Jeremiah Wallis is an illustrator who knows his niche. What is even better is that the work in his portfolio clearly "illustrates" the type of job he seeks. This precise communication of skills let's potential employers know that he is serious about a career as a storyboard artist.
[Screen shot taken from Jeremiah's website.]
PC: What type of work do you do?
JW: I received my BFA in Illustration, but my main focus is on storyboarding for TV commercials, film, and animation. I like storyboarding because it combines my love of drawing, filmmaking, acting, and design. And they tell me that people will give you money to do this for them.
PC: How are you showcasing or promoting your work?
JW: I use my Web Agent site to show potential employers samples of my work. Right now I'm sending my site link to as many storyboard reps, ad agencies --specifically creative directors, and art buyers as possible. I also have a blog where I show my sketches and some of the exercises I do to stay fresh and improve my drawing and storyboard skills.
PC: What type of information or samples are in your portfolio?
JW: My portfolio contains the best of my school and freelance work. There are advertising and film storyboards as well as finished illustrations and sketches.
PC: How did you decide which work to put onto your website?
JW: Usually the work I feel the best about is also the work that gets the most positive feedback. I show my work to a lot of people and usually choose the pieces that I really like and has the best general consensus among friends and colleagues.
PC: Why do you think promoting your work online is important?
JW: You can definitely cover a lot more ground by having an online portfolio. I can't imagine having to go door-to-door with my physical portfolio to every potential employer in the city. I've noticed that most employers don't want to see you face-to-face or talk to you on the phone until they've at least had the chance to see your website to see what kind of work you do. "Just send me your link, and we'll go from there" is what I hear a lot. That said, there are still places that would rather you send them a physical flat portfolio than just your website link. So it's good to have both.
PC: Anything else you think students should know before putting their portfolio together?
JW: I would just say be really selective about what you put in your portfolio. Just put the best stuff in. Leave out anything that's questionable. Any piece that gets a lukewarm to cold reaction from yourself and people you show should probably be left on the cutting room floor.
