Looking for freelance animation projects to build your portfolio? Read on for how to use animation projects to make your portfolio stand out.
Your portfolio
Easy to view
Don’t over-complicate your animation portfolio with unnecessary text. Your style as an animator should be visible at a glance. With this purpose in mind, your work should be presented as clearly as possible.
Easy to find
Equally, don’t hide your animation portfolio in the corner of your computer files. Your work should be accessible from your website and on your social media. Be proud of it and make it easy to find!
Client focused

Your portfolio
Easy to view
Don’t over-complicate your animation portfolio with unnecessary text. Your style as an animator should be visible at a glance. With this purpose in mind, your work should be presented as clearly as possible.
Easy to find
Equally, don’t hide your animation portfolio in the corner of your computer files. Your work should be accessible from your website and on your social media. Be proud of it and make it easy to find!
Client focused


Using freelance animation projects to enhance your portfolio
You might not be getting the best pay when you start as a freelance animator. You might not have a wide choice of freelance animation projects available. Work with what you’ve got. Treat each freelance animation project as a future investment. By building your skillset, you’ll have more to add to your portfolio. The more you add to your portfolio, the more you can refine it. The more you refine it, the closer you come to finding your niche, and the more chance you have of attracting your perfect client. Here are some valuable skills to build your animation portfolio:
Character design
Even if you’re not planning on becoming a character animator, character design is a key skill. Show a range of different styles in the characters you design. If you can, get involved with freelance animation projects that involve characters. Potential freelance animation projects might look like short films, music videos, or explainers.
Lighting and composition
Lighting and composition are skills you can showcase in any freelance animation project. These skills are essential to your portfolio. Not working on your dream freelance animation project? See this as a chance to demonstrate outstanding lighting and composition. This practice will eventually help produce an equally strong portfolio.
Rigging
If you’re looking to improve your 3D character design, you also need to work on your rigging. Rigging is a highly technical job, but it’s a skillset you’ll need to know if you want to get hired as a freelance 3D animator. Check out 3D modelling sites like SketchFab and TurboSquid. Here you'll find models that you can practice rigging on. Once you're confident in your rigging, put your new skills into practice. Look for freelance animation projects requiring 3D characters, to get started. Experienced riggers are extremely valuable to both clients and animation studios. It’s a skill worth learning.
Graphic design
Producing graphic design alongside animation is a great way to pick up more clients. Most animators already have a keen eye for visual design. They also have a good understanding of the programs used to create graphic design. Offering graphic design services will increase your client base. Businesses looking to improve their website, blog or social media need skills you already have. Take advantage of this. Look for freelance projects incorporating digital design as well as animation.
Motion graphics
Producing stylish motion graphics will help you attract business clients. Logo animation, eye-catching infographics, and beautiful typography are all in high demand. Motion graphics are used for a wide range of freelance animation projects. These can range from explainers to credit sequences. If you’re still looking for animation clients, start with a personal project. Designing a logo or motion graphics for your website is great practice. It's also productive and will help your website stand out to potential clients.

Using freelance animation projects to enhance your portfolio
You might not be getting the best pay when you start as a freelance animator. You might not have a wide choice of freelance animation projects available. Work with what you’ve got. Treat each freelance animation project as a future investment. By building your skillset, you’ll have more to add to your portfolio. The more you add to your portfolio, the more you can refine it. The more you refine it, the closer you come to finding your niche, and the more chance you have of attracting your perfect client. Here are some valuable skills to build your animation portfolio:
Character design
Even if you’re not planning on becoming a character animator, character design is a key skill. Show a range of different styles in the characters you design. If you can, get involved with freelance animation projects that involve characters. Potential freelance animation projects might look like short films, music videos, or explainers.
Lighting and composition
Lighting and composition are skills you can showcase in any freelance animation project. These skills are essential to your portfolio. Not working on your dream freelance animation project? See this as a chance to demonstrate outstanding lighting and composition. This practice will eventually help produce an equally strong portfolio.
Rigging
If you’re looking to improve your 3D character design, you also need to work on your rigging. Rigging is a highly technical job, but it’s a skillset you’ll need to know if you want to get hired as a freelance 3D animator. Check out 3D modelling sites like SketchFab and TurboSquid. Here you'll find models that you can practice rigging on. Once you're confident in your rigging, put your new skills into practice. Look for freelance animation projects requiring 3D characters, to get started. Experienced riggers are extremely valuable to both clients and animation studios. It’s a skill worth learning.
Graphic design
Producing graphic design alongside animation is a great way to pick up more clients. Most animators already have a keen eye for visual design. They also have a good understanding of the programs used to create graphic design. Offering graphic design services will increase your client base. Businesses looking to improve their website, blog or social media need skills you already have. Take advantage of this. Look for freelance projects incorporating digital design as well as animation.
Motion graphics
Producing stylish motion graphics will help you attract business clients. Logo animation, eye-catching infographics, and beautiful typography are all in high demand. Motion graphics are used for a wide range of freelance animation projects. These can range from explainers to credit sequences. If you’re still looking for animation clients, start with a personal project. Designing a logo or motion graphics for your website is great practice. It's also productive and will help your website stand out to potential clients.

Personal projects

Summary: using freelance animation projects to build your portfolio
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