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What is the best resource for portfolio building as a Game Artist?
I'm looking to build a website to show off some of my work, but I'm not sure what the best option is. There are a lot of website-building services, but most have fees. Are there any good free options or should I bite the bullet and buy something like squarespace? For context, I am a rising junior studying game art. I'm a 3d generalist, but I mainly want to show off my modeling in Zbrush.
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6 answers
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Bruce’s Answer
The other answers here are really great so take advantage of more than one option and see which ends up working best for you.
I'd recommend you create assets for established game market places like Unity or Unreal. You get your assets visible and hosted for free, and you can get some recognition and possibly some cash out of it as well.
I'd recommend you create assets for established game market places like Unity or Unreal. You get your assets visible and hosted for free, and you can get some recognition and possibly some cash out of it as well.
Updated
Tashnim’s Answer
Hi Mason,
There isn't one single "best" resource for portfolio building as a Game Artist, but several strong options cater to different needs and preferences:
ArtStation: A popular platform specifically designed for showcasing artistic talent, including concept art, environments, characters, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface, portfolio analytics, and a large community of artists, making it a great choice for getting your work seen by potential employers in the game industry.
Your Own Website: Having a dedicated website gives you complete control over your portfolio's presentation. You can tailor it to your unique style and include additional elements like project descriptions, a blog, and contact information. While it requires more technical setup compared to ArtStation, it can create a strong professional impression.
Itch.io: This platform is primarily known for hosting indie games, but it also allows you to showcase your game art assets or even upload playable demos. It's a good option if you want to demonstrate your skills in context within a functioning game environment.
GitHub: If your portfolio includes elements beyond just static artwork, like 3D models, animations, or game engine scripts, GitHub can be a valuable tool. Version control and collaboration features make it ideal for showcasing your technical skills and workflow.
Consider these factors when choosing a platform:
Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach with your portfolio? If it's primarily game studios, ArtStation might be ideal. If you're open to freelance work or want to showcase a wider range of artistic abilities, your website might be better.
Content Type: What kind of work do you want to feature? If it's mostly visual art, ArtStation or your website works well. For interactive elements or code, consider Itch.io or GitHub.
Technical Skills: Are you comfortable building and maintaining your own website? If not, ArtStation offers a simpler setup.
Remember, the most important aspect of your portfolio is the quality of your work. Choose a platform that allows you to showcase your skills effectively and present yourself professionally.
There isn't one single "best" resource for portfolio building as a Game Artist, but several strong options cater to different needs and preferences:
ArtStation: A popular platform specifically designed for showcasing artistic talent, including concept art, environments, characters, and more. It offers a user-friendly interface, portfolio analytics, and a large community of artists, making it a great choice for getting your work seen by potential employers in the game industry.
Your Own Website: Having a dedicated website gives you complete control over your portfolio's presentation. You can tailor it to your unique style and include additional elements like project descriptions, a blog, and contact information. While it requires more technical setup compared to ArtStation, it can create a strong professional impression.
Itch.io: This platform is primarily known for hosting indie games, but it also allows you to showcase your game art assets or even upload playable demos. It's a good option if you want to demonstrate your skills in context within a functioning game environment.
GitHub: If your portfolio includes elements beyond just static artwork, like 3D models, animations, or game engine scripts, GitHub can be a valuable tool. Version control and collaboration features make it ideal for showcasing your technical skills and workflow.
Consider these factors when choosing a platform:
Target Audience: Who are you trying to reach with your portfolio? If it's primarily game studios, ArtStation might be ideal. If you're open to freelance work or want to showcase a wider range of artistic abilities, your website might be better.
Content Type: What kind of work do you want to feature? If it's mostly visual art, ArtStation or your website works well. For interactive elements or code, consider Itch.io or GitHub.
Technical Skills: Are you comfortable building and maintaining your own website? If not, ArtStation offers a simpler setup.
Remember, the most important aspect of your portfolio is the quality of your work. Choose a platform that allows you to showcase your skills effectively and present yourself professionally.
Updated
Pavida’s Answer
Hi Mason!
There is a big game art community on ArtStation that you should look into. It is a free platform and many game art people get jobs from there. You also have an option to create an instant website from your ArtStation page.
Other free options I recommend are Weebly and Wix. If you already have an Adobe account, I would look into Adobe Portfolio!
To me, as long as the website is accessible, easy to read, and shows off your best work and who you are, it functions well as a portfolio.
Good luck!
There is a big game art community on ArtStation that you should look into. It is a free platform and many game art people get jobs from there. You also have an option to create an instant website from your ArtStation page.
Other free options I recommend are Weebly and Wix. If you already have an Adobe account, I would look into Adobe Portfolio!
To me, as long as the website is accessible, easy to read, and shows off your best work and who you are, it functions well as a portfolio.
Good luck!
Updated
Jarien’s Answer
ArtStation is pretty much the standard currently. The default is free, there are a few different options for paying various monthly fees for more features. I advise do Artstation free version, look into the paid options, if you can afford them and like the features go for it, but it's not necessarily required.
As an aside, if you want to be a game artist, "show off my modeling in Zbrush" is *not* a good strategy for getting a job. ZBrush is one step in the pipeline but does not result in game-ready assets usable in a professional production. It's good to show that you know ZBrush, but for getting a job as a 3D artist in the game industry, it's important to show *finished* assets, which means retopologized, UVd, baked maps, textured, set up in engine with materials (Unity, Unreal, or Marmoset Toolbag are standard for showing in-engine shots). Decent lighting is important for showing off your models, even if your goal is not to be a lighting artist. Showing ZBrush sculpts *is* a good idea, I'm just pointing out that that is an in-progress step to show, similar to showing your mesh's wireframe/topology, or your UV layout. It shows you are good at this one step, but it's also important to show the final product.
(Caveat - not every model needs baked maps or to be retopod from a high poly sculpt etc. There are many different methods of creating assets depending on the game's creative and technical requirements. My description above is just a generalization).
Hope this helps, good luck!
As an aside, if you want to be a game artist, "show off my modeling in Zbrush" is *not* a good strategy for getting a job. ZBrush is one step in the pipeline but does not result in game-ready assets usable in a professional production. It's good to show that you know ZBrush, but for getting a job as a 3D artist in the game industry, it's important to show *finished* assets, which means retopologized, UVd, baked maps, textured, set up in engine with materials (Unity, Unreal, or Marmoset Toolbag are standard for showing in-engine shots). Decent lighting is important for showing off your models, even if your goal is not to be a lighting artist. Showing ZBrush sculpts *is* a good idea, I'm just pointing out that that is an in-progress step to show, similar to showing your mesh's wireframe/topology, or your UV layout. It shows you are good at this one step, but it's also important to show the final product.
(Caveat - not every model needs baked maps or to be retopod from a high poly sculpt etc. There are many different methods of creating assets depending on the game's creative and technical requirements. My description above is just a generalization).
Hope this helps, good luck!
Updated
Beatriz’s Answer
Hi Mason,
I'd go for ArtStation and probably Wix, as someone has already mentioned.
For me, the portfolio needs to show you can do the job, and the better the best obviously, so choose carefully because that is also telling about your sense of "quality", how good an eye you have for knowing what is it that looks good.
But the platform itself is not important.
Good luck
I'd go for ArtStation and probably Wix, as someone has already mentioned.
For me, the portfolio needs to show you can do the job, and the better the best obviously, so choose carefully because that is also telling about your sense of "quality", how good an eye you have for knowing what is it that looks good.
But the platform itself is not important.
Good luck
Cindi Knapton
Video Game Narrative Designer • Science Fiction World Builder
2
Answers
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Cindi’s Answer
Hello Mason,
I'm in full agreement with the suggestions made earlier. I'd like to particularly highlight ArtStation. It's widely recognized as the industry's preferred platform, especially during portfolio reviews at events like GDC or in job postings.
As a Narrative Designer, my main focus is on crafting words, yet when I interact with and interview artists specializing in 2D, 3D, environment and character design, they all seem to favor ArtStation. It's likely due to its user-friendly interface that allows your visuals to take center stage with just a single click.
I personally use Wix, but it does have its limitations when it comes to showcasing visuals, despite its wide range of options.
Considering your current position as a junior, ArtStation would probably be the best choice for you.
Wishing you all the best! I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing your work!
I'm in full agreement with the suggestions made earlier. I'd like to particularly highlight ArtStation. It's widely recognized as the industry's preferred platform, especially during portfolio reviews at events like GDC or in job postings.
As a Narrative Designer, my main focus is on crafting words, yet when I interact with and interview artists specializing in 2D, 3D, environment and character design, they all seem to favor ArtStation. It's likely due to its user-friendly interface that allows your visuals to take center stage with just a single click.
I personally use Wix, but it does have its limitations when it comes to showcasing visuals, despite its wide range of options.
Considering your current position as a junior, ArtStation would probably be the best choice for you.
Wishing you all the best! I'm eagerly looking forward to seeing your work!