Which Portfolio Platform Works Best For You?

 

With the increasing number of new positions in the games art industry, it's the perfect time for job seekers to think about where and how to showcase their work. The platform you choose for your portfolio can make or break your first impression with hiring studios. In this post, we’ll review the most popular platforms for 2D art, 3D art, and animation, examining their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. After all, you only get one chance to make a strong first impression— and as we’ve discussed in a previous blog post, that impression happens in just 1 minute.

 

When arranging your portfolio and choosing a platform, it’s crucial to consider how much time you can dedicate to maintenance and updates. An outdated portfolio can often be a major turn-off for hiring studios, so consistency and ease of use are key to keeping your portfolio up-to-date.

 

This blog will cover platforms for 2D Art, 3D Art, and Animation, providing insights into what works best for each medium.

 

 

ArtStation is the leading platform for portfolio presentation in the games industry. Its thumbnail-to-folder style layout allows you to display snippets of your work, which can be expanded to showcase detailed examples. This is especially useful when presenting complex work like modelling, baking, and every other step in the process. For studios reviewing your work, this format allows easy navigation and quick access to what they need to see.

 

Behance is an easy-to-use platform for uploading work but is more suited to individual pieces rather than full project workflows. It's particularly effective for graphic designers and marketing artists, as it showcases the final asset in a clean, impactful way. However, it lacks the robust functionality that ArtStation offers for 3D and concept artists looking to display their creative process.

 

For ease of maintenance, Google Drive is a strong contender. It allows for easy uploads with drag-and-drop functionality and offers options for private folders, which can be beneficial for work you want to keep confidential. The downside is that large files may be difficult to view online, which can slow down the review process for studios.

 

Having control over how your portfolio is viewed is a major advantage of personal websites and PDFs. However, websites can be time-consuming to maintain, and missing server payments or broken links can cause issues. Many ATS systems also struggle to process PDF portfolios, leading to a disjointed experience. If you can commit to regular updates and maintenance, a private website offers the most flexibility and security.

 

 

While ArtStation is primarily geared towards 3D art, it can still be used by animators to showcase their work. However, the site’s thumbnail-based layout adds an extra step for recruiters, and there are limited options for sharing private or password-protected content. If you want a more streamlined process, this might not be the best fit for animation portfolios.

 

Vimeo has long been the preferred platform for animators due to its privacy features and ease of upload. Password-protected videos are simple to manage, but the downside is that viewers often need to log in to see content. This can be frustrating for hiring teams and may slow down their review process.

 

YouTube is the most accessible platform for animation portfolios. With private links and an easy-to-use interface, it allows for quick sharing and viewing. The platform’s widespread compatibility across apps also makes it a convenient choice for recruiters who need to view your work at any time. YouTube’s ease of access and reach make it the leader for video portfolios.

 

Similar to 3D art portfolios, Google Drive offers excellent organisation and ease of use, with minimal maintenance required. However, large video files can be a barrier for ease of playback, leading to delays in review as recruiters may need to download files before they can view them.

 

A private website allows you to create a tailored portfolio with organised video sections to showcase your animation skills. However, you’ll need to upload videos to another service (like Vimeo or YouTube) and embed them on your site, which can be a time-consuming process that requires frequent updates.

 

 

The platform you choose should align with the time you can dedicate to maintaining your portfolio. If you're looking for complete customisation and control, a personal website is the ideal choice—but it requires ongoing attention. If you prefer convenience with minimal upkeep, platforms like Google Drive and YouTube are great options.

 

Ultimately, the right platform is one that allows you to keep your portfolio up-to-date and accessible while showcasing your work in the best possible light.