Create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps -

Want to create a successful animation portfolio? In this article, we'll show you how to create an animation portfolio that stands out from the crowd.

In the animation industry, your animation portfolio is more important than your CV. Whether you’re applying for a course, a studio or want to impress your clients, your portfolio is key. It should tell your clients exactly what you can offer as an animator. If you’re looking to apply to a studio, it should let recruitment know what you can bring to the team.

An animation portfolio is more than a collection of your work, it’s a crucial part of your marketing strategy. Here’s how to make sure yours stands out...

Your online animation portfolio

Firstly, the best way to format your animation portfolio in 2021 is through a website. Your website needs a domain that links it clearly to you and your portfolio. This could be your name, or the name of your animation business.

Secondly, after you’ve found a web address that works for you, get customising. Your portfolio, like your website name, should be uniquely yours. Look for website builders that offer a high level of customisation.

And thirdly, it's worth baring in mind which host you use. In particular, you’ll want a website which is advert free. Think of your online portfolio as a web space that’s reserved for you. In rest of the web, you’ll be battling competitors. In contrast, your animation portfolio should be a distraction-free collection of your work.

1. Decide your client niche

Finding your niche is essential to becoming a successful animator. Your niche is made up of the services you offer as an animator, and who you want to offer them to. As you find more clients, you can refine your niche better.

If you’re just starting out, try this strategy. Imagine your ideal client is viewing your animation portfolio. What services, styles or themes would they be looking for? Instead of randomly compiling your work, tailor your portfolio for a potential client.

For more tips on how to find your animation niche, check out our article here.

1. Decide your client niche

Finding your niche is essential to becoming a successful animator. Your niche is made up of the services you offer as an animator, and who you want to offer them to. As you find more clients, you can refine your niche better.

If you’re just starting out, try this strategy. Imagine your ideal client is viewing your animation portfolio. What services, styles or themes would they be looking for? Instead of randomly compiling your work, tailor your portfolio for a potential client.

For more tips on how to find your animation niche, check out our article here.

2. Look at other animation portfolios

If you’re unsure how to lay out your animation portfolio, look to other animators. This article from Wix shows how 15 different animators have set out their portfolio. Look at what other animators have done to make their animation page stand out. Find your favourite examples, and use them as inspiration.

Remember that as an animator, it’s important to keep your work completely unique. Finding inspiration is a great idea. Copying another animator’s portfolio, on the other hand, is not.

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: looking at other's work

3. Start your animation portfolio with your showreel

A successful animation portfolio starts with an outstanding showreel. Your showreel should be one of the first things people see when visiting your website. Make sure that it fits in with the rest of your animation portfolio. The style of your showreel should blend seamlessly into the rest of your website. In fact, when you’re deciding on the mood and style of your portfolio, looking at your showreel is a good way to start.

If you haven’t created an animation showreel yet, here’s how.

3. Start your animation portfolio with your showreel

A successful animation portfolio starts with an outstanding showreel. Your showreel should be one of the first things people see when visiting your website. Make sure that it fits in with the rest of your animation portfolio. The style of your showreel should blend seamlessly into the rest of your website. In fact, when you’re deciding on the mood and style of your portfolio, looking at your showreel is a good way to start.

If you haven’t created an animation showreel yet, here’s how.

4. No experience? No problem!

Less experienced animators can worry they don’t have enough material for an animation portfolio. If this sounds like you, don’t worry. Instead of waiting to be hired for an animation project, get started on your own. Personal projects build experience and add to your portfolio without clients. When deciding on a personal project, consider what areas of your portfolio need developing. Is there a popular style you want to try? A new program?

Choosing personal projects with future clients in mind is the most efficient way to expand your portfolio.

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: experience

5. Organise your animation portfolio

Once you’ve set up your website, don’t just dump all your animation in one place. Instead, carefully categorise your work. Creating collections of storyboards, 2D animation, motion graphics and 3D work will help clients select what they want to see. It’s also a great idea to include behind the scenes details of your animation processes. Clients will love to see the care and effort you put into your animation.

Organising your animation portfolio will also show what your strengths and weaknesses are. Once your portfolio is organised, build up the skills that need more work. This might mean watching some online tutorials or exploring a new program.

5 tips to ensure your clients return to your animation studio: quality

5. Organise your animation portfolio

Once you’ve set up your website, don’t just dump all your animation in one place. Instead, carefully categorise your work. Creating collections of storyboards, 2D animation, motion graphics and 3D work will help clients select what they want to see. It’s also a great idea to include behind the scenes details of your animation processes. Clients will love to see the care and effort you put into your animation.

Organising your animation portfolio will also show what your strengths and weaknesses are. Once your portfolio is organised, build up the skills that need more work. This might mean watching some online tutorials or exploring a new program.

6. Keep it simple

Make your animation portfolio simple to navigate. In other words, viewers should know exactly how to find what they’re looking for. Label your categories clearly and focus on simplicity. Most clients won’t be animation experts, so keep the technical jargon to a minimum. In many ways, a portfolio's success is dependent on it's visual impact. Avoid lengthy text and let your work shine.

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: keep it simple

7. Grab your viewer's attention

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: attention

Your animation portfolio should visually stop a viewer in their tracks. If your animation portfolio isn’t eye-catching enough, a client or studio will simply move on to other options. The first thing visitors see when they click on your animation portfolio is crucial. You want to create a visual impression that sums up your animation style. Looping logos, creative typography or slick motion graphics are all popular choices, for example.

7. Grab your viewer's attention

Your animation portfolio should visually stop a viewer in their tracks. If your animation portfolio isn’t eye-catching enough, a client or studio will simply move on to other options. The first thing visitors see when they click on your animation portfolio is crucial. You want to create a visual impression that sums up your animation style. Looping logos, creative typography or slick motion graphics are all popular choices, for example.

8. Promote your animation portfolio

Once you’ve created a great-looking animation portfolio, it’s time to spread the news! Link your portfolio on your Instagram, LinkedIn, and in any marketing emails. In addition, promote it on social media, letting your followers know where they can see more of you work. Every time you update your portfolio, let your followers know.

9. Keep your animation portfolio updated

Your animation portfolio, like your animation experience, will keep changing. As you complete more projects, develop new skills, and take on more clients, add to your portfolio. Keeping your portfolio regularly updated is more effective than dumping all your new projects at once. You want potential clients or employers to see your skillset at its best. Put aside some time once every couple of weeks to make the necessary adjustments.

create the perfect animation portfolio in nine easy steps: keep updated

9. Keep your animation portfolio updated

Your portfolio, like your experience, will keep changing. As you complete more projects, develop new skills, and take on more clients, add to your portfolio. Keeping your portfolio regularly updated is more effective than dumping all your new projects at once. You want potential clients or employers to see your skillset at its best. Put aside some time once every couple of weeks to make the necessary adjustments.

Summary: Creating the perfect animation portfolio

Generally speaking, successful animators have successful animation portfolios. In conclusion, putting effort into your animation portfolio is one of the best ways to further your career. Start with what you have, and watch your portfolio grow!