Art Test Master List

[temmink]

Art Test Master List
This list will be updated to contain a collection of links to freely available art tests that companies use as part of their selection process. I hope you find this list useful and please contribute any other art tests that you know of by replying to this thread. Thanks
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Tests are in the order they were added.
Splash Damage Environment Art Test (http://www.splashdamage.com/envarttest)
20,000 triangle 'dock' environment section from concept.
21/10/2008, Thanks to erik!


Splash Damage Art Test (http://www.splashdamage.com/images/content/arttest_concept01.jpg)
1000 triangle 'watercooler' prop from concept.
* Model from concept art
* 1000 Triangles
* 512 X 512 Diffuse/Specular/Normal Maps
* Textured in a realistic weathered style25/10/2008, thanks to C Wong and Ritorian.


Play.net Hero's Journey Art Test (http://www.play.net/hj/info/apply/arthome.asp)
Texturing and low poly (1500) character modelling.
21/10/2008


Boanerges Studios Environment Art Test 1 (http://www.boanergesstudios.com/careers.php)
Texturing and low poly (500) 'window box' environment section from reference.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Boanerges Studios Environment Art Test 2 (http://www.boanergesstudios.com/careers.php)
Texturing and low poly (2000) 'steeple' environment section from reference.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Bizzare Creations Character Modeller Test (http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/job_view.php?id=charactermodeller)
Character sculpt and texturing.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Bizzare Creations Concept Art Test (http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/concept_artist_task.php)
Environment Concept to brief.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Bizzare Creations Environment Art Test 1 (http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/environment_modeller.php)
Model and texture 'Gotham City' building facade to reference and brief.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Bizzare Creations Environment Art Test 2 (http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/environment_modeller.php)
Model and texture a realistic building and environment from concept and brief.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Bizzare Creations 2D/Graphic Design Task (http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/graphic_design_task.php)
Conceptualise and produce finished menus and artwork for a racing game.
25/10/2008, Thanks to Mtg_kirin


Unknown Worlds Art Test (http://www.unknownworlds.com/art_test)
50 hours to model, UV, and texture a game ready 1500 Poly rail car asset from concept.
30/10/2008, Thanks to Ooghijmiqtxxa


Cauldron 3D Art Test (http://www.cauldron.sk/files/zadania.zip)
Model and Texture Environment from photo.
* Model the cottage from the included photo, unseen side is up to your imagination.
* 2500 Triangles
* 1024 X 1024 Texture Maps
* Model MUST NOT contain holes or overlapping polygons
* Included PDF and source website are in Slovak
04/12/2009, Thanks to ghost-d


Fidelity Logic Art Test (http://filollc.com/node/25) NEW
Model and Texture Character or Environment.
* [B]Character Model
* Create a non-graphics, stylized, kid friendly, cartoony zombie character (ex. Plants vs. Zombies)
* 1200 Triangles
* 512 x 512 Texture Maps (RGBa 32bit Targa)
* Optional: Extra Maps (normal, specular, etc.)
* Optional: Rigging & Walk Cycle
* Environment
* Create a cartoony, stylized environment of your choosing with the theme 'US Army'
* 7000 Triangles
* 2 x 1024 x 1024 Texture Maps (RGBa 32bit Targa)
* 3 Unique 'Hero' Props
* 512 x 512 Texture Maps (RGBa 32bit Targa) Per
* Optional: Extra Maps (normal, specular, etc.)
* Optional: Extra 'Hero' Props
* General Requirements
* All textures must be hand-painted (little to no photo sourcing)
* Applicant must include original sketches
* Any 3D Package is acceptable
* Submit Renders of completed work (may be asked for working files)
* Deadline is 1 Week from date issued
* View specification sheet (http://www.gameartisans.org/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=37627&stc=1&d=1295979649)
28/01/2011, Thanks to TheQiwiMan

----------------------------
Please post any links you have to this thread and I will endeavour update this list as soon as possible. Please only post links to FREELY AVAILABLE content (PLEASE DO NOT POST THE CONTENT ITSELF AS AN IMAGE OR ATTACHMENT).
Thanks :thumb:

ATTENTION: IF YOU ARE THE COPYRIGHT HOLDER TO ANY OF THE RESOURCES HERE AND WANT THEM REMOVED PLEASE PM ME OR CONTACT ME VIA ANY OF THE MEANS LISTED IN MY PROFILE AND I WILL REMOVE IT FROM THE LIST AS SOON AS POSSIBLE. THESE WERE POSTED WITH THE INTENTION OF BEING A LEARNING RESOURCE. THANK YOU.

[butt_sahib]

Excellent idea temmik!

I know of atleast two art tests that could be added to that list.
Ones making this water dispenser that everyones doing these days.i think that ones for splash damage aswell? correct me if im wrong!
Good idea to make this a sticky aswell :)

[temmink]

Thanks for that, do you remember what the brief was? Even the general gist would be good.

[Ritorian]

Hey I did this test awhile back the specs and limitations are on my site just scroll down and you'll see my version, right above it is a brief describing everything limits and so fourth. cheers :)

link - http://mvick3d.wordpress.com/wip-amphibious-man/

[temmink]

Hey thanks Ritorian, I have updated the zip and the list. Cheers.

Some cool stuff on your portfolio blog there btw, nice work!

[Mtg_kirin]

i have a couple bookmarked here ya go

two at the bottom
http://www.boanergesstudios.com/careers.php

environment
http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/environment_modeller.php

concept art
http://www.bizarrecreations.com/jobs/concept_artist_task.php

[temmink]

Thanks Mtg_kirin, some good ones there!

List is updated! Mirrors are up. :D

[cookepuss]

Not to sound like a downer, C Wong, but if it was taken offline then there was a reason. Reposting it when it was purposely removed may be a violation of the original artist's IP right and the Splash Damage web site's terms of use. Just sayin. :) This general notion applies to any such test here. Make sure that you're not stepping on any toes, legally.

Nice thread idea though. Very constructive for those looking to get a foot in the industry or seeking to understand what it takes. I'm making this thread a sticky just so that everybody can see it.

EDIT>> Also moved it to "general discussion" since this is not technically WIP stuff.

[C Wong]

Erm... whoops. Better get rid of it. If anyone wants it, just pm me.... Not sure I should be saying that either.... I'll try and get permission off of someone then re-post when I do. Sorry.

[temmink]

Erm... whoops. Better get rid of it. If anyone wants it, just pm me.... Not sure I should be saying that either.... I'll try and get permission off of someone then re-post when I do. Sorry.

Don't worry about it man, the image is still there on the site, just the brief is down. I will amend the first post with a notice that anything will be taken down on request. I don't think there will be any problems, as long as people don't abuse these tests if they were freely available at some point I think it is ok to have them here as a learning resource.

[blankslatejoe]

yeah...definitely be careful with this. I think it's a great idea for a thread, but occasionally you'll find a company that definitely doesn't want their materials posted ANYWHERE online--particularly if they're hiring for a certain style or genre or unannounced game that want to keep secret.

If you get an art test and want to contribute to this thread, just tell your point of contact about this thread and ask if it would be ok to post. This list could become a great resource!

[cookepuss]

if they were freely available at some point I think it is ok to have them here as a learning resource.

I think that the key part of your post is "at some point." Just because they post it once doesn't necessarily make it public domain. Just because they make it available "at some point" doesn't give people rights in perpetuity. They still hold the IP. Fair use does have its limitations, even where educational purposes are concerned.

[cookepuss]

BTW, temmink. You're probably on shaky ground actually mirroring their stuff yourself. There's a certain provision in fair use to allow for archival, but mirroring stuff more or less amounts to redistribution - a right you aren't expressly granted. Even public libraries have legally imposed limitations regarding redistribution and reproduction. CYA and consider removing the mirrors. If the original source site goes down, just remove the link. I'm sure that there will be other similar tests to replace the removed ones. The best way to keep this list relevant is just to keep it updated with the latest links.

[temmink]

Your probably right Cooke and I am happy to take your advice on the matter. I'll edit the list now and take down the mirror. Don't want to cause troubles :o It's a tricky line and the best thing is to ere on the side of caution.

Thanks for the sticky btw.

[SuPa-]

Bizzare Creations Character Modeller Test model's UV Map seems to act up, and it causes problems when baking normal maps (it caused my normal maps to have seems). We're aloud to re-UV Map it, correct? I did and it baked fine afterwards

Just thought I'd put that out there if anyone else is having the same problem...

[temmink]

I'm sure that if there is some problem with the map and you fix it and explain why and what you had to do then it's probably a bonus for your application (if not a sneaky part of the test ;)) Thanks for the heads up.

[cookepuss]

I have sent spacemonkey a pm and he seems to think it's ok, and he works at splash damage.
Unless he is the original artist or the one who first authorized the posting on Splash Damage's web site, this document really shouldn't be here... technically. As a "mere" employee, his legal rights to that document are non-existent. I doubt that this thread here is a threat to anybody, but the dubious legality of posting it here is fairly clear.

[temmink]

Unless he is the original artist or the one who first authorized the posting on Splash Damage's web site, this document really shouldn't be here... technically. As a "mere" employee, his legal rights to that document are non-existent. I doubt that this thread here is a threat to anybody, but the dubious legality of posting it here is fairly clear.

Add to that that the image is still available at the link:
http://www.splashdamage.com/images/content/arttest_concept01.jpg

which is on the list above (2nd entry) so there is no reason to repost it, also it would be better for the thread NOT to have a bunch of images in it as it will save people bandwidth if they just want to check it what interests them. So if you can remove the image anyway that would be great.

[C Wong]

No problem.

[Ooghijmiqtxxa]

Hey guys,

We have something like this here at Unknown Worlds. You can go ahead and post this in the original thread if you want.

http://www.unknownworlds.com/art_test

[blankslatejoe]

fantastic, ooghijmiqtxxa!

OH, tell Max M. I said hi! You guys are gonna put out a kickbutt game, I'm sure :)

[Ooghijmiqtxxa]

fantastic, ooghijmiqtxxa!

OH, tell Max M. I said hi! You guys are gonna put out a kickbutt game, I'm sure :)

Hey thanks Joe! Max says: "Yo JOE!" He also wants to know if you got that mole on your ass removed?

[temmink]

Hey guys,

We have something like this here at Unknown Worlds. You can go ahead and post this in the original thread if you want.

http://www.unknownworlds.com/art_test

Thanks for the link up ;) Looks like an interesting task too, the concepts are great!

[blankslatejoe]

Hey thanks Joe! Max says: "Yo JOE!" He also wants to know if you got that mole on your ass removed?

Tell him that I considered it, but his mom preferred me all natural, untouched by cosmetic surgery. Wish I could say the same about her. ;)

heeheehee... also, ask him to tell you about the metal plate in his head...good story there...

[cookepuss]

ROFL :D Joe. Joe. Joe. You're killing me, man. :)

Remember, guys, this is a sticky. Let's not derail it too much.

[Baddcog]

Great thread, thanks for starting it.

I'd love a job in the game industry but don't know if it'll ever happen. Anyway, wanting to hone my character skills I think I'm gonna give that storm giant a shot (I'm not gonna move to EU so I won't submit) and see how it goes.

[nick2730]

can we complete and submit these?

[blankslatejoe]

You can certainly complete them, and if the company that posted it has an open call for art submissions using the test, you should be safe submitting. But usually these are given out by the companies to prospective employees, and the companies have asked for them specifically. If in doubt, send the company an inquiry and ask!

-joe

[nick2730]

thanks joe

[Mask_Salesman]

Great thread, It would be interesting if their was also list of work people submitted aswell; to see how people interpret the same concept/task differently, put their own individuality into it.

[ghost-d]

Great thread, many thanks for that!

Not that I would expect anyone here being interested in full-time work for slovak studio, but it´s an art-test I know about and if anyone wanted to give it a try, here it is:
http://www.cauldron.sk/files/zadania.zip
The company name is Cauldron. I´m posting the link directly to the art test, otherwise you´d have to search for it in a section that is only in slovak language.

In the zipfile you´ll find a .jpeg and a .pdf file. The .pdf just says that you´re supposed to model the cottage on the picture, 2500 tris, 1024 x 1024 textures, the model can´t have any holes or overlapping polygons (not sure why, I always thought it´s common practice), reverse side of the cottage is up to the artists imagination, the house on the picture is "rickety" and the model should preserve that attribute.

[temmink]

Thanks for posting ghost-d. I will update the thread momentarily. As you say it may just be a resource for people to practice on but you never know your luck! I hope I got this right, by 'Cranky' do you mean creaky or rickety, sort of hand made? Or that the person who lives there is 'cranky' ie. grumpy or angry?

[ghost-d]

Thanks for posting ghost-d. I will update the thread momentarily. As you say it may just be a resource for people to practice on but you never know your luck! I hope I got this right, by 'Cranky' do you mean creaky or rickety, sort of hand made? Or that the person who lives there is 'cranky' ie. grumpy or angry?

I knew that "cranky" isn´t going to be the right term :) Rickety would be more proper for this. I knew that cranky means an angry person, but surprisingly in the dictionary I found only cranky as equivalent to a word that in slovak language means "rickety". Also "woobly" was on my mind, but I wasn´t sure about it so cranky won it :)

[KingV]

This's useful...

[Chubbydan]

Hey everyone,

this is a really good idea for a thread. My two pence is the art test for the GTA series at Rockstar North in Edinburgh ( Scotland, UK just in case )
I know this isn't an option for most folk but GTA is one of the most successful game franchises around.

Appologies for the copy and paste but here it is word for word.





1 Environment Test Pack

The pack we have provided to begin the test includes:

• Brief description of the subject - in this case a city block
• Brief description of the preferred process.
• High resolution reference photos
• Dimensions and specifications - including timescale.
• Google Earth links to similar subject matter.


2 Test Subject

The subject is a typical American inner city block. The block contains shops, offices, apartments, alleys etc. The block does not need to be a replica of the real world equivalent, but should display the most important aspects, visually as well as functionally, with enough use of artistic license to make it work in-game. This block presents a gritty, lived in, urban image and all artwork should reflect this.

3 The Process

The preferred process should resemble the following workflow:

• Review reference photos and Google Earth links to familiarise yourself with the subject matter and the surrounding area.
• Select the relevant elements that will make this a visually exciting and dynamic block.
• Block out the environment, ensuring that all dimension and proportions are correct before continuing.
• Create a series of gritty, photo realistic textures based on the reference photos and any high resolution texture libraries.
• Work up each building to a fully modelled and mapped level, including alleys and roof areas
• Add any appropriate polish you feel will add to the depth and realism of the block.

A snapshot of each stage of the process should be presented to show the work in progress.

4 Specifications

• Block should measure 40.0m x 40.0m approximately. Height will be dependant on the elements selected.
• A typical floor should measure 4.0m.
• One step should measure 0.2m.
• A typical door should measure 1.3m x 2.3m.
• Texture maps must use standard game dimensions - 512 x 512, 1024 x 1024 for example. Standard texture size should be 1024 x 1024, but texel size should be consistent so adapt texture sizes accordingly.
• Texture maps should be in Bitmap format.
• Specular and normal maps should be half the size of diffuse maps.
• All textures should be prefixed by your capitalised initials.
• Timescale for the whole project is two weeks.

5 Submission

The completed project should be presented in a WinRar file. All texture paths should be stripped. The .rar file should contain:

• Completed Max 2009 file - or compatible equivalent. We are prepared to accept Maya files if necessary.
• All texture maps - both bitmap and PSD files. Keep PSD files separate.
• Any additional reference not originally supplied with the test.
• A brief written post mortem of the process, including your general impression of how the test went and highlighting any specific problems that were solved.

[temmink]

Hey Chubbydan, thanks for posting. Is this an open test that they have published or something they sent after you made an application. The issue being that we can only really link to openly available content as some of these tests are subject to NDA and other confidentiality agreements. If you can provide a link to where you found it it would be great to post, but if it was something they sent you personally it probably shouldn't be published.

Cheers,
Temmink

[dustinbrown]

That's the most specifically instructed art test I've ever seen, but I suppose it has to be, given the subject matter.

[TheQiwiMan]

This is the Art Test we're giving out to potential New Hires here at FiLo-

Speaking as someone new to the whole "Hire-er" as opposed to the "Hire-ie", I definitely wouldn't mind someone submitting the Art test along with their Resume/Portfolio.

And yes, as of 1/25/2011 we are currently hiring for 2 Artist as well as 2 Programmer positions.

[sinz]

Oh snap the Qiwiman I am jumping on that a.s.a.p! :) I actually played that game in my cousins house on Xbox360 It was full of fun, he loved It, thanks for posting the art-test!

[temmink]

Thanks TheQiwiMan, I have updated the list with the FiLo test, let me know if you want anything changed. Cheers

[TheQiwiMan]

-oops, just saw where it specifically says "DO NOT ATTACH IMAGE". I assume thats just to make sure companies don't get upset you're using their material, correct? Since I was specifically asked to design and promote this test, obviously FiLo wouldn't mind me posting it here.

But I can remove it if you'd like temmink?

(Oh, also, its Character OR Environment, not both)

[temmink]

Hey TheQiwiMan, yeah, that rule is only to prevent stepping on anyone's toes, since you can authorise it that's fine. I'll correct the details, thanks again.

[RobertZ]

Great, this thread could prove very useful :thumb:

[Red 5]

Do you have any art test for the following game companies? (Epic game studios, Day 1 studios, EA, Red Storm game studios.)

[Ramseus]

Splash Damage changed their art test. Now it's a big... prop... thing. The concept's pretty cool.