The New Freelancing Blueprint for 3D Artists
How to build your brand, carve a niche, and attract clients in today’s market
The traditional path of freelancing—building a portfolio, waiting for job opportunities to open up or recruiters to contact you, and applying may no longer be the most effective way to secure work as a 3D artist. Today, the key to thriving in the freelance world lies in productizing your niche, building a strong online brand, and enticing clients to come to you.
Rethinking Freelancing
When I was considering going fully freelance before joining the Substance 3D team at Adobe, I thought my years of industry experience, combined with a solid demo reel, would be enough to land consistent work. I believed that all I had to do was wait for opportunities to open up, send in my resume and demo reel, and trust that I’d get my foot in the door. However, I soon realized that this approach was outdated.
The truth is, freelancing today requires more strategy. The days of simply waiting for opportunities to arise are over. The most successful freelancers are those who have positioned themselves as specialists in their niche, showcasing their work through a powerful online presence.
Productizing Your Specialty
To stand out in today’s crowded market, you need to identify your niche and productize it. What this means is focusing on a specific area of expertise—something you're passionate about—and branding yourself as the go-to person for that type of work. Let’s look at a few examples of people who are excelling at this today.
Patrick Foley: Photorealistic Food Renders
If you follow 3D content on Instagram, chances are you’ve seen Patrick Foley’s photorealistic food renders. His content is not just visually stunning; it’s consistent, unique, and instantly recognizable. When companies need high-quality food renders, they immediately think of Patrick. Why? Because he has built a brand around this specific niche, positioning himself as the best in the field. His website is also something to behold.
Ian Spriggs: Photoreal Human Characters
Ian Spriggs is another great example of a freelancer who has mastered his craft. His photoreal human characters are some of the most detailed and lifelike in the industry. Whether you’re in fashion, product design, or even finance, if you need a realistic human model, Ian is the person to reach out to. He has productized his skills in a way that makes him the go-to expert in this field.
Connor Henkel: 3D Motion Graphics for Sports Venues
Connor Henkel has carved out a niche in creating motion graphics for sports venues. His work is sleek, elegant, and a level above the typical designs you see in arenas. Connor has mastered the art of creating design packages that work across multiple screens in venues, making him the first choice for anyone looking to elevate the visual experience in a sports setting.
We also have an AMA with Connor in the 3D Artist Community this week if you are interested in chatting with him.
Skeeva: 3D Fashion Design
Finally, Skeeva is known for their incredible 3D fashion designs. Skiva’s portfolio speaks for itself, attracting the attention of numerous brands. By focusing on this specific area of 3D design, Skiva has been able to secure a steady stream of work and build a strong reputation in the fashion industry.
How to Productize Your Skills
So, how can you follow in the footsteps of these successful freelancers? Here are a few key steps:
Find Your Niche: Focus on something you’re passionate about—something you can dedicate yourself to fully. Whether it's photorealistic renders, motion graphics, or something else entirely, the key is to pick a niche you won’t tire of quickly.
Play the Long Game: Building a freelance career is not a get-rich-quick scheme. Developing your portfolio, building your brand, and growing your social media presence takes time. Consistency and dedication are essential.
Self-Marketing: You need to become a skilled marketer of your own work. This doesn’t mean you need to sell yourself aggressively, but rather, let your work speak for itself. Show your process, post behind-the-scenes content, and share your growth with your audience. Authenticity goes a long way.
Build Your Portfolio Quietly: If you’re currently employed and can’t share personal projects publicly, start building your portfolio on the side. Create a bank of images and content that you can later release when you’re ready to go freelance.
Take Advantage of Your Situation: If you’re currently unemployed, this is your opportunity to post, create, and share whatever you want. Use this time to build your brand and show your process in a way that’s impossible for those bound by studio contracts or corporate restrictions.
Peter Tarka is another great artist defining his niche
Start Today for Tomorrow’s Success
Freelancing is a long-term goal. The sooner you start positioning yourself as a specialist, building your brand, and growing your online presence, the more successful you’ll be in the future. In a year, two years, or five years, you’ll look back and be glad you started today.
By taking control of your niche and productizing your skills, you allow companies to come to you. This puts you in a position to not only choose the work you’re passionate about but also to charge rates that reflect the value you bring. So, if freelancing is your goal, start taking steps now to build your personal brand, productize your skills, and create the career you’ve always dreamed of.
The 3D Artist Community Updates
Join us this Wednesday for an AMA with Connor Henkle. Connor is a brilliant Motion Graphics artist who creates stunning visual packages for sports venues. He is also a business owner and has a fantastic sense and process with providing pitches and working with his clients.
https://cjhfx.com/
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Unreal Engine 6 will combine UE5 and UEFN into one engine - Twitter
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Chris Sanders’ ‘The Wild Robot’ Debuts At #1 - Cartoon Brew
3D Merch is here!
3D Tutorials
3D Job Spreadsheet
Link to Google Doc With A TON of Jobs in Animation (not operated by me)
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
Free 3D Tutorials on the Michael Tanzillo YouTube Channel
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I don’t think I’ve read an article on freelancing like this before! These are really great insights and even if you’re not freelancing, but want to become a leading voice in your industry.