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Portfolio advice for 3D animation and visual effect course

I am a year 12 student looking to apply in 2025 for the course 3D animation and visual effect. I have tried using blender for a 3 weeks with the help of tutorials, would it be fine if I put this work into my art portfolio? Or is it more recommended to create my own 3D stuff from pictures I have taken? Also on my IPad I have been using nomad to create my own 3D character, I’m wondering if I could put the work I did on the iPad in the portfolio too, as on the Uni websites I’ve been looking at doesn’t mention Nomad at all. Other than all that I have done pieces of artwork on procreate and have pieces of artwork I did with different media like oil paint, acrylics. Should I put these in the portfolio too? Overall I would like advices for art portfolio please.
Absolutely include any 3d work you have already done, unless it's fanart (they hate that in portfolios). They won't mind what softwares you've used so far, as long as they can see you have potential. I'm going to be doing animation in Septemer, but mine is 2d, so it required a few different things, like traditional work, however I think it would still be good to include some life studies, like human figures, in any medium, because it shows that you can work from different perspectives. Which uni are you thinking of applying to, because it's different for each one. Also character designs are an absolute must so definitely include that.
Reply 2
Original post by freyarwilliamson
Absolutely include any 3d work you have already done, unless it's fanart (they hate that in portfolios). They won't mind what softwares you've used so far, as long as they can see you have potential. I'm going to be doing animation in Septemer, but mine is 2d, so it required a few different things, like traditional work, however I think it would still be good to include some life studies, like human figures, in any medium, because it shows that you can work from different perspectives. Which uni are you thinking of applying to, because it's different for each one. Also character designs are an absolute must so definitely include that.

Hi thank you replying,
I’m currently thinking of University of Hertfordshire and University of Norwich, I’m still deciding as I haven’t gone to much open days yet. And what does it mean by “fan art”? I have done some artwork from taking pictures of myself and then drawn it into my favorite characters. Drawing human figures it doesn’t have to be perfect right? Mines kinda messy D:
Original post by Llllan
Hi thank you replying,
I’m currently thinking of University of Hertfordshire and University of Norwich, I’m still deciding as I haven’t gone to much open days yet. And what does it mean by “fan art”? I have done some artwork from taking pictures of myself and then drawn it into my favorite characters. Drawing human figures it doesn’t have to be perfect right? Mines kinda messy D:

Fan art means any art of a pre existing character, so like if you included your own drawings of spiderman or a self insert in mha. Any character work has to be completely original.

Norwich isnt too strict but hertfordshire is, so I'd recommend looking at what they specifically want. For some reason they prefer a portfolio to be on artstation so also look into that.

As someone who was also considering both of those unis I much prefer hertfordshire, but that's just my opinion. Open days are a great way to feel the vibe of a place.

I hope it goes well!!

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