2 answers
Eryx
Student
Glendale, California
8
Questions
Updated
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What should I include in my portfolio to become a 2d animator.
I am a senior in high school and want to build a portfolio #animation #animator #design #art #graphic-design #video-games
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2 answers
Mihaela Pavlova
Motion Graphic Designer
8
Answers
Sofia, Bulgaria
Updated
Mihaela’s Answer
Hi Eryx,
Like Addi's advice, you will need to decide on what you want to showcase in your portfolio. You need to figure out where your interests are. Maybe you want to go for character design and animation or motion graphic designs, animations of logos and simple elements.
When you decide on this, you will need to think about the purpose of your portfolio. Are you going to use it for applying to a specific job during your interview process, or do you want to persuade a freelance carrier?
When you decide what you want, start exploring websites like Behance, Dribble and Muzly - inspire form creators, artists and other 2d animators, examine their work. The next steps will be to start small - create one project at a time, think of how you will present it, create a case study, think of the details.
Like Addi's advice, you will need to decide on what you want to showcase in your portfolio. You need to figure out where your interests are. Maybe you want to go for character design and animation or motion graphic designs, animations of logos and simple elements.
When you decide on this, you will need to think about the purpose of your portfolio. Are you going to use it for applying to a specific job during your interview process, or do you want to persuade a freelance carrier?
When you decide what you want, start exploring websites like Behance, Dribble and Muzly - inspire form creators, artists and other 2d animators, examine their work. The next steps will be to start small - create one project at a time, think of how you will present it, create a case study, think of the details.
Addi M
Artist, Watercolorist
11
Answers
San Jose, California
Updated
Addi’s Answer
Hi Eryx! Really excited to see you're planning on building your portfolio. For 2D animation, it really depends on what you'd like to focus on:
- For character design, you'll want to incorporate artwork that shows you can create a variety of characters with different shapes, heights, ages, abilities, clothing, accessories. Come up with an original character and show who that character is through art. If you're feeling stumped on ideas, Character Design References on Facebook has a monthly themed challenge!
- For storyboarding, you'll want to create simple, straightforward artwork that shows you can tell a story using angles, framing, lighting, and perspective. These do not need to be fancy or sophisticated, because in the real animation world, these get scrapped or re-worked constantly! What matters is you can communicate the mood or action in the story, and can draw these quickly.
- For environment design, include artwork of scenery! It can be real, like your room or inside your favorite cafe, or it can be imaginary like a magical forest.
Check out https://characterdesignreferences.com/ to get inspired for character design (I recommend the Character Design Boards in the Visual Library tab)
Find artbooks from your favorite artists, or artbooks that show "The Making of___" for TV shows and movies that you like. You'll see all the work that goes into building the characters and worlds, and can model your portfolio similarly.
Read "I Moved to Los Angeles to Work in Animation" by Natalie Nourigat. It's a charming first-hand explanation of what to expect working in the industry.
Other helpful books are "The Animator's Survival Kit" by Richard Williams, "Your Career in Animation" by David B levy
- For character design, you'll want to incorporate artwork that shows you can create a variety of characters with different shapes, heights, ages, abilities, clothing, accessories. Come up with an original character and show who that character is through art. If you're feeling stumped on ideas, Character Design References on Facebook has a monthly themed challenge!
- For storyboarding, you'll want to create simple, straightforward artwork that shows you can tell a story using angles, framing, lighting, and perspective. These do not need to be fancy or sophisticated, because in the real animation world, these get scrapped or re-worked constantly! What matters is you can communicate the mood or action in the story, and can draw these quickly.
- For environment design, include artwork of scenery! It can be real, like your room or inside your favorite cafe, or it can be imaginary like a magical forest.
Addi recommends the following next steps: