PORTFOLIO TALK: THE TRUTH ABOUT ARTSTATION

Summary

In this video, the speaker critiques ArtStation's current impact on aspiring artists, emphasizing the platform’s tendency to promote overly polished, flashy artwork that distorts the true nature of production art. The speaker highlights the importance of creating thoughtful, problem-solving designs that align with industry expectations for 2024, focusing on human scale, modular assets, and clear communication. The speaker also discusses how to effectively build a portfolio and the dangers of mimicking trends. The video encourages artists to be versatile, methodical, and unique in their approach to concept art, while acknowledging that ArtStation can still be a useful tool despite its flaws.

Takeaways

• 😀 ArtStation, while popular, presents an idealized version of what creative work looks like, often emphasizing flashy, polished pieces over practical production art.
• 😀 Young artists may be misled by ArtStation's promotion of highly detailed, aesthetically pleasing work, which doesn't represent the full spectrum of concept and production art.
• 😀 The daily tasks of a production designer often involve problem-solving, working with layouts, creating breakdowns, and constructing ideas, rather than simply producing beautiful keyframes or splash art.
• 😀 Over-relying on certain tools like 3D or photos can lead to formulaic art, which should be avoided in favor of versatility in your skillset (drawing, painting, sculpting, etc.).
• 😀 Creating a strong portfolio in 2024 requires obsessing over every detail, focusing on problem-solving, and demonstrating a variety of skills through practical and thoughtful designs.
• 😀 Generic themes, like post-apocalyptic or dark fantasy settings, often get pushed to the top on ArtStation but are not ideal for a production art portfolio and may not be what industry professionals need.
• 😀 To stand out in concept art, focus on creating work that shows critical thinking, the use of real-world reference, and the ability to design functional, modular assets.
• 😀 It's essential to learn from seasoned professionals and platforms like Skillshare can help improve your skills with structured, project-based classes led by experienced artists.
• 😀 Production art should focus on clear communication through organized, thoughtfully laid-out designs that are easy for non-artists to understand, with narrative-driven concepts.
• 😀 A successful concept art portfolio includes designs that are human-scale, interactive, and consistent, showcasing real-world logic and attention to detail, while also telling a story.
• 😀 Personality should be infused into every design, whether through the character of a simple object or the atmosphere of a setting, to make your portfolio memorable to recruiters.

Q & A

What is the primary concern with ArtStation, as highlighted in the video?

The primary concern with ArtStation is that it promotes a misleading perception of the creative industry, particularly for young artists. The platform tends to elevate flashy, highly polished, and aesthetically pleasing art, which is not representative of the actual day-to-day work in fields like production art or concept art.

Why is the overemphasis on flashy, highly detailed art problematic for young artists?

This overemphasis creates a false impression that highly polished and visually stunning artwork is what the industry expects, leading young artists to focus on this type of work. However, production art in reality is much more about problem-solving, design functionality, and thoughtful conceptualization.

What does the speaker recommend for building a production art portfolio in 2024?

The speaker recommends focusing on problem-solving and demonstrating the ability to break down complex ideas into manageable, modular parts. This includes creating designs that are human-scale, show interaction, and clearly communicate function, rather than focusing purely on visual appeal.

How can young artists avoid the pitfalls of creating a generic portfolio?

Young artists should avoid creating overly generic art, such as sci-fi ruins or post-apocalyptic designs, which are popular but lack deeper narrative or design problem-solving. Instead, they should focus on thoughtful, unique work that shows a clear understanding of design principles and human interaction.

What is the value of creating modular assets in production art?

Modular assets are valuable because they show an understanding of how elements within a design can be used repeatedly and adjusted across different scenarios. This skill is highly sought after in production art as it demonstrates efficiency and versatility in design thinking.

Why is it important for artists to demonstrate problem-solving in their portfolios?

Demonstrating problem-solving in a portfolio shows that an artist can approach design challenges methodically and creatively. This ability to solve complex problems is a crucial skill for concept artists and production designers, as it aligns with real-world industry demands.

What is the significance of human-scale design in concept art?

Human-scale design is crucial because it ensures that the elements within a design are relatable and function realistically in a given context. It also demonstrates an artist’s ability to design environments, props, and characters that interact logically with human proportions and needs.

How can artists enhance the storytelling aspect of their designs?

Artists can enhance storytelling in their designs by adding narrative elements that convey the history, purpose, or function of the objects and environments they create. This involves asking questions like 'Who is this for?', 'How does it work?', and 'Why is it designed this way?' to bring depth and meaning to the designs.

What does the speaker suggest as an alternative to focusing on flashy art for a portfolio?

The speaker suggests focusing on thoughtful, well-planned designs that emphasize functionality, modularity, and narrative. This includes creating clean, organized designs that communicate ideas effectively and show an understanding of both aesthetics and practicality.

What is the role of Skillshare in helping aspiring artists improve their skills?

Skillshare offers a platform for aspiring artists to learn from experienced professionals through project-based classes. These courses cover various aspects of art, from painting landscapes to designing high-end ideas, helping students improve their skills and create strong portfolio pieces.