What is your process for selecting projects for a computer graphics portfolio?

1 Know your audience

Before you start choosing projects for your portfolio, you need to identify who you are targeting and what they are looking for. Are you applying for a specific job, freelance gig, or academic program? Are you interested in a particular industry, genre, or style? Do some research on the expectations and preferences of your audience, and tailor your portfolio accordingly. For example, if you are aiming for a game design job, you might want to include projects that showcase your skills in modeling, texturing, lighting, animation, and scripting.

2 Showcase your strengths

Your portfolio should highlight your strongest and most relevant skills and abilities. Choose projects that demonstrate your proficiency and versatility in different aspects of CG, such as 2D, 3D, or motion graphics. Focus on the quality, not the quantity, of your work. It is better to have a few polished and impressive projects than a lot of mediocre ones. Also, make sure to include projects that reflect your personal style and creativity, and show your passion and enthusiasm for CG.

3 Balance variety and consistency

While you want to show your range and diversity in your portfolio, you also want to maintain a sense of coherence and consistency. Choose projects that complement each other and form a cohesive narrative of your skills and vision. Avoid including projects that are too similar, outdated, or irrelevant to your goals. You can also group your projects by theme, genre, or technique, and use labels or captions to explain the context and purpose of each project.

4 Update and refine

Your portfolio is not a static document, but a dynamic and evolving representation of your work and growth. You should regularly update and refine your portfolio to keep it fresh and current. Add new projects that showcase your latest skills and achievements, and remove old or less impressive ones. You can also ask for feedback from peers, mentors, or professionals in your field, and use their suggestions to improve your portfolio. Remember to check for errors, glitches, or broken links, and make sure your portfolio is easy to access and navigate.

5 Create a demo reel

A demo reel is a short video that showcases your best work in a dynamic and engaging way. It is a powerful tool to capture the attention and interest of your audience, especially if they have limited time or attention span. A demo reel should be no longer than two minutes, and include only your most relevant and impressive projects. You should also use music, sound effects, transitions, and titles to enhance the mood and flow of your demo reel. Finally, you should include your name, contact information, and a link to your portfolio at the beginning and end of your demo reel.

6 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?