HOW TO ACTUALLY IMPROVE (avoid wasting time)

Summary

This video explores the journey of artistic growth and development, emphasizing that mastering the fundamentals is not the only path to improvement. The creator shares personal experiences and strategies for professional development, which include specialized learning, strategic portfolio building, and lifelong adaptation. The video encourages artists to embrace discomfort, balance structured learning with creative play, and avoid burnout by focusing on both skill-building and exploration. It stresses the importance of adaptability, networking, and developing a personal vision to thrive in the creative industry while avoiding unnecessary comparisons to others.

Takeaways

• 😀 Mastering the fundamentals isn't the only path to improving as an artist; it's about how you learn as an individual.
• 😀 Professional development for artists goes beyond technical skills—it also includes career growth, networking, and adaptability.
• 😀 Consistent development involves specialized learning (e.g., taking specific courses) to improve in areas where you're lacking.
• 😀 A well-maintained and updated portfolio (such as ArtStation) is key to showcasing your skills and attracting career opportunities.
• 😀 Lifelong learning and revisiting basic skills (e.g., figure drawing, perspective) helps to keep your fundamentals sharp.
• 😀 Creative work can be categorized into two types: effortless, playful work and challenging, structured work that pushes your skills.
• 😀 The effort you put into challenging projects (e.g., mastering hard surface design, developing intricate concepts) leads to growth.
• 😀 A balanced approach to portfolio development is crucial: it allows for creative exploration while tackling real-world problems.
• 😀 Personal honesty about your current skills and vision is important—don’t compare yourself to others or industry standards.
• 😀 Structured learning is effective, but don't forget to incorporate unstructured play and creativity into your process to avoid burnout.
• 😀 Incremental progress is key—small projects, consistent practice, and self-reflection can lead to long-term artistic improvement.

Q & A

What is the main challenge the speaker identifies in mastering the fundamentals of art and design?

The speaker points out that, for some artists, focusing too much on mastering the fundamentals can actually hold them back. The constant cycle of self-doubt and the pressure of grinding out fundamentals can lead to artistic stagnation rather than improvement.

How does the speaker describe the role of luck and talent in artistic progress?

The speaker emphasizes that real progress in art is not about luck or innate talent. Instead, it is about embracing discomfort, pushing through uncertainty, and making the learning process personal.

What are the three main categories the speaker uses to break down their professional development?

The speaker breaks down their professional development into three categories: specialized learning (targeted courses to build specific skills), strategic portfolio building (curating and updating a portfolio), and lifelong learning and adaptation (practicing fundamentals and technical skills).

Why does the speaker emphasize portfolio building as part of career growth?

The speaker stresses that artists need to continuously curate and update their portfolios to ensure they stay relevant and visible. This includes removing outdated work, adding new projects, and ensuring that projects are ready for public release once any NDAs are lifted.

How does the speaker manage their learning process and interests in new technologies?

The speaker uses a structured system to track their interests and learning goals. They create a list of things they are curious about, such as new tools or techniques, and keep these on the 'back burner' for when they have time to explore them further.

What is the importance of balancing structured learning with creative exploration, according to the speaker?

The speaker highlights the importance of balancing structured learning with creative exploration. While it's important to focus on specific skills or tools, it's also crucial to allow time for unstructured, enjoyable creative activities without pressure or goals.

What does the speaker mean by 'strategic portfolio development'?

Strategic portfolio development involves carefully selecting and designing projects that showcase specific skills and cater to industry demands. The speaker uses an example of a student designing a Greek mythology-inspired theme park, focusing on one ride at a time to develop both artistic and problem-solving skills.

How does the speaker view the process of developing hard surface design skills?

The speaker views the development of hard surface design skills as a challenge that requires patience and precision. They describe the process as a form of structured practice that pushes them to improve technical skills in areas like 3D modeling.

What advice does the speaker give to beginner artists regarding portfolio creation?

The speaker advises beginner artists not to focus solely on grand, overly complex projects like fantasy ruins or sci-fi towers. Instead, they should aim for a more balanced portfolio that demonstrates a range of skills and concepts, fully developed to the level needed for industry jobs.

What key mindset does the speaker suggest for achieving growth as an artist?

The speaker suggests that growth as an artist comes from being honest with oneself about one's strengths and weaknesses, setting manageable goals, and balancing focused learning with creative play. They emphasize that art is a process of exploration and enjoyment rather than rigidly following structured learning.