Wie können Sie freiberufliche Arbeit nutzen, um Ihr Animationsportfolio aufzubauen?

"How to build an animation portfolio with contract work". Animation jobs are a little different than other industries. An animator may sign for 6 or 9 months on a specific project, after which there may (or may not) be another project to start on immediately. This can be perceived as stressful compared to the idea of a "permanent" position. Keep in mind there is literally no such thing as a permanent job. Having a diverse skill set is the key to more stability, and removes the dependence on any one company for consistent employment. Staying versatile and being willing to adapt and grow can result in free training and ultimately a longer career. So embrace the impermanence. ...and it may just lead you to the longevity you seek.

What kind of animation lights you up? What kind of work do you feel drawn to? Most likely, this is the kind of work you will have an aptitude for… or the kind of work that you will want to spend your time and resources to master. What companies/studios create the kind of work you dream of creating? What kind of culture do you feel is the best fit? Make a list of your top three to find your niche.

Before pitching your service you must know what you are providing and what the client is looking for. You should look for the clients who are producing similar style of animation and pitch to them with you past works reels.

While it is important that you identify your niche to be successful as a freelancer, most of the time a motion designer may be required to wear many hats by taking up multiple roles. For such a freelancer, it may be hard to pin point to what exactly their niche is especially for beginners. Many are in this phase and they do not care as long as they render the service and make money. However, a man that is for everyone will soon be for no one. I believe it is highly important to tailor your service to a defined set of animation styles, doing this will make you stand out better and help you speak to a specific type of audience. Also, you will only be doing the style of work that gives you that feeling of an artist reward.

The beautiful side of freelance is that you can choose which kind of projects you want to take on. If you develop your portfolio in a specific direction, I suggest you aim for projects likewise. And every time you finish a project, create an appealing case study and upload it to your website.

When I got out of graphic design school I wanted to be a lettering artist (calligraphy and hand lettering.) This was 1985 so before 3D was very common. I kept getting turned down for jobs because I wanted to specialize. I'd been freelancing as a graphic designer since high school, so I had some work experience. But still looking for my first fulltime job. All my previous works and my constant revisions of my portfolio (plus some computer programming experience) landed my first job doing 3D animation back in 1986. That job at PPS Cincinnati ended up being much better than my dream job for Hallmark Greeting Cards in Kansas City, which I had been turned down four times. Specialization drove my career.

It's great to look beyond where you think your niche positions you, don't limit yourself to one type of client as you may find you really enjoy working in a different sector. For instance a talented character animator might find most of their work with studios producing TV, or on film production, but you can also find work within commercial areas such as branding, advertising agencies and gaming studios as a 2D artist.

3D animation is really vast as a “category”, it can span from modeling to more specific fx or grooming roles. Identifying your strengths is key to know what job opportunities look for or more simply what offers that can come your way you’ll be able to satisfy. I found that is way more important to have a clear skill set down, more than what “category” of work you are willing to take on (these being ads rather than music videos/cinema), since a lot of the know how is shared between them when it comes to 3D work. But the key is always being able to adapt fast to the requirements (within your capabilities).

As a freelance artist, I dabble in a wide variety of creative services including animation. Not all animation is the slick 3D computer generated imagery you see in Hollywood. There is also a niche for hand drawn 2D creations of a more whimsical nature and this is the style that I prefer working in.

Nada como ser especialista en un tipo de animación en concreto, yo opino que existen especialidades muy interesantes y variadas dentro de la animación, tanto 2D como 3D, el volverte experto en la animación dirigida al nicho al cual quieres enfocarte, te ayudará a crecer profesionalmente de manera exponencial.

I think a website is useful if you do other things like drawing or photography for instance, but if it’s an animation job you’re after, make sure your demo reel is on the home page and ready to play. People in charge of recruiting will most likely not have time to browse through pages etc. Make it as simple as possible for them to see your best work, and by helping them you’re helping yourself :) In all honesty, it’s easier to just use a video hosting platform, such as Vimeo, which is what most people do in our industry.

Nobody's looking at your website if you are looking for a job in feature films. In my experience when recruiting for feature projects we have a list of links to reels to look at that has been compiled by the recruiting team. Unfortunately it isn't possible to watch every single reel that is sent in, but the lists are still generally very large. Generally you can tell during the first shot if an animator has what it takes. So make sure your reel is amazing, especially the first shot, and keep it short. Also unless you're the Daniel Day Lewis of acting in animation, make the first shot funny or dynamic. Watching 50 reels in a row of head and shoulder acting, and shoulder shrugs gets pretty tiring.

"How useful is a website for marketing your work?" Short answer - not very useful. When I review demo reels, I want to see: 1) a clickable link that takes me to a video that I can play and frame through (Youtube is best for this, Vimeo is a close second). 2) Clearly labelled scenes in the demo reel that show what portion of the work was done by the artist. 3) Contact info at the end. If I am sent a full website with several options to click on and all kinds of fancy bells and whistles, I prepare myself to spend more time looking FOR the demo reel, and less time watching it. I don't want to see your website. I want to see your animation skill clearly displayed, so that we can decide if we're going to interview you. Simple :)

A simple nicely designed website is always a nice for a freelancer to have, but the showreel is much more important. A freelance animator’s showreel should be 30 - 45 seconds long, it should start with your best work. It should be nicely cut to music. You should send a link to your reel, not your website, to prospective employers.

When making your website, think about how much time the producer who will be skimming through it has. My bet is they're pretty busy and this is your first chance to show how easy you are to work with.

Animators who dare to build captivating websites extend their stories beyond dazzling reels. These digital canvases unveil the artist's soul, showcasing values, inspirations, and intellectual depth beyond technical mastery. Recruiters yearn for this insight, seeking not just a visual feast but a collaborative mind aligned with studio culture. A well-crafted website bridges the gap, fostering deeper connections and igniting a shared vision for growth. Embrace this opportunity to showcase your unique artistry and forge a path toward fulfilling collaborations.

In my experience an updated showreel and Porti is key! That said a website is of value provided it is very clearly defined into sections showcasing your skillsets relevant to the industry you're applying for work in. So if you do design, animation and video editing. Have a clear section for each that is built around an eye catching site that represents your creative ability. I've found Wix a great quick solution to build a site and use Vimeo to link all my relevant work together. But that said, Sometimes it comes down to who you know and a bit of luck. No matter your perspective, for me personally I believe in keeping a very creative clean looking profile, site or showreel to showcase your skillset.

Not very useful, A clickable link is enough. If u really feel, Just create a vimeo plarform. Your Work matters, not the website..

Only show your best work because quantity is irrelevant. Be meticulous. One minute is enough. I will hire based on your reel and a short meeting.

You want to make sure your website is as easy to navigate as possible. The fewer clicks the better. Personalization is good but having too much going on, on your webpage can be distracting for recruiters and it can even slow down the load time for your webpage to even come up. Depending on your specialty, some people have separate portfolio sites for each of their skill sets. For example, a separate site for their Storyboarding work and another separate site for their Animation work etc… however that’s not always needed and you can easily split your work into tabs if you have more than one specialization.

Ensuring your animation reel is up-to-date is crucial. My recommendation is to craft a fresh reel annually, incorporating the best of the previous years and any new projects from the current year. In instances where you lack sufficient projects for a new reel or have work bound by NDAs, a common occurrence, consider updating your existing reel. Swap out some older projects with newer ones to keep it relevant. The choice of music is paramount. Opt for well-known songs that resonate, as they create a lasting association with your reel. Choosing impactful tracks increases the likelihood that viewers will recall your work when hearing the song. Keep the reel no more than a minute and a half. Longer than this, viewers may disengage.

The internet is filled with so many possibilities. You can join online webinars, forums and more. Discord is a great place to finds communities working in the industry such as AIA( Asians in animation) RIA ( Rise up animation) LB ( Lightbox) official severs for animation festivals like OIAF, TAAFI and more. There’s usually channels where people post job openings and other opportunities as well. On top of that you can network, join some really cool workshops and discussions all while meeting some really cool people along the way.

There are numerous platforms for us to showcase our work. However, it's not enough to just think that this alone will suffice. The first step is undoubtedly to have solid sales material on some digital platform(Demoreel, Portfolio Website, etc). But beyond that, to find a new project, to get invite for a next job, involves building relationships. It's important to create a network of contacts and strengthen these connections, and this isn't limited just to people who might hire you. Don't build relationships solely with the goal of being hired. Do it to be part of the community, to be present, to learn, and to share. As a result, this will open doors for future projects.

Outbound marketing is a marketing strategy that focuses on reaching potential customers who are not yet familiar with your company or products. It can be an effective tool for gaining more animation job opportunities as it allows you to communicate directly with people who may be interested in your services. Here are some examples of how to use outbound marketing to win more animation job opportunities: - Send marketing emails to companies you think might be interested in your services but don't be insistent sendind a lot of times. - Create content for social media that is relevant to your target audience. - Advertise your services on relevant websites and social media platforms. - Attend animation industry events.

To reassure future clients and win freelance projects, prioritize a professional online presence.Respond promptly to inquiries, showcasing your commitment and reliability. Clearly communicate your process, timelines, and expectations for transparency. Provide detailed project proposals with transparent pricing. Emphasize relevant experience and expertise to instill confidence. Offer a satisfaction guarantee or revisions to address concerns. Showcase positive feedback on social media to boost credibility. Personalize your brand with a bio or introductory video. Engage with clients through personalized communication to understand their needs. Consistently deliver exceptional work to build a stellar reputation and encourage repeat business.

Algunas páginas de trabajo online pueden ser más aptas para ciertos rubros. En mi caso como motion artist y film maker no he encontrado otras opciones mejores que conexiones reales con personas y mediante LinkedIn, conectar con quienes tomas las desiciones de marketing de las empresas.

Go on Instagram or LinkedIn and contact your heroes. No, not celebrities or sports figures, but maybe? Contact people in Industries you want to work in. You want a freelance job with a music festival company? Contact them and tell them you'd do one social media campaign for free and then if things click set a price. Almost half of my life I never had a full-time job and I'll be flat out honest with you in saying working freelance with a bidding career is the most important thing you can ever do. Contact everyone and do anything and figure out what you really enjoy.

These are my favorite methods for finding freelance work: - Keep your social media profiles regularly updated. Building a strong online presence is key; create a professional website, showcase your portfolio, and optimize your profiles on freelance platforms. - Reach out to companies who could benefit from your services. This can be done through email, social media, or even in-person visits. Being proactive in your approach increases your chances of landing freelance opportunities. - Attend industry-related events to establish connections with potential clients, collaborators, and fellow freelancers. Networking in person provides valuable opportunities to grow your professional circle and stay connected to your community.

Here are three great ways to find work as an animator: Network with other animators, connect with studio owners, and build relationships with web designers, illustrators and graphic designers.

For me, the network I created while studying was the most important thing for me to still get freelance jobs here and there. The people you talk to and show what you can do can be the best recommendations for you to get a freelance job. ALWAYS talk about your skills with your peers, you'll never know when they'll be able to recommend you to an employer. Places like Indeed, Twitter and Patreon had allowed me to grow as a freelancer.

I mentioned this in another article, I think it's also relevant to this as well. - There is a term is called an elevator pitch which is a brief (think 30 seconds!) way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two, and making a connection with someone. If you think the same way while applying, it makes a difference. Less is more sometimes is the key. - Grab the client's attention with your skills and that you are the best fit for their needs. - And if you have the chance to do a little research on the client, that would be a point that helps in writing the proposal.

Se debe ser mas municioso a la hora de presentarte o presentar una propuesta ante un cliente: - Tu portafolio deberia estar adeucado a lo que que busca el cliente - Indagacion acerca del cliente, sus paginas, como comunican, por donde lo comunicar etc. - Investigacion y proyeccion. Estos parametros ya son indicadores del profesionalismo que tienes para ofrecer, despues de ello todo va depender de tu trabajo y la buena comunicación que se tenga.

To adapt effectively to freelance client requirements, prioritize communication. Understand their needs by asking clarifying questions. Tailor your approach to align with their vision and expectations. Be flexible with project timelines, incorporating feedback promptly. Provide regular updates to ensure transparency. Offer options when presenting solutions and be open to revisions. Demonstrate a proactive attitude by anticipating client needs. Strive for excellence in each deliverable and maintain a collaborative mindset. Prioritize client satisfaction, making adjustments as necessary. Continuous improvement based on client feedback will strengthen your adaptability and lead to successful, long-term collaborations.

You may need to be clever when trying to get freelance work and give them a compelling reason they may want to hire you. You may want to send a potential client a sample work (create something in their style but done better or differently) so that they can see what you bring to the table. Then ask them if they would like to work with you.

Understanding a client's objectives is crucial when applying for freelance animation work. Before submitting your portfolio or pitching your services, take the time to research the client and their industry to gain a better understanding of their needs and goals. When communicating with a potential client, ask questions to clarify their vision, budget, timeline, and any other specific requirements they may have.

Create persuasive proposals that emphasize your expertise. Customize each application to the specific job, featuring pertinent projects from your portfolio. Differentiate yourself by showcasing a clear comprehension of the client's requirements.

Customising your portfolio according to requirement it Job Description is the key tool to consider. Untill the scope is for a generic designer.

C'est important de bien comprendre ce que fait la structure à laquelle vous proposez vos services et aussi sa philosophie de travail.

When applying for freelance work, tailor your proposals to each job. Highlight your relevant experience and how your skills align with the project requirements. Include links to your portfolio and specific examples of similar work you’ve done. Personalize your cover letter to show your enthusiasm and understanding of the client’s needs. A well-crafted application can set you apart from other candidates.

One thing I've found helpful, is opening a line of communication with the client at the development stage. Clients who work with tight deadlines could be restless, so it helps put their minds at ease. If you can't meet the required deadline, state it upfront rather than being dishonest, by not keeping your word.

Set clear timelines, and make sure your client understands the milestones for completion. Communication throughout the process is really important.

Ensure a polished freelance project delivery by first confirming alignment with client expectations. Provide a clear and organized final deliverable, adhering to agreed-upon deadlines. Accompany your submission with a concise summary highlighting key features. Encourage client feedback to address any potential revisions promptly. Include a personalized note expressing gratitude and openness to further collaboration. Offer post-delivery support and clarify any usage guidelines. Demonstrate professionalism by tying up loose ends and confirming client satisfaction. This attention to detail in the delivery process fosters a positive client experience and increases the likelihood of future collaborations and recommendations.

Um dos aspectos mais negligenciados que percebi ao longo dos anos é a parte de coleta de informações iniciais perante ao cliente. Nesta hora o contato deve ser bem próximo a fim de extrair todas as informações necessárias para a execução sem atropelos e refações. Na pratica é uma fase bem maçante mas é ela que vai garantir uma entrega correta e tranquila para ambos os lados.

Communication is key, always communicate with your client while you are working on their project and show WIPs, this is a good way to dodge any kind of misunderstanding.

In order to deliver a successful project that meets the needs of your clients, it is crucial to ask thoughtful and relevant questions that allow you to gain insight into their unique problems. By doing so, you can gain a better understanding of the scope of the project and what must be done to achieve the desired outcome. Once you have gathered all the necessary information, it is important to break down your process and create a timeline that aligns with the client's deadline. This timeline should include milestones that allow for regular client feedback and interaction with the finished work. This will help you to quickly identify and address any issues or concerns that arise, reducing the need for extensive revisions or modifications.

Make a Terms & Conditions so you and the client can be on the same page with payments and deadlines from the beginning. Freelancing has allowed me to live a very chill life (traveling and studying) while working remotely, but at the start of this journey it was hard because not everyone respects boundaries. With time I learnt that a contract can do a lot for you, and you can have a template you can fill and modify for each client depending on what they're looking for. Let them know about any setbacks, it's better for them to know with time so they can take the proper decisions for the project.

When you are ready to deliver. Always take the time to label everything, color coordinate layers, name every asset. Because when you hand everything off you need to have the mindset that one day an intern or junior artist who knows absolutely nothing is going to open your project to make a small change. And you want that to be as easy as possible for them and the client.

Meet deadlines and exceed client expectations. Effective communication is key as it provides updates, seeks feedback, and ensures a smooth collaboration. A satisfied client is more likely to refer you or hire you again.

This is more of a Project Management skill you need to acquire and apply while working with clients. This skill will ground you firmly in demanding situations when you scale up. Managing clients needs attention towards Effective interpersonal skill, time management, negotiation skills, financial knowledge, social, industrial and governance know how of your local country and also if your clients country.

There's a bit of an unwritten rule in the freelance (motion design) world 'create work you want to get hired to do'. This mostly applies to personal projects BUT posting freelance work (that you're proud of and want more of) on your portfolio is obviously an amazing way to showcase what you can do. I would go one step further and break things down. Show your process for whichever area you were involved in, why you made the decisions you did and even better if you can share the results of the work ie; what the client gained from the work you created - increased revenue, increased engagement, brand refresh etc. Showing how you add value will signal your value to future clients. Best of luck :)

One of the things I have done as a freelancer is ask for reviews from clients. You can always ask for testimonials from clients and put them in your LinkedIn profile or website, doing this can make potential clients and recruiters to trust your work and character. Sometimes in freelance you get some projects or work that are above your skill level, putting those works in your reel or profile put yourself ahead of the employees that are in the same experience level and increase your chances of hiring and get more clients. Always ask for permissions from clients before sharing your work in public and if you worked for a company directly or indirectly, mention the name of the company/studio in your portfolio.

Before updating portfolio, make sure that it's fine to share widely regarding copyrights. There is a term that is called "Elevator Pitch", this can be a better understanding of what portfolio is for me. An elevator pitch is a brief (think 30 seconds!) way of introducing yourself, getting across a key point or two, and making a connection with someone. If the portfolio is to sharing your work with others for more connections and to have more opportunities, I think it's is kind of the same idea.. when you think this way, you might have a fresh eye on how to update your portfolio.

It is important to keep updating your portfolio and showing your skills and works progress. I have to admit current competition among fresh grads, junior and senior animators are getting harder these days. So, one has to outshine the others in order to secure the position. It doesn't matter if it is freelance or personal projects. The focus here is to show your growth and progress.

Designers hear it time and time again but it's true; use your portfolio to showcase the work you want to do MORE of. It's not necessary to add every project to your past work if it didn't entirely align with the style of animation you want to do in the future. If you don't have many paid examples, use some personal projects so you're attracting the right kind of project/client your way.

Doing freelance animation work helps you build a collection of your work, like different projects you've done. Creating a portfolio that shows off your skills in a bunch of interesting ways, and this can impress people who might want to hire you for more animations in the future.

I strongly agree, and you can also put the mechanism of work and how you and the client came up with the choice of this design

Preparing Creative Portfolio for an artist is an important part of his career growth as well as getting more freelance projects. Always keep updating your portfolio with a variety of work. Your Portfolio should not only show your specific skills but multitasking ability as well. It will open the door for you to get more variety of work in this world.

Primeiro, lembre-se de esclarecer se o trabalho que irá desenvolver pode ser publicado em seu portfólio. Coloque isso no contrato. Isto posto, tenha uma atenção especial na hora de atualizar o portfólio. Pense como um novo projeto que será sua vitrine e que lhe apresentará para possíveis clientes, estúdios ou agências. Deixe claro o que fez no projeto, caso tenha feito com um equipe e dê os devidos créditos. Não esqueça que projetos autorais são uma excelente vitrine também. Se mantenha em movimento!

Esta es una de los aspectos claves. Mantener siempre actualizado nuestra "vitrina". Sin embargo, aveces me gusta traer al presente trabajos antiguos y contar esos procesos de trabajo. Hay proyectos que quedan atrás pero que tienen un enorme valor de ser comunicados.

Dive into freelance projects like a penguin into a fish buffet. Start small, animate a dancing potato, or give a hedgehog a hip hop routine. Showcase diversity; clients love a versatile animator with more moves than a breakdancing octopus. 🕺🦔 Let me share an example my colleague sally snagged a freelance gig animating a salsa dancing toaster. The result? Toasters across the globe now cha cha with style. Moral of the story: spice up mundane tasks, and your portfolio will sizzle! 🔥 Remember, your portfolio is your animated autobiography. Showcase your evolution from stick figures to majestic space operas. Clients want to see growth, not just in pixels but in your animation journey. 🚀✨

Stay updated. Software are updating bringing in new features. New tools and styles are emerging. Have a growth mindset and always consider what new or interesting features can you learn and incorporate into your work to stand out.

As artists, there’s many pathways for us to make a career out of our skills. Asides from just freelance and commission work or selling things, teaching is another great side hustle for people in the industry can do. Artists are always seeking out how to improve their skills, learn new techniques and get critique on their work. Providing services like portfolio reviews, beginner classes and so on is not only a great way to earn some side money but also give back to the community you love so much and helping other budding animators. Giving teaching services aren’t just reserved for artists but any field! There’s always someone out there who can learn from you so don’t think you’re not good/experienced enough to give teaching a try!

Here is how I started my career! 11 years into animation now! 1. I started with Vyond, Powtoon, & Animaker. Created a few videos using the trial version. Got some good clients. I started offering end-to-end production. Got into custom projects. Started learning Adobe After Effects and hired more freelancers to my team. My 2 cents- 1. Work on animations for different industries, styles, and purposes 2. Share snippets of your process on professional sites like LinkedIn. It provides insight into your creative approach. 3. Create a portfolio on platforms like YouTube, Vimeo, Behance, etc 4. Utilize freelance platforms like Upwork, Fiverr, or Freelancer. 5. Request and feature client testimonials.

- Don't underestimate personal projects. - Be open to learn new skills. - Keep yourself updated. - Try always to have a bit of traditional stuff, even for fun. - Share your skills and work widely with your network.

Ao sair da representação estática de uma imagem, a animação nos proporciona uma oportunidade maior de contemplar o produto/projeto. O mais interessante neste aspecto é que isto pode ser feito tanto para o projeto de uma cidade quanto para um bebedouro para gatos. Em arquitetura, não só projetos de grande vulto, mas obras poderiam passar a utilizar mais esta poderosa ferramenta de visualização em suas vendas, todos sairiam ganhando.

Creo que, como en todos los campos laborales, algo fundamental que te mantendrá en la línea laboral, es : mantenerse actualizado sobre las técnicas, apps, software que se estén utilizando en la actualidad, eso te permitirá tener u a visión más amplia de lo que buscan los clientes, y también, enriquecer tu conocimiento para poder ser competitivo en un mundo laboral donde se avanza a pasos agigantados.

I discovered this recently and it was a valuable lesson while dealing with clients since you'll not know what you're dealing with. DO NOT UNDERESTIMATE YOUR WORK OR THE THINGS YOU CAN PRODUCE. Even if it is the simplest form of any style it has to be there in your portfolio believe it or not the client wants to view the same style they want to use in your portfolio before choosing you so if you've made it before and it looks good enough to be on your portfolio LEAVE IT THERE.

As we all know, freelance as work choice, can be intricate time wise and sometimes more tiring than we anticipate. So always make sure you ate resting well because it as much influences creativity as work process itself. Also from time to time you can take projects that you now bring you joy of expressing yourself, even if it is not paying much. Because those usually the ones that go to our “work that you want to do” portfolio

Know your value because you are going work with a big studio but other times you are going to work with a small team and sometimes they are going scam your time and work so you need to be prepared and ask always for an advance before you start to work and on a project and know where the project is worth, long story short, be cautious because sometimes the "opportunities" are just a scam or something worse a virus