What Is a Portfolio? Why Do You Need One As An Artist?
Let me ask you a question. How important is it to have a portfolio as an artist? Not just digital art, but any type of art — concept art, traditional art, photography, or even graphic design. Does having a portfolio let people better see your talent and skills? I’d say yes. As an artist and graphic designer, having a portfolio is important, it is still vital. I understand that many artists feel reluctant to make one because they feel they haven’t done enough or don’t have the experience. It’s a mistake. A portfolio will provide you with the opportunity to showcase your best work from completed projects that you have been a part of. It will also allow you to have a base of work to refer back to when trying to find new clients or contacts. There are dozens of potential employers and employers online that are looking for artists, so improving your portfolio is important. But there’s more to it than just that. It’s about self-expression and confidence too. Your portfolio will show potential clients and employers not only what you can do but how confident you are in doing it too.
What is a portfolio? Why do you need one as an artist?
A portfolio is a collection of creative works. Artists are often asked why they need a portfolio. The answer is simple: creativity. You need a portfolio to find work and gain recognition as an artist, but it’s more than that. A portfolio gives you the platform to showcase your talents, develop a reputation as an artist capable of producing quality work, and establish a network of people who are interested in supporting your work. It allows people to see how you develop your skills as an artist, whether you are improving rapidly or taking small steps. If you are trying to improve your current skill set, creating a portfolio can be helpful. If you are trying to get published or get noticed by someone in your industry, creating a portfolio can be extremely effective. The importance of a portfolio cannot be understated.
Pick the mediums that will best showcase your work
Pick the mediums that will best showcase your work. For example, Behance, Arstation, Dribble, or social media, such as Instagram and YouTube. Pick the medium that best reflects your personality and the tone that you want the content to carry. Make sure that the medium is easy to digest and share. If the graphic, photos or video is too long, people may stop looking after a few minutes and start wondering why you bothered posting the whole thing in the first place. Don’t make it harder on yourself by choosing one that’s not available online. When communicating verbally, be sure to choose a medium that allows you to convey your message. Think about what type of message you want to send out while producing your artwork. Be sure to convey that in your communication so you get what you want out of your potential clients.
Build your brand! Your bio and resume
Portfolios are one of the most powerful tools an artist has for building name recognition outside their immediate area of expertise. Artists are constantly asked about their backgrounds by potential employers, and many of them fear that having a public profile will somehow lessen their chances of being hired. The truth is that having a portfolio creates no conflict of interest and makes you more attractive to job seekers who are looking for qualified individuals with whom they can partner for projects — whether it’s creating promotional art for an upcoming event, or assisting in the art business.
Your portfolio is your online footprint — the stories, work experiences, and passions that you’ve built up over time. Think of it as your CV, but much more personal and relevant. It might seem like this is an easy way to get published, but it isn’t. You need to put in the hard work to make sure your piece of content stands on its own two feet and stands apart from everything else out there.
Make sure it’s pretty, make it your own
The internet is full of pieces that people can favorite or comment on, but there’s little attention paid to the presentation. When you’re starting out you don’t want to just have a bunch of photos or videos of your latest artwork. You want those pieces to tell a story about where you’re going. A portfolio can talk about your style, your considerations, your process and so much more. When people talk about how they like their art, they often talk about how they want to look when they see it in an exhibition or on a wall. That’s why creating a decent-looking portfolio is important — it puts you in the position of having other people recognize what you’re worth based on your art community.
Keep it up to date
One of the best ways to become more successful as an artist is to keep your skills current. This means finding new ways to use your skills and developing your creativity. If you want to branch off into new areas of art or make small investments in your existing craft, the best way to do that is by creating an ongoing creative portfolio. This way you can always have something fresh to show the world. It’s kind of like Pinterest for artists. You can practice new media and techniques as you proceed as an artist and develop your skills at your own pace. Maybe your current work circumstances have changed and you’re now working for a new company. Or maybe you’ve discovered a new skill that’s making you an expert in your field. Whatever the case, updating your online presence is vital.
How to make your online portfolio that looks professional?
What are the characteristics of a professional artist portfolio? A good starting point is to make clear and engaging as possible. It should include a short bio that includes what you do, where you’ve had your work published, and where you’ve been published. Next, evaluate the website’s design and layout. Is the content organized? Are the links precise and relevant? Are the images big and clear enough? If the website has technical issues, make sure you don’t get frustrated by its sluggish loading speed or inability to open new windows. If you’re an artist, you likely have clients that look at your art and want to know how you make the pieces. Portfolio creation and design is a skill that takes time and practice. The same thing goes for creating your Facebook and Twitter accounts.
Display your various talents, such as drawing, design, photography, videography, animation, and more
Imagine how much more attractive and useful you would feel if you could show off your skills in a tangible way? It’s easier today to demonstrate your skills online with portfolios and presentations. Your portfolio is your calling card. It gives prospective clients an idea of what you’re capable of without them having to spend time and energy poring over your resume or interviewing you for hours on end. They’ll be able to look at your work and know that they want you on their side. Think about the projects you’ve worked on and how they advanced your skills. Include an example of your work if you can. Even better, consider links to resources where you can learn more about the skills you showcase. It’s also a good idea to put together a quick list of links related to the type of job you have held. This approach allows you to establish a portfolio site while still being able to browse through other people’s portfolios easily.
Portfolio creation can be personal and artistic. An important aspect of your art is expressing yourself through the work you create. You must choose a format that is engaging, easy to follow and fits with your overall style. The more info you put into your art (images, texts, Signature Edits), the better your portfolio will be when printed or displayed.
