Do I Have to Upload an Art Portfolio for Fort Lewis College

Final Updated on May 27, 2021

What should be in an fine art school application portfolio? How practise y'all present a portfolio? What gives you the all-time run a risk of existence accustomed by the art school of your dreams? This commodity explains how to make an art portfolio for college or university and is packed with tips from leading art and design school admissions staff from around the globe. Information technology is written for those who are in the process of creating an application portfolio for a foundation course, certificate, acquaintance or undergraduate degree and contains advice for specific art-related areas, such as Architecture, Fine Art, Graphic Design, Analogy, Interior Pattern, Animation, Game Blueprint, Film and other artistic, visual art-based courses. It is presented along with fine art and design portfolio examples from students who have recently gained acceptance to a range of fine art schools from effectually the world, creating a 9,000 word certificate that helps guide you through the application process.

What is an art school awarding portfolio?

In improver to coming together academic requirements, Fine art and Design Schools, Universities and Colleges typically require a applied art portfolio as part of the application process (this is frequently accompanied past a personal statement and/or an art schoolhouse interview – more on this shortly). So whatis this?

The Academy of the Arts London gives the following definition of an application portfolio:

A portfolio is a collection of your work, which shows how your skills and ideas have developed over a flow of time. Information technology demonstrates your creativity, personality, abilities and delivery, and helps us to evaluate your potential.

Just as every fine art student is unlike (with private strengths, experiences, passions and ideas) every art school has different requirements and expectations. While some universities and colleges have strict criteria when it comes to preparing a portfolio, others are open and flexible. This variation in expectations can leave students uncertain about how to go on. Even when criteria is clear, applicants may feel overwhelmed and wonder what to describe/paint/brand/create, which mediums to use and how to all-time select and present their work.

Producing an art portfolio is not to be taken lightly. Height fine art schools often take very small percentages of applicants. Agreement how to produce a great portfolio is crucial. Although it is impossible to generate a list of criteria that are appropriate for all applicants in every circumstance (there is unfortunately no guaranteed magic formula for creating a winning art portfolio) this article highlights tips from experienced admissions staff and makes general recommendations to help you produce the best university or art college application possible.

A step-by-step guide to creating an fine art portfolio for college or university

i. Research carefully and tape the art portfolio requirements for a number of courses that interest y'all

Deciding which art or design school is for you lot is a big decision (our upcoming article 'how to find the best art schoolhouse in the world' will aid with this). While you consider your options, it is advisable to employ to a number of different schools, in case you are not accustomed into your beginning selection. There is no shame in applying to college or academy and non getting in (many highly successful individuals are not accustomed into their university of first option); but being left with no place to go considering you didn't employ to enough schools is an easily avoidable circumstance!

Create a listing of art or design schools that you would be prepared to attend and notice their admissions criteria (you tin can search for art schools in California and New Zealand on this website – more areas coming soon). All academy and college art portfolio requirements are different. Record the verbal admissions requirements advisedly, well in advance, every bit deadlines tin exist before than you expect and portfolios take a long time to prepare. Impress these out, highlight key information and keep on-hand, so that you lot can refer to them equally needed throughout the application process.

In detail, go along conscientious records of:

• Open Day times

• Application and Portfolio due appointment/s. If you lot are currently studying Art at loftier school, check how the portfolio due dates compare to your own coursework deadlines and exam timetable. In some cases there may be bug with work needing to be in two places at ane (i.e. submitted for assessment at high school and delivered to an art school in hardcopy at the same time). This occurs specially for students studying international qualifications or applying to art schools in dissimilar countries, so you demand to prepare for this in advance. Mark the deadlines of the schools that you are applying to conspicuously on your calendar.

• Size and format of work required

• Whether only finished pieces are expected, or whether sketchbooks, development and process piece of work are also welcome (some schools crave simply finished pieces, particularly in the US; others love to see development piece of work as well).

• Whether submissions are digital, hardcopy reproductions or original artwork. If copies of work must exist sent in, find out whether these should be colour photocopies, slides or photographs etc. Find out whether there are specific criteria for time based media (blitheness/moving prototype/video/interactive website pattern then on).

• Labelling and presentation requirements. Many art schools have precise portfolio presentation requirements, with work labelled or identified in certain formats, with details virtually titles, dates and materials used, for example. Digital portfolio submission may apply online tools such every bit SlideRoom.

• Whether there are special requirements for international or out-of-state applicants. If yous are applying from another location, in that location may be special application criteria for yous. For example, some colleges may accept international portfolios via email, instead of delivered in person.

• Whether supplementary material is needed, for example, a personal argument or written essay (more on this soon). Art schools typically accept bookish requirements set by the university or college as a whole, which may require a separate awarding class and a different deadline. Y'all may also be asked to submit images of work or objects that have influenced your work or teacher recommendations, testimonials or reports (only include these if specifically requested).

• Requirements well-nigh what to depict / include. Many art and design schools leave applicants free to select what to include within their portfolio. Unless specifically stated, the portfolio should comprise primarily visual artwork, not art history assignments, artist assay or extensive annotation. Yous may have to submit a combination of personal artwork, piece of work produced in high schoolhouse classes and/or 'home tests', exams or assignments gear up past the art school yous are applying to. In the RISD application portfolio, for instance, applicants must respond to three fix assignments, such as 'observe and draw a cycle, or an interior space'. Some stunning RISD bicycle drawings completed every bit part of this awarding portfolio process are shown beneath:

Enlarged images are by Triye (middle left), Anetta Urmey (middle right), Boyung yeon Kim (bottom left) and Seraph (lesser right). Peak photograph by Mikey Todd:

These drawings are completed entirely in graphite pencil or charcoal on white paper and may be realistic or abstract. They may be derived from the whole or function of the bicycle, arranged lone or with any other object/s or scene. These examples show the exciting level of skill and creativity demonstrated past students applying to the Rhode Island School of Design.

As another example, Parsons the New School for Pattern asks applicants to submit a portfolio as well every bit the 'Parsons Challenge'. In the past, this claiming has included instructions such as:

Using any medium or media, explore something usually disregarded within your daily environment. Choose one object, location, or activity. Translate your discovery in three original pieces. Support each piece of art with an essay of approximately 250 words.

Once you have collected the requirements for the item degrees you are interested in, the next step is to seek out existing portfolio examples.

2. Look at recent student art portfolio examples to gain a visual understanding of what is expected

Seeing examples of real portfolios is i of the best means to understand the standard you are aiming for (and to gain your own fine art portfolio ideas). Many university and higher art portfolio examples can exist found online or in campus libraries (some art schools retain hardcopy examples to help students the following year – these tin can be invaluable) and a big number of varied student art portfolio examples are featured in this article below. These illustrate the range of different portfolio styles that are possible and help to prove how submissions for particular specialisations or degrees might differ from 1 another.

If y'all feel daunted looking at other portfolios, information technology is worth stressing that is usually the best candidates who display their work (this is indeed the case within this article). Practise non despair if your technical skill is not as stiff as the work you see: remember art portfolios are assessed upon a wide range of criteria (more than on this below). If you have a groovy academic background, innovative ideas and a passion for the subject, you can trump someone with technical skill who is lacking in creativity and personal bulldoze. Yous might be surprised to realise how many famous artists do non take flawless observational drawing skill. Showcase your strengths and back yourself.

A portfolio for art school by Grace Camille Lee:

These are some of the images that were submitted in Grace's awarding portfolio. Most of these pieces are personal artwork; others were completed as office of a Foundation course (this is a ane year course that many UK students accept prior to starting university. A Foundation course can be an splendid style to ready an fine art college portfolio and is a common path to art school for students in the United kingdom of great britain and northern ireland). Grace was offered a place at Kingston, Brighton and Goldsmiths – art schools in the U.k..

Gray's School of Art publish a document containing examples of sketchbook pages from student portfolios (some of which are shown beneath):

These examples show a beautiful range of mixed media and experimentation, also as in-depth compositional exploration and development of ideas.

A Kingston University awarding by William Govoni:

This portfolio shows evidence of strong observational drawing skill and competence in a range of different mediums. The inclusion of design drawings makes it clear that William is a well-rounded candidate with a wide skills base.

A university application portfolio by Kirsty Mackenzie:

These two images are from the Elam Fine Fine art portfolio examples shown on the University of Auckland website. This portfolio comprises of piece of work that Kirsty completed in high school.

A Kingston Academy application by Lily Grant:

These captivating compositions show a breadth of skill and a contemporary approach to portraiture that is combined with observational cartoon skill.

3. Attend Open up Days

Open up days are the ideal time to find out whether an fine art schoolhouse is the right identify for you (read more almost this in how to find the all-time art school in the world – coming soon). Open days are also a great opportunity to find out more than about the admissions procedure and what is expected past a school in terms of application portfolios. (As mentioned above, some art schools have past portfolios on brandish at the school permanently – in the campus library, for example).

four. Program your art portfolio, aiming to demonstrate a range of artistic skill and experiences, creative ideas/originality and passion/commitment

This is the most important section of this commodity, because it is the surface area where people are nigh confused. All over the cyberspace applicants beg to know: 'what should I include in a higher art portfolio?' The answer is this: include a range of recent visual piece of work (completed inside the last year or 2) that best communicates your artistic skills and experiences, creative ideas/originality and passion/commitment.

The detailed recommendations beneath explain this further:

a) Emphasise observational cartoon

Most art and blueprint courses require applicants to accept a certain level of observational drawing skill. This is essential not just for Fine art specialities, just for many others, such as Architecture and Fashion Design. Fifty-fifty degrees that do not seem to obviously focus upon cartoon usually welcome the inclusion of this inside an application portfolio. For example, Ringling Higher of Art and Pattern states:

For majors without as much cartoon involved, the submission of drawing in your portfolio is always welcome just non required.

An observational drawing is a realistic representation of an object or scene that has been viewed directly in real life (as opposed to something that has been imagined or drawn from a photo) – read more most how to produce corking observational drawings. It can be produced using whatever medium or combination of mediums such as graphite pencil, charcoal, pen, ink and/or paint. For the bulk of applicants, it is highly advantageous to demonstrate the power to observe something in real life and draw it accurately. It is recommended that observational drawing (or painting) from start-hand sources form a substantial function of your portfolio.

The aim is that you lot:

• Bear witness to admissions staff that y'all are able to competently record shape, proportion, tone, perspective, surface qualities, detail, infinite and form

• Draw in a personal, sensitive way, rather than in a mechanical fashion (i.e. not a laborious copy of a photo – drawings from photographs are specifically discouraged). This might involve more creative, expressive, gestural mark-making or the addition of non-realistic elements, textures, materials. In other words, communicate a strong sense of realism, but in a way that besides capture an essence of the field of study, rather than an verbal, rigid copy of a scene. It tin can help to think well-nigh ideas and meanings behind a drawing – selecting a subject that holds meaning or relevance for you, rather than just selecting any random object to draw.

Clara Lieu, Visual Artist and Adjunct Professor at the Rhode Island School of Design, explains the importance of including original observational drawings in a university or college portfolio like this:

Create original work from straight observation. This is hands down the number one, absolutely essential thing to exercise that many students neglect to do. Simply doing this one directive will put you lite years ahead of other students.

Accomplished drawings are above all else, the heart of a successful portfolio when applying at the undergraduate level. Yous might be a wizard in digital media, but none of that volition affair if y'all have poor drawings.

Szivesen, a portfolio reviewer, explains:

Most schools emphasize cartoon from direct observation as their primary basis for the portfolio, no matter what aspect of fine art y'all want to report. That's because basic drawing skills are central and because cartoon is a little more likely to be a uniform measure than other areas of art and design.

Examples of observational drawings from a university Foundation grade awarding portfolio past Sinead Kirby:

People oftentimes assume that observational drawings must be meticulous and precise. This is not the example. These sketchbook pages prove fluid, gestural, expressive observational drawings, which immediately capture a sense of movement and architectural space.

It is worth remembering that y'all don't need to attend a formal life drawing class to consummate observational figure drawing (although attending such a class can be an fantabulous experience for artists and art students and is highly recommended if available). The drawings below by Curelea Loana Andreea (part of a academy Foundation course application) bear witness captivating examples of observational figure drawings that could take place in a home or classroom setting:

Sometimes admissions staff fifty-fifty written report tiring of the standard 'life drawing' and that the freshness and originality of drawings like those in a higher place can be more than interesting.

Observational portraits in a university Foundation portfolio by Emma Hooper:

Information technology is important to remember also that observational drawing skill is often evident throughout your portfolio – even in works that are 'non-representational' and/or more than creative and interpretative. In the works higher up, for example, nosotros tin run into beautiful observation of human class and attention to the way lite hits a face.

b) Explore a range of discipline thing – brand fine art about (and of) lots of interesting things
If you are wondering what y'all should depict: the possibilities are limitless. You may, for case, draw a landscape, still life, portrait, animal, human effigy, interior or exterior environment, hands and feet, or any other interesting everyday object – focusing, perhaps, on subject affair that is relevant for your degree (see more nearly tailoring your application to your particular focus area below) and, more chiefly, subject matter that has some meaning and relevance to you. You should attempt and avert common or cliché approaches and include a range of unlike interesting objects and scenes – and do not exactly replicate the piece of work of another artist.

Dorian Angelo, of Ringling Higher of Art and Pattern, suggests:

…if you're non sure what to describe, draw the things in your room. Depict your hands, depict your feet, draw your dog. That's perfectly fine. Try not to get into whatsoever clichés or whatever traps of drawing all the same thing. We don't want to encounter a sketchbook full of horses. Nosotros don't want to meet a sketchbook total of simply cartoons or anime. Show that yous are looking at real life; that yous're looking at different subject matter…

In Ringling Higher of Art and Design's Game Art & Pattern portfolio requirements, they land:

Please practise non copy directly from another creative person, or include such things every bit anime, tattoo designs, dragons, unicorns, etc.

In the words of Clara Lieu, Rhode Island School of Design:

Do not copy your piece of work from photographs or other sources. This means no fan art, no anime, no manga, goose egg from some other artist'southward work. Admissions officers have seen hundreds, probably thousands of images from student portfolios. They are well trained to speedily spot artworks that have been copied from photographs or that have been lifted from other resource.

It is never, always good to have fan fine art in any portfolio. By fan art, I mean drawings of celebrities and other characters that are not your own. That'due south basically the kiss of death, and will immediately cause people to run into you as nada more a hobbyist.

If you are stuck for observational cartoon ideas, these examples by students in portfolio preparation courses at Ashcan Studio of Art may trigger some ideas.

Artwork by Suyeon Moon (shoes, top left) (accepted into the Parsons AAS Graphic Design program), Soojin Lee (crumpled apparel, top right), accepted into Parsons Fashion Design programme with a four year scholarship, Insuk Kang (shelving scene, upper centre), accepted into Parsons Way Design with a 4 year scholarship, Kalene Lee (bottom left) accepted into Pratt, Industrial Design, with a 4 twelvemonth scholarship and Jiwon Hwang (bottom right), Parson's Fashion Pattern with a 4 year scholarship:

Observational drawings completed equally part of art schoolhouse awarding portfolios.

For more tips nearly what to draw, read how to come upwards with great ideas for an art project.

c) Utilise a range of mediums, styles, fine art forms and techniques

Your art portfolio should show a various range of skill and visual experiences. Demonstrate that you are able to employ and experiment with a range of styles, mediums and techniques and tin control, apply and manipulate mediums in a adept, appropriate and intentional fashion. Someone who is able to create acrylic paintings, sculptures, prints and pencil drawings, for instance, is infinitely more flexible than someone who is simply able to sketch only with a pencil. The former bidder demonstrates growth, diversity and a breadth of skill, also as an interest in learning new things. The latter may exist a 'one trick pony'.

Recommendations:

• Cull a range of mediums that highlight your creative strengths. Employ wet and dry out mediums (graphite, charcoal, ink, pastel, acrylic, watercolour, oil, ceramics, motion picture etc and other mixed mediums) and paint / draw upon a range of different surfaces (come across here for great ideas most things to describe or paint on if you are looking for new ideas), but don't include weaker work, just for the sake of roofing a greater range of mediums.

• Explore a range of appropriate styles. Choose creative styles that showcase your skill, interests and strengths. Don't attempt and guess what the university of art schoolhouse would prefer (despite mutual misconceptions, they rarely favour one style of art-making more than than another); choose those that marshal with your strengths.

• Experiment with a variety of tools, techniques, processes and art forms. Unless otherwise specified, an awarding portfolio may include drawings, paintings, photography, digital media, blueprint, three-dimensional work, web design, animation, video and almost whatsoever other type of artwork. This does not hateful you should endeavour to include every different technique or art form possible (this would create a scattered and incohesive portfolio) but that you demonstrate that y'all are willing to experiment and effort new art-making experiences, focusing on areas that interest you and highlight your strengths.

A portfolio past Kisa Sky Shiga, completed every bit role of a portfolio preparation form at Ashcan Studio of Art:

A broad range of mediums are shown in these three works by Kisa Sky Shiga, whose portfolio was accepted by RISD (Apparel Design, four year Scholarship), Parsons (Fashion Blueprint, four yr Scholarship), Pratt (Style Blueprint, 4 year scholarship) and FIT: Manner Found of Engineering (Style Design).

Printmaking in a academy Foundation awarding past Henry Richardson:

In addition to a range of expressive drawings and paintings, Henry's portfolio is supplemented with dry indicate printmaking – providing evidence of a wide range of skills and a commitment to exploring different techniques.

A university Foundation application portfolio past Aqsa Iftikhar:

This portfolio contains a great mix of mediums, including oil paintings and ceramic sculptures, showing artistic skill in a range of 2 and three-dimensional form.

A university Foundation application portfolio by Ayse Kipri:

This portfolio combines formal observational drawings with contemporary collage and installation work. Ayse completing a Foundation degree in Art and Design at Camberwell Higher of Arts and is now studying a Bachelor of Fine Arts at Cardinal Saint Martins.

due east) Include a range of varied, well-balanced compositions – show an 'center for aesthetics'

All work – even observational drawings – should prove that you empathize how to compose an image well, arranging visual elements such as line, shape, tone, texture, colour, form and colour in an pleasing way. Compositions should be well-balanced and varied – with a range of viewpoints/scales included throughout the portfolio.

• Avoid drawing items floating in center of a page unless this is an intentional, considered determination (see our Art pupil's composition guide (coming soon) which explains more virtually how the formal visual system of artwork. Recollect about the shadows, spaces and surfaces in and effectually objects. Recollect carefully about cropping of images and positions of items within each work.

• Select and utilize advisable colours, making sure that if multiple works are arranged on ane page, the colours work well together too (more on this in the portfolio presentation department below)

• Brand sure the proportions and spatial relationships between different elements in graphic designs (such as text, images and space) are carefully considered

f) Include process / development work if permitted

Some art schools – particularly in the US – require that every piece in your application be a finished, realised piece of work. Others – specially those in the UK and NZ – love to see process, evolution or sketchbook work. If an fine art or pattern school specifically states that this fabric is permitted, this is an first-class opportunity to flaunt your skills, commitment and depth of knowledge. The inquiry and processes undertaken to develop your work are often every bit important equally the final work itself and allow the selection panel to empathise your work in context and see how it has been initiated and adult. Procedure and development work helps colleges and universities to understand how you think (the ideas and meanings backside pieces, for example) and come across that you are able to take an idea from concept and develop information technology through to a final resolution. Information technology provides testify that you are able to analyse / experiment / explore and trial different outcomes and make sound critical judgments.

We want to see how y'all generate and develop ideas from your visual research. It is important that we run across how they progress from the starting point right through to the conclusion of your ideas / project. – Grays Schoolhouse of Fine art, Scotland.

Images of pages from your workbook/s can be very helpful to the selection panel. This could include: evidence of ideas, thinking processes, experimentation and analysis. – Elam School of Fine Arts, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Development piece of work might include sketchbook or workbook pages that show:

• In depth investigations into subject matter (sketches / photography and other visual documentation of commencement-hand sources)

• Investigations into mediums, materials and techniques and technologies

• Development of concepts, compositions or details

• Written analysis alongside visual work and annotation discussing ideas behind your work

• Testify of links to the historical, contemporary and/or social context in which works take been made – i.e. connections to artists and real world issues

• Annotated screen captures, contact sheets, and documentation of digital processes

A academy Foundation awarding past Lola:

The sketchbook pages in this portfolio show the development procedure behind the finished portrait lesser correct, making it clear that the project has original first-hand sources and a strong personal connection.

A university Foundation application by A Level Art student Heather Meredith:

In this case we can meet the contrast of finished pieces alongside development piece of work. The layered sketchbook pages communicate a wealth of insight about working processes, a willingness to experiment, and the depth of thought that is put in to developing and refining ideas.

A university Foundation awarding portfolio past Violet Volchok, who was offered a identify on courses at Kingston and Ravensbourne, Britain:

Function of an AS Art exam project, these images combine fantabulous technical skill with captivating and striking compositions. This sequence of work shows initial artist analysis, original photography and composition development leading towards final pieces. Violet chose to attend Ravensbourne, specialising in Media (Graphic Pattern).

This video contains a good overview of what a portfolio might comprise, especially for universities that request process / development work:

For more tips about producing great process work, y'all might observe it helpful to read our guide to producing an outstanding high schoolhouse art sketchbook or how to develop ideas in an art project.

Note: If development work is not permitted every bit function of the portfolio itself, it is normally advisable to bring this to the interview.

g) Communicate artistic ideas: be original

It is important to recollect that artistic skill must be accompanied by creativity, original ideas and some form of visual marvel. In other words, technical skill is no use if y'all are unable to think of how to put this to use in a unique, interesting way. Someone who is able to generate original and captivating ideas that rip into your heart and soul is far more than appealing than someone who produces dull, predictable, still technically excellent artwork. Although skill is an excellent asset – and a sure level is necessary – applicants to colleges and universities and fine art schools should not aim to be glorified 'photocopiers', just rather the creators of exciting, unexpected visual outcomes. To achieve this within your portfolio, it may aid to:

• Be experimental – endeavor different things and push techniques, materials and applied science in innovative and unexpected ways

• Make art about something (visually communicate ideas) rather than just laboriously depict a scene – demonstrate your intellectual potential.

• Be yourself – reveal your personality and interests. Never submit art that is an faux of someone else'southward. Aim for artwork that is new, fresh and about something that matters to y'all. Don't replicate any of the portfolios you see on this page or elsewhere. Your portfolio should be individual to you lot. Permit your portfolio reflect your strengths, interests and experiences and represent who you lot are.

On the whole, greater emphasis is put on evidence of your visual curiosity, idea generation and exploration, and your energy, engagement and contextual awareness, than on high level technical skills and finish. – Edinburgh Higher of Art, Scotland

…[A good portfolio] demonstrates how you tin call up in innovative and contrasting ways, and shows originality, inventiveness and commitment to being creative. – Massey University, New Zealand

… stand out from the crowd by pushing the boundaries of a prescribed curriculum, personalising a theme or project to demonstrate their invention and creativity. Work that reflects an applicant'due south own enthusiasms, idea processes and ideas is e'er of interest to the selectors. – University of Dundee, Scotland

It'south no good promoting house styles, as that makes all students' work look the same. If a student is showing a piece of work from a course, information technology's of import that it also shows a personal theme. – Helen Heery, University of Salford, United Kingdom

A portfolio assignment past Amelia Eaton:

This is an example of a successful double-sided drawing project completed for RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). Communicating confident observational drawing skills and assuming, well-counterbalanced colour, ideas nearly meat are communicated in a clear and captivating way. Amelia was accustomed by RISD.

A Fine Art portfolio by Karen Park, completed during a form at Ashcan Studio of Art:

These two works from Karen's art schoolhouse portfolio combine both technical skill with artistic, innovative visual ideas. Karen was awarded a Full Scholarship from Cornell University – Fine Art.

A university Foundation application past Anna Clow:

This original A Level Art project and was completed during Anna'south final yr of high school. Where many students paint or draw conventional portraits, Anna has created innovative, exciting works that combine dolls, human form and interior torso parts. Combined with infrequent technical skill, this helps to create an unforgettable portfolio that stands out from the crowd.

A Fashion Design portfolio by Halim Ki, completed during a grade at Ashcan Studio of Fine art:

This is another case of captivating, exciting portfolio that communicates clever, surrealist ideas. Halim was accustomed into Parsons – Style Design.

Some swell tips are contained in this video by the University of the Arts London most the importance of ideas, enthusiasm and creativity – providing some first-class thoughts, especially for those who might not have gained a potent Art didactics at high school:

h) Communicate passion, delivery and enthusiasm

Universities want people who volition represent their school well – who volition proceed to practice great things that will reverberate positively upon their place of study. They want passionate, keen students who volition cope with the workload and who intend to actually keep and make use of their caste. This means that y'all must convey a sense of passion, delivery and enthusiasm within the portfolio (as well as during the interview – more on the art schoolhouse interview soon). To do this, y'all tin:

• Ensure that work from classroom projects is thorough, personalised, cocky-motivated (goes the 'extra mile').

• Include some personal, independent, cocky-directed piece of work that has been completed outside of the classroom. This helps to give an indication of your current involvement and interest in the arts.

During the process of reviewing portfolios, the Ruskin staff always look for piece of work that goes beyond the mere fulfilment of School curricula. Nosotros search for highly motivated activeness, over and above whatsoever project-based work, and for a breadth of date, a sense of purpose and a strength of opinion in the way the portfolio is edited. Important for u.s.a. is to exist able to discovering a sense of the temperament laying behind the work, and sense the deeper interests that inform the portfolio. We are non interested in finding a particular formula or a specific style, merely in signs of free energy, ambition, disquisitional reflection and creativity. – Ruskin School of Art, United Kingdom

Personal fine art is the work washed exterior of a classroom state of affairs and reflects the artists' unique interests in apply of materials, subject matter and concept. Work can be completed in whatever media including (but not limited to) cartoon, painting, photography, mixed media, digital/computer art, film/video, ceramics, sculpture, animation and performance art. – Kavin Buck, School of Arts and Architecture at the Academy of California Los Angeles, The states

Interest in art must exist more than casual. – Tom Lightfoot, Rochester Institute of Engineering, United States

Emma Rose, who works in the faculty of arts and sciences at Lancaster University, advises that students include some self-generated work – not but the projects that have been assigned on courses. "We want someone with that extra spark – perhaps you've gone off with a camera to accept interesting photos." – The Independent

Cocky-initiated projects (artwork created independent of classroom assignments/exercises) are peculiarly encouraged. – UCLA Department of Fine art, U.s.

Ultimately, it'due south all about passion and ideas, and then if you include the kinds of things that you're nearly excited about, that you're most proud of, so chances are your portfolio submission will make a stiff impression. – Ringling Higher of Art and Design, United States

i) Tailor your application to suit your caste

Portfolio guidelines for dissimilar areas of Art and Design are often similar, but it can exist wise to modify your portfolio so that it is appropriate for the caste you are applying for. Rather than creating a completely unlike gear up of images for each specialisation or major, nonetheless, a submission tin can be tweaked slightly, so that information technology showcases relevant strengths and an interest in the area you are applying for (for example, submitting observational drawings of city scenes or edifice interiors for an compages application etc (although this is not necessary – more on architecture portfolios beneath).

As an example, digital based degrees may like to see evidence of technological sensation and capability and the ability to work with a range of digital platforms, alongside traditional non-digital techniques. This might include time-based interactive piece of work (film, animation, video, website design).

The following list gives some guidance near the sort of material that mayexist helpful for specific areas, in addition to the items discussed above, such as observational drawing. As with all recommendations in this article, you should refer to the university or college yous are applying to for precise requirements.

Graphic Blueprint Portfolios:

• Graphic blueprint print work or web graphics
• Font design or utilize of typography
• Graphic illustrations
• Video graphics
• Interactive web media and any other related projects

A academy Foundation application portfolio by Jacob Wise:

This portfolio shows an obvious strength in graphic design. Along with bear witness of potent observational drawing skill, the work is supplemented by original posters that show a proficient understanding of limerick – with competent arrangement of line, colour, space, text and grade. "The Bauhaus motion, Russian constructivism and the Swiss international graphic style are a source of massive inspiration for my work with the utilization of sharp edges, bold shape, colour and precision".

Compages Portfolios:

• Many students assume that an compages application portfolio must exist filled with drawings of buildings or architectural designs. This is almost always notthe case (as with all other recommendations fabricated in this article, y'all should check the requirements of the item class you are applying for). Admissions staff typically wish to see testify of creativity with a range of media and stiff observational cartoon skill (equally described in the commencement role of this commodity), including the power to represent space, perspective and 3D class. This can exist achieved through exploration of completely unrelated subject matter, such every bit notwithstanding life, landscapes and human form. If you accept a choice, however, cartoon buildings, manmade structures, interior/exterior spaces, furniture and/or mechanical parts and so on, may help to demonstrate an interest in architectural design.
• Architecture schools usually do NOT require formal technical drawings (instrumental or computer generated plans / orthographic projections etc) and if these are accustomed as function of the application portfolio, they are ofttimes limited in quantity, so that y'all include a sufficient range of hand-generated work. Yous are nonexpected to understand how to pattern a building – this is what you lot larn upon the grade.
• Three-dimensional sculptures, installations, casts and/or model constructions can be cracking to include, as these communicate spatial awareness and an interest in working with 3D class. These might include conceptual models made from cardboard, paper, wire, wood and other found materials, for example.
• Artwork in a broad range of mediums (printmaking / photography etc) are typically accustomed.
• Note: Some universities and architecture schools specifically request that the portfolio is nonfilled with Design Technology work, preferring to see work that has been produced equally part of high schoolhouse Fine art courses. (Although some loftier school Design Technology courses provide excellent preparation for architectural degrees, Art courses typically offer a stronger grounding in observational cartoon and limerick).

Examples of observational drawings submitted every bit part of an awarding to the University of Auckland, School of Architecture, New Zealand:

Note that even the bottom cartoon – an observational drawing of lights mounted upon a steel bar – communicates a articulate interest in architectural form.

Images from an architecture awarding portfolio by Irence K, completed while studying at Ashcan Studio of Fine art:

Irence was awarded a four twelvemonth scholarship and was accepted into RISD Architecture. These works communicate a clear interest in three-dimensional space and architectural grade.

An architecture portfolio example past Ken Liang, completed under the guidance of Evangelos Limpantoudis from the Architecture School Review who helps students gain admission to acme architecture schools from effectually the world:

Ken was accepted by all five architecture schools that he applied to: Cornell, Savannah College of Fine art and Design, Parsons, the Rhode Isle School of Design and Columbia University. With no prior experience about art or design, his portfolio became a vehicle for Ken to learn about the blueprint process, showing the process of evolution of architectural forms derived from conceptual models using fabric and clay.

Fashion Design Portfolios

• Effigy drawings – for example drawings of clothing on models
• Documentation of original sewing, textiles or fashion pattern projects

Part of a Kingston University Art Foundation application portfolio past Annabelle Holden:

Studying Art History, Textiles and Photography at loftier school helped Annabelle prepare a groovy portfolio, including work from a textiles projection where she reinvented vintage items.

A Style Design portfolio by Jinsoo Choi, prepared during a grade at Ashcan Studio of Fine art:

Jinsoo was accepted into Parsons Fashion Design (Scholarship), Pratt Style Pattern and FIT. Note the outstanding observational drawing skill and clever linking of colours betwixt the separate pieces within this portfolio.

Game Art Portfolios:

• Storyboards
• Original grapheme designs

Production Blueprint Portfolios:

• Subjects like product design frequently crave stiff practical, analytical and communication skills, likewise equally the technical and conceptual ideas and self-motivation required by other fine art-related degrees. This means that bear witness of working with materials and in both 2D and 3D tin be beneficial.

Film School Portfolios:
Filmmaking may combine many different skills including performing arts, music, literature and writing. As a result, portfolio requirements may be quite different from a traditional art school application. Applications may include:

• Screen shots from original films, animations, videos or digital applications with video excerpts embedded (make sure these are short as admissions staff will not have time to view long reels of footage, and/or captured as a storyboard with screenshots). These may be submitted on DVD or flash drives or as URL links to YouTube, Vimeo or embedded on a personal website or web log (see why Fine art students should have their ain website and how to make one)
• Fashion, costume or set design
• Storyboards
• Website blueprint and multimedia work
• Bear witness of involvement in theatre or performing arts
• Screenplays and creative writing may also be advisable

5. Take fourth dimension to create new artwork and/or improve existing pieces (if required)

Once you have planned what you will include in your portfolio, you should fix aside a period of time to produce this. If you have not taken high school Art classes, preparing a folio will take a lot of piece of work – nearly 6 months to complete a portfolio from scratch (think it is ideal to create more work than is needed, and so that you lot tin carefully edit and remove the weaker pieces). See if your loftier schoolhouse Fine art teacher tin aid (even if you don't have Art). An experienced teacher will often have a long history of helping / observing students apply and may have a skilful knowledge of what helped successful candidates in the past. If your own fine art teacher is not experienced with helping students utilise to university – or y'all feel you need more assistance preparing your portfolio – find out if there are local courses or workshops that address how to make a portfolio for art school. Portfolio preparation classes are oftentimes run by the universities / colleges themselves. These may exist relatively cheap weekend workshops or be yearlong, such as Foundation or Art portfolio courses. Making a portfolio tin feel less daunting when you produce work with a class of others and seeing others produce work can exist motivating and inspirational.

You will probable have to use a considerable portion of your holiday and holiday time to create work or improve existing pieces – as well every bit generate personal piece of work outside of your curriculum or complete 'habitation tests' or assignments if required.

The almost of import detail of preparing your portfolio for college admissions is to call back to give yourself enough of fourth dimension and have fun with it. It is near impossible to create quality piece of work if you are nervous and under a time constraint. Don't wait until the last minute, and make enough work and then you lot tin edit together the best portfolio for each school you plan to apply to. – Kavin Cadet, School of Arts and Architecture at the University of California Los Angeles, United States

When information technology says put together a portfolio of 12 pieces, it doesn't necessarily mean just make 12 pieces. It'southward easier to merely make, make and make and and then narrow it down to 12 pieces. Not only volition you have more than to choose from, an admissions counselor during a portfolio review can assistance you decide what to submit for a final application. So don't limit yourself, just create! Katie, Admissions Counsellor, Parsons, United States

A University Foundation application portfolio past Nina Cavaviuti:

This quote from Nina illustrates the claiming in preparing a portfolio outside of an Art course: "I have had to prepare a portfolio around a fulltime degree course and a weekend job. Not being in a schoolhouse environment where you lot are constantly supervised has meant I have had to work independently, I accept learnt to take advantage of my surroundings and to use time effectively, such as using daily travel as an opportunity to create observational drawings and attending regular life cartoon classes to improve my technical cartoon skills."

half dozen. Select and Review Work

One time yous have completed a significant torso of work, seek feedback and modify / amend / redo pieces. Don't leave this until the last minute, because you will run out of time if changes are needed. Build in reflective time – time to set it aside and come back to information technology with fresh optics.

This excellent video by Paul Stanford, Head of Department of the Foundation Grade in Fine art and Design at Kingston University, shows the evaluation of an average student portfolio to be offered a place. It highlights the importance of editing a portfolio carefully and eliminating weaker work, besides as catastrophe a portfolio well, so that the final impression is a good one.

Towards the middle of the portfolio, Paul begins to notice technical deficiencies – 'a chip of a wearisome drawing, you might say' – 'information technology's not a great life drawing, is it?' – a reminder that students should just submit work that plays to their strengths. The student'southward skill prepare equally a whole and estimated potential is evaluated, with observational drawing skill only ane office of this equation.

Most people get too close to their own work and cannot meet it objectively. Bring an unbiased person (non friends or family) to assist with your final portfolio selection, ideally someone who has a groundwork in fine art or blueprint. When selecting piece of work, aim for quality over quantity, avoid repetition and include variety of field of study matter, skill and medium.

Read the school's suggestions for portfolio submission advisedly. About volition say "x to 20 pieces" and I tin tell you that more is often non better. If you have ten really strong works to submit, then the quality level noticeably drops, amend to show ten uniformly skillful works than a whole range. – Anonymous reply on Yahoo

Exist selective. …don't submit work that you lot are non proud of just for the sake of having multifariousness. – Virginia Commonwealth University

Select projects that evidence a range of media and subject thing, while all the same emphasizing your strongest work. – Carnegie Mellon Academy

It's good to starting time with lots of work and and then be super selective with what you put in the portfolio… – Charlotte Melt

Some institutions offer the opportunity to have your portfolio reviewed before submission (a 'preliminary portfolio review'). US students are also able to nourish National Portfolio Day, where they are able to receive feedback on their portfolio-in-progress from university and college representatives. These are held all over the The states and are highly recommended. Lines are long and you should get in early to ensure that you are able to speak to the schools of your showtime choice.

At this event, caryatid yourself for harsh words. It's not uncommon for students to be told at National Portfolio Twenty-four hours that they essentially have to start over from scratch because their portfolio is headed in the wrong direction. Reviewers will exist candid and direct nearly the quality and type of work that their school is looking for, so don't be discouraged if you go a tough critique. Rather, be glad that you lot got the feedback you lot needed to get yourself headed in the right direction. – Clara Lieu, Rhode Island School of Design, United States

Accept constructive criticism and advice – don't be offended (yous'll need to get used to this if yous desire to go to fine art school!) – Virginia Democracy University, United States

What Should be In a Portfolio? This video from the University of Arts London explains how a skilful portfolio should have a sense of journeying or 'story unfolding'. Information technology is a good video that helps you sympathize which pieces to select. It is a good reminder to evidence a range of artistic skills and techniques and well every bit communicating your personality, interests and a sense of your own experiences.

vii. Organise, photograph and nowadays your art portfolio

Presentation of your portfolio is very important. The organization and arrangement of your portfolio has a direct bear upon upon the mode the work is perceived. A good layout helps to communicate an middle for composition, a professional approach, shows your commitment and desire to attend a university or higher: it leaves a positive, memorable impression. Poorly cared for work that is thrown together in a sloppy, thoughtless layout, or is overly decorative and laboured in presentation, significantly detracts from the quality of the artwork. Admissions staff may spend less than five minutes looking at your portfolio, so first impressions count.

This video most preparing a portfolio past Academy of the Arts London contains some dandy reminders about presenting a portfolio. In particular, they suggest that yous should 'put nada in your portfolio that you can't talk about' and organise information technology so that information technology is easy to navigate. It also explains that while a portfolio should not be crammed full of everything a student has produced, it should not exist over-edited: 'pared downwards and so much that nosotros can't actually see little glimpse of potential'.

Carefully photograph piece of work for digital submissions and any work that is 3-dimensional/sculptural or that exceeds size specifications for hardcopy submissions (run into our guide to photographing art like a pro – coming shortly). Reread portfolio presentation requirements carefully to make sure that you present exactly what is required by the admissions departments of each of the schools that you are applying to (especially size and weight restrictions).

Hither are some general portfolio presentation tips:

a) Select a simple, professional person format that allows your work to be viewed hands.

If a portfolio size isn't specified, cull something that works well for your ain piece of work and that tin can be transported easily. A3, A2 or A1 is usually fine.

From my own experience, I find A3 is the most ideal (both in didactics and across). A3 marks the perfect remainder because you tin can sufficiently display your artwork effectively, while making it easier to transport. – Contempo Britain art school bidder from the StudentRoom.

Choose a flat type of fine art portfolio example or binder that opens and close easily, while protecting piece of work then that it doesn't get creased. (Avert rolling work upward, as it will be hard to go it to lie flat). The portfolio example may be a spine-mounted leather art portfolio (usually found in all expert fine art retailers – see examples on Amazon) or a clear non-cogitating articulate file folder, for instance. It doesn't need to be overly expensive: avoid extravagant folders and choose ane that is elementary, clean and practical.

Although presentation is of import for your portfolio, don't spend loads of time and money buying flashy folders advises Wendy Rochefort, who is studying a foundation degree in Fine Fine art at Cornwall College. "Simple mounts and a tidy finish are fine." – The Contained

Take all sheets securely bound in such a way as to allow all sheets to lie flat when the portfolio is open up. Be able to be easily and safely handled. There should be no exposed metal binders, staples or similar fittings. Sheet metal or other heavy or sharp materials should not exist used for portfolio covers. – School of Architecture, University of Auckland, New Zealand

Choose manifestly, neutral portfolio colours (black, greyness, white etc) and avoid decorated, decorative or patterned presentations (you desire emphasis to remain on your artwork). Similarly, avoid reflective surfaces that hamper vision (for case, glazing paintings or clearfiles with shiny plastic).

Keep the presentation format uncluttered and relevant. Avoid over decorating your portfolio as this can backbite from the content. – University of the Arts London, United Kingdom

b) Gild the work in a logical and aesthetically pleasing way.

Starting time and end with a great slice of work, then that you create a great initial and concluding impression. Space other great work evenly throughout your portfolio (avoiding a clump of weaker work). Think about group similar work together, by medium, subject area or mode – peradventure every bit a series of projects – or chronologically. An assessor must be able to 'sympathize' your portfolio and run into any connections between pieces (for example, show the creative journey betwixt development work/sketchbook pages and last outcomes). Aim to brand information technology appear coherent, rather than a whole lot of scattered, disconnected pieces.

Narrative is an important element to consider when preparing a portfolio. How work is laid out and displayed changes how information technology is read, pregnant the placement of pieces is vital to showing tutors your best ability in the shortest corporeality of time. – The Guardian.

Recollect near the composition of each page – which images are facing each other, whether the colours piece of work well together etc. Consider the relationships between pieces, especially the relationship between sizes, colours and format of work.

Add greater contrast, crop tighter to brand more dramatic compositions. Add a little more intense color. You'd be surprised how much stronger your work tin can look with only a few careful additions. – Karen Kesteloot, a portfolio development coach from PortPrep

c) Avert unnecessary repetition

If you are asked to submit a specific number of images, ensure that each of these is a different piece of work. Where a sure number of sheets are asked for, information technology may be possible to mount smaller works onto a single sheet. If you want to submit different angles of one piece of work, it is usually best to digitally submit these on one sheet, or every bit ane image. Read the guidelines of the particular academy or college you wish to apply to carefully to discover out what is expected.

In that location is no virtue in quantity alone and candidates should non include multiple color variations of prints, for case. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design, Great britain

Do not include item photos of piece of work in your portfolio unless yous consider them absolutely necessary. Under no circumstance should more than than ii detail shots exist included. – Yale School of Art

d) Trim / crop everything in a clean surroundings and adhere to the portfolio (if submitting in hardcopy)

• Brand sure work is thoroughly dry and that pages will not stick together
• Make sure work is secured well, with no loose piece of work falling out when pages are opened
• Utilize fixative to end charcoal, chalk or graphite drawings smudging and ensure that these are non directly facing other artworks in the portfolio. Existing smudges can be erased from drawings using a putty rubber, prior to spraying with fixative.
• Avert fold out flaps, and other irritating formats that may distract or irritate the viewer
• Make sure photographs are focused, complimentary of fingerprints, printed on matt (not-reflective) paper and are large enough to see details clearly
• Don't mountain things with distracting borders (it is not usually necessary to mount or mat your work); faming work is unnecessary. Allow the work stand on its own. A clean, professional and minimal style is commonly ideal, as described above.

e) Presentation of digital work (if submitting online or upon DVD or memory stick)

• If yous wish to include digital material with a hardcopy submission, ensure that the fine art schoolhouse you are applying to is able to view work digital material in particular format (video / CD etc). Check carefully what type of new media presentations they accept and accompany this with a printed hardcopy version (screenshots etc) and a note about the programmes used, in example difficulties ascend.
• Characterization all digital files sensibly, such every bit firstname-lastname-awarding.pdf rather than 4690243fxz.pdf
• Ensure images reflect the true color and appearance of the artwork and are cropped correctly, without unrelated, disctracting background items
• Ensure moving image or video footage is cropped to a sensible length (admissions staff normally have tight time limitations)
• Consider embedding videos upon your ain website, rather than equally a link to youtube / vimeo. This creates a much more than professional backdrop to your application (run across how to create your ain website).
• Equally with concrete submissions, recollect carefully about the organisation and grouping of images.
• Save a record of all digital submissions equally a fill-in!

f) Label work clearly but unobtrusively

• Employ small-scale, clear writing to characterization work in a way that doesn't backbite from the artwork. If labelling guidelines are not given (sometimes a split up sheet containing details of each prototype is required), characterization work in the corner or on the contrary with the title, mediums, dimensions, dates and additional info equally required. Avoid decorative font and excessively large headings.
• Proof for spelling errors and inaccuracies (get someone else to bank check this also). Make sure all links to digital moving images work.

Want more than help with applying to Art school?

This commodity is accompanied by our Guide to the Art school interview (coming shortly) – packed with advice from those who take recently practical. To brand sure that you don't miss out on this article, please make sure that yous are subscribed to our newsletter using the sign upwardly form below!

Amiria has been an Fine art & Design teacher and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the course design and assessment of student piece of work in 2 high-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Bachelor of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Architecture (First Course Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Didactics. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Fine art & Pattern Coursework Assessor.

Share this post