How to Take Video Documentation of Your Art Installation

Concluding Updated on May 27, 2021

What should be in an art school application portfolio? How exercise you present a portfolio? What gives you the best take a chance of being accepted past the art school of your dreams? This article explains how to brand an art portfolio for college or university and is packed with tips from leading art and pattern school admissions staff from around the world. It is written for those who are in the process of creating an application portfolio for a foundation class, certificate, associate or undergraduate caste and contains advice for specific art-related areas, such as Compages, Fine Fine art, Graphic Blueprint, Illustration, Interior Design, Blitheness, Game Pattern, Film and other creative, visual art-based courses. Information technology 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 around the world, creating a 9,000 word certificate that helps guide y'all through the application process.

What is an art schoolhouse application portfolio?

In add-on to coming together academic requirements, Art and Blueprint Schools, Universities and Colleges typically require a practical art portfolio as office of the awarding process (this is often accompanied by a personal argument and/or an art school interview – more on this soon). So whatis this?

The University 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 period of time. It demonstrates your creativity, personality, abilities and commitment, and helps us to evaluate your potential.

Merely as every art student is different (with individual 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 tin leave students uncertain about how to proceed. Even when criteria is clear, applicants may experience overwhelmed and wonder what to draw/paint/brand/create, which mediums to use and how to all-time select and present their work.

Producing an fine art portfolio is not to be taken lightly. Top art schools often accept very small percentages of applicants. Understanding how to produce a great portfolio is crucial. Although it is incommunicable to generate a list of criteria that are advisable for all applicants in every circumstance (there is unfortunately no guaranteed magic formula for creating a winning fine art portfolio) this article highlights tips from experienced admissions staff and makes general recommendations to help y'all produce the all-time academy or art college awarding possible.

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

one. Enquiry carefully and record the art portfolio requirements for a number of courses that interest you lot

Deciding which art or design school is for you is a big decision (our upcoming article 'how to find the all-time fine art school in the world' will assistance with this). While you consider your options, it is advisable to apply to a number of dissimilar schools, in case y'all are not accepted into your starting time choice. There is no shame in applying to college or university and not getting in (many highly successful individuals are not accustomed into their university of first choice); just existence left with no identify to become because y'all didn't apply to plenty schools is an easily avoidable circumstance!

Create a list of fine art or pattern schools that you would exist prepared to nourish and find their admissions criteria (you 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 unlike. Record the exact admissions requirements carefully, well in advance, equally deadlines can exist earlier than you expect and portfolios take a long time to prepare. Print these out, highlight key data and keep on-manus, so that you tin refer to them as needed throughout the application procedure.

In particular, go on conscientious records of:

• Open Day times

• Application and Portfolio due date/s. If you are currently studying Art at loftier schoolhouse, check how the portfolio due dates compare to your ain coursework deadlines and exam timetable. In some cases there may be problems with work needing to be in two places at one (i.due east. submitted for assessment at high school and delivered to an fine art school in hardcopy at the same time). This occurs particularly for students studying international qualifications or applying to art schools in different countries, so you need to set for this in accelerate. 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, evolution and procedure piece of work are also welcome (some schools require but finished pieces, peculiarly in the Us; others dearest to meet development work likewise).

• Whether submissions are digital, hardcopy reproductions or original artwork. If copies of work must be sent in, discover out whether these should be colour photocopies, slides or photographs etc. Notice out whether there are specific criteria for time based media (animation/moving image/video/interactive website blueprint and so on).

• Labelling and presentation requirements. Many fine art schools have precise portfolio presentation requirements, with piece of work labelled or identified in certain formats, with details near titles, dates and materials used, for example. Digital portfolio submission may use online tools such as SlideRoom.

• Whether there are special requirements for international or out-of-state applicants. If you are applying from another location, at that place may be special awarding criteria for y'all. For example, some colleges may accept international portfolios via electronic mail, instead of delivered in person.

• Whether supplementary cloth is needed, for case, a personal statement or written essay (more than on this soon). Art schools typically have bookish requirements set by the academy or college every bit a whole, which may require a split up application class and a different deadline. You may too exist asked to submit images of work or objects that have influenced your piece of work or instructor recommendations, testimonials or reports (only include these if specifically requested).

• Requirements about what to depict / include. Many art and design schools leave applicants complimentary to select what to include inside their portfolio. Unless specifically stated, the portfolio should contain primarily visual artwork, not art history assignments, artist analysis or extensive annotation. You may have to submit a combination of personal artwork, work produced in loftier school classes and/or 'home tests', exams or assignments set by the art school you are applying to. In the RISD application portfolio, for example, applicants must answer to three set assignments, such as 'notice and depict a wheel, or an interior infinite'. Some stunning RISD bicycle drawings completed as part of this awarding portfolio process are shown beneath:

Enlarged images are by Triye (centre left), Anetta Urmey (heart correct), Boyung yeon Kim (bottom left) and Seraph (bottom correct). Meridian photograph past Mikey Todd:

These drawings are completed entirely in graphite pencil or charcoal on white paper and may be realistic or abstruse. They may be derived from the whole or part of the bicycle, arranged alone or with whatsoever other object/south or scene. These examples show the heady level of skill and creativity demonstrated by students applying to the Rhode Isle School of Design.

As another example, Parsons the New Schoolhouse for Blueprint asks applicants to submit a portfolio every bit well equally the 'Parsons Claiming'. In the by, this claiming has included instructions such as:

Using whatever medium or media, explore something unremarkably overlooked within your daily environs. Choose i object, location, or activity. Translate your discovery in three original pieces. Back up each piece of fine art with an essay of approximately 250 words.

In one case you have collected the requirements for the particular degrees you are interested in, the next step is to seek out existing portfolio examples.

two. Look at recent student art portfolio examples to proceeds a visual agreement of what is expected

Seeing examples of existent portfolios is ane of the all-time means to sympathise the standard you are aiming for (and to gain your own art portfolio ideas). Many university and college art portfolio examples can exist found online or in campus libraries (some art schools retain hardcopy examples to help students the following year – these can be invaluable) and a large 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 assistance to show how submissions for detail specialisations or degrees might differ from 1 some other.

If you feel daunted looking at other portfolios, it is worth stressing that is ordinarily the best candidates who display their piece of work (this is indeed the case within this article). Do non despair if your technical skill is non as strong every bit the work y'all see: remember art portfolios are assessed upon a wide range of criteria (more on this below). If you have a great academic background, innovative ideas and a passion for the subject area, you tin can trump someone with technical skill who is defective in inventiveness and personal drive. You might be surprised to realise how many famous artists do not accept flawless observational cartoon skill. Showcase your strengths and dorsum yourself.

A portfolio for fine art school by Grace Camille Lee:

These are some of the images that were submitted in Grace's application portfolio. Nearly of these pieces are personal artwork; others were completed as role of a Foundation course (this is a one yr grade that many United kingdom students take prior to starting university. A Foundation course can exist an excellent way to prepare an art higher portfolio and is a common path to art schoolhouse for students in the Great britain). Grace was offered a place at Kingston, Brighton and Goldsmiths – art schools in the UK.

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

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

A Kingston University awarding by William Govoni:

This portfolio shows testify of strong observational cartoon skill and competence in a range of different mediums. The inclusion of design drawings makes information technology 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 Art portfolio examples shown on the Academy of Auckland website. This portfolio comprises of work that Kirsty completed in high school.

A Kingston University awarding by Lily Grant:

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

3. Attend Open Days

Open days are the ideal time to find out whether an art school is the right place for you (read more nigh this in how to find the best art school in the world – coming soon). Open days are as well a smashing opportunity to find out more most the admissions process and what is expected by a school in terms of awarding portfolios. (As mentioned above, some art schools accept past portfolios on display at the school permanently – in the campus library, for example).

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

This is the nearly important section of this article, because information technology is the area where people are most dislocated. All over the internet applicants beg to know: 'what should I include in a higher fine art portfolio?' The answer is this: include a range of recent visual work (completed within the final year or ii) that all-time communicates your creative skills and experiences, artistic ideas/originality and passion/commitment.

The detailed recommendations below explain this further:

a) Emphasise observational cartoon

Most art and design courses require applicants to take a certain level of observational drawing skill. This is essential not merely for Fine Art specialities, merely for many others, such equally Architecture and Fashion Design. Even degrees that do non seem to obviously focus upon drawing normally welcome the inclusion of this inside an awarding portfolio. For instance, Ringling College of Art and Design states:

For majors without as much drawing involved, the submission of drawing in your portfolio is always welcome but 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 fatigued from a photograph) – read more about how to produce great observational drawings. Information technology can be produced using any medium or combination of mediums such equally graphite pencil, charcoal, pen, ink and/or paint. For the majority of applicants, it is highly advantageous to demonstrate the ability to observe something in real life and depict it accurately. It is recommended that observational cartoon (or painting) from first-hand sources form a substantial part of your portfolio.

The aim is that you lot:

• Prove to admissions staff that you are able to competently record shape, proportion, tone, perspective, surface qualities, detail, space and form

• Draw in a personal, sensitive way, rather than in a mechanical mode (i.e. not a laborious copy of a photograph – 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, only in a way that likewise capture an essence of the discipline, rather than an exact, rigid re-create of a scene. It can assistance to think near ideas and meanings behind a drawing – selecting a subject that holds meaning or relevance for you, rather than only 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 higher portfolio like this:

Create original work from direct ascertainment. This is hands down the number one, absolutely essential thing to practice that many students fail to practise. But doing this i directive volition put you light years alee of other students.

Accomplished drawings are higher up all else, the heart of a successful portfolio when applying at the undergraduate level. You might be a wizard in digital media, but none of that will matter if y'all have poor drawings.

Szivesen, a portfolio reviewer, explains:

About schools emphasize drawing from direct observation equally their primary ground for the portfolio, no matter what aspect of fine art you want to study. That'southward because basic drawing skills are fundamental and because cartoon is a little more than likely to be a uniform measure than other areas of art and pattern.

Examples of observational drawings from a university Foundation form application portfolio by Sinead Kirby:

People often assume that observational drawings must be meticulous and precise. This is non the instance. These sketchbook pages show fluid, gestural, expressive observational drawings, which immediately capture a sense of motion and architectural infinite.

Information technology is worth remembering that you don't need to attend a formal life cartoon class to complete observational effigy drawing (although attending such a form can be an excellent experience for artists and art students and is highly recommended if available). The drawings beneath past Curelea Loana Andreea (office of a university Foundation form awarding) show captivating examples of observational figure drawings that could take place in a home or classroom setting:

Sometimes admissions staff even report tiring of the standard 'life drawing' and that the freshness and originality of drawings like those above can be more interesting.

Observational portraits in a university Foundation portfolio by Emma Hooper:

It is important to call back also that observational cartoon skill is often evident throughout your portfolio – even in works that are 'non-representational' and/or more artistic and interpretative. In the works to a higher place, for example, we can see beautiful observation of human grade and attending to the manner light hits a face.

b) Explore a range of subject field matter – make art well-nigh (and of) lots of interesting things
If you lot are wondering what you should describe: the possibilities are limitless. You may, for example, draw a landscape, however life, portrait, beast, human effigy, interior or exterior environment, hands and feet, or whatsoever other interesting everyday object – focusing, perhaps, on subject matter that is relevant for your degree (see more about tailoring your application to your detail focus surface area beneath) and, more chiefly, subject thing that has some meaning and relevance to y'all. You should try and avoid common or cliché approaches and include a range of dissimilar interesting objects and scenes – and practise not exactly replicate the piece of work of another artist.

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

…if yous're non sure what to describe, draw the things in your room. Draw your easily, draw your feet, draw your dog. That's perfectly fine. Try not to get into any clichés or any traps of drawing nevertheless thing. Nosotros don't want to come across a sketchbook total of horses. We don't desire to see a sketchbook full of just cartoons or anime. Show that you lot are looking at real life; that you're looking at different subject matter…

In Ringling College of Fine art and Design's Game Art & Blueprint portfolio requirements, they land:

Delight do not copy directly from another creative person, or include such things as anime, tattoo designs, dragons, unicorns, etc.

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

Do not re-create your work from photographs or other sources. This means no fan art, no anime, no manga, naught from another artist's work. Admissions officers have seen hundreds, probably thousands of images from pupil portfolios. They are well trained to chop-chop spot artworks that take been copied from photographs or that have been lifted from other resources.

It is never, ever practiced to have fan art in any portfolio. By fan art, I mean drawings of celebrities and other characters that are not your own. That's basically the kiss of expiry, and will immediately cause people to see you as nothing more than than a hobbyist.

If yous are stuck for observational drawing 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 plan), Soojin Lee (crumpled apparel, top right), accepted into Parsons Fashion Design program with a 4 yr scholarship, Insuk Kang (shelving scene, upper center), accepted into Parsons Fashion Blueprint with a 4 twelvemonth scholarship, Kalene Lee (bottom left) accepted into Pratt, Industrial Design, with a 4 twelvemonth scholarship and Jiwon Hwang (bottom right), Parson's Fashion Design with a 4 year scholarship:

Observational drawings completed as part of art school awarding portfolios.

For more than tips about what to draw, read how to come up up with great ideas for an art project.

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

Your fine art portfolio should prove a diverse range of skill and visual experiences. Demonstrate that you are able to utilize and experiment with a range of styles, mediums and techniques and tin control, apply and manipulate mediums in a skillful, appropriate and intentional way. Someone who is able to create acrylic paintings, sculptures, prints and pencil drawings, for example, is infinitely more than flexible than someone who is simply able to sketch only with a pencil. The quondam applicant demonstrates growth, diversity and a breadth of skill, also as an interest in learning new things. The latter may exist a '1 play a trick on pony'.

Recommendations:

• Choose a range of mediums that highlight your creative strengths. Use wet and dry mediums (graphite, charcoal, ink, pastel, acrylic, watercolour, oil, ceramics, film etc and other mixed mediums) and pigment / describe upon a range of different surfaces (encounter here for great ideas about things to describe or pigment on if you are looking for new ideas), but don't include weaker work, only for the sake of covering a greater range of mediums.

• Explore a range of appropriate styles. Cull artistic styles that showcase your skill, interests and strengths. Don't try and judge what the academy of fine art school would adopt (despite common misconceptions, they rarely favour ane style of fine art-making more than another); choose those that marshal with your strengths.

• Experiment with a diversity of tools, techniques, processes and art forms. Unless otherwise specified, an application portfolio may include drawings, paintings, photography, digital media, blueprint, iii-dimensional work, web design, blitheness, video and about any other type of artwork. This does not mean yous should effort to include every unlike technique or art form possible (this would create a scattered and incohesive portfolio) simply that y'all demonstrate that yous are willing to experiment and effort new art-making experiences, focusing on areas that interest you and highlight your strengths.

A portfolio by Kisa Sky Shiga, completed as part of a portfolio preparation course at Ashcan Studio of Art:

A broad range of mediums are shown in these three works by Kisa Sky Shiga, whose portfolio was accustomed by RISD (Apparel Design, 4 year Scholarship), Parsons (Mode Pattern, iv twelvemonth Scholarship), Pratt (Style Design, 4 year scholarship) and FIT: Fashion Establish of Technology (Fashion Pattern).

Printmaking in a university Foundation awarding by Henry Richardson:

In add-on to a range of expressive drawings and paintings, Henry's portfolio is supplemented with dry point printmaking – providing prove of a wide range of skills and a commitment to exploring unlike techniques.

A university Foundation application portfolio by Aqsa Iftikhar:

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

A university Foundation application portfolio by Ayse Kipri:

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

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

All work – even observational drawings – should show that y'all understand 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 centre of a page unless this is an intentional, considered decision (run across our Art student'south composition guide (coming presently) which explains more about how the formal visual organisation of artwork. Remember about the shadows, spaces and surfaces in and around objects. Call back advisedly almost cropping of images and positions of items inside each work.

• Select and use appropriate colours, making certain that if multiple works are arranged on one folio, the colours work well together besides (more on this in the portfolio presentation department below)

• Make sure the proportions and spatial relationships between dissimilar elements in graphic designs (such as text, images and space) are advisedly considered

f) Include process / evolution work if permitted

Some art schools – peculiarly in the The states – crave that every piece in your awarding be a finished, realised work. Others – particularly those in the UK and NZ – love to see procedure, development or sketchbook work. If an fine art or design school specifically states that this material is permitted, this is an first-class opportunity to flaunt your skills, commitment and depth of cognition. The research and processes undertaken to develop your piece of work are frequently as important as the final work itself and allow the selection panel to empathize your piece of work in context and come across how it has been initiated and developed. Process and evolution work helps colleges and universities to understand how y'all recall (the ideas and meanings behind pieces, for instance) and run into that you lot are able to take an idea from concept and develop it through to a final resolution. It provides evidence that yous are able to analyse / experiment / explore and trial different outcomes and make audio critical judgments.

We want to see how yous generate and develop ideas from your visual research. It is important that we see how they progress from the starting point right through to the conclusion of your ideas / project. – Grays Schoolhouse of Art, Scotland.

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

Development work might include sketchbook or workbook pages that show:

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

• Investigations into mediums, materials and techniques and technologies

• Development of concepts, compositions or details

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

• Evidence of links to the historical, contemporary and/or social context in which works have been made – i.east. connections to artists and real world problems

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

A university Foundation application by Lola:

The sketchbook pages in this portfolio show the evolution process backside the finished portrait bottom correct, making information technology clear that the project has original first-manus sources and a strong personal connection.

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

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

A university Foundation application portfolio by Violet Volchok, who was offered a place on courses at Kingston and Ravensbourne, United Kingdom:

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

This video contains a skillful overview of what a portfolio might contain, particularly for universities that request process / evolution work:

For more tips well-nigh producing great process work, you lot might find it helpful to read our guide to producing an outstanding loftier school fine art sketchbook or how to develop ideas in an art project.

Note: If development work is not permitted equally part of the portfolio itself, it is usually advisable to bring this to the interview.

thou) Communicate artistic ideas: be original

It is important to recollect that creative skill must be accompanied by creativity, original ideas and some form of visual curiosity. In other words, technical skill is no use if you lot 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 certain level is necessary – applicants to colleges and universities and fine art schools should non aim to be glorified 'photocopiers', but rather the creators of exciting, unexpected visual outcomes. To reach this within your portfolio, it may help to:

• Be experimental – try dissimilar things and push button techniques, materials and technology in innovative and unexpected means

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

• Exist yourself – reveal your personality and interests. Never submit fine art that is an imitation of someone else's. Aim for artwork that is new, fresh and nearly something that matters to you. Don't replicate whatsoever of the portfolios you see on this page or elsewhere. Your portfolio should be private to you. Let your portfolio reverberate your strengths, interests and experiences and correspond who y'all are.

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

…[A good portfolio] demonstrates how y'all tin think in innovative and contrasting ways, and shows originality, creativity and commitment to being artistic. – Massey University, New Zealand

… stand out from the crowd by pushing the boundaries of a prescribed curriculum, personalising a theme or projection to demonstrate their invention and inventiveness. Work that reflects an applicant's own enthusiasms, thought processes and ideas is always of interest to the selectors. – Academy of Dundee, Scotland

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

A portfolio consignment by Amelia Eaton:

This is an instance of a successful double-sided drawing project completed for RISD (Rhode Island School of Design). Communicating confident observational drawing skills and bold, well-balanced color, ideas nearly meat are communicated in a clear and captivating mode. Amelia was accepted by RISD.

A Fine art portfolio past Karen Park, completed during a course at Ashcan Studio of Art:

These two works from Karen's art school portfolio combine both technical skill with creative, innovative visual ideas. Karen was awarded a Total 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 loftier 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 exceptional technical skill, this helps to create an unforgettable portfolio that stands out from the oversupply.

A Fashion Design portfolio past Halim Ki, completed during a course at Ashcan Studio of Art:

This is some other example of captivating, exciting portfolio that communicates clever, surrealist ideas. Halim was accepted into Parsons – Manner Design.

Some great tips are contained in this video past the University of the Arts London about the importance of ideas, enthusiasm and inventiveness – providing some excellent thoughts, especially for those who might not take gained a stiff Art educational activity at high school:

h) Communicate passion, commitment and enthusiasm

Universities desire people who will represent their schoolhouse well – who will go on to practice great things that will reflect positively upon their place of report. They want passionate, keen students who will cope with the workload and who intend to actually go on and make apply of their degree. This means that you must convey a sense of passion, commitment and enthusiasm within the portfolio (as well as during the interview – more on the art school interview presently). To exercise this, y'all tin can:

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

• Include some personal, independent, cocky-directed 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 e'er expect for piece of work that goes across the mere fulfilment of School curricula. We search for highly motivated action, over and to a higher place any projection-based work, and for a breadth of engagement, a sense of purpose and a strength of opinion in the style the portfolio is edited. Important for united states is to be able to discovering a sense of the temperament laying behind the work, and sense the deeper interests that inform the portfolio. Nosotros are non interested in finding a particular formula or a specific style, but in signs of energy, ambition, disquisitional reflection and inventiveness. – Ruskin School of Art, United Kingdom

Personal art is the work washed exterior of a classroom situation and reflects the artists' unique interests in use of materials, subject matter and concept. Work tin be completed in any media including (merely not limited to) drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, digital/computer art, motion-picture show/video, ceramics, sculpture, animation and performance art. – Kavin Buck, School of Arts and Compages at the University of California Los Angeles, U.s.a.

Involvement in art must be more than than casual. – Tom Lightfoot, Rochester Institute of Technology, Us

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

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

Ultimately, it'southward all about passion and ideas, and and then if you lot include the kinds of things that yous're nearly excited about, that you're most proud of, so chances are your portfolio submission will brand a strong impression. – Ringling College of Art and Blueprint, United States

i) Tailor your application to adapt your degree

Portfolio guidelines for dissimilar areas of Fine art and Pattern are often similar, but information technology tin exist wise to modify your portfolio so that it is appropriate for the degree yous are applying for. Rather than creating a completely different gear up of images for each specialisation or major, however, a submission can be tweaked slightly, so that it showcases relevant strengths and an interest in the area you are applying for (for case, submitting observational drawings of city scenes or building interiors for an architecture application etc (although this is not necessary – more on architecture portfolios below).

As an case, digital based degrees may like to see evidence of technological awareness and capability and the power 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 about the sort of material that maybe helpful for specific areas, in addition to the items discussed above, such as observational drawing. As with all recommendations in this commodity, you should refer to the academy or college yous are applying to for precise requirements.

Graphic Blueprint Portfolios:

• Graphic design print work or web graphics
• Font pattern or use of typography
• Graphic illustrations
• Video graphics
• Interactive web media and whatever other related projects

A academy Foundation awarding portfolio by Jacob Wise:

This portfolio shows an obvious strength in graphic design. Along with prove of strong observational drawing skill, the piece of work is supplemented past original posters that show a practiced understanding of limerick – with competent system of line, color, space, text and form. "The Bauhaus movement, Russian constructivism and the Swiss international graphic style are a source of massive inspiration for my work with the utilization of precipitous edges, bold shape, colour and precision".

Architecture Portfolios:

• Many students presume that an architecture awarding portfolio must exist filled with drawings of buildings or architectural designs. This is virtually always nonthe case (every bit with all other recommendations made in this commodity, y'all should check the requirements of the particular course yous are applying for). Admissions staff typically wish to see show of creativity with a range of media and strong observational cartoon skill (as described in the first function of this commodity), including the ability to represent space, perspective and 3D class. This tin be accomplished through exploration of completely unrelated field of study thing, such every bit still life, landscapes and human being form. If you have a choice, however, drawing buildings, manmade structures, interior/exterior spaces, article of furniture and/or mechanical parts and so on, may help to demonstrate an interest in architectural blueprint.
• Architecture schools usually do Not require formal technical drawings (instrumental or reckoner generated plans / orthographic projections etc) and if these are accustomed every bit part of the application portfolio, they are often limited in quantity, so that you include a sufficient range of mitt-generated work. You are notexpected to sympathise how to design a building – this is what you lot learn upon the course.
• Three-dimensional sculptures, installations, casts and/or model constructions tin exist smashing to include, as these communicate spatial awareness and an involvement in working with 3D course. These might include conceptual models fabricated from cardboard, paper, wire, wood and other establish 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 notfilled with Design Technology piece of work, preferring to see work that has been produced as part of high school Fine art courses. (Although some high schoolhouse Design Technology courses provide first-class preparation for architectural degrees, Art courses typically offer a stronger grounding in observational cartoon and composition).

Examples of observational drawings submitted as part of an awarding to the Academy of Auckland, Schoolhouse 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 application portfolio past Irence Grand, completed while studying at Ashcan Studio of Art:

Irence was awarded a 4 year scholarship and was accepted into RISD Architecture. These works communicate a clear involvement in three-dimensional space and architectural course.

An compages portfolio instance by Ken Liang, completed under the guidance of Evangelos Limpantoudis from the Architecture School Review who helps students gain admission to meridian architecture schools from effectually the world:

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

Style Design Portfolios

• Figure drawings – for example drawings of habiliment on models
• Documentation of original sewing, textiles or mode design projects

Function of a Kingston Academy Fine art Foundation application portfolio by Annabelle Holden:

Studying Art History, Textiles and Photography at high school helped Annabelle prepare a great portfolio, including piece of work from a textiles project where she reinvented vintage items.

A Fashion Design portfolio by Jinsoo Choi, prepared during a class at Ashcan Studio of Art:

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

Game Fine art Portfolios:

• Storyboards
• Original character designs

Production Design Portfolios:

• Subjects like product blueprint ofttimes require strong practical, analytical and communication skills, likewise as the technical and conceptual ideas and self-motivation required by other art-related degrees. This means that evidence of working with materials and in both second and 3D can exist beneficial.

Film School Portfolios:
Filmmaking may combine many unlike 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 equally 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 wink drives or as URL links to YouTube, Vimeo or embedded on a personal website or weblog (see why Art students should take their ain website and how to make one)
• Fashion, costume or set design
• Storyboards
• Website design and multimedia work
• Evidence of involvement in theatre or performing arts
• Screenplays and creative writing may likewise exist advisable

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

In one case you take planned what you lot volition include in your portfolio, you should set up bated a menstruation of time to produce this. If you have not taken high school Art classes, preparing a page volition have a lot of piece of work – about half dozen months to complete a portfolio from scratch (think it is ideal to create more work than is needed, so that yous can carefully edit and remove the weaker pieces). Run into if your high school Art teacher tin can help (even if you don't take Art). An experienced instructor will often have a long history of helping / observing students utilize and may accept a good knowledge of what helped successful candidates in the by. If your own art teacher is not experienced with helping students apply to university – or yous feel you need more aid preparing your portfolio – find out if in that location are local courses or workshops that address how to make a portfolio for fine art schoolhouse. Portfolio preparation classes are often run past the universities / colleges themselves. These may be relatively inexpensive weekend workshops or exist yearlong, such as Foundation or Art portfolio courses. Making a portfolio tin feel less daunting when you lot produce piece of work with a form of others and seeing others produce work tin can exist motivating and inspirational.

Y'all will likely have to use a considerable portion of your holiday and holiday fourth dimension to create work or meliorate existing pieces – every bit well as generate personal work outside of your curriculum or complete 'dwelling house tests' or assignments if required.

The most important detail of preparing your portfolio for college admissions is to recall to give yourself plenty of time and have fun with information technology. It is nigh impossible to create quality piece of work if y'all are nervous and under a fourth dimension constraint. Don't wait until the final minute, and make enough work so yous can edit together the best portfolio for each school you programme to apply to. – Kavin Cadet, School of Arts and Architecture at the University of California Los Angeles, United States

When it says put together a portfolio of 12 pieces, it doesn't necessarily mean just make 12 pieces. It'south easier to merely brand, make and brand and then narrow it downwards to 12 pieces. Not only volition you take more to choose from, an admissions counselor during a portfolio review can assistance you lot decide what to submit for a final awarding. And then don't limit yourself, merely create! Katie, Admissions Counsellor, Parsons, United States

A Academy Foundation application portfolio by Nina Cavaviuti:

This quote from Nina illustrates the claiming in preparing a portfolio exterior of an Art class: "I have had to set a portfolio effectually a fulltime degree course and a weekend chore. Not being in a school surroundings where you are constantly supervised has meant I accept had to piece of work independently, I have learnt to take reward of my surroundings and to employ time effectively, such equally using daily travel as an opportunity to create observational drawings and attending regular life drawing classes to better my technical cartoon skills."

half dozen. Select and Review Work

Once y'all have completed a significant body of work, seek feedback and modify / better / redo pieces. Don't leave this until the terminal infinitesimal, because you will run out of time if changes are needed. Build in cogitating fourth dimension – time to set it aside and come back to it with fresh eyes.

This excellent video by Paul Stanford, Head of Department of the Foundation Class in Art and Pattern at Kingston University, shows the evaluation of an average student portfolio to be offered a identify. It highlights the importance of editing a portfolio advisedly and eliminating weaker work, as well every bit ending a portfolio well, then that the concluding impression is a good one.

Towards the middle of the portfolio, Paul begins to notice technical deficiencies – 'a fleck of a boring drawing, you might say' – 'it's not a great life drawing, is it?' – a reminder that students should simply submit work that plays to their strengths. The student'due south skill set up as a whole and estimated potential is evaluated, with observational drawing skill only one part of this equation.

Nearly people become also close to their own piece of work and cannot see it considerately. Bring an unbiased person (not friends or family) to assist with your final portfolio choice, ideally someone who has a background in art or design. When selecting piece of work, aim for quality over quantity, avoid repetition and include variety of field of study affair, skill and medium.

Read the school'southward suggestions for portfolio submission carefully. Well-nigh will say "10 to 20 pieces" and I can tell y'all that more than is often non better. If you have ten really strong works to submit, and then the quality level noticeably drops, improve to show ten uniformly good works than a whole range. – Anonymous reply on Yahoo

Be selective. …don't submit work that you are not proud of just for the sake of having variety. – Virginia Commonwealth University

Select projects that evidence a range of media and bailiwick matter, while withal emphasizing your strongest work. – Carnegie Mellon University

It's good to outset with lots of piece of work and then be super selective with what you put in the portfolio… – Charlotte Cook

Some institutions offering the opportunity to have your portfolio reviewed earlier 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 Usa 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 offset choice.

At this event, brace yourself for harsh words. It's not uncommon for students to be told at National Portfolio Mean solar day that they essentially accept to start over from scratch because their portfolio is headed in the wrong management. Reviewers will be aboveboard and direct nigh the quality and blazon of work that their schoolhouse is looking for, so don't be discouraged if you go a tough critique. Rather, exist glad that yous got the feedback you needed to go yourself headed in the correct direction. – Clara Lieu, Rhode Island School of Design, U.s.

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

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

7. Organise, photograph and present your art portfolio

Presentation of your portfolio is very important. The organisation and arrangement of your portfolio has a direct impact upon the way the work is perceived. A good layout helps to communicate an eye for composition, a professional person 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 get-go impressions count.

This video about preparing a portfolio past University of the Arts London contains some not bad reminders about presenting a portfolio. In particular, they suggest that y'all should 'put cypher in your portfolio that you lot can't talk virtually' and organise information technology so that it is piece of cake to navigate. It likewise explains that while a portfolio should not be crammed full of everything a student has produced, it should not exist over-edited: 'pared down and so much that nosotros can't actually see lilliputian glimpse of potential'.

Carefully photograph work for digital submissions and any work that is three-dimensional/sculptural or that exceeds size specifications for hardcopy submissions (see our guide to photographing art like a pro – coming soon). Reread portfolio presentation requirements carefully to make sure that you nowadays 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 uncomplicated, professional format that allows your work to exist viewed easily.

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

From my own experience, I notice A3 is the most platonic (both in education and beyond). A3 marks the perfect balance because you can sufficiently display your artwork effectively, while making information technology easier to ship. – Recent UK art schoolhouse applicant from the StudentRoom.

Choose a apartment blazon of art portfolio case or folder that opens and close easily, while protecting piece of work so that it doesn't go creased. (Avert rolling work upwards, as it will exist difficult to become it to lie flat). The portfolio example may be a spine-mounted leather art portfolio (normally found in all good art retailers – meet examples on Amazon) or a clear non-reflective articulate file folder, for example. It doesn't need to be overly expensive: avoid improvident folders and choose ane that is simple, make clean and applied.

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

Have all sheets securely leap in such a way as to let all sheets to lie flat when the portfolio is open. Exist able to be easily and safely handled. There should be no exposed metal binders, staples or similar fittings. Canvas metal or other heavy or sharp materials should not be used for portfolio covers. – School of Compages, University of Auckland, New Zealand

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

Go along the presentation format uncluttered and relevant. Avoid over decorating your portfolio as this can detract from the content. – University of the Arts London, Uk

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

Start and end with a great piece of work, so that you create a nifty initial and final impression. Space other great work evenly throughout your portfolio (avoiding a clump of weaker work). Remember about grouping like piece of work together, by medium, discipline or style – possibly equally a series of projects – or chronologically. An assessor must be able to 'understand' your portfolio and see any connections between pieces (for example, show the creative journeying between development work/sketchbook pages and final outcomes). Aim to make it appear coherent, rather than a whole lot of scattered, disconnected pieces.

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

Think about the composition of each folio – which images are facing each other, whether the colours work well together etc. Consider the relationships between pieces, especially the relationship between sizes, colours and format of work.

Add greater contrast, ingather tighter to make more than dramatic compositions. Add a footling more intense color. You'd be surprised how much stronger your work tin look with merely a few conscientious additions. – Karen Kesteloot, a portfolio development charabanc from PortPrep

c) Avoid unnecessary repetition

If you are asked to submit a specific number of images, ensure that each of these is a unlike piece of piece of work. Where a certain number of sheets are asked for, it may be possible to mount smaller works onto a unmarried sheet. If you want to submit unlike angles of one piece of work, information technology is unremarkably best to digitally submit these on 1 sheet, or equally one paradigm. Read the guidelines of the particular university or college yous wish to apply to carefully to find out what is expected.

There is no virtue in quantity solitary and candidates should not include multiple colour variations of prints, for case. Duncan of Jordanstone College of Fine art and Design, United Kingdom

Exercise non include detail photos of piece of work in your portfolio unless you consider them absolutely necessary. Under no circumstance should more than two item shots be included. – Yale School of Art

d) Trim / ingather everything in a clean environment and attach to the portfolio (if submitting in hardcopy)

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

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

• If you wish to include digital material with a hardcopy submission, ensure that the fine art school you are applying to is able to view work digital material in detail format (video / CD etc). Check carefully what type of new media presentations they have and accompany this with a printed hardcopy version (screenshots etc) and a note about the programmes used, in case difficulties ascend.
• Label all digital files sensibly, such as firstname-lastname-awarding.pdf rather than 4690243fxz.pdf
• Ensure images reflect the true colour 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 own website, rather than as a link to youtube / vimeo. This creates a much more professional properties to your application (see how to create your own website).
• Equally with physical submissions, think carefully well-nigh the organization and grouping of images.
• Salve a record of all digital submissions as a fill-in!

f) Characterization work clearly just unobtrusively

• Use small, articulate writing to label piece of work in a fashion that doesn't detract from the artwork. If labelling guidelines are not given (sometimes a separate sheet containing details of each paradigm is required), label work in the corner or on the reverse with the championship, mediums, dimensions, dates and additional info as required. Avoid decorative font and excessively large headings.
• Proof for spelling errors and inaccuracies (get someone else to cheque this too). Make sure all links to digital moving images work.

Want more help with applying to Art school?

This article is accompanied past our Guide to the Fine art school interview (coming presently) – packed with advice from those who have recently applied. To make certain that you don't miss out on this article, delight brand certain that you are subscribed to our newsletter using the sign up grade below!

Amiria has been an Art & Pattern instructor and a Curriculum Co-ordinator for seven years, responsible for the grade design and cess of student work in ii loftier-achieving Auckland schools. She has a Available of Architectural Studies, Bachelor of Compages (First Class Honours) and a Graduate Diploma of Teaching. Amiria is a CIE Accredited Art & Design Coursework Assessor.

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Source: https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/how-to-make-an-art-portfolio-for-college-or-university