Stylized 3d Prop Portfolio

gomcdowell

Hi Everyone!

First post, long time lurker. I recently updated my portfolio and would love to hear what Polycount thinks. Thanks in advance for the feedback.

www.glenn-mcdowell.com

Joost

Cool assets. your site is too hard to navigate though. I'd go with a simple vertical format.

some examples:
http://polygoo.com/
http://www.damianlazarski.com/index.html
http://www.alecmoody.com/

Also I'd try to include a bit of variety. Right now you only have stylized props. They look good but it wouldn't hurt to have a few realistic props as well.

Add3r

komaokc wrote: »

Cool assets. your site is too hard to navigate though. I'd go with a simple vertical format.

some examples:
http://polygoo.com/
http://www.damianlazarski.com/index.html
http://www.alecmoody.com/

Also I'd try to include a bit of variety. Right now you only have stylized props. They look good but it wouldn't hurt to have a few realistic props as well.

I counter what komaokc has said. I actually really enjoy the layout, though once you have dug into the increased sized pictures after clicking on one on your home page, it seems to get a little clunky to move to another project/picture. Other than that, I think the layout is unique. Everyone has stuck with the standard vertical layout, and its just getting boring IMO. Once again, simply my opinion, could totally be overshadowed in that regard. Would like to hear others voice on the opinion.

As for the work, I feel if you're diving into stylized, and have stylized studios in mind.. Why bother stretching your skillsets and your mastery area from stylized? Though showing you can do both is awesome, but until then, I say master on side or the other first. Going strictly stylized has gotten many artists to great places. Just had a debate on generalist artists (style wise) compared to a very narrowed skillset, like realistic weapons, stylized props, foliage, etc. Most say mastering your favorite/best area first is key and then become a generalist as the company needs it.

Meteora

Generally I find a lot of studios have specialists rather than generalists, especially the bigger studios who can afford +100 employees and being selective about their applicants. Being an expert at one thing is better than being a jack of all trade, master of none.

Sick portfolio by the way. I've still got a lonnnnnnnnng way to make art as good/detailed as yours and other people.

Justin Meisse

I agree with Add3r, I've never had to make realistic art "just in case" and consider myself reasonably successful in my field. Nobody ever tells people with realistic portfolios to throw some stylized stuff in there :P

saintsonic

After clicking through all your work the site tends to go slow. I also agree with add3r I really enjoy your layout and having is specialized to be stylistic is a great idea. I love your design ideas as well I am keeping your port as on of my favorites

gomcdowell

Thanks a lot for the feedback peeps! Yes the lack of realistic work is intentional. It's not that I can't do realistic, while working at inXile I did mostly realistic work. I just love doing stylized art! It's who I am, it's what I am best at and it's where my passion lies. So for me, presenting only stylized stuff is about me communicating that. Its more about the pursuit of art for me, so if I have to wait a bit longer for a job/project that is fine.

I appreciate the feedback on the site navigation. I am going to look into making it easier to move in between assets.

Cordell Felix

Great job Gavin I totally agree with Add3r on having just stylized art up there. If that's what you want to do and want to be then embrace it as you are!
As for the website layout, I think you should go with the vertical type. I had no idea how to find your spec sheets with wireframe and textures until I just started to click things.

I've done my fair share of portfolio viewing for people that wanted to work with us. It's honestly easier to just go to their home page, see ALL of their projects on the front page or have it broken up into categories by tabs. Then I'm able to click where I like and just scroll down till the cows come home to view all the arts.