Interview: Gavin Goulden, character artist at Piranha Games

[benclark]

----Click here to read the interview----

[benclark]

post any further questions you have for Gavin here

[glynnsmith]

Hey Gavin.

I've seen your work on CGTalk (I even commented on your gangster model :P) and I'm completely impressed with your latest creature designs. Awesome stuff.

I haven't finished any creature modelling yet as they tend to be a bit boring (my ideas that go towards my concepts, not the actual task of doing such a project :P). This might be a completely vague, or possibly difficult, question to answer in brief but I was wondering if there are any secret tips or methods-of-thinking in designing appealing creatures effectively, and if so - what are they?

I have other questions, but I think I'd better space them out a bit as to control the swarm of other posts that're no doubt going to be made.

Thanks for answering in advance, and thanks to both you and Alchemist101 for the interview Good stuff!

Cheers

G

[benclark]

I got one too actually, how did you do that render of the gangster in the article?

[Gavin]

Hey Guys!

First off, thanks for the interview, I really appreciate it.

Alchemist101: The gnagster is just an import into Max with an omni light placed above him. Usually what I'll do is export an object from ZBrush and put it into Max for viewing like that as I usually work in multiple pieces and need to be able to see how they look when pieced all together (to keep the style consistent and stuff.) Usually I can't import the highest level mesh that I have in ZBrush as my computer would probably explode...so the result is always a bit rougher than how it actually is in ZB or in the final normal map.

glynnsmith: Thanks man It is a bit tough to answer as I think most people's process is probably a little different. Personally though, I've been creating humans for a long time and was really waiting for an opportunity to make a creature(s). Like I said up above, I've always been into monsters and bizarre things and I think that's where I get a lot of my design ideas from. I've been tempted to do something cartoony or light hearted but I think my stuff always ends up a little on the evil side.

I guess any advice I could give regarding that would be to not be afraid of experimenting with different designs and to just have fun. Don't worry so much about the technical limitations and focus on what you think would look cool. I think a lot of people give up on an idea as "it wouldn't work in real life" but I think a lot of cool characters go against that philosophy. Look at a lot of the characters Epic makes, they are mind blowing but they would never actually work...at the end of the day though, they look amazing and I think that's what counts.

If you're finding yourself in a rut and aren't falling in love with your ideas, maybe look up some concept artists that have a style you would like to replicate and see if any of their work gets the gears moving. Like I said, I usually find myself looking at Brom and Carlos Huante's work but there's a lot of other concept artists on the internet that influence my designs.

Hmm...I guess that's kind of generic but hopefully it at least helps a little.

Thanks for the questions, I'm more than happy to answer any of them.

Gav

[Tim]

It is a honour to see you here!

I can't much say of your work because it is all just awesome.
You are 22, that is 5 years older then me, I can't imagine me to be as good as you within 5 years. I haven't got really a special question, I just wish you the best, and maybe we will meet eachother one day in some project or game.

Kind Regards,

Tim

//EDIT
Forgotten to ask this. Are you maby going to write a book or make some dvd's one day? I would be the first one to buy them.

[Gavin]

Hey Tim, thanks for the kind words

I have released some tutorials through AsileFX for general XSI and Max stuff. That was awhile ago though and I'm not sur eif they would be overally helpful for game art. Making DVDs can be tough for me though as I find it weird to talk as I work, it's like I lose focus on what I'm doing. Written ones are defiitely better for me to make...I do enjoy writing tutorials though and helping people out, not sure if I could make a book or not but I am planning on making a more in depth tutorial for my Leviathan character, depending on what sort of feedback I get I'll know what to elaborate on. If there are any specific areas you would like to know more about, please let me know and I'll try to go a little more indepth with them than I did in my Thrull tutorial on 3dtotal.

Thanks again!
Gav

[petrol]

Hey Gavin, great interview (and GA.net - great questions ) It's always great to hear what it's like for those in the industry. Your work looks fantastic too, very rich and detailed. I did actually spot your Dom War entry and I must say it was definately one of the better ones from CGchat.

I've a question, I hope you dont mind my asking as it's not directly related to your work: I've always wanted to live in Canada and am actually quite serious about the move. I live in the UK you see, where we're punished by tax for just about everything, the skies are rarely anything other than a shade of grey, and housing prices are retarded. Really what I'd like to know is what the living costs are like compared to salaries, and what the demand is like for game artists out there? Personally I'd really like to end up in Toronto as it's a wonderful city so I appreciate that you may not know about that area, but any light you can shed would be sweet

[Gavin]

Hey petrol!

Thanks for the kind words regarding my work. I've only ever visited Toronto, so I can't say exactly what it's like there but in Vancouver I find the cost of living is pretty decent for the average salary here. Again, it's tough to say as different places pay different amounts and your neccessities may be different than mine...but I've always found the salaries to be enough. As for demand, that's another tough area. I think Vancouver has more game companies here than your average city in Canada and I can only think of a few in Toronto...unless you're really attached to the city, maybe you should consider Montreal or Vancouver as they probably have more opportunities.

Again, sorry for the generic answer...but hopefully it can help a little :P

Gav

[andrei313]

I was very excited when Alchemist101 told us we're going to have an interview with you It's so great to have someone as talented as you willing to give advice and take the time to document their work. Your "Making of Thrull" gave me a better understand of a workflow that I like and that I want to get used to so more about that will be very helpful.
I have one question too, I just couldn't believe that you're only 22... my questions is: How long have you been drawing concepts and how long have you been working with a 3d app?
Thanks

Oh... petrol, I believe he fought for CG Society.