How to Publish Your Projects on Domestika

Tips on publishing your projects: sharing your work, goals, techniques, and even doubts about your creative process

Sharing your creativity is a positive thing. And, thanks to technology, it's never been easier to showcase your talents to the world. So many people could be interested in what you create.

However, do you know how to present it or photograph it? Talking about your story, your beginnings, your inspiration, and even your obstacles is crucial. Read on as we tell you how to make sure your projects shine on Domestika.

Within the Domestika community, you can publish your course's final project or any other work you have created. According to creative and art director Microbians (@microbians) “it's not just about showing what you have executed, but also about including other people into your creative journey.” Another art director, Miguel Márquez (@miguelon), Studio Manager at Domestika, believes that “seeing other people's projects is another way to gain knowledge.”

They both agree that it is normal to have doubts when deciding what you want to show. You may wonder which piece is worth uploading, or whether you have to explain the techniques you've used. What is important for the viewer, and what is not?

The good news is that you can learn how to share. So, if you've created something unique, you can follow the tips we are sharing below, and start showing up in the community.

Don't be afraid to feel like an amateur

One of the most common fears is believing that you are not important because you have yet to collaborate with big brands or just started. However, you certainly have something that makes you different from the others, and only you can express it.

A few years ago, you would expect any artist to be working by themselves in their studio. They would then exhibit their work in a museum or gallery, publish a book, or release a record. This would represent the only moment in which they would connect with their audience. People, however, are really interested in all the work that takes place behind the scene.

This step can represent something positive for you, too: you could receive the feedback of others, and you will be able to learn something new.

Create a work diary

Often, the hardest part is collecting and selecting all the elements that make up your creative process. Getting into the habit of keeping what you use daily, from cutouts, photographs, or ideas that inspire you, can make this easier. It will also help you see your work in perspective and be more aware of your processes.

Types of projects

The projects shared within the Domestika community are mainly:

- End-of-course projects: this is work produced by students of the Domestika courses, reflecting what they have learned. These projects are distinguished by a blue label.

- Personal projects: any other type of work that was created independently whether as an artist or as a learner of a specific discipline.

- Commercial projects: client commissions showcased by professionals

How do you share a good project?

To begin with, remember that your profile in the Domestika community is visible to all. Make the most of this space to talk about yourself, mentioning relevant information about your training, experience, and interests. If you include an avatar or an image that represents you, even better. They will be able to identify you or your brand.

#1 Share your goal

The community will love to know where your ideas originated from and what made you complete this project. If it is a collaboration for a brand, tell us about it. If it was a personal project, tell us about that, too.

#2 Technique

Describe why you chose one technique over another, how you learned it, and what was the biggest challenge.

#3 Be honest

Don't hide the mistakes you may have made in the process. At the end of the day, they are learning curves. You can even share getting over the dreaded creative block if you went through any personally.

#4 Describe the processes step-by-step

Having text that complements the project will help other creatives to get to know the context in which you created your piece. It does not have to be extremely long, either. It's also important to mention the title of your artwork. What has inspired you?

Photographs and images

Mind your photographs: make sure they are high quality, using good lighting, and are visually attractive. You can combine these basic ingredients even if you are not an expert. Three to eight images are sufficient for the viewers to understand your whole creative process, although the decision is ultimately yours.

If you intend to share your project on social media, check out the below video from photographer and content creator Alba Duque (@albaduque_) showing you some useful tips on achieving effective photographs (English subtitles are available).

The cover of your project is crucial. Choose one carefully so that it is representative of your work. It should draw attention and invite people to click and discover you.

Examples of projects

Depending on your creative area, you can showcase your work in many different ways. You need to be creative at this stage, and you can follow some of the examples shown below.

Illustration

There are many stages of drawing. Therefore, you can also publish sketches, reference images, and even personal pages from your sketchbook in addition to the final piece. In Apathy, María Calderón Vázquez (@madartia) shows her mind map, associating ideas and elements that she later expresses visually.

Video

Although what really counts is the final cut, include other elements, such as 'making of' footage, film stills from the set, and other video keyframes. Lucas Cervantes Blanc (@lucaspulcro) considers himself an audiovisual fanatic. His profile includes a lot of information about his artistic journey.

In his project Ni Raso, Ni Velvet, (Neither Satin, nor Velvet) he alternates video with various photographs.

Photography

People will understand the project better if a lot of images are included to showcase a session. If you have making-of material, don't keep it to yourself. And remember that a caption always helps.

In Escrito en las hojas (Written in the Leaves), Verónica Vicente (@verovicente) explains the value of leaves, the main protagonists of her photographs.

Craft

For this creative area, it can be interesting to show your tools, the patterns you have followed, and the step-by-step process (it is important to document everything you do ).

In her end-of-course project, Maria Rubio (@its_mariarubio) reveals all the ideas that went through her mind.

Architecture and spaces

The final project for remodeling an observation deck by Karolina Rodríguez (@karolinagrod25) includes all the steps of the process, from the mood board, area description, chosen materials, renders to the construction process.

Including these elements enhances the reveal of the final outcome.

3D and animation

“Once, I heard someone say that jazz is music that you listen to in elevators.” This was the starting point for La música de Ascensor (Elevator Music), as its author Adrian Domenech (@domenadn) explains.

It is a degree final project that invites you to dive into this musical genre. In this case, being a team effort, he has also included credits and acknowledgments.

Sharing is growing

After uploading your work to the community, make sure to publish the URL all over your social media, so that your followers can get to know more about your creative profile. Lastly, keep an eye on their reactions.

Furthermore, any member of the community can like your project. If your project ends up having the most likes, it will be published in a blogpost on Domestika, featuring the ten favorite projects of the month.

Do you want to start a portfolio on Domestika? Publish your first project and share your creative progress.

Now it's your turn. Follow these tips and show what you can do and let others discover your talents.

English version by @acesarato

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