Epic Fails of Portfolio Submission
Author
For all you artists interested in game development, Seth Spaulding at Firaxis (makers of the Civilization series) offers some career advice on how to break into the industry here: http://firaxis.com/jobs/career.php?page=HTART09
At the bottom is top 10 list of things not to do when submitting a portfolio. I've copied it below for your enjoyment.
Seth's Top Ten List: Epic Fails of Portfolio Submission
10. Applicant used "LOL!" and ":)" in their cover letter.
9. Applicant's picture is displayed larger and more prominently than any artwork on their site.
8. Applicant’s objective statement reads: To get a job as a modeler, concept artist, animator or anything else available!
7. Applicant sends tiny, heavily compressed AVI's of models on turntables. The files also have staggeringly long load times.
6. The bulk of the applicant's three page cover letter is devoted to describing their kewl ,(sic) ground-breaking game idea.
5. Applicant shows every single student project from art school…and a few from high school.
4. When I called, the applicant's recorded message almost explicitly states that there's a good chance that they're currently stoned and therefore unable to answer.
3. Applicant's portfolio consists of a crudely drawn neo-Nazi, biker comic series.
2. Applicant's portfolio includes a chrome object rendered on a checkerboard - extra points for a lens flare.
And the Number One Epic Portfolio Fail:
1. Two words: Erotic Furries.
Quote:1. Two words: Erotic Furries.
Does that mean that any other porn is perfectly a-ok? It seems odd that he would single out a specific type of porn rather than porn in general...
Also, it's worth noting that this article focuses on the art career path.
edit: I can see how putting porn in your portfolio can be a bad idea, but considering that his #1 no-no is the only thing on that list that doesn't really reference your work-ethic or skill-set, it just seems at the very least out of order.
Quote:Original post by HelplessFoolQuote:1. Two words: Erotic Furries.
Does that mean that any other porn is perfectly a-ok? It seems odd that he would single out a specific type of porn rather than porn in general...
Also, it's worth noting that this article focuses on the art career path.
edit: I can see how putting porn in your portfolio can be a bad idea, but considering that his #1 no-no is the only thing on that list that doesn't really reference your work-ethic or skill-set, it just seems at the very least out of order.
Fully clothed pin-up-girls, Victoria Secret's catalog, Paris Hilton washing a car in a TV commercial, the painted covers of lovers embraceing on romance novels can all be considered erotic. Generaly something that is erotic is more suggestive, it doesn't require graphic depictions of sex or even nudity and you may still come away from it with thoughs of sex/lust/arousal. Erotic does not mean something is pornographic.
Quote:1. Two words: Erotic Furries.
Besides the obvious humor of this it also illustraits a reference to both work-ethic and skill-set of applicants. Namely its inclusion in a art portfolio can read as a abnormal fixation or fetish just as number 3 on the list does with its neo-nazi reference. Honestly, part of your work-ethic and skill-set includes recognizing both what and what not to include in your portfolio. Sure you worked hard on some erotic furries, but does that mean you should include them in your portfolio submited to a mainstream game developer?
Quote:Original post by Yann LQuote:Original post by Straudos
Erotic Furries.
That is an oxymoron.
In what sense?
Quote:Original post by Straudos
5. Applicant shows every single student project from art school…and a few from high school.
Why this, is their some shame in acquiring art skills through practice and tutoring rather than being born with them.
Quote:Original post by Oberon_CommandQuote:Original post by Yann LQuote:Original post by Straudos
Erotic Furries.
That is an oxymoron.
In what sense?
Whoosh.
I believe he's stating that furries can not be erotic...
Quote:Original post by instinKt
Whoosh.
I believe he's stating that furries can not be erotic...
Haha, yeah, let's just say they're not my cup of tea [wink]
Quote:Original post by KazeQuote:Original post by Straudos
5. Applicant shows every single student project from art school…and a few from high school.
Why this, is their some shame in acquiring art skills through practice and tutoring rather than being born with them.
Portfolios should showcase your very best work, not just include everything you've ever done.
Quote:Original post by Oberon_CommandQuote:Original post by Yann LQuote:Original post by Straudos
Erotic Furries.
That is an oxymoron.
In what sense?
Successful erotic art for the most part.
Sure you could point out the attempt at sexualy suggestive depictions of anthropomorphic animal characters. Maybe even say the execution is done very well. But for most people such art is epic fail at eroticism...it just doesn't turn most people on, heck its weird and even disturbing.
And thus Erotic and Furries are contradictory terms, an oxymoron.
Ugh! Why am I even explaining this? The list is in jest pointing out obviously dumb things for comic effect.
[Edited by - MSW on October 4, 2009 8:39:56 PM]
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