Phone: +1 (506) 635-3000
Phone: +1 (506) 635-3000
A blog for current and prospective CAM students
One of the most difficult steps in job and school applications is to create your portfolio. What goes in it, what should it look like, what pieces are worthy of inclusion? Because a lot of art and design can be subjective, the composition of the perfect portfolio can depend on whom you ask. In this short article, we will go over the best technical ways to organize your animation portfolio and to impress your future employers.
1. A video reel can easily make or break a portfolio of any kind. Because we are in the age of technology, a video can say a lot more than a selection of images, designs, pieces, or credits. Some of the best animators live by this one rule on how to land your dream job: capture the viewer’s attention within the first thirty seconds. Showcase your best work!
2. Show your relevant work. A great majority of artists are skilled in many disciplines. However, if you are applying strictly for an animation job, be sure to showcase your relevant credits. If you wish to display your other disciplines, add them into a separate section of your portfolio.
3. Organizing your portfoliois instrumental in the way your work is perceived by others. The organization and structure of your portfolio can say a lot about the type of artist that you are. Here are a few tips on how to organize your portfolio effectively:
4. Creating your portfolio online is one of the best networking tools of our age. In a website portfolio, you can have your video reel, your image portfolio, and credits all organized in an easily-digestible way. Another bonus, you can make your website public so that people can find you, and not the other way around. If you have a physical and digital copy of your portfolio, make sure to add a QR code on your physical copy so that it links to your online platform.
5. Update your portfolio as often as you can. Certain employers require your portfolio to be refreshed every six months, or sometimes once a year. When you continuously upgrade your portfolio, you can make sure to follow the requirements set out by your dream employers. Additionally, by keeping your portfolio fresh, you are showing that you can keep up with trends, that you are actively creating, and that you are a contributing member of the animation community.
6. Demonstrate your education and understanding of digital platforms. If you have a lot of experience in specific design software, make sure to list your proficiency with the software, as well as some examples of your work.
7. That being said, there are some unspoken rules with digital portfolios that speak volumes about your digital literacy. For instance, using Flash [to create your digital portfolio] indicates that you are not up on current trends — and employers may suspect that you do not know how to use HTML5, even if you do.
Here’s a brief recap of our tips for creating your animation portfolio:
For more information and helpful tips, stay up to date with our blog posts and our social media channels. If you have any questions about this blog or if you are interested in our programs, reach out to us at info@thecam.ca or 506-635-300. Located in Saint John, close to cities like Moncton and Sussex, CAM Institute of Design is a registered college in New Brunswick offering diplomas in programs such as animation, VFX, sculpting & compositing, graphic design, game design, product design, transportation design and more.
CAM is licensed by the government of New Brunswick and registered under the Private Occupational Training Act.
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