Mentorships run in 8-week blocks, but your growth doesn’t have to stop there. If you have a larger project, you are absolutely welcome to book multiple blocks back-to-back. Just keep in mind that our mentors book out fast. Let us know in your application if you want multiple 8 week blocks.
This includes 2 x one hour career coaching sessions where you can ask questions on any topic, from portfolio reviews, career advice & interview coaching.
Meet your mentor
Edgar A. Martinez │ Senior Environment Modeler at Naughty Dog
🚨 Reminder: In order to get started with your mentorship, we require that you first complete an application process. If you are approved, we’ll send you the details to book and pay for your mentorship.
Overview
In this mentorship, you will be guided through the process of modeling environment art for AAA game production.
You will be mentored by Edgar A. Martinez, a Senior Environment Artist currently working at Naughty Dog Studios with over 22 years of experience in the video game industry. He worked in PlayStation franchises such as The Last of Us, Uncharted, The Order 1886 and God of War (PSP). His experience creating environments varies widely from urban settings, landscapes, vistas, combat experiences, multiplayer, cinematics to level design.
You will work with Edgar to learn how to approach environments, whether you’re creating urban landscapes, natural terrain, or indoor spaces. Understand how to build modular assets that can be reused across various areas, speeding up development, and maintaining a consistent look and feel throughout the game world.
This mentorship will be tailored to your skill level, learning pace, and creative goals. As you progress, you’ll dive into more advanced techniques such as high-poly vs. low-poly modeling, trim sheets, and environmental storytelling. Learn to create complex structures, terrain, props, and architectural elements, all while considering the artistic direction and technical limitations of a game engine.
By the end of this mentorship, you will gain a strong understanding of creating environment art and the workflow required for AAA development. Whether you’re aiming to land a job in a AAA studio or work as a freelance artist, this mentorship provides the foundation you need to develop your craft and advance in the world of environment art.
Skill level: From junior to advanced 3D artists looking to specialize in environment.
Prerequisites: Environment art fundamentals, basic to intermediate modeling, sculpting and texturing.
- Environment planning & organization.
- Interpretation and understanding the objective of level design.
- Prototype scenes, block out, scale & composition.
- Modular asset creation.
- Modeling Fundamentals, Topology, UVs & asset workflow for texturing.
- World builder.
- Storytelling through set dressing.
- Project breakdown to showcase your skills in portfolio.
- Maya or Blender.
- Photoshop.
- Zbrush (as needed).
- Unreal Engine 5 (as needed)
- SpeedTree (as needed).
- Format – Personalized guidance in one-on-one sessions, conducted via video calls.
- Mentee Spotlight – Your final project will be featured on the Vessel Forge website and social media.
- Mentee Showcase – You’ll have the chance to collaborate with us to write a blog breakdown of the project you complete during your mentorship. Note: Must be selected for this opportunity.
- Post-mentorship Support – Receive access to our exclusive community Discord, where you can connect with other mentors and mentees, ask questions, get feedback and more.
- Skill Level – From junior to advanced 3D artists looking to specialize in environment art.
- Prerequisites – Environment art fundamentals, basic to intermediate modeling, sculpting and texturing.
What's included?
Industry pro at your side, weekly.
Not tied to a nonsense curriculum.
The tools you need are included.
Career coaching
Get actual career advice from pros who understand.
Ask questions in the exclusive community.
Meet your mentor
Edgar A. Martinez │ Senior Environment Modeler at Naughty Dog
Edgar A. Martinez has been creating 3D assets and environments in the video game industry for over 22 years. His work includes pre-production and production in titles such as The Last of Us Part I and II, Uncharted: Lost Legacy, Uncharted 4 (story and multiplayer maps), The Order 1886 and God of War (PSP). Edgar started creating props and assets as an outsource artist for games such as COD MW2, Borderland, COD 4, Dragon Age: Origins, Medal of Honor: Allied Assault, NCAA Football and more. He has worked at studios like Ready at Dawn and for the last 10 years at Naughty Dog where he continues pushing the bar and creating some of the best environments in the industry.
Edgar is known for his highly detailed environmental storytelling, organizing, planning, and designing complex scenes with his extensive modeling/prototyping skills. Throughout the years he continues to set examples, mentoring and training junior artists in his team.
