as an artist, you're not just competing
with other artists.
You're competing with, well, everything.
Everything's fighting for people's attention.
(08:32):
Absolutely.
And that's why having a strong personal brand
is so important now.
It's about attracting the right people, the ones who get you,
who connect with your vision.
And ArtStation gets that.
They give artists the tools to really craft
their online presence.
It's that difference.
You can be an amazing musician, crazy talented,
but are you playing on a street corner?
(08:53):
Or are you on a stage with the lights and everything?
Same talent, but it's a whole different ballgame.
Perfect analogy.
Because ArtStation understands that artists today
need to be so much more than just artists.
They need to be marketers and storytellers.
They have to build a community.
And ArtStation gives them the space to do all of that.
It's like they've created a one-stop shop for not just
(09:15):
showing off your work, but actually building a career,
a real career, in a field that, let's face it,
is notoriously tough.
Yeah.
And that's what makes ArtStation different from all
the other social media platforms.
It really reflects how much the art world is changing,
that blend of creativity and technology.
It's about empowering artists, no matter
where they are in their careers.
(09:35):
So basically what I'm hearing is,
if you're serious about your art,
ArtStation isn't just a good idea to try.
It's a must-have.
It really is.
I mean, it's become such a core part of the art world.
There's never been a better time to jump in, explore,
and just see all the opportunities that are out there.
And like we always say, the best way
to understand something is to experience it yourself.
(09:57):
Right.
So if you haven't already, go check out ArtStation.
See how you can use it.
Tell your story.
Connect with other artists.
And find your own way in this crazy, ever-changing art world.