How to Build a Portfolio as a Game Artist

CONNECT:

[greencheese]

With all the layoffs at the start of the year from big studios, showing your portfolio to indie studios is a great option!

[jessesandifer]

Such an important topic! As a fellow game artist, I completely agree with ALL of J's points here. Once I realized I'm NOT a concept artist, but better at bringing other people's ideas to life as a 3D character artist, that was key. I do remember the good ol' days of cgtalk, cghub, 3dtotal, and cgfeedback. Community was huge for getting feedback and inspiration.

And whenever I look at hiring someone these days, degrees don't matter at all. I look directly at portfolio and relevancy to what game we're making.

[soirema]

3:25 this quote. gold one "your portfolio is your strongest examples of work'"
Im always torn between "should I include this?" honestly after years of indecisiveness I now now that if Im wondering I should include it. Why? even thou it might be wrong decision later on, it is not for me now. And to see that and learn I need to do what I think is right. If I dont see anything wrong with a piece and I think its looking okay, I should include it, because that's the level I will be actually doing my job at.

[dorogarasuu]

I think the biggest difficulty in entering the games industry is the experience that is required by most studios. The list of skills and requirements gets longer and longer with each passing year. Not to mention that many ask that you have at least one AAA released. How am I going to have all this if I can't get into the industry? I have to be a master character artist with a killer portfolio. To have these two you need years and years of studies and practice and until then, how will I pay my bills? Working in other places that hire me without requiring so many skills and this becomes the famous complacency. Of course, in parallel to this you can build a portfolio but without forgetting that, in addition to all this, there are thousands of other artists wanting the same thing as you, which makes things even more difficult. Anyway, I have to keep trying and practicing and who knows, I might be lucky enough to get into a big game one day.

[GlowboxD]

This is awesome. Man, my artstation needs an overhaul and more focus. You are super talented dude. Thanks for sharing.

[Martmed]

You dont know how much i needed this at this exact time. Straight to the point. Keep up the good content❤

[СветлозарКолев-бкх]

С всички съкращения в началото на годината от големите студиа, показването на вашето портфолио на независими студиа е чудесен вариант!

[egorvorobev]

Really helpful. I'm making a characters, and you gave me full understanding what i've been struggled with. I'm always thinking what is right thing to do, what not to do. You made it clear. Thanks!

[elektrokills]

can't wait to build my portfolio with these tips, following your course characterclass so hyped for the 18 of march !

[nekotiq]

I didn’t think about my portfolio in brick and pillars, and now I do. Before this video my portfolio was all about full characters which you had mentioned as pillars. Lol that would be a whole colosseum.

[SpaceCubeD]

Very Helpfull Jhill. Be the best you could in one area. Future is for the specialist.

[AirmanCS]

I have been involved almost 15 years on the game dev industry and 10 of those professionally working, but here I'm looking on how to make a porfolio :P, I htink my time to have my own clients hav come, I have 100s of assets made, but when it comes to place it on a website to show how capable I'm, is just like another beast to tame I get STUCK, wish me luck thanks for the vid. Btw is a bitter sweet experience, feel like getting out of college all over again

[xortegaccaedu]

Thank you for sharing your experience and input J, very insightful. I am a bit older at 37 getting into 3-d for my first, year. I have an arts background, drawing, animaiton, sculpting, etc. I am looking to build a 3-d portfolio and currently getting into rigging. Thank you gain, cheers!

[Professor_Oaks]

Awesome of you to put this together for folks before they head to GDC and in these tough times.

[rlopez]

Thanks for making this video!
It is extremely helpful to people like me to have someone point you in the right direction.

I never had a job in the in the industry before so I am building my portfolio from scratch and it is aimed for a concept art and/or character design job.

I am focusing all my effort on creating pieces for my portfolio and my biggest challenge is selecting they type of piece I should do next. I.E.: exploration, key shot, turnaround, secondary characters, landscape, etc.

Maybe you can do a series of vids about portfolios for some of the most popular jobs in art (?). Thanks again!

[Sherif-the-Watcher]

Your presentations are Super-Dope, J
I anticipated a second portfolio video from you and here it is!😮
Will definitely join your class soon for more enlightenment

[jamesvanderbilt]

portfolio has always been the way to get hired and college has never been necessary BUT people who go to art/design school do so to build their portfolio and get feedback from people working in the industry, and to make connections. college won’t miraculously make you a great artist, it still requires work, but it is like a golden ticket into the industry if you have talent.

[why.do.I.even.try.]

Really good video, thank you! I went to architecture school as a plan b but ended up really loving some aspects of it, and realised I could combine them with concept art to become someone who can understand buildings in depth and can create 3d assets too if needed. So the job I'm looking for is kind of a concept artist with a focus in building design and props too I guess? I'm not sure where exactly people with my skillset would be needed, especially since I don't like realism and far prefer stylized projects😅

[eberriera]

Passion and dedication are shown in every video. Good stuff, J

[charbat]

Thank you so much for this video! I’m currently in the process of creating a portfolio for internships next year and had no idea where to even start 😭 love all your vids, they’re always clear and concise 🙏