If you are going to apply to a design, architecture, or another art-related college abroad, you need to compile a portfolio. It is the portfolio that shows the admissions office what you are capable of. Is there a formula for a successful portfolio? There’s no set pattern, of course. But there are a few things to think about.
What to prepare
It all depends on what you intend to study. Dream to do animation – prepare a 30-second film. If you want to study Fine Arts, paint in pencil, paint on canvas, make sculpture. If you choose illustration, make sketchbooks.
Your portfolio should be about the direction you are going to take. And it should show all your skills.
In general terms
Once you have decided on a college and a course, you need to think about the best way to present yourself. The goal of the portfolio is to show future teachers your methods, ideas, concepts, and of course, style. In short, they need to see that you have a broad potential.
No one will teach you the basics at any creative college without exception. Therefore, the admissions committee should understand that they are dealing with a well-prepared person. That is, as strange as it sounds, but to master a profession has the right only to those students who already know it.
Presentation form
The form of the portfolio presentation varies from university to university. At some universities, the author shows his work to the committee. Others require the portfolio to be sent by mail and wait for an interview. Which option is better, it is hard to say. In the first case, the applicant gets an opportunity to explain their ideas and can somehow influence the commission by personal charm. And in the second case, the commission makes its choice entirely impartially. In general, most creative universities prefer the second option for evaluating portfolios.
General requirements
All the work in your portfolio must be read without explanation or explanations. Only notations such as the date the work was created and the material are allowed. The artwork or photos of it must be to the correct scale. Be sure to check all the conditions (size and number of works) on the university website. There, too, find out what the application deadline is.
Positioning
There’s no need to put your artwork in chronological order. But keep in mind that the commission pays special attention to the later creations, which show your level at the moment. In addition, teachers recommend that the most potent works be placed at the beginning of the album since the first impression is decisive.
It is better not to send the same or similar paintings/projects. Choose the most robust project out of two or three.
Tips
Here are a few tips from an experienced free paper writer:
The portfolio should be both brief and concise. That is, one work should show both your technical abilities and your creativity.
Everything must be neat and clean. In this way, your work is better understood, and the applicant is treated with more respect.
Be sure to be imaginative when putting together your portfolio. An original and dynamic album is better remembered. Remember that your portfolio is a reflection of you, a portrait of you.
You want to make it into something that makes you feel at one with it. For instance, if you have a hobby or passion (from collecting wrappers to classical music), find a way to fit it into your portfolio. Little things like that will say a lot about you to teachers and possibly pique their interest.
Sending
Keep in mind that if you send your portfolio to a university, you may not get it back. This is why universities prefer to receive copies or photos rather than the originals. First of all, your work may get damaged in the school because many folders arrive there. And secondly, portfolios can get lost in the mail.
Don’t worry
Of course, you should put together a portfolio that looks good in your eyes and shows off your best qualities. But do not get ahead of yourself. Everyone at university knows perfectly well that you only intend to study. They don’t expect anything extraordinary from you. The committee is just looking for new names, new ideas, new opportunities.
Remember that for every course of study, something is important. Somewhere painting is more important, somewhere drawing is more important. In the art world, everything is very, very subjective. So even if you don’t get in the first time, luck will be on your side the next time.
