Thread by @LaurenWalshArt

Since it's #PortfolioDay lets talk about how to build a portfolio if you want to become a professional illustrator.

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1. Tailor your portfolio to the client.
You need to have some direction to you portfolio. Just having a collection of well rendered heads very rarely gets you hired. If you have a goal to work for X client you need to create work that emulates work X client already produces.

2. Fan art is ok!
Fan art has become a driving force of engagement online. Creating fan art of your dream client may help you get noticed by them. I've gotten work this way MULTIPLE times now. The only caveat is it usually needs to fit your dream client's style as well.

3. Cycle through your work.
I know you love that piece you did in college, but if it doesn't fit your current style it's time to retire it from your portfolio.

4. Have your portfolio available online.
Twitter is great (sometimes), but it doesn't cater well to images. Have a link in your bio or linktree to your portfolio on a website, artstation, deviantart, etc. and make sure your email is clearly available somewhere.

5. The Sisyphean Loop of Improvement
Make sure you have multiple pieces that shows you can do X thing. If one piece is a 8/10 and everything else is a 5/10 you'll need to make more 8s, but eventually that 8 will become your new 5 and so the endless cycle repeats 🥲

6. Use current client pieces to add to your portfolio.
NDA and client needs allowed use a piece to show you can do things that might be lacking in your portfolio

NOTE: Do this sparingly!! It might lead to burnout. Also factor in time for studies if you are learning something new

7. Just breathe.
If you are just starting out, you are in the the HARDEST part of building your portfolio. It feels like everything is being built from scratch. It won't be like this forever. As you continue in your career your work and by proxy your portfolio will improve.

8. Get out there!
If you have a good base of 5-8 images that are sort of in the direction you want to go, then just start applying! If you don't get the job, respectfully ask for feedback from ADs and other professionals along the way to help you hone it in even more.

I'll add more if I think of anything, but just remember that these are just suggestions or steps that I took to build my own portfolio. Everyone's path will look different, but this at least a good base to start from.

NOTE: It took me two years of working a part time job and working on my portfolio to get any professional work. If you a starting from nothing, the only recipe is time and focusing on your portfolio with an occasional commission here and there.

Some people are extremely lucky to get work right out of college, but that's not the case for every professional in the field. Your journey might look different from someone else's, but it is absolutely no less valid.