“Behance was key to developing my vision as an artist,” says art director and illustrator Jose Villacrez. “When I found the platform, I felt I had found a path.”

In his youth, Jose didn’t intend to have a career in the arts. “I originally wanted to study gastronomy,” he explains. But after trying his hand at a culinary education, Jose decided it was not the right fit and pivoted to a career in design. 

Playground Vol. 01 by Jose Villacrez

Jose learned the ropes as a technical designer at a small design firm at Lima, then joined an animation studio where he found himself surrounded by illustration. “There, I awakened a passion for illustration and decided to take that route and look for an opportunity,” he recalls. 

After a year of illustration, Jose found himself questioning the limits of the discipline: “I began to desire more and want to know more. Questions like: Is this all there is to do? Is this what design is all about?” 

Illustration Vol.02 by Jose Villacrez

That’s when he discovered Behance. “The creative portal was key to that change,” he explains. “It was essential to be able to see the design world and the level of talent outside my country, the way they made their projects, how they presented them, and how professional they looked. When I saw all of that, I knew immediately: I wanted to be there. I wanted to compete with that level of creativity.”

36 Days Of Type - 2020 Animals by Jose Villacrez

Jose credits Behance as a “key to developing [his] vision as an artist.” What started out as a few minutes a day browsing the site eventually turned into hours. “There was so much material to study, absorb, and apply,” he says. 

Today, Jose’s illustration style features dynamic action and saturated color palettes to captivate the viewer. “My illustrations always seek to reflect emotions or sensations, whether human or something deeper and more abstract,” says Jose. 

Playground Vol. 01 by Jose Villacrez

Eventually, Jose also began building his portfolio on Behance. “I wasn't looking to be a freelancer, just to show what I could do,” he explains. “It was the best decision I could have made.” Through developing his portfolio on Behance, Jose has connected with clients beyond Latin America, including the US, UK, and beyond. “I chose Behance over all other social media platforms, and I'll never regret it.” 

Over the years, Jose has expanded his freelancer offering beyond just illustration to branding and logo design: “This allows me to offer and fit into projects where I need an artistic, more experimental side, and at the same time, into projects where thinking is more rational, strategic, and coherent, respecting guidelines and proposing something that responds more to the brand's values.”

Absolut Vodka- Limited Edition Design by Jose Villacrez

What stands out about Behance as a freelancing platform in Jose’s mind is the quality of clients.  “Due to the category Behance is positioned in, the projects I've received have come from people willing to pay my price, unlike other platforms where compensation is very minimal.” 

He also gets peace of mind being able to receive secure payments directly on the platform. “Previously, there was a risk of losing a client or project due to having to send third-party payment links,” Jose explains. “This could raise doubts or questions about whether it's secure, and I've had some clients decline to work with me based on this.” Now with Behance, Jose is able to work with clients and get paid with confidence.

Delphi Digital-Portal Illustrations by Jose Villacrez

Over the last 10 years, Jose has gained a deep understanding of what clients are looking for when browsing portfolios on Behance.  

1. Show Your Creativity and Process

“Clients are looking for someone capable of filling a position that requires more imagination, conceptualization, and a strong artistic flair,” says Jose. In his projects, he makes the point to share the background of the project, justifications for his design decisions, as well as an explanation of how the final result was achieved. 

Jose also emphasizes the importance of showing how your project achieved the scope requested by the client. “This gives clients a lot of peace of mind and gives you more credibility as a designer, that you can really create something that works for your target audience.”

Cartoon Network LLA by Jose Villacrez

2. Include Captivating Visuals 

Jose includes at least six or more visuals in his Behance projects to give clients plenty to look at and consider. He also has several compilation projects of his illustrations to showcase his range of style and subject matter. “This gives clients a broader view of how much you can do and a more detailed look at everything you've covered in the project. It's important to show clients that you can complete strong, large projects,” says Jose. 

Illustration Vol.01 by Jose Villacrez

3. Add Relevant Tags 

Tags play a pivotal role in making your content discoverable. Put yourself in the shoes of a client and think about what search terms you would use to find your work. “A little trick I use is to place one with my name within the tags,” says Jose. “This means that if someone searches for José Villacrez on Behance, all the projects will appear. Remember, some clients come in by your name and don't necessarily search for you by the word ‘illustrator.’”

Bombay Sapphire '' Brazilian Summer'' by Jose Villacrez

By investing into his art work and leveraging the network of Behance, Jose has built a thriving creative career. “Behance helped me stand out as an artist, making freelance work as profitable and well-paid as being a doctor in my home country of Peru. It is my best teacher and my best salesperson.”

See more art by Jose and hire him for freelance projects on Behance.