one of the reasons why i didn't want to join the arts programs, (i took accounts) was because the fact that this kind of work is easily exported. How hard would it be, to pay someone through paypal in the US for a small commission, and he'll send you the work.

It's greatly outsourced, which is a problem. That means, competition for this stream of work is intense, because the job can either be yours, or some fella in korea or russia. Your talent will be matched against those of the world, and if you ain't good enough, you'll lose behind.

Time, is also against you. Everyone knows that everyone else is improving, and so, you will have to improve too. But barely starting, how good can you be compared to the likes of the professionals?

Comissions for few hundred can be obtained easily through sites like deviantart and cgtalk, thus reducing the amount of potential business for locals.

At the same time, if you have the talent, you can get paid from overseas. People will want you to design their stuff, and all across the world, you can have quite a good pay.

My 2 cents. Good day.

talent? is that the word you want me to fill in, or is it something else?

In our country, i often feel that it isn't the lack of talent, but those who have the talent pursuing some other career.

there are competitions, contests held by game design studios, there are online art sites, and there's something the artists themselves need to do. The artist should not limit himself to learning from jobs. There are so many places to learn, aren't there?

Exposure is in a part of the problem. There is a lack of vibrance and community of digital/traditional illustrators and designers here. I've heard that having contacts in the West was very important, as recommendations from a fellow designer can often help a person find jobs.

As you said, the jobs are there, but then, what is wrong? Do the artists see nothing to learn from this jobs, or what?

Exposure. I think there should be some sort of internship/apprenticeship system in our country, although i doubt it'll work. These people should also try to promote themselves at all the job fairs and stuff. They should attend any convention of companies, give them the designers contacts and stuff. Even if they don't have a job now, later they might do.

Unfortunately, the odds are stacked against the designer. Malaysia's need for adverstisement is limited in the sense that the mediums are limited, the population in tune that responds to it is small.

Lastly, I think the population itself doesn't support locals. The companies buy foreign stuff because frankly, they are businesses, they know foreign art can appreciate and stuff, their goal is to make money, not 'sponsor' local artists who don't seem particular serious, and just rather indulge in abstractive paints. (not all artists are like that, just some)

A lot of my opinions are skewed. SWT...