How to Build a Game Design Portfolio
In any creative profession, a strong portfolio provides valuable insight into a person’s unique thinking, problem-solving, and iteration processes. In the competitive world of video game design, a great portfolio can be especially essential for students and aspiring professionals alike.
Fortunately, in a Game Design degree program such as the one offered at Champlain College, students can embark on an exciting pathway to developing career and portfolio-ready skills.
Why a Game Design Portfolio Matters
Eager to break into the realm of video game design? Having a robust portfolio to showcase your best work could improve your chances of landing that dream internship or even your first job in the field. In some cases, a standout portfolio could even solidify your admission to a degree program.
Demonstrates Your Thinking as a Designer
A game design portfolio can reveal your creative thinking and processes—showing off how you design, iterate, and problem-solve beyond visuals and code alone. This is especially true when you include more than just the finished product in your portfolio; with diagrams and flowcharts that document your creative journey from start to finish, you can display your creativity, technical thinking, and other career-relevant skills.
Provides Tangible Proof of Your Work
Whether you’re applying for an internship or your first entry-level position in the field, a portfolio with tangible, playable games you’ve had a hand in creating exemplifies your ability to turn ideas into reality. From gameplay videos to prototypes and screenshots, your portfolio samples should demonstrate your diverse skill sets in ways that a resume and cover letter simply cannot.
Sets You Apart in a Crowded Field
When recruiters and hiring managers review applicants for a game design position, they may have to sift through hundreds of applications. Many of those will include resumes and cover letters with similar skill sets, educational backgrounds, and designations.
A portfolio, however, offers more creative freedom to help you differentiate yourself in a competitive job market. With eye-catching visuals and curated samples, a quality portfolio can leave a lasting first impression and help you stand out.
Supports Your Academic and Career Ambitions
Some design schools may require a portfolio for admission. At Champlain College, for instance, applicants to our undergraduate Game Design program are asked to design and document a simple board game to precise specifications, demonstrating where their creative energies and passions intersect.
As you gain experience in designing video games within a formal degree program, you’ll be able to add real samples of game design, gameplay, level design, and other skills that complement a structured academic foundation and prepare you to apply for roles in the industry.
What Should a Game Design Portfolio Include?
No two game design portfolios will look exactly alike, but you’ll generally find some basic components.
Core Portfolio Components
Key aspects of a video game portfolio include:
- Playable builds or demos
- Project case studies
- Game design documentation or breakdowns
- Visuals and media
- Tools and technology listing
- Reflection and iteration notes
- About/bio/resume links
- Responsive presentation and usability
Portfolio Size and Selection
Ultimately, prioritize quality over quantity when it comes to game design portfolios. Aim for anywhere from two to five strong projects that demonstrate your wide range of skills and competencies.
Tailoring to Game Design Roles
The pieces you select for your portfolio may also vary depending on the role for which you’re applying. An aspiring systems designer may need samples that demonstrate their ability to handle character progression and in-game economies, whereas a level designer’s portfolio pieces may focus on maps, puzzles, and the functionality of the game’s environment design.
Examples of Strong Game Design Portfolios
Seeing real-world examples of successful game design portfolios can help you better understand what makes them so effective. Champlain College showcases an excellent collection of real student work through our Game Studio Portfolio, where you’ll find character sketches, design mock-ups, environment renderings, and more.
Looking for more inspiration? Check out the following examples by professional designers:
Student Game Design Reels
Elliott’s Game Design Reel
A collection of Elliott’s Game Content Design work compiled together in a demo reel.
Griffin’s Game Design Reel
A collection of Griffin’s Game Design work compiled in a demo reel.
Connor’s Game Design Reel
A collection of Connor’s Game Design work compiled together in a demo reel.
How to Build Your Game Design Portfolio: Step-by-Step
Building a compelling game design portfolio isn’t about copy-pasting screenshots from every project you’ve ever worked on. Instead, your portfolio should be a carefully curated collection that changes and grows with you.
Step 1: Define Your Narrative and Goals
As you get started with the first iteration of your game design portfolio, identify what type of designer you want to be perceived as. From there, you can take proactive steps to tailor your portfolio accordingly. For example, if you want to pursue narrative design, select pieces that prove your ability to shape and craft compelling stories to best align with your goals.
Step 2: Select and Refine Your Project Pieces
The pieces you choose to include in your portfolio should reflect the skills, processes, and passions that set you apart from other game designers in the field. Keep in mind that the best samples for your portfolio can vary depending on the specific opportunity for which you are applying.
In choosing your portfolio pieces, it is generally best to include smaller, completed prototypes than large, unfinished works. A finished prototype (even on a small scale) will demonstrate your process from start to finish, which is important to employers.
Step 3: Build Project Case Studies
As part of your portfolio, project case studies play a pivotal part in putting each sample into context, including key components such as:
- Title and platform – The name of the game/project and the video game platform/system for which it was designed.
- Role/team size/timeframe – Your specific role within the project team.
- Project concept – An overview of the project, including a summary of the game itself.
- Objective – The central goal you were tasked with achieving (or problem you had to solve).
- Design process – The methodology you followed to yield your objective.
- Tools and technologies used – Examples include software and game engines like Unity and Unreal.
- Outcome and reflection – Any lessons or insights you gained from your participation in the project.
- Media assets – Screenshots, gameplay videos, etc.
- Link to playable demo – If available, so viewers can experience the finished project for themselves.
Step 4: Design the Portfolio Website or Presentation
Even once you’ve written case studies and selected the ideal pieces for your portfolio, your work isn’t done yet. You’ll need to decide how you want to present your portfolio to your target audience.
There are numerous platforms to choose from here, with popular options including:
- A self-hosted website
- ArtStation
- Behance
- Adobe Portfolio
No matter which option you ultimately choose, be sure to keep accessibility and responsive design at the forefront. A clean user experience (UX) will leave a positive impression, and even a little search engine optimization (SEO) can go a long way in getting your work noticed.
Step 5: Publish, Promote, and Get Feedback
Once your portfolio is set up, don’t hesitate to share it with trusted colleagues, peers, and mentors for feedback. You could even share a link to your portfolio on LinkedIn or other social media pages to get the word out. Keep in mind that the work on your portfolio is never truly finished; you should always be refreshing and making improvements to keep it current.
Unique Considerations for Game Design Portfolios
Compared to art or technical portfolios, game design portfolios should highlight content that demonstrates problem-solving skills and iterative design.
Focus on Design Decisions, Not Just Visuals
While visuals are important, it’s even more important to explain the “why” behind your design choices as an aspiring game designer. This helps viewers see the problem-solving, creative processes, and iterative design that went into each piece, not just the finished result.
Show Iteration and Playtesting
When applicable, consider including notes on prototypes, playtests, and version improvements with each sample. This helps demonstrate your growth and adaptability, both of which are crucial in any game design role.
Highlight Prototype Work and Experimentation
Even seemingly small and insignificant prototype projects can have a place in a video game design portfolio. By showcasing experimental or small-scale projects, you can demonstrate the unique creativity and innovative spirit that today’s employers seek.
Tailor to the Studio or Role You Seek
Last but not least, remember that your portfolio should be custom-tailored to the specific role or opportunity for which you are applying. This means that you might need different versions of your portfolio for various positions, with specific case studies and examples designed for each role.
Game Design Portfolio Frequently Asked Questions
What is a game design portfolio?
A game design portfolio is a compilation of your best work as a video game design student or aspiring professional.
How do you ensure your design portfolio grabs the attention of potential employers?
To set your portfolio apart, include samples that are highly relevant to the most in-demand skills and competencies (like technical expertise, problem-solving, and creative thinking).
Is it better for my portfolio to use level editors for existing games or game engines like Unity or Unreal?
Both can have their place in a game design portfolio because both exhibit a critical skill set. Many designers will include samples from both level editors and game engines as a means of demonstrating adaptability and versatility.
Embark on Your Game Design Journey at Champlain College
An eye-catching game design portfolio could be the differentiator that sets you apart from other job or program applicants—it’s not something to shrug off as you prepare to enter this competitive field.
Ready to level up your game design skills and build an impressive portfolio at the same time? Champlain College’s Bachelor of Science in Game Design program may be well-suited for your passions and goals. In addition to our unique Game Studio Portfolio, students in this program enjoy ample opportunities for experiential learning through our Game Studio Experience and beyond. Get in touch to learn more, or start your application today.
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