Graphics Reference
In-Depth Information
Production developer | For freelance or full-time
Designers or graphic artists sometimes apply for production positions in a soft
economy. If you fit this description, you may need a different balance of work in your
digital portfolio than the one you use when applying for a creative position.
A production specialist is hired for one reason only—to implement—whether
they are writing JavaScript, optimizing graphics, or creating Flash-based interaction.
Creativity and a good eye are a bonus, not the main event. A professional developer
knows this and prides herself on her speed, efficiency, and accuracy, even under pres-
sure. This pride should be on display in a production portfolio's exquisite attention to
craft and detail. Process and variety are still useful.
Motion and interaction
Designers and illustrators are adding time and motion to their repertoire of
tools and media. There is a difference, however, between incorporating interactive ele-
ments into a design and concentrating on movement and imagery. Motion graphics
professionals incorporate performance and storytelling into their visual skills.
Animator | for freelance or full-time
Animation was once identified exclusively as hand-drawn cartoon entertain-
ment. Today, most animation is computer-based or -assisted. Computer animators
make it possible to “walk through” designed virtual spaces, visualize abstract scientif-
ic principles, and merge real and imaginary elements seamlessly in film.
Technical virtuosity goes hand in hand with creativity in a time-and-motion
portfolio. Variety is prized, as is a clever concept for editing clips of work together.
Sound is a part of the palette and should be an integrated component in the portfo-
lio. Process is useful in a supporting role. Personal projects are expected to make up a
large percentage of an animation portfolio until the animator has been working pro-
fessionally for many years.
Videographer | for freelance
In a quick and simplistic analogy, a videographer is to a photographer what an
animator is to an illustrator. Instead of capturing and editing individual still frames, a
videographer captures moving images. Videographers are usually freelancers who not
only shoot the content but handle post-production as well. Their portfolio samples are
provided in the same range of format and quality as animators' work, although there
are usually fewer individual projects, and longer sample clips. Variety of subject mat-
ter and evidence of good technical skills are extremely useful.
Because both animation and video projects are extremely time-consuming,
work in process or personal projects are not only acceptable in the digital reel, but
expected. So are other goodies—tutorials or personal projects—that show technical
mastery behind the scenes.
Portfolio sites by both video and animation professionals are often simple stat-
ic sites that are used as a download space for the actual portfolio—the demo reel. No
