Building a Visual Development Portfolio
What is a Visual Development Artist?
Visual development artists in animation are versatile generalists who create a wide range of work to help establish the visual design of an animated film. Typically working on feature-length films, vis dev artists handle everything from rough concept sketches of the world, to color keys that establish each scene's mood, to final production-level paintings used directly in the film. Because of this range, it's critical for vis dev artists to have strong, well-rounded design skills and a solid aptitude for drawing and painting. Unlike TV animation where artists are often more compartmentalized, feature film artists are asked to deliver a much broader range of work. This type of portfolio is ideal for showcasing well-rounded skills, compatibility with animation style, and strong storytelling ability.
What's in a Vis Dev Artist Portfolio?
The core of every animated film is a strong story supported by rich world building. Animation studios need vis dev artists to explore, design, and build believable worlds where the story can take place. By presenting a thoughtful portfolio showcasing a believable world, you can communicate your ability to tell a story through your designs. As a vis dev artist, your responsibility is to effectively tell a narrative through every decision you make in your work.
Vis-Dev Artist Responsibilities:
Essential Skills For This Role:
Structuring Your Portfolio
Design Logic: A framework for making consistent visual choices.
Storytelling Through Visuals: Proves you can communicate stories through your artwork.
Problem-Solving Context: Shows how you approach design challenges within animation.
Professional Relevance: Simulates a real visual development pipeline.
Design Process Documentation: Shows your iteration methods, from initial concepts through refined final designs.
2 Ways to Choose a Story
You can build your narrative projects by either adapting existing stories with your own visual interpretations or developing original stories from scratch. Adaptations let you focus on visual development while originals can give you more control over the work you create. Note that creating an original story will require more time and work as you are also taking on the role of a writer. Both approaches are effective at demonstrating your concept design abilities.
Below is a break down of pros & cons for these two approaches:
Option 1
Re-Imagine An Existing Narrative
Adapt classic literature, mythology, or old films.
Add unique twists (e.g., What if Jack and the Beanstalk was set in the Qing Dynasty?)
Avoid recent popular games or movies narratives (reduces direct comparison)
Pros & Cons
Viewers are already familiar with the subject so it's easier to understand at a glance.
Less upfront work so you can focus on the art.
May have less originality.
Option 2
Create An Original Narrative
Write down your story (or at least the big story beats) before doing the artwork so you have a solid roadmap to follow.
Pros & Cons
Gives you complete creative control.
Shows original thinking and world-building skills.
Shows you have design and narrative skills.
Requires story development time which may take away focus from your art.
May be harder to understand for new viewers
Building A Portfolio Project
Below is a guide for structuring a full vis dev project in your portfolio. It's highly recommended you have at least the pages below but you may add and/or subtract pages to fit your goals and project.
Use this guide as a starting framework, but let your career goals and project scope guide the final direction.
Your portfolio directly influences the type of work opportunities you'll receive, so ensure it aligns with where you want to work and what you want to create!
