Thoughts on sharing multiple styles of work in your portfolio?
Hi everyone,
I've just been through the process of updating my portfolio site in order to apply to different agencies/jobs. Originally I decided to only display artwork focussed on fashion, beauty and lifestyle however, this week I applied to an agency that focussed more on charitable themes and so I thought it would be a good idea to upload a few other personal projects on my portfolio where I focussed more on political and charitable themes and also worked in a different styles to what I typically do, as well as uploading portrait work I often am commissioned for.
Over the years I've often read and heard from other creatives that it's best to focus on one style of work and have that only displayed in your portfolio. I understand this to an extent but have always found it a little conflicting as I pride myself in my ability to work in different styles and with different materials and have always had the thought that I'd like to show someone everything I am capable of doing rather than just focussing on one style.
Even now, I feel unsure about having a few different projects on my site as I don't want them to make my portfolio seem messy or like there is too much going on and I wanted to get a second opinion on this :) Thanks!
My portfolio is: https://www.shainabains.com/
and the projects outside of my usual style that I have added are: https://www.shainabains.com/portraits
https://www.shainabains.com/war-child-poster-and-campaign-desig
https://www.shainabains.com/syrian-refugee-crisis-canvas-painti
https://www.shainabains.com/syrian-refugee-crisis-mural
Replies4
- Every illustrator has the same dilemna. Versatility is a good quality, being able to adapt your style and mind to different briefs, ideas, audiences, moods and markets shows a real maturity and dexterity that will do you no end of good. But concentrate on your style, it should be recognizably yours whatever you do, in whatever medium, it's your USP, so be true to it. It means people who came to you with one brief will have the confidence to come again with another, knowing to some extent what to expect. And new clients will be able to see how your style could be approrpriate to them.
- I think it is fine if you want to show versatility, and are happy to get requests for all the styles in your portfolio, but the challenge that comes with it is very often an art director/designer will have a specific idea or look they are trying to achieve and will go after an illustrator that works on it. Having too many mixed styles can dillute a little bit how people see your work and approach.
- I have different styles because I have passion for fashion illustration (I am a fashion designer) but also children’s book. Have been asked to do memes for birthday cards as well so showing different styles says that clients can ask you different things and show how multifaceted your art can be.
- Looking at both fashion work and self portraits, I don’t see any issue putting them together. My only advice would be presenting among the portfolio/website. As you have multiple thumbnails on the home page going to the same project/grouped on the same project.The focus would be the UI/UX and presenting them, suggestion look at other illustration agencies find artist website how they present their work https://www.debutart.com/
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