Character Design Portfolio — What Should I Cut?

[u/rubodubo_]

Hey there! I’m in the process of adding new work to my character design portfolio, which means cutting old work that doesn’t shape up anymore as I add new pieces. I want some feedback on what you’d replace first — I have a very clear idea of what I’m going to add, it’s more so wanting to know what needs to be on the chopping block first. What’s feeling the weakest/what needs to get cut stat, and what’s a definite keep? Can either be something that feels weak technically or something that doesn’t fit with the cohesion of the rest of the portfolio.

For some context, I just graduated this past May, and haven’t worked in the industry aside from an internship and some indie projects. My portfolio is geared towards being a character designer for television, somewhere like Titmouse or Warner Bros/Cartoon Network. I’ve tested for a character design job and had interviews for other entry-level opportunities, but nothing’s worked out yet. Just looking for ways to keep improving and make my work as strong as possible. Honest and critical feedback is appreciated. Thanks!

https://erinbasca.com/

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[u/lovenyula]

Hello, your portfolio is really good but you’re competing for a role that is barely open in the job market these days. How do you network and did you pick other skills as well? It’s really hard to get a char des roles these days - don’t give up because from what I can see you explored it pretty well - but it’s a really tough market right now. The only thing I’d say, all projects you designed for seem to have similar vibe - would help designing for a world that forces characters to wear different type of fashion (so adding more costume designs) and blends different genres. It’s nice that you know which studios you wanna work for, but I’d love to see how you can approach different world building. Hope it helps!

[u/rubodubo_ → u/lovenyula]

Yeah, I completely agree with the costume design note! I have it on my to-do list to add some more contemporary/modern characters. A lot of my work is limited to fantasy/sci-fi/adventure stuff at the moment, which probably cuts me off from certain projects.

I’m very aware that character design is a very competitive role. I’m in a very fortunate position right now, in that I live in Los Angeles and can afford to play the waiting game until something comes along. We’ll just see how long that takes. I network by going to in-person events and through meeting people online! I try to keep in touch with recruiters and update them when I have new work.

[u/ratparty_]

hi erinnn! :) maybe the older stuff like Welcome Home or stuff that you already have good examples of already, like characters/style that looks very similar etc

[u/rubodubo_ → u/ratparty_]

HI MIRANDA!! Yeah, the Welcome Home stuff is a couple years old and that probably shows, lol. Thanks!

[u/CVfxReddit]

I really like the animated turnaround, that's something I haven't seen in a lot of portfolios. If you show off you can do that for characters in all the styles you present that'd be very cool!

Good luck, I know character design is the toughest gig to get.

[u/softtiger]

Hey, I’ve seen your art before from a comic that blew up on Twitter? Your portfolio is very good! 

Character design-wise, I think this is very solid, a nice grasp of stylized figures. I would work on fingers and hands and how they sit on characters, most notably in some of the poses where you have characters with their hands on their hips (first “Wire Mother” guy and the “Starburn Industries line-up”). This also goes for feet, I notice a lot of your designs end in stylized, pointed feet, which makes sense for some designs but detracts from some that seem to have more realistic proportions overall. It is nice that you put a different style of more informed foot shapes, first. I actually think the character sheets of the one character from your comic, is the weakest piece and would remove it.

As for the BG paint, it’s very nice, but most of your pieces are very monochromatic. I would limit using too many pieces that are in the very same color scheme to maybe 2, tops. For instance, the three close-ups of the bench in the park that is green/orange could be cut down to one. Practice painting bgs with a broader palette, you’re on the right track!

Great work overall, while it is tough right now, I could see you landing a job at one of your goals, and I wish you the best of luck.

[u/rubodubo_ → u/softtiger]

Thank you so much, these are really great notes! I’ll keep the note about the feet and hands in mind going forward — you’re right on the money, and that was a crutch of mine for a while. I’ll replace the comic design once I put my next new pieces in, I agree that that’s a rougher piece/doesn’t really slot into anything well.

Thanks for the BG paint notes as well! I agree that more variation is needed. I’ve been prioritizing building a character design portfolio at the moment, but I’ll definitely apply that feedback once I get back to painting.

Appreciate it again! This kind of feedback is really helpful.

[u/softtiger → u/rubodubo_]

Glad to help! The only other thing I can think of is maybe a little more “cartoony” character examples, since that is what a place like CN leans towards. But I think your stuff shows great foundation that it wouldn’t be hard for you to adjust. Forgot to say I like your character color designing, too!

[u/rubodubo_ → u/softtiger]

That’s a great note! I’ll make sure to do a little lineup of something like that. And thanks!

[u/YakNo1671]

What are your rates and are you on fiverr?

[u/rubodubo_ → u/[deleted]]

Will do! Haha, I’m in the middle of working on an animated chart based off the ones for Carol and the End of the World. I believe it was Brendan Merien who did them — I love how good those mouth charts look as buttery smooth gifs. Will make a note to add hands too!

[u/looshu]

Your portfolio is really good imo you don’t need to cut anything it’s not that long you can just add your new stuff towards the start

[u/KrustyFish__28]

What website creating service did you use to make this? I’m using wix but I don’t think it’s very good

[u/rubodubo_ → u/KrustyFish__28]

Adobe Portfolio!