RE: Art - How to build a Portfolio! - Some tips & tricks!
Yeaaah Beekart ! Great insights here ! I especially like that one :
Motivate WHY you want to do work for them, be honest, be real... If you apply to a studio that makes mobile games, don't tell them you love all their games and think they are the best in the world OMG!.. They aren't a bunch of idiots. Be real!
For the reason we did it before them.... So... We know haha
It also really depends of what companies we are aiming for. Some care about polished illustrations or concepts while others might prefer more thumbnails. It all falls down as doing your researches first. Also as Beek said : Be realistic.
Artists in the industry can see if you have te required skills even with the thumbnails.
Give out a little bit of information about yourself.. Who is the company having contact with.
Again sounds logical but .. people just forget.
For this one I am wondering if it is not a misconception in the industry as everyone is stating that the portfolio is the only proof to get a job and nothing else matter, so people tend to forget the resume, but the resume tells a lot about that person and should be added as for any other jobs I guess ?
And last thing : Add how long it took you to create that piece, or at least know it in your head. Many AD's asked me that questions and it can be difficult to answer it if you don't track time.
Really cool article Beekart ! Thanks for sharing your knowledge ! All the little details are onpoint like to not do mass mailing, motivate why....
Cheers man ! (Sorry it was a long answer)
Haha thanks for the reply dude! Ur welcome!
Yeah.. it doesnt have to be a very elaborate resume really.. i mean the AD wont care what part-time job you did when u where 16.. But just a little knowledge of who you are, where you live.. what school you did or side project you worked whatever.. little stuff like that, that makes you an actual person instead of just the 1001th applicant..
This ofc depends on the company/position you want to apply for.. if it is just for 5 cards for some random game.. they really dont care.. it might be a 1 time thing.. no knowledge required. But if you want to at some point become part of the Art Department at a studio, stuff like that could help.
The time thing is quite a tricky one indeed.. My personal pieces usually go quite fast,, as there is noone there to tell me to change things or do it differently.. or find a way to incorporate someone elses stupid idea into my picture! ;) .. Im generally quite fast, so i just say 1 day.. on almost everything :D
cheers!
Yes definitely, like linking a Linked In or a Facebook (if public) is always a good way to show the social side and see if the applicant is a good fit for the team.
Hahaha Because you have experience and you're fast XD That's how you find out beginners I remember bugging 2 minutes surprised by the question at the GDC x) Especially when you tend to work 16-20 hours on a portfolio piece it make it pretty x)
BTW, I just looked at Sam Hoggs' portfolio website, I was amazed by the quality of it ( Presentation wise, technically there is no question about it haha) I think it can be a good exemple for an online portfolio what do you think ?
http://www.artofsamhogg.com/concept/
Cheers man !