Portfolio Advice

Requirements

  • First-year students: typically 12 pieces of original art
  • Transfer students: 15 pieces of original art
  • Any materials, any media, any purposes

Submit your portfolio via SlideRoom

Tips

  • SlideRoom will not permit more or less than the required number of pieces: 12 for first-years, 15 for transfers
  • The two most important qualities we look for in any portfolio piece are evidence of patience and evidence of confidence; any aspects of any artwork that can demonstrate these two essentials is considered positive
  • We do not require any observational drawings in a portfolio (meaning drawings done from life), but they are great to see; if you have them, consider them seriously as portfolio pieces. They tend to require patience, they tend to require confidence and they tend to be done under tutelage. If you do not have them, don’t fret! There are many other ways of making art that demonstrate patience and confidence.
  • Just because a piece was a school assignment does not mean it isn't portfolio-worthy. If anything it shows us that you've taken dedicated studio art classes.
  • We want to see your own creative voice. Copying another artist’s work, character drawing or merely following a template design or tutorial’s recipe is not advised. You can be inspired by another artist or designer, but merely copying does not fully demonstrate your abilities and/or thinking.
  • For three-dimensional work assemble two or three smaller images onto a single JPEG. This will give a more comprehensive understanding of the sculptural piece without ‘padding’ the portfolio.
  • If you photograph your work please make sure that it is well lit, in focus, and is cropped to feature just your work. Keep background neutral and no background clutter.
  • Make sure to use the capacity of SlideRoom to provide us with information about your work: the title (if there is one); the date completed; the size; the materials; technology; and if a piece was a school assignment, please give us an idea of that assignment's purpose and specifications. 
  • Consider your portfolio as a whole and a work of original art in its own right; no matter what kind advice friends, family and teachers might give you, it is critical to make your own choices of what to include or omit and to stand behind your decisions.