3D Generalist Portfolio Critique
Hello
I recently joined and would love some feedback on my portfolio. I’ve been working professionally for about 10 years, mainly in industrial/product visualization, but I’m looking to grow and potentially pivot into stronger creative roles.
Lately I’ve felt like I may have hit a plateau. I’m trying to honestly assess where I stand and whether I can realistically level up within this industry for better opportunities.
I’m also at a bit of a crossroads thinking long-term about family planning and financial stability, so I want to make sure I’m making smart decisions about whether to continue pushing forward in 3D or consider a shift into something more stable. Before making that call, I’d really value clear, direct feedback on my work and presentation. Thank you.
Link to my portfolio: RomanNoodles3D | Create Stunning Visuals Today
Replies
On that note, are you thinking about pursuing games or film work? Right now, looking at your work I'm not 100% certain. Your modeling work is solid, and seems to reflect solid modeling foundations, but the material/texture work feels like its not there yet. I don't really see anything that clicks as being game ready in a modern context, but I also don't see anything that feels film ready either I think. Admittedly, my focus is in games and not films so take that with a grain of salt.
Your front page doesn't feel like a portfolio but the pitch for why someone should hire your company to do something. But you're not a company...
You have a lot of text explaining what the different 3D disciplines are. This is a total waste of space - anyone looking at your portfolio is from one of those industries and doesn't need it explained to them.
I would ditch that big banner - It takes up a ton of space and means I have to scroll down before I see your work.
This is the view I have of your page without scrolling. No work to immediately look at and cut-off text at the bottom. In fact, the important text (Home, About, Resume etc) is difficult to see and very small.
Its not your 'talent gallery' - its your portfolio. Just call it that.
A 1 minute showreel covering everything isn't ideal. Having individual ones covering your different skills is better IMO. Also, ditch the music.
Your arch viz and product rendering are definitely your strongest works, but overall I think you have way too much big text.
I click on Product rendering and all I see is a huge text block explaining what I don't need to know, and cut off images at the bottom.
Overall, I think you need to do more showing, less explaining. Don't make anyone scroll down to actually find your work.
if you want stable work you're going to be aiming for in-house salaried work rather than freelance contract work. With your reel and the quality level I'd be aiming for smaller boutique studios that do advertising and TV commercials. That work would fit with your generalist reel because a lot of it will require you to take work through the whole pipeline in quick order.
The plus side to TVC work is that you'd have greater creative input, and could use the experience to bolster your art directing skills if that's the way you want to go. It's also pretty fun IMO
If you feel like you've hit a plateau, it might be worth thinking about specialising in one core discipline that you're passionate about, then creating a couple portfolio pieces focused on those areas after you've gone really deep into mastering the process. Then you could start looking at entering games or film in that discipline too.
But yeah the key to stability will be in landing a permanent salaried job, I reckon.
Hello,
Everything the others said is spot on—I won’t comment on your creations since I don’t feel qualified to do so. But I did want to talk about the music of your video. I actually jumped when the video started—it kicks in pretty strong. That might be intentional, of course, but you could maybe ease us in by lowering the volume at the beginning or swapping it for something with a gentler intro. Just a thought