As you might guess, I find myself giving portfolio and career advice to animation industry hopefuls all the time.
There’s always a list of questions about the objective aspects of the portfolio like page count, layout, type of book, captions and the location of a homemade mediocre logo but none of that really matters… …not if the art is good enough to get the artist hired.
A slick presentation can’t hurt but to me it seems that the amount of creative, financial and emotional energy being spent on the portfolio is grossly disproportionate to what is spent on the craft.
What almost everyone outside of the animation industry doesn’t seem to realize is that ultimately, it’s great work that wins a break and it’s being great to work with that wins a career.
There is no magic recipe for a winning portfolio but hopefuls world-wide can clear their minds, take heart and rest easy if they just commit to the long-term cultivation of what’s inside the body and what’s inside the book.
So, Dear Industry Hopeful, start living like you already have the career (excepting the financial aspects, perhaps) because nobody that truly loves the craft or their career is thinking about page count.
{ 22 comments… read them below or add one }
Great Points Chris! In the design industry (where I work), often times when hiring, its more about finding a person who’s “the right fit” – ie someone easy to work with – that will get hired over someone who’s really good, but doesn’t connect well.
It’s amazing to think that about 50% of getting a job in the art field has absolutely nothing to do with what you learn in school.
You’re exactly right, Mike.
At Disney, we talk about “right fit” and “cultural match” all the time.
Both mean similar things and it’s all about the effect you have on people. Lotta artists ignore this area of potential growth at great cost to their careers.
Sound advice Chris.
Being a nice person, having talent and also possessing a healthy amount of persistence seem to be key. These were all factors that helped me get into Aardman and beat the other hoards of other applicants. (Getting a lucky break also helps…)
That’s amazing, Owen.
Clearly, Aardman has incredibly high standards. Good for you!
Great stuff Chris. I will have to remember this as I venture out into the industry soon. I suppose I need to be confident in my work and not worry about fluffing it up to try to make it appealing- if it isn’t working on it’s own none of the fluff will help it right?
Hi, Jay,
I’m not sure what you mean by “fluffing it up.” Do you mean hyping it up with the way you talk about it?
If so, I don’t recommend hype. Being genuinely excited about your accomplishments, sure. But not at the expense of alienating others… …especially those who could hire you.
I try to let the quality of my own work speak for itself but I do enjoy talking about process and technique and struggle etc. with my fellow artists.
I hope that answers your question. If not, just reply and clarify and I’ll give it another shot.
Chris- Good point for sure, but I was just agreeing with you about the work is what they want to see, not so much all the “fluff” that is delivering the work. The page count, logo, etc. would be the fluff. Basically it doesn’t matter how attractive the wrapper is if the cheeseburger tastes like garbage.
Ah! Got it. And that is a hilarious way of describing it. I’ll probably end up quoting you on that.
Dominic Domingo and I had a discussion about this in the Viz Dev portfolio review and we concluded that we should always take cues from the reviewer on what to talk about in our work (responding briefly to their reactions and questions). I definitely want my work to speak for itself, which will come as the result of a lot of cutting and a lot of new work! Great seeing you all at CTNX!
Well as far attitude I think I’m pretty cool… and for the other it’s a work in progress.
It’s good to know these kinds of things though…
Thanks Chris!
Jose, yes, you are pretty cool. VERY cool, actually.
Just don’t think that “being great to work with” is ONLY about attitude.
It’s about making regular, generous, contributions in the small things that are so small nobody else wants to do them and in the huge things that are so huge that nobody else wants to do them.
It’s about anticipating the needs and problems of your colleagues and supervisors and doing everything in your power to provide for those needs and solve their problems.
It’s about going the extra mile and then the extra ten miles and then the extra hundred. It’s about becoming completely indispensable to the studio.
Having a good attitude is step one.
Does that make sense?
everything here is so helpful to me. i even take notes sometimes. i’m still and school and trying to just ABSORB every nugget of information i can.
thanks for posting/sharing so much :]
It’s funny: I read this post and thought: The Page Count Diet. The idea that there’s got to be a gimmick, there’s got to be an easier way.
Eat right, exercise? Who wants to do that? So we sign up for the latest fad diet, thinking: THIS one will work. Right.
Put in the long hours needed to get good, and be ready to go the extra mile to help others… no wonder no one wants to sign on for THAT two-step program– it’s too straightforward and unglamorous!!
Great post, I should probably come back and read it every day… : )
In school, I was this guy.
It wasn’t until my first Comic Con and speaking with Scott Kurtz did I start to realize something. I was asking all the wrong questions.
I was the kid who Kurtz would’ve hated (with good reason). Asking about how should a website look, how many shirts should I make, where’s a good place to get plushes done…all when I didn’t even have a single webcomic done.
Rather than see the intrinsic worth in my work and foster that, I was worried about all the gloss and ornamentation.
These days that’s completely reversed, and I hope the transition was not so late as to prevent breaking in (and staying in) this business.
It’s never too late, Kevin. PLUS, you do great work and judging from your attitude, you’re great to work with.
Excellent post, really helped me through a wall of negative and worry- Thanks so much! – I think the relation between diet and success of art is perfect, people worry so much about making things perfect that they never actually end up doing anything at all, and i can’t express enough how much this has been me lately.
Again, Amazing Article
Thanks, JT. Negativity and worry are always trying to get us – gotta stay strong and help each other!
This is really helpful information. I’ve been so into video games and always loved drawing so I have recently graduated high school and have no art degree. I’m definitely seeking a job in animation or concept art but really have no idea where to start after I get a portfolio together.
Thanks a lot for all the good advices Chris!
) and I end up feeling kind of lonely, don’t knowing personally anyone that like me is pursuiting a similar goal…
Reading what you wrote here made me realize a lot of things I would’ve never noticed by my self.
One of my main problem at the moment its exactly this:
you see, at the moment I’m working in a packaging design studio. I find it hard to shake off from my actual job to jump into a character designer career.
Especially because even if I can relate to other artist online, they look and sound somehow extremely far from me (not geography speaking
Your words gave me new entusiasm and willing to carry on on this difficoult, but marvelous path that is a creative career.
Thanks!
PS: if you feel in the mood, would you have a glance at my blog?
In other words… do one for us (so you’re marked) and don’t complain.
I have big dreams and aspirations of becoming an animator. Its honestly the only thing I have my heart set on that I believe I’d be happy doing. I guess my only barrier that I have with really trying to pursue it is doubts because everyone tells me how unlikely it is, that its not a practical career choice. So what I was wanting to ask is if you have any advice that I could do to better my chances? Or college suggestion? Really any advice would be great. Thanks
Hey Chris!
So I’ve been going to school for a “practical” career path in education. I am quickly finding that I despise it haha and also that I love my art and the characters I create. I’m considering taking classes or enrolling in a program – is that completely necessary to get a look? Looking at schools in southern california. Thanks in advance for your reply!