Portfolio Guidelines & Suggestions
This site has been created as a resource for early career talent to better understand the different career pathways into the animation industry and the various types of requirements needed to prepare for roles in the industry.
Please note that this is not an application for a job at Netflix Animation. If you are curious about other opportunities within our studio, we encourage you to keep an eye on our career site for official job openings within our studio.
Netflix does not accept unsolicited pitches, materials, or ideas.
Portfolio Guidelines
We are looking for emerging artists from all backgrounds who have a passion for animation and want to further hone their skills regardless of educational background. We like to see well-rounded artists with unique and authentic voices. We recommend that you present your strongest work and focus on quality over quantity. Depending on your area of interest, we've included general guidelines below to help with putting together a portfolio, demo reel, and/or resume.
General Must-Haves
Name
Contact Information (Email, Phone, etc.)
Graduation Date (If you are still in school)
Portfolio Website (Include a password if your online portfolio is protected work)
Social Media (Professional accounts related to your artwork)
Regardless if it's a portfolio, resume, demo reel, or video file, the above bullets are key elements that should always be visible in your work. Make it easy for recruiters to find your work and contact you.
Overall Portfolio Tips and Tricks:
Be clear on what areas you are interested in and make sure your portfolio demonstrates those skills. If your first love is background designs or character design or storyboarding, etc. then make sure that's what stands out in your portfolio. If you say you are interested in prop design or storyboarding, then make sure you showcase a variety of props designs or storyboards. This will help recruiters know how to best align you to opportunities based on your interests.
Keep it organized. How you curate your portfolio/demo reel will demonstrate your craft and your creative eye.
Show your best work. This means you may have to edit out pieces or organize your portfolio and/or reel based on the roles you are applying for.
Show your creative process. Don't just show final polished pieces! Include rough pieces (linework & thumbnails) as well. This gives recruiters and hiring managers insight into your creative process and how you ideate and creatively problem solve.
Minimize or avoid fan art. We love fan art, but that won't necessarily get you a job. While taking a well-known existing IP and reenvisioning it in your own authentic voice is a great way to show your fandom for an existing IP, just make sure you execute it really well!
