Portfolio feedback - what should I focus on?
polycounter lvl 3
Hey everyone, so I have been trying to get a job doing things in 3d and I think I really need some impressions / critiques / help with my portfolio : conghal.com
Here is my story: I went to art school for Painting & Drawing, worked a bunch of crappy retail jobs, started teaching myself 3d, quit my job (for various reasons), and I've been working on portfolio things and trying to get work for like 9 months now.
I've learned a ton, but I really don't know what I should be doing, it feels a bit like that thing about chasing two rabbits and not catching either one. I can do characters, environments, animation, stylized, realistic, particles, programming, subdiv, sculpting, etc.. Each time I try to focus on one thing, it seems like all the job postings are looking for the opposite.
So, I need outside perspectives. What are your first impressions? What works, what doesn't? Is there anything I should get rid of? Anything I should include more of? Should I present things differently? Please help me!
Here is my story: I went to art school for Painting & Drawing, worked a bunch of crappy retail jobs, started teaching myself 3d, quit my job (for various reasons), and I've been working on portfolio things and trying to get work for like 9 months now.
I've learned a ton, but I really don't know what I should be doing, it feels a bit like that thing about chasing two rabbits and not catching either one. I can do characters, environments, animation, stylized, realistic, particles, programming, subdiv, sculpting, etc.. Each time I try to focus on one thing, it seems like all the job postings are looking for the opposite.
So, I need outside perspectives. What are your first impressions? What works, what doesn't? Is there anything I should get rid of? Anything I should include more of? Should I present things differently? Please help me!
Replies
- The site is not very easy to navigate (what is the work you REALLY want to show off)
- Only put your best work into it. Experiments can be included but tend to distort the overall quality
- Most importantly: your work currently lacks a lot. This is not meant offensivly but I can´t see any area where your skills really stand out. Everything just looks like testrenders and the modeling isn´t spectacular. Really focus on one thing
In short: Create something really outstanding. Only show off amazing pieces. Quality > Quantity
This is my opinion, someone else will tell you different, and I'm still a student. Take my feedback with a pinch of salt.
It is good that you have tried out doing some different stuff, animation, environments, characters etc. My advise would be to pick one of them you liked the most and start improving and polishing your skill at doing that. It is difficult enough trying to become good at one thing. If your future employer is to pick you, instead of the 200 other people applying, you need to be really good at what you do.
It is obvious that some of the things in your portfolio are "first tries". I would say the quality is suffering because your attention is so divided.
When you have decided your specialization, take a look at some other peoples work. Lets say you go for becoming a character artist. What do other peoples work look like? What do they do good or better than you? Take a look at some peoples portfolios that are currently employed. Can I learn anything from them that could improve my own work?
I like the design of your website but you could improve the way it is organized. I would remove blog picture at the top and misc unfinished work so that your strongest pieces are in focus.
- Remove " Misc Old / Unfinished Work "
- Separate Portfolio / Blog
- Don't show screenshot directly from zbrush envrionnement, or any other software, it's unprofessional, except if it's for the blog side.
- Classify your project like this for example. An image / a project with different render of a particular work. For now, it's very messy, and people don't care about date.
- Pick some 2D concepts that you love, and try to make it in 3D.
- Don't give up.
- Keep practicing.
I hope some point will help you.
Is there anything that looks particularly bad? Anything you think I should rework or just get rid of?
Thanks for the example, that is definitely a much better layout. You're right, I should definitely do more work from 2d concepts, too.
I don't know what piece you would like to continue polishing. For example here are some things that could add to the realism of the door:
- Roughness maps for the wood and metal to show some wear and highlights.
- Normal maps for the metal dents, scratches etc.
- Stronger normal maps for the wood to make it pop a bit more
- Add some dirt or dust to the glass