Portfolio ...

[sonic_reaper]

I'm just curious, how would I go about creating an online portfolio to showcase my work?  I've never really had one and all the work I get is through word of mouth.  Connections are nice and all, but I think it would be nice to have a solid portfolio to fall back on.  I've talked to many people about what to include, and I've learned a lot about that (a range of themes, still work and animation, mock-ups, best of the best etc);  however, the problem is just setting it all up.

What would I use?  How would I go about getting some space online for this stuff?  That's the kinda stuff I don't really know where to get started on.  Any help is appreciated.

[GOODNIGHTdestroyer]

You could set up an open photobucket account. And seperate different mediums with different albums. I honestly don't see what you need help with.

[sonic_reaper]

Is a photobucket account "professional" though?  I know sprite artists who have their own webpages that are very nicely laid out (and thus professional looking).  I fear that having a photobucket account may be looked at as unprofessional by a possible employer?

[Helm]

Yes. Make a simple, WELL DESIGNED website with no extra fluff. Info about the artist, contact details, a well-maintained, up-to-date and concise portfolio. You can put it on a free-webspace service or whatever, just don't have it show. Popups and ads do NOT belong on a 'folio page, and a small url is a plus.

[sonic_reaper]

I see ...

Most "free" webservices unforuntately have a cartload of pop-ups and other fiends that more or less classifies them as free.  Should I invest some time and money on actual webspace or is there truly any good web space?

[Helm]

That's a whole different discussion. I personally don't know. I bought my webspace and domain. Some of the other dudes around here will hook you up, probably.

[Faktablad]

Websites are usually only expensive the first year.  I bought my domain (http://www.couchpixel.com)from GoDaddy, and the first year was about $100.  But it only cost me $9.20 to renew for another year.  It's a good investment only if you a) WANT to get jobs and b) you think that your art is good enough to get jobs (that sounds kind of mean, but unless you think you're going to get good jobs, your website is a negative investment.  Unless you just want to do it for the art, which is perfectly OK.)

[sonic_reaper]

Well, for a site that potentially supplies work for the rest of my life (possibly, we'll see what happens after I attend ACAD), I would say it is a worthwhile investment.  I know nothing about web design or coding or anything though, so the site would look like ass and I'm just a pure pixel artist, nothing more.

Just trying to weigh the pros and cons at the moment and see if it's even worth it in the end.

[Helm]

Personally I think you could get work on your current skill-level, provided you are no stranger to working a lot of hours and can be dependable. But you should never stop trying to get better.

[sonic_reaper]

Well I do have a job right doing making pixel art.  The contract is more or less indefinite, so the job will always be there, however the pay could be a little better.  The money is so that I can go to ACAD (the Alberta College of Art and Design) and perhaps get a job in conceptual artwork/design (something I could really see myself doing my whole life).

I guess a portfolio isn't a necessity for me in the least.  But I mean, most working pixel artists at the moment have one.

I have a bad habit of reading really quickly and I sometimes lose meaning;  I interpreted your previous line as saying that I needed to work on my skill level.  Perhaps it wouldn't have hit me as hard if it had not been true, but maybe instead I should take some time out and perhaps just improve my craft.  I was the one always complaining about how unhappy I am with my pixel graphics anyway.

[Helm]

I ment that there's a lot of people less capable than you working in the field (although I don't know for how much money) so I was talking about the webspace investment being sound if you were serious about getting work. Please don't see insult in every other thing I say, as none is ment. And generally, growing an extra inch or two of skin thickness might be a good idea if you intend to showcase work to potential employers, because you're going to hear a lot of 'you're not what we're looking for' and more or less pleasant variations thereof.

[sonic_reaper]

Oh ho, I wasn't insulted -- I just misread what you meant.  I was saying how, reflecting on that, I do feel I could use improvement.  But then, so can everyone.  There's always room for improvement.

And around employers I am honest but at the same time I sell myself as best as possible.  Here, on a message board, I feel more inclined to kick back.  A little criticism never stopped me.

At the moment ... I'm not really sure if I'm grounded w/ regards any specific action.  On one hand I can just continue working soundly until I save up then go to ACAD.  On the other I can prepare my portfolio now and update it as I have more and more work worthy of submission.  I suppose realisticially, it isn't a necessity and I feel I'm not as ready as I could be for this step, however, it couldn't hurt to start a portfolio, or at least think realistically about it.

I guess I'm just too damn fickle.  Can't make up my mind.

[Radioactivity]

faktablad, you were ripped off for the domain, I bought my domain from godaddy costing me about $10 dollars for the first year and about $6.75 to renew.

[Faktablad]

faktablad, you were ripped off for the domain, I bought my domain from godaddy costing me about $10 dollars for the first year and about $6.75 to renew.

No wait, I messed up.  The domain PLUS hosting cost about $100 for the first year, and the renewal for the domain PLUS hosting was about $55 for a year.

[Radioactivity]

lol, thats sounds a lot better then a domain for $100.

[sonic_reaper]

Hm, well I've decided against it.  Not so much because I don't like the idea but I just don't feel there's sufficient work to have a well rounded portfolio.  And getting work through people I know and trust isn't so bad either.  At the same time I also feel it's an insult to people with real talent, skill, and dedication -- people who put the extra hours into their work "just because".  I certainly don't stand at the same level and I'm not going to go creating some online portfolio pretending to be the professional artist that I most certainly am not 

[sonic_reaper]

Well a couple months later and I settled on Photobucket;

You guys are free to offer c+c and advice.  I applied for a job that asked for some "effect graphics" so that would explain why there's so much.

http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f262/doriantoki/

[Feron]

A pixeljoint account is basically a portfolio.  Got a gallery, bio, contact details, and NO ADDS.

[sonic_reaper]

I have an account at pixeljoint.  I find that place to be very ... meh ... 

[AdamTierney]

Here are some nice, simple portfolio pages:

http://joshastorian.com/portfolio.htm
http://member.telpacific.com.au/jeremydower/web/computergameart/computergameart.htm
http://www.kennethfejer.dk/pixelart.htm
http://www.monsoon2d.com/pixelart.html

Monsoon's especially I think is well-organized and shows off his skills without being overwhelming.

- Adam

[sonic_reaper]

Hm ... those artists >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>> me 

[Gil]

I can hook you up with hosting if you want Dorian, no probs...