Toy and games industry resources for art friends
I compiled a shortened list from a book subtitled "Illustration/Design for Toys & Interactive Games" for art-type friends who are interested in learning about companies who do toy/game design elements. I'm also including individual online portfolios for eye candy.
It's a lot to look at in one go. I suggest you pick 3 a day to look at. I've listed locations to the best of my ability (many of which are based on phone area codes).
Links to groups/studios:
Gamasutra
http://www.gamasutra.com/ - gaming industry news, includes a job board
The Creative Nexus
http://www.thecreativenexus.com/ - a portal site to creative arts companies
- audio, copywriting, graphic arts, etc.
Spectrum Studio, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
http://www.spectrumstudio.net - video game art
Conceptopolis (Florence, KY)
http://www.conceptopolis.com/ - can submit
Arena Works (Ithaca, NY and London, England)
http://www.arenaworks.com/ - represents artists
Red Racer Studio (MN)
http://redracerstudio.com/index.html - kiddie toys, etc.
illustrationOnLine (PA, near NJ border)
http://www.illustrationOnLine.com - represents artists
One Flight Up (northern NJ)
http://oneflightupdesign.com/ - includes application link
McHale Design (Long Beach, CA)
http://mchaledesign.com/ - toy and game packaging, etc.
Pilot Inc. (Boston, MA)
http://creativepilot.com/ - Hasbro, LucasArts, Disney
- Star Wars, Risk, Clue, Transformers
CDI Studios (Las Vegas, Nevada)
http://cdistudios.com/ - video game packaging/branding
Hamagami/Carroll, Inc. (Los Angeles area, CA)
http://hcassociates.com/index.html - brands, logos, style guides
- Activision, THQ, Barbie
The Big Eye Studio (Ramona, OK)
http://www.thebigeye.com - toy design and manufacture
- also branding and packaging
Picture Plane (West Los Angeles, CA)
http://pictureplaneimaging.com/ - Ghost Rider, Winnie the Pooh, Avatar
-see employment link (in tiny letters on website)
Eye candy links:
Clear Site Multimedia (Redondo Beach, CA)
http://www.clearsitemultimedia.com - a neat site of an individual artist
http://www.clearsitemultimedia.com/Master.html
Dan Panosian/Panagraphics
http://danpanosian.com/0
Cyclone Design (two guys in WA)
http://www.cyclone-design.com/ - fun website
KMI Studio
kmistudio.com - video game sci-fi/fantasy
Byan Duddles
http://www.artbyduddles.com/index.htm - licensed illustration
Chuck Wadey
http://chuckwadey.com - video game stuff - wow
Todd Mueller
http://toddmueller.net/ - 3-D
Julie Giles
http://juliegiles.com/ - video game packaging, etc.
Bluespark Studios (Santa Monica, CA)
http://bluesparkstudios.com/ - video game - Half-Life packaging, Kim Possible
Michael Grills
http://www.michaelgrills.ca - traditional and 3-D, games
Prescott Hill
http://prescotthill.com/index.html - more girly in general
If you're looking for creative arts kinds of jobs, one temp/hiring agency I have heard of is called The Creative Group. Most of what I see on there is either above my head or too far away from where I live, but you never know--the perfect thing might show up near your door.
It's a lot to look at in one go. I suggest you pick 3 a day to look at. I've listed locations to the best of my ability (many of which are based on phone area codes).
Links to groups/studios:
Gamasutra
http://www.gamasutra.com/ - gaming industry news, includes a job board
The Creative Nexus
http://www.thecreativenexus.com/ - a portal site to creative arts companies
- audio, copywriting, graphic arts, etc.
Spectrum Studio, Inc. (Minneapolis, MN)
http://www.spectrumstudio.net - video game art
Conceptopolis (Florence, KY)
http://www.conceptopolis.com/ - can submit
Arena Works (Ithaca, NY and London, England)
http://www.arenaworks.com/ - represents artists
Red Racer Studio (MN)
http://redracerstudio.com/index.html - kiddie toys, etc.
illustrationOnLine (PA, near NJ border)
http://www.illustrationOnLine.com - represents artists
One Flight Up (northern NJ)
http://oneflightupdesign.com/ - includes application link
McHale Design (Long Beach, CA)
http://mchaledesign.com/ - toy and game packaging, etc.
Pilot Inc. (Boston, MA)
http://creativepilot.com/ - Hasbro, LucasArts, Disney
- Star Wars, Risk, Clue, Transformers
CDI Studios (Las Vegas, Nevada)
http://cdistudios.com/ - video game packaging/branding
Hamagami/Carroll, Inc. (Los Angeles area, CA)
http://hcassociates.com/index.html - brands, logos, style guides
- Activision, THQ, Barbie
The Big Eye Studio (Ramona, OK)
http://www.thebigeye.com - toy design and manufacture
- also branding and packaging
Picture Plane (West Los Angeles, CA)
http://pictureplaneimaging.com/ - Ghost Rider, Winnie the Pooh, Avatar
-see employment link (in tiny letters on website)
Eye candy links:
Clear Site Multimedia (Redondo Beach, CA)
http://www.clearsitemultimedia.com - a neat site of an individual artist
http://www.clearsitemultimedia.com/Master.html
Dan Panosian/Panagraphics
http://danpanosian.com/0
Cyclone Design (two guys in WA)
http://www.cyclone-design.com/ - fun website
KMI Studio
kmistudio.com - video game sci-fi/fantasy
Byan Duddles
http://www.artbyduddles.com/index.htm - licensed illustration
Chuck Wadey
http://chuckwadey.com - video game stuff - wow
Todd Mueller
http://toddmueller.net/ - 3-D
Julie Giles
http://juliegiles.com/ - video game packaging, etc.
Bluespark Studios (Santa Monica, CA)
http://bluesparkstudios.com/ - video game - Half-Life packaging, Kim Possible
Michael Grills
http://www.michaelgrills.ca - traditional and 3-D, games
Prescott Hill
http://prescotthill.com/index.html - more girly in general
If you're looking for creative arts kinds of jobs, one temp/hiring agency I have heard of is called The Creative Group. Most of what I see on there is either above my head or too far away from where I live, but you never know--the perfect thing might show up near your door.