How can you tailor your animation portfolio to stand out in the video game industry?

1 Know your audience

Before you start working on your portfolio, you need to research the video game industry and identify your target audience. Who are the studios, companies, or projects that you want to work for or with? What kind of games do they make and what are their animation styles and standards? What are the specific roles and responsibilities that you are applying for or offering? By knowing your audience, you can tailor your portfolio to match their expectations and needs.

3 Organize your portfolio

Your portfolio should be easy to navigate and view. You can organize your portfolio by using categories, tags, or filters to sort your work by type, genre, style, or project. You can also use subheadings, captions, or descriptions to provide context and details about your work, such as the software, tools, or techniques that you used, the challenges that you faced, or the feedback that you received. You should also include your contact information, resume, and links to your social media or online platforms where you share your work or interact with other animators.

4 Create a demo reel

A demo reel is a short video that showcases your animation work in a dynamic and engaging way. It is often the first thing that potential employers or clients will see, so you need to make a good impression. Your demo reel should be between one to three minutes long and include your best and most recent work. You should also edit your demo reel to have a clear beginning, middle, and end, and use music, sound effects, or narration to enhance the mood and tone of your work. You should also include your name, contact information, and portfolio link at the start and end of your demo reel.

5 Update your portfolio

Your portfolio should reflect your current skills and interests as an animator. You should update your portfolio regularly with new work that shows your growth and improvement as well as your versatility and adaptability. You should also remove any outdated or irrelevant work that does not represent your current level or direction. You should also seek feedback from other animators, mentors, or professionals in the video game industry and use it to improve your portfolio and your work.

6 Showcase your personality

Your portfolio should not only showcase your animation skills, but also your personality. You should use your portfolio to express your passion, enthusiasm, and vision as an animator. You should also use your portfolio to highlight your unique style, voice, or perspective as an animator. You should also use your portfolio to show your collaboration, communication, and problem-solving skills as an animator. By showcasing your personality, you can stand out from the crowd and connect with potential employers or clients who share your vision and values.

7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?