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How to deal with Concept Art Portfolio conflicting advices

Some professionals will tell you to only show your best work and only a few strong pieces in your art portfolio. Others will say it is important to show not just the polished pieces, but the process from A to Z. Then lately, with all the social media outlets like Instagram and Art Station, some even would argue that recruiters look at how you “improved” over the years and supposely that shows dedication and commitment. 

So who the hell is right or wrong? Aren’t these tips conflicting? And which path should you take? Confused?? You bet! I really feel bad for the new artist trying to catch a break and coming up now. It must be truly confusing and perhaps frustrating. So what is the answer then? Ok, …ready?  The answer is that, they are all correct and wrong at the same time. What you should take away from all the advices is one simple truth. Ready!??

There is ’NOT ONE WAY TO LAND A JOB’. In fact, there are many ways. It involved skills and luck. If you have the skills, then you don’t need much luck. You’ll need a lot of luck if your skills are not there yet. 

When professionals give you tips, they are simply telling you how to be like them and what worked for them. Hence,there are so many different scenarios that lead to the same result - landing that job! 

As a newbie trying catch a break and land that first gig, the best thing you can do is take the route that reflect your personality and where you are in your development. Exhibit A:  If you think you are the ‘ I can’t show my best work because they are all crap. Then maybe do the show progress overtime approach and take a long term lookout. Eventually, you will land on something, you just have to be patient.

If you feel pretty confident in to your level of skills, then show your best work only and aim precisely at companies that match your art work. Either ways, it’s always good to show process because it shows how you think. Plus, that is a default question most interviewer will ask which is your process.

Listen to your instinct and follow it. You’re more likely going to be right. 

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