Robin✨

Art tests should be paid. 🍏Companies will be more considerate about who they give them to if it comes at a cost. This means better quality tests and more scrutiny over applicant portfolios, and subsequently less time wasted administrating tests to people who were likely never going to be hired. 🍎Artists appreciate that their time is valued and know that they’re a serious contender for the role. My second job had a paid art test in 2008, only £50 but that was a lot for me at the time. I really appreciated I got anything at all. I’ve done tests as a freelancer which was great because it allowed me to work in active projects and be paid my rates. I’d then be hired in-house with clear expectations of my value and ability. These experiences sit with me as positive and gave me a good view of companies from the start. It shows they value my time. They established a value for my work early on and i worked hard for those companies. A little goes a long way. If you’re an employer please consider paying for tests. If you need help with structuring good tests, please reach out. I’m not saying tests should be paid freelance rates, but any token of value helps establish a good relationship. Ubisoft expected me to do a full week of unpaid work for an art lead test in 2019 that was frankly absurd. It didn’t even have any leadership skills testing in it, it was a 3D environment test. I showed I knew the workflow and left it where I found appropriate. They then gave me a second concept art test. I spent a day on it. I raised that the tests were not tailored to role. They offered me a mid-level modelling position. I had never been so insulted. I’d rather have been declined. Absolute waste of my time with no remuneration. Wardog was seeded in my mind through that experience. I hope more studios adopt paying for tests and I choose to lead by example.