Portfolio

A portfolio is a sample of an artist's or designer's past work, or experience, used as a way to demonstrate their skills for future job applications. A portfolio can showcase any type of work, including visual art, writing, graphic and UI design, animation, music and sound effects, programming skills, photography, and more. A good portfolio will quickly convey your abilities and professionalism as an creator, and should be concise and well-organized.

A related concept is the demo reel which is a video or audio presentation designed to showcase your talents and/or style. Demo reels are often used by animators, voice actors, and gameplay designers to show works that cannot be conveyed as easily with static text or images.

Portfolios are often created and maintained by an individual, but they can also be curated by organizations, galleries, or other groups that represent multiple artists or designers. In some cases, a portfolio may be part of a larger project or collection, such as an exhibition or online art gallery.

Importance

A portfolio is an essential tool for both creators and clients. It allows developers to showcase their past work and demonstrate the range of their skills and experience. A well-curated portfolio can help creators stand out from the competition, attract new opportunities, and build a strong reputation in the industry. Clients use portfolios to evaluate a creator's abilities before hiring them for a project, or to browse available works to find the right style or fit for their needs.

Developers can showcase their portfolio through a variety of platforms, including personal websites, online art galleries, or social media. It's important to choose platforms that are easy for viewers to access and navigate, and that allow developers to present their work in the best light.

Advice

A good portfolio should showcase the creator's best work, and demonstrate their abilities in a variety of different areas. It should include samples that are relevant to the type of work they want to do, and provide enough information for viewers to get a sense of their style and approach. The organization of the portfolio is also important, as it can affect how easily viewers can navigate the content and find what they're looking for.

Remember, your portfolio is a reflection of you as a creator, so take the time to make it the best it can be.

General

• Content: Select your best work and only include shots that are relevant to the type of job you're applying for. Focus on showcasing your strengths and avoid including anything that is not up to par with the rest of your reel, as this can be a distraction or make you look less professional. Make sure each shot shows off your skills and highlights your unique style.

• Consistency: You will often be judged on the quality of the worst piece you show. Varying quality can be worrying for potential clients and employers as they're unsure whether they'll get the desirable high quality work or be disappointed with a sub-par result. By showing consistent quality, you give the client a sense of comfort and reassurance.

• Media Quality: Make sure to use high-quality images, videos, and/or audio. Avoid any distractions like compression artifacts, jitter, or audio clipping. Videos should be exported in a high-quality format (e.g., 1080p) that will look good on both desktop and mobile devices.

• Personal Information: At the beginning of your portfolio, clearly state your name and contact information (e.g., email address, LinkedIn profile, personal website).

• Organization: Organize your works in a logical sequence that flows well and builds momentum. You might want to start with your strongest piece and work from there, or show a range of different styles and techniques throughout the reel. In any case, it should be easy for viewers to navigate.

• Credits/Project Links: You might want to briefly explain each piece or project featured, including the scope of the work, any relevant technical skills used, and links to the full game or demo if available.

Audio / Video

• Length: Keep it short! A good rule of thumb is to aim for 1-2 minutes per year of experience, so a 30-second reel might be appropriate for a beginner, while a more experienced creator could have a reel up to 5 minutes long. If you have a lot of different types of work or styles to showcase, consider creating multiple reels that target specific audiences.

• Music/Sound: The choice of music can have a huge impact on the mood and pacing of your reel. Make sure it fits the style of the work and is at an appropriate volume that doesn't overpower the voice acting or visuals. You can also use sound effects or dialogue to enhance specific sections, but be careful not to overdo it as this can become distracting.

• Transitions: Once you have your reel put together, it's important to make sure it looks professional and is easy to watch. Avoid jarring transitions between shots and make sure they are all presented in a consistent format (e.g., same resolution, frame rate, etc.). You may want to invest in a nice presentation template with smooth transitions.