Suggestions on finding original work

[SolidStage]

Hello everyone,

I'm new around here, and I was wondering if anyone had advice on ways to find what we're looking for. I represent a very small (e.g., self-funded) indie game studio; we're putting together an online (non-MMO) game, and we need relatively low-poly (more or less appropriate polycounts for an RTS) models suitable for use in the game. Given the nature of the project, we also need original work; that is, stuff copied directly from Star Trek or BSG, while cool, won't work.

Given our budget constraints, we're willing to license existing work or contract for nonexclusive rights to new work. I've seen plenty of good stuff around here, but unfortunately most of it seems to be non-original. Does anyone have advice on finding either the material we need or artists who might be interested and capable?

We're interested in a handful of models up front, ~20 by launch, and more on a continuing basis post-launch, so artists who will be around for a while are a plus.

Thanks!

[biotech]

Do you have designs for the ships you want?

Because I can model ships, but arent very good at creating them from scratch.

[traq]

are you asking for ships, characters, etc.? texturing or rigging anything? and biotech's question is great, are you asking for the design phase too?

[SolidStage]

I'm looking for ships (capital ships, primarily). I need ships varying in displacement from small, frigate-sized ships to carrier-sized ships. I assume that it will be easier for the artist to create variations on a single design than multiple ships of each general size (and this is fine), and whatever style/design/greeble-izing the artist chooses can certainly be carried through all of the ships.

No animation is required, so obviously there's no need for rigging. (We can discuss leaving weaponry internal, or making it attached to the various models at mount points. Either way, no rigging for animation is involved.) I will need texturing.

I do not presently have concept art for these ships, although I can provide samples of other work that I like. Ideally the artist can work from this; if the artist prefers, I am however open to discussing the idea of bringing a concept artist on board.

As far as style samples, I'm a huge fan of Homeworld 2. Also:
Apparently these renders come from a "medium poly set" (!!) made by someone named Shade who doesn't appear to be around any more (which is a shame). The model is Homeworld 2-esque.
http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/3...r-friends.html
This is a different style, but I like it quite a bit too. Apparently this isn't strictly original work, but the render looks different (and much better) than the semi-canon ship does.
http://www.scifi-meshes.com/forums/3...yrmidones.html

A variation of styles isn't necessarily a terrible thing, either; different shipyards with different design philosophies would fit well into our game world.