NEW YEAR, NEW JOB: Build a better portfolio

Every day in this month we’re helping job-hunters and employers with advice and tips from the industry’s finest developers, experts, HR specialists and recruitment execs on a range of topics.

Today we bring you a guide to building the perfect portfolio, with ideas and advice from a range of industry experts.

8 ways to improve you portfolio



• “Prove that you can work in your potential employers style by sending eye catching images that they can relate to.”

Alessandro Taini, visual art director, Ninja Theory

• “Always include your best work and try to keep your portfolio concise showing off your main technical skills. There is no point trying to show an art manager everything in one reel unless you are going for a 3D generalist role.”
Stig Strand, games manager, Amiqus



• “Finish something. Finish and release as many things as you can.”
Dave Thomson, founder and CEO, Ludometrics

• “Don’t put in any shit. One bad piece of work will damage all the good stuff. Pick five-to-eight of your best pieces – get someone you trust to tell you the truth to help – and include only what makes the grade. If you aren’t good enough yet, don’t bother having one.”

Will Luton, creative director, Mobile Pie



• “Do only send a few examples but your best ones. Art directors, for example, do not have lots of time to review huge portfolios. They prefer to be convinced by a few stunning illustrations or graphics."
Katrin Seel, human resources, Travian Games

• “Pay attention to shape in all forms. One of the most common problems we see as a specialist games recruiter is disproportionate artwork. Precision makes any picture easier on the eye.”

Kim Parker Adcock, owner, OPM Recruitment

• "Have one. Programmers, game designers, artists and production should all have a portfolio of titles/work/examples to flip open and show. Even if it is just stuff you did in school, every prospective game employee should have a portfolio.
"
Chris Mayer, CEO, Night Owl Games



• “Experiment with our characters and designs.”

Hendrik Mainka, head of human resources, Goodgame Studios


Our daily ‘New Year, New Jobs’ series of articles are extracted from the forthcoming February issue of Develop magazine, which boasts an essential compendium of advice, tips and tricks on getting a new job and improving your employment prospects. The same issue will bring you all the results from our sweeping games industry Salary Survey. Check back with Develop Online every day this month for more.

To find out more about advertising opportunities relating to our New Year, New Job series contact Alex.Boucher@intentmedia.co.uk or call him on +44 (0) 1992 535 646.