Building a Modern 3D Portfolio
Storytelling, Specialization, and Social Impact
For years, I’ve told aspiring 3D artists—whether they’re looking to break into the industry or transition to a new role—one key piece of advice: focus on your demo reel.
A polished demo reel has traditionally been the cornerstone of any 3D artist’s job application. While having a dope resume with the best degrees and experience is nice, hiring managers would never even glance at them if the demo reel doesn’t grab their attention.
(For those unfamiliar, a demo reel is a one-to-three-minute video showcasing an artist's best work, typically edited to music. The structure is predictable: start with your strongest work, close with your second-best, and fill the middle with everything else. Here’s a fun 3D sculpting demo reel by Jeremy Pajot.)
This format has served the industry well for decades. Early on, artists submitted VHS tapes or DVDs, and hiring teams would gather in a room to review them, one by one.
But the times are changing. Remote work, shifting attention spans, and evolving technologies have altered how hiring managers interact with an artist's work. These days, hiring managers are cycling through hyperlinks for portfolios searching for that spark of talent. That means, it’s no longer just about the demo reel. Instead, I’ve found that a well-curated online portfolio is increasingly essential—not just to land jobs but to future-proof your career.
Why Portfolios Are Overtaking Demo Reels
Think about your own browsing habits. Would you rather sit through three minutes of a video with a predetermined edit order or click through a portfolio of work at your own pace? Give me that control, amirite!?!?!
When a hiring team evaluates candidates now, it’s often not a single person sitting in a room watching reels. Instead, teams share links, and individuals review them on their own time. A portfolio, be it on ArtStation, Behance, The Rookies, or a personal website, allows hiring managers to quickly skim and decide whether they want to dig deeper.
The format isn’t what matters. What matters is the content and presentation of your portfolio.
What Makes a Great Online Portfolio?
Quality Work Comes First
No amount of clever presentation will save weak visuals. Your portfolio should consist of well-composed, professional-level work that reflects the technical and artistic standards of the industry you’re targeting.
Tailoring your portfolio to specific industries or roles is crucial. If you’re applying for a lighting position, focus on lighting. If you’re targeting product visualization, showcase high-quality renders demonstrating your niche skills.
The goal is to make hiring managers think: “This person lives and breathes [specific skill/job]. They’re perfect for this role.”
Custom Portfolios for Specific Roles
While having a general portfolio covering all your skills is fine, you should create custom versions tailored to specific job applications or freelance opportunities.
For example, if you’re a 3D artist who also dabbles in photography and illustration, maintain separate portfolio sections or pages for each skill. Send the appropriate link to each prospective employer.
Avoid overwhelming hiring managers with irrelevant work. A portfolio that’s too broad might make them question your focus or long-term goals.
Tell the Story Behind Your Work
Beautiful final images are great, but showing your process can set you apart. Highlighting your workflow demonstrates not just the quality of your output but the professional methods you use to achieve it.
Include breakdowns of your work:
Reference boards or concept sketches
Work-in-progress renders
Notes on tools and techniques used
A clear narrative of your problem-solving process
Jonathan Benainous does a brilliant job of this on his Artstation page. Check out his breakdown of his stained glass windows for the Last of Us Part I game.
In an era where tools like AI and stock assets blur the lines of authorship, demonstrating your creative process is more important than ever. Did you model the assets yourself? How did you approach lighting or texturing? These details can establish your authenticity, craftsmanship, and a professional approach to your work.
Portfolios as a Marketing Tool
Another advantage of an online portfolio is its versatility as a marketing tool. A demo reel often takes significant time and effort to create but has limited utility once it’s done. Portfolios, especially those enriched with behind-the-scenes content, can be repurposed across platforms to build your personal brand.
For example, screenshots of your work-in-progress or time-lapse videos of your process make excellent social media content. This not only keeps your audience engaged but also drives traffic to your portfolio.
I recently spoke with Connor Hankel, a motion graphics artist, during an AMA in the 3D Artist Community. He shared that 50% of the content his company creates is for clients, while the other 50% is purely for marketing and their portfolio. That balance ensures a steady stream of visibility and new opportunities.
Building the Habit of Documentation
One of the biggest challenges in creating process-driven portfolios is going back to old projects to add context. It’s often difficult to reconstruct the steps or locate the original files after a project is complete.
That’s why I recommend building documentation into your workflow. Whether it’s:
Recording your screen while you work,
Taking periodic screenshots or
Saving reference boards and WIP images,
...these small habits can save you a lot of effort later. Over time, documenting your process becomes second nature, enriching your portfolio and creating a library of content for future marketing efforts.
A Portfolio for the Future
The 3D industry is evolving, as are the expectations for how artists present their work. While the demo reel still holds value, a thoughtfully curated online portfolio is your ticket to standing out in a competitive and fast-changing landscape.
Your portfolio isn’t just a showcase of what you’ve done; it’s a promise of what you can do. By tailoring it to your audience, telling the story behind your work, and using it as a marketing tool, you’re not just keeping up with industry trends but setting yourself apart.
The 3D Artist Community Updates
We are thrilled to have Debra Coleman as our AMA guest in the 3DAC! Debra is an ICF-accredited coach with 25+ years in VFX, including as Global Head of Compositing at DNEG. Founder of Open Frame Coaching and Lead With Ease, she helps VFX professionals. A single parent of twins and advocate for women in tech, Debra is also a director for Animated Women UK.
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Hello! Michael Tanzillo here. I am the Head of Technical Artists with the Substance 3D Growth team at Adobe. Previously, I was a Senior Artist on animated films at Blue Sky Studios/Disney with credits including three Ice Age movies, two Rios, Peanuts, Ferdinand, Spies in Disguise, and Epic.
In addition to his work as an artist, I am the Co-Author of the book Lighting for Animation: The Visual Art of Storytelling and the Co-Founder of The Academy of Animated Art, an online school that has helped hundreds of artists around the world begin careers in Animation, Visual Effects, and Digital Imaging. I also created The 3D Artist Community on Skool and this newsletter.
www.michaeltanzillo.com
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