3D Game Art & Animation Portfolio Example

“As I review animators’ portfolios, I often look for animators that can wear multiple hats.” Indeed, if Mathias Takacs is as whimsical as the characters in his 3D animation portfolio, he may be wearing actual hats himself — witch hats, pirate hats, or tall furry gorlatnayas.

But when he’s evaluating job applicants, he’s specifically vetting artists for a diverse skill set and stylistic range. Because artistic breadth, not just technical depth, is required to excel in the competitive world of video game art.

3D Animation Portfolio Example

3D Animation Portfolio Example
Artist: Mathias Takacs
Job: 3D Artist and Animator
Portfolio: http://squashandstretch.org/

Show your many hats

As for his own portfolio, Takacs has made it easy for visitors to quickly understand his personal breadth of styles and abilities. “I’ve set up my site with tabs to demonstrate multiple skill sets because being diverse in the gaming industry is very valuable,” he says.

Takacs’ online portfolio has tabs to show visitors the different sections of his artwork, while also offering an overview of his skill areas.

The menu bar at the top of each page serves two purposes: it allows visitors to easily switch between portfolio sections, but it also communicates Takacs’ artistic skill set, which ranges from 2D concepts and 3D modeling, to character rigging and animation.

Show your passion

Takacs’ LinkedIn profile declares, front and center, that he loves to work with like-minded people who “share a passion for making truly memorable experiences.” And for Takacs, that’s not empty talk. Just open the Animation tab in his portfolio, and you’ll see him use 3D animation over live video to show his kids an “elf on a shelf” taking a bite out of their gingerbread house. It’s a perfect example of how he uses art to surprise and delight. As he puts it, “A few days of work for a few seconds of fun!”

Takacs’ diverse portfolio showcases 3D models and animation in addition to his 2D character art.

Not every portfolio is charming

What if your portfolio isn’t perfect yet, or even has a few warts? As Takacs advises, “Always push yourself, and get critique and feedback from the most critical person you know.” And if the most critical person you know rides a broom and wears a pointy hat, use their input to improve your art anyway. It might be just the advice you need to turn your warty portfolio into… handsome prints.

All images via Mathias Takacs, squashandstretch.org

Jason W. Bay is a three-decade industry professional with credits on dozens of games. He has presented at international conferences, and authored two books on video game careers. He's currently a Senior Product Manager at Amazon Game Studios.

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