5 Portfolio Takeaways from Apple, Netflix, & Vans Animator Keenon Ferrell
Caitlin Nelson / Event Producer at Working Not Working
From character designers to concept artists to filmmakers, animators are a special breed. And their portfolios are a living, breathing story of everything that makes them so unique.
So how can an animator showcase their designs in a way that both works with the artistry and intent behind them and demonstrates their one-of-a-kind style and thinking?
We got together with Keenon Ferrell, a digital animator and illustrator based in NYC, to talk about just that.
A graduate of The School of Visual Arts, Keenon has worked with Vayner Media, Dress Code, and Squadron; his clients include Apple, Netflix, Vans, Chase, BET Harper Collins, and many other brands and studios.
Every project he’s worked on is full of depth and emotion, and in stepping through his portfolio process, we uncovered 5 key takeaways to help you build the portfolio of your dreams.
1. Movement is Key
Your reel should be front and center. If you don't have a reel, you can put gifs on your main page. Something with movement will help get and catch people's attention.
2. Hype the Context
Explaining your role in a project is really important. If you just say that you worked on a project, that's not giving anyone any type of insight as to your role and your strengths.
3. Share Your Process
Give visitors a peek into your process, and how your characters or animations evolve from start to finish.
4. Promote Yourself
You need to promote yourself and you need to be on social media. There is nothing wrong with sending out cold emails. Producers are not going to get angry—they're finding people to give jobs to.
5. Make It Personal
Personal projects are really important. Find something online that you think is really cool and you would love to work on, and then come up with a project that's similar, but all your own.
A digital pamphlet to take with you. Download me!