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How do you make a good animation portfolio?

I’ve heard it’s one of the many steps on how to become a animator. But I have a problem on where to start #career #tech #art-education

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Mark’s Answer

Hi Xochitl!

To make a good animation portfolio, you're going to need a website. This is not an absolute necessity. However, I think that a website is an essential tool to help you build a business from nothing. Your website is like your virtual headquarters! Whatever your goal, growing a following or getting employed, your website is going to be a very powerful tool in your arsenal to help you achieve your goal. It's going to be a place on the internet that is free from distraction. There's no sidebar showing other artist's work. It's just you and your work on your website. In short, making a website is the key to making a lasting impression, presenting your work in the best possible light and ultimately having offers come to you. You will want to be doing art work instead of you trying to chase clients down all over the internet!

Of course, most artist use Instagram to spread the word about their work and you'll still want to do this. Some pointers from the experts are to focus on the characters. Target your audience. Hook your viewer! They look at so much material and so many artists so realize that they'll go through your work very quickly. Show your skill set. Create one major focus and entertain your audience.

Organize your portfolio by theme and showcase your creative process. Highlight your skills through your projects.

Hope this helps!
Mark

Mark recommends the following next steps:

Here is a link to some "animation career advice" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hgiNoYlVVMg&list=PLwEV9MxoDbJzuoxzPjKXGQYNjN-LseOkc&index=2
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Darrell’s Answer

The previous answers are spot on. You need to be able to market your talents and you need to show off what you can do. But I also think you are asking on how to get started. First figure out what part of animation interests you as there are many aspects to animation. For instance, do you want to draw the characters? Do you like to create the background scenery? Do you like to story tell and have a good story to share? Do you like creating sound effects (Foley artist)? Do you like 2D or 3D animation (Claymation)? Or do you really like the filming aspect of animation? Once you have a general idea, then find a college that will help you develop that skillset. I know that there are many fine schools such as Rochester Institute of Technology, Rhode Island School of Design, Pratt, Syracuse University, The Savannah College of Art and Design, etc. that can help you further along with your development. So if you can, attend an open house, reach out to those who make the admission decisions and ask directly what they are looking for in a portfolio. I can tell you that the programs are highly competitive, so having the ability to do art in any medium will help you stand out.

As Mark mentioned, having a website is a great idea. But realize you aren't the first to do that, so search the web and look for other portfolio's. Art is subjective, so don't be too judgmental, but rather, look to see if they show a progression in their skills/talent. Do you like how they highlight their art?

Now creating art for yourself is one thing, if you want to get noticed, have you considered public art? A mural to beautify a blank wall would help you get noticed. Take a look at these - https://www.walldogsinkeene.com/murals/. Note, it's also a portfolio of their artistry.

Darrell recommends the following next steps:

Determine what part of animation excites you.
Find a way to get noticed (website, public art, local art show)
Find a set of colleges/universities that help develop your desired skillset and then attend a college open house. Talk to those who make the decisions.
See if you can job shadow or be an intern for someone who does animation so you can see what the day to day life of an animator really is like.
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Ram’s Answer

Based on my research here are few tips:

1. Focus on the characters
2. Target your audience
3. Hook in your viewer
4. Share your demo reel everywhere
5. Show your skillset
6. Create one major focus
7. Finally, Entertain your audience
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