2 answers
Rhema
Student
Long Beach, California
2
Questions
Updated
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What is the best way for students to build their portfolio when applying for jobs and internships in the animation and illustration industry?#Fall25
Currently in my second year of college, pursuing my BFA degree in animation and illustration. I'm looking into an internship for the upcoming school year, and I'm not certain how to professionally organize my work when applying to internships.
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2 answers
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hello, Rhema !
It's great that you are already thinking about work and interviews while you're still in college ! It's very possible to obtain work while you are still a student and your portfolio will definitely be an important part of it !
My advice is to create both an online portfolio as well as a hard copy real one that you can discuss and show during interviews. Many employers have stated that the applicants that bring a hard copy portfolio stand out even if it's not requested, and makes the applicant appear professional. The employer will have already had a flat view of your online portfolio before you are in an interview, but having a hard copy of it will allow for both you and the employer to look at your work and discuss it together while sitting at a desk.
There are also times in which illustrators have made something like a comic book or brochures and it will make a memorable impression to show the actual finished product at an interview. The employer has already seen many online portfolios so bringing a tangible portfolio will definitely give you an edge.
The online portfolio has value also. It's best use is to state the link on your resume and business cards and at Linked In. It is also valuable when you register at various art directories so that people seeking animators or illustrators can get a glance of your work to decide to hire you or not. The online collection of your animations would be needed and it can easily be done by posting the videos as you create a You Tube channel for it as well as posting the animation on Linked In at no cost to you. As you move forward and have many animation videos, you can even make a demo reel of them for the professional directories you register with and future hiring companies.
When it comes to registering at professional directories, you can create a profile on Workbook Directory of Illustration, CreativeHowl Illustrators Directory, Upwork, Toptal, ArtStation, AFX Animators and Twine. There may be more, but I advise registering with all you can find to increase your chances for work. The portfolio is a vital tool for you but also being a member in some organizations will add opportunities and credibility when seeking work.
Some organizations to look into that you may want to join are Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, Association Internationale du Film D'Animation – Hollywood - Los Angeles Chapter, Women in Animation, The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, American Society of Illustrators Partnership, and One Club for Creativity which gives out awards. These organizations will be good for networking, information, support and possible workshops and classes.
Do not hesitate to make strong connections in your Art Department and with your professors for leads that may not be online but that they may know about. Also see if there is anything they can tell you about making a portfolio that may inspire you.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
It's great that you are already thinking about work and interviews while you're still in college ! It's very possible to obtain work while you are still a student and your portfolio will definitely be an important part of it !
My advice is to create both an online portfolio as well as a hard copy real one that you can discuss and show during interviews. Many employers have stated that the applicants that bring a hard copy portfolio stand out even if it's not requested, and makes the applicant appear professional. The employer will have already had a flat view of your online portfolio before you are in an interview, but having a hard copy of it will allow for both you and the employer to look at your work and discuss it together while sitting at a desk.
There are also times in which illustrators have made something like a comic book or brochures and it will make a memorable impression to show the actual finished product at an interview. The employer has already seen many online portfolios so bringing a tangible portfolio will definitely give you an edge.
The online portfolio has value also. It's best use is to state the link on your resume and business cards and at Linked In. It is also valuable when you register at various art directories so that people seeking animators or illustrators can get a glance of your work to decide to hire you or not. The online collection of your animations would be needed and it can easily be done by posting the videos as you create a You Tube channel for it as well as posting the animation on Linked In at no cost to you. As you move forward and have many animation videos, you can even make a demo reel of them for the professional directories you register with and future hiring companies.
When it comes to registering at professional directories, you can create a profile on Workbook Directory of Illustration, CreativeHowl Illustrators Directory, Upwork, Toptal, ArtStation, AFX Animators and Twine. There may be more, but I advise registering with all you can find to increase your chances for work. The portfolio is a vital tool for you but also being a member in some organizations will add opportunities and credibility when seeking work.
Some organizations to look into that you may want to join are Society of Illustrators of Los Angeles, Association Internationale du Film D'Animation – Hollywood - Los Angeles Chapter, Women in Animation, The Guild of Natural Science Illustrators, American Society of Illustrators Partnership, and One Club for Creativity which gives out awards. These organizations will be good for networking, information, support and possible workshops and classes.
Do not hesitate to make strong connections in your Art Department and with your professors for leads that may not be online but that they may know about. Also see if there is anything they can tell you about making a portfolio that may inspire you.
I hope this helps and I wish you all the best !
Thank you!
Rhema
Christina Davis
1
Answer
Updated
Christina’s Answer
There's a lot of free websites like Behance, Canva, and blog platforms that let you create digital portfolios with an online link to share. Making things accessible is super important so people can easily see your work with small captions underneath.
Don't just post pictures though. You also want to explain why you included each project. Like "I really love this project because it represents my style and the direction I want to go in." Your portfolio needs to speak for you in rooms you're not in yet, so make sure it speaks well.
Again, tons of free websites out there, so I'm not saying go buy a domain. Definitely utilize websites that already have great templates made specifically for portfolios. Make sure you create a professional account that's separate from your personal stuff. That way it has all your contact information on the page too.
I think this is one of the best ways to do it because if you have a LinkedIn or resume, you can always put the portfolio URL on there. But if you want something that really stands out, go for video plus imagery. That's what I'd recommend for building up a portfolio that's convenient to send out to everyone.
Don't just post pictures though. You also want to explain why you included each project. Like "I really love this project because it represents my style and the direction I want to go in." Your portfolio needs to speak for you in rooms you're not in yet, so make sure it speaks well.
Again, tons of free websites out there, so I'm not saying go buy a domain. Definitely utilize websites that already have great templates made specifically for portfolios. Make sure you create a professional account that's separate from your personal stuff. That way it has all your contact information on the page too.
I think this is one of the best ways to do it because if you have a LinkedIn or resume, you can always put the portfolio URL on there. But if you want something that really stands out, go for video plus imagery. That's what I'd recommend for building up a portfolio that's convenient to send out to everyone.