Do you want to know more about how to improve your portfolio for specific job areas within game development? In our Portfolio Tips series, we let our experts share their top 5 tips on how to do just that! Here’s 5 portfolio tips from Stephen Hawes, Lead Technical Artist at Massive Entertainment.
1. MAKE YOUR PORTFOLIO RELEVANT
If you have a strong interest in one aspect of Technical Art (for example Tools, FX or Shaders), you should start and end your portfolio with examples of these. Many roles allow for specialization, so showing your strength and interest will help your portfolio – and you – stand out.
The other exhibits you include would be other types of works to showcase other abilities. The last piece can always be a bit more visual: it could be a short video showing a tool saving time and producing a great effect, or a shader – something to draw a little attention.
2. Less is more
This is a tip that applies to portfolios for many different jobs. Having a few quality examples of work will take you much farther than having too many. You want people to remember you, and that is tougher if you show too much.
3. KEEP IT SIMPLE
You want a strong piece at the start and your strongest at the end. Don’t try to show everything – pick a tool, shader or system you have an interest in showing and polish those few.
4. EXPLAIN EACH ITEM
Always explain what the tool, shader, or feature is solving, or its purpose. Your thought process and your ideas for additional improvements (if any) are also important. It is always good to see a breakdown of how you chose a solution.
5. MAKE IT ACCESSIBLE
Try to avoid using a site with custom players or extra steps to see your work. It’s important that your work is easy to view along with your text.
USEFUL LINKS
- See our open positions on our Career page
- Want to learn more about how to get into the games industry? Check out our recruiter’s FAQ here.
- See what it’s like working at Massive!
