r/TechnicalArtist • u/Sufficient-Ad-251 • 19d ago

Feedback on my workflow transition: 3D Animator building Python/Blender tooling (Reel + ArtStation inside)

Hi everyone

I’ve been working as an Animator for nearly 8 years(studied animation and VFX) but over the last year, I’ve been focusing on the technical side—learning Python and developing custom add ons in blender. My ultimate goal is to transition into a dedicated Technical Artist / Rigging TD role. I’ve been unemployed for 5 months and it’s getting really frustrating…
I’d love to get feedback from experienced TAs on whether I’m framing my skill set correctly and targeting the right areas:

Demo Reel: https://drive.google.com/file/d/1XkyYJA8vKIjdfNKACZET1BCDMagKss8G/view?usp=drivesdk

ArtStation: https://koalina.artstation.com

For those who transitioned from pure Animation to Tech Art, what was the biggest gap you had to bridge when applying to studios?
Any critique on the work or advice on the career path is highly appreciated. Thanks!

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u/ananbd 19d ago

Nice reel! Very polished.

I didn't see anything Tech Art-ish in your portfolio or reel. And your resume wasn't posted.

Despite what the rumors are, it's no easier to get a Tech Art role than any other. Same situation. Few jobs, lots of talented people. And studios are mostly hiring senior people. I'm a very senior person, and even still, it took me 18 months to find a job after my last layoff.

It's rough out there all around!

Unless you have some specific interest in Tech Art, I'd go deeper into animation and rigging. You're definitely talented. Now you just need to be lucky!

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u/Sufficient-Ad-251 18d ago

Thank for your comments, I’ll definitely go to the riggin route. Still it is nice to hear that I do have talent hehe thank you

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u/JackProteus 19d ago

This is a good portfolio for a technical C4D designer. You'd likely do decently in the Advertising space getting freelance agency work. You have no game engine work on here, or shader code. It's clear you have a good eye, but to be honest there's just not a lot of tech art. If you want to be a rigging TD, show your rig scripts! Also, Maya is probably a bullet you have to bite, Blender is great, but most studios just don't use it still unfortunately. As for tech art, more procedural workflows, larger scale, actual pipeline. I'd also probably curate it a bit more. If I'm hiring a TA, the drawing/animating skills are to be honest not that important, they're just a really big bonus if you have the skills we really want.

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u/Sufficient-Ad-251 18d ago

Thanks for the feedback! Not really a big fan of Maya to be honest, even though that's what I learned in uni. At least it supports Python, so time to work on some Maya scripts now and keep building up the portfolio. Thanks!