PORTFOLIO FOR POST-SECONDARY
(This video focuses on American Universities, but most of the key points are the same in Canadian Institutions)
Applying for College, University or a Foundation Course
Whether you are applying to college, university or another art & design based course, you will need a portfolio to showcase your work, ideas and skills. I've created this page in order to keep information from all over the Internet together in one place to make it handy to browse through.
There are some great videos showing you what to include, what not to include, and some examples of other student's work. Each and every place you apply to will have their own set of guidelines and particular elements they require from an applicant, but you will find general guidelines on this page which apply to most places.
It is important that you show a range of work and skills without putting too many of your pieces in the one portfolio. Only pick your best, most recent work and present each piece of art well. Don't wait until the last minute, and make enough work so you can edit together the best portfolio for the program you apply to.
Applying for College, University or a Foundation Course
Whether you are applying to college, university or another art & design based course, you will need a portfolio to showcase your work, ideas and skills. I've created this page in order to keep information from all over the Internet together in one place to make it handy to browse through.
There are some great videos showing you what to include, what not to include, and some examples of other student's work. Each and every place you apply to will have their own set of guidelines and particular elements they require from an applicant, but you will find general guidelines on this page which apply to most places.
It is important that you show a range of work and skills without putting too many of your pieces in the one portfolio. Only pick your best, most recent work and present each piece of art well. Don't wait until the last minute, and make enough work so you can edit together the best portfolio for the program you apply to.
Preparing Your Art Portfolio
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General Portfolio OutlineSelecting what to include in your portfolio should not be a nerve-racking experience. Most art programs will want to see works that fall into two distinct categories: observational ar and personal art. Always check exactly what the college/university you are applying to requires.
Category One: Observational Art
Observational art is drawing or painting in a traditional method using a still life, figure model, portrait or landscape as the subject and rendering the subject as accurately as possible. The image should not be taken from a photograph or the artists' imagination, but from real life. Size of the artwork should be approximately 18" x 24" or larger in scale and fill the entire surface of the paper or canvas. Most work in this category is done in pencil, charcoal, or other drawing mediums, but it can also include painting and collage.
Category Two: Personal Art
Personal art is the work done outside of a classroom situation and reflects the artists' unique interests in use of materials, subject matter and concept. Work can be completed in any media including (but not limited to) drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, digital/computer art, film/video, ceramics, sculpture, animation and performance art.
Any photographic pieces should be works that are shot and printed by you the artist (do not use photographs printed at photo labs.) When it comes to photography, schools are just as interested in why you chose the subject matter as in how well it was printed. You should always attach a brief description (typed) on the back of each photograph explaining why you made that particular print or series of prints.
Top Tips
For your art school interview, preparation is key; so why not set up a mock interview with a teacher or anyone you can find who isn't a friend (so they can be ruthless!)
Sketchbooks are usually required to be submitted alongside the main portfolio, so please check the sketchbook requirements for your particular course too. Try and separate research sketchbooks from experimental/exploratory books as some art schools ask for this.
Category One: Observational Art
Observational art is drawing or painting in a traditional method using a still life, figure model, portrait or landscape as the subject and rendering the subject as accurately as possible. The image should not be taken from a photograph or the artists' imagination, but from real life. Size of the artwork should be approximately 18" x 24" or larger in scale and fill the entire surface of the paper or canvas. Most work in this category is done in pencil, charcoal, or other drawing mediums, but it can also include painting and collage.
Category Two: Personal Art
Personal art is the work done outside of a classroom situation and reflects the artists' unique interests in use of materials, subject matter and concept. Work can be completed in any media including (but not limited to) drawing, painting, photography, mixed media, digital/computer art, film/video, ceramics, sculpture, animation and performance art.
Any photographic pieces should be works that are shot and printed by you the artist (do not use photographs printed at photo labs.) When it comes to photography, schools are just as interested in why you chose the subject matter as in how well it was printed. You should always attach a brief description (typed) on the back of each photograph explaining why you made that particular print or series of prints.
Top Tips
For your art school interview, preparation is key; so why not set up a mock interview with a teacher or anyone you can find who isn't a friend (so they can be ruthless!)
Sketchbooks are usually required to be submitted alongside the main portfolio, so please check the sketchbook requirements for your particular course too. Try and separate research sketchbooks from experimental/exploratory books as some art schools ask for this.
Portfolio Examples
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