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How do I set up an art portfolio for game companies to look at when I apply or do I send it to them?

I have separate files saved on my computer for all of my drawings but I don’t know how to assemble a professional portfolio

career art jobs career-advice video-games game-design video-game-design gaming video-game-development gaming-industry game-dev
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T.J.’s Answer

Hello Jonah!

There's a few things you can do if you want to apply for work in video games.

First, determine what you want to showcase.
It's common to want to showcase all of your interests. However, companies prefer to see portfolios that are specialized. Specialized means that it's tailored towards a specific role.

For example:
If you want to be a game designer, you will need to show your process of designing a game. Your portfolio's main focus should center on adding game design projects.
Avoid adding subjects that aren't relevant to the job you want. Aim to specialize and display your talent for one role!

Next, look for examples of professional portfolios within the video game industry.
Companies believe it is very important for applicants to showcase work that's "industry-standard." Industry-standard means it needs to look high-quality.

To know what high-quality work looks like [ and to know how to improve your own work ], you should look for game designers online and watch their portfolio videos or " demo reels".

Some common sites you can find portfolios are:
→ Vimeo
→ Behance
→ YouTube
→ Deviant Art
→ Personal websites

Search for game designers (or whatever role you want) on LinkedIn under your favorite video game studios. many video game professionals list their website under contact info.

Lastly, make sure to follow the companies' application process. If they have a website, you can apply directly to them vs using a third party site. Also, some video game professionals appreciate helping others. You can reach out to them for advice. You should not ask someone for a job, but ask them for ways to improve or build a connection overtime so you can get a job later.

Resources + Tips:
→ Riot Games has excellent advice for setting up your portfolio. Here's a link:
https://www.riotgames.com/en/portfolio-and-reel-suggestions#0

Also, check out these links:
→ Game Designing (Article) | How to build a Game Design Portfolio:
https://www.gamedesigning.org/career/game-design-portfolio/
→ Guide to Entering Games (Video) | Contains examples of industry standard portfolios:
https://vimeo.com/514666431

Sending you the best as you prepare to find work in the video game industry :)
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Emily’s Answer

Great question! I've created a portfolio website to showcase my audio works, and I would suggest doing the same since it was quick and easy. I used the free website builder, Weebly, but there are many more out there that are also free and easy to use such as Wix. Once I set up my profile, I created my portfolio site. On the site, I have a home page with a small introduction, a page showcasing my works (you could paste your art or include links to other sites where your art is posted), an "about" page with a bit of information about me and my background with audio (you would write about your history with art), and a contact page with my professional email address in case anyone would be interested in working with me or using my music.
I also have a YouTube channel showcasing my music. You could do the same with your art, by compiling some of your works into a slideshow or short video and uploading that to YouTube. I've included a link to my YouTube channel on my personal site to expand my reach.
As for applying for jobs, you could include a QR code on your resume that links to your portfolio site.
Best of luck!!
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Harmit’s Answer

Hello! A fantastic method to highlight your past accomplishments is by designing an online portfolio that can be effortlessly shared during applications. Typically, this is achieved via a personal website. You have the option to either code the site on your own and host it, or take advantage of numerous website building platforms available, like SquareSpace, Wix, and more. It's generally a great idea to showcase 2-4 projects that align with the roles you're pursuing, and from there, you can modify or expand as needed. Plenty of online resources are at your disposal to assist you in crafting the perfect portfolio. Wishing you all the best!
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Kirsten’s Answer

The best way to create a strong portfolio is to use ArtStation. You can create separate postings for each individual piece or collections of studies that you have completed and tag them according to software used and content. ArtStation is very much an industry standard when it comes to applying for art-related positions in the game industry and would be a great way to connect to peers alongside gaining attention for your own art. I would highly recommend creating an account as you can easily use this as a portfolio link when applying to jobs later on. Furthermore, ArtStation allows you to build your own website which can contain more in-depth information regarding potential projects that you have worked on or your craft.

It is best to structure your portfolio in a way that shows your best work first. In terms of game design and art, quality over quantity.
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𝓂ℯ𝓈𝒶𝓎ℯ𝓉ℯ’s Answer

Just show your body of works in no particular order (more than 2 anyway) just for them to have an ideal of what you have to offer and possibly your style, if they bring up a discussion of portfolios or if you raise the topic, ask them for a format they prefer. Like sample they'll understand and easily work with.
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