Introduction
Accessories Design Applicants should submit eight original designs of accessories (handbags, shoes, belts, or small leather goods). The portfolio may also include four interpretations of these designs using Photoshop or Illustrator. All drawings should indicate the applicant’s level of creativity and sense of design. Emphasis should be placed on proportion and three-dimensionality. Photos or slides of original work may be included. The portfolio may also include finished articles, such as a handbag or small leather goods
Communication Design Foundation Portfolios should include 12 to 15 pieces that reveal imagination, design skills, sense of color, and drawing ability, as well as the use of typography. Artwork in any medium may be presented; it need not relate specifically to advertising or graphic design. The inclusion of a sketchbook is encouraged. Applicants should also include computer design samples if they have them. Organization and neatness are considered as part of the evaluation.
Fine Arts Artwork from direct observation is preferred. Applicants should submit at least ten examples in any medium: drawings, watercolors, pastels, paintings, prints, photos of sculpture, or 3D designs. Students need not have examples in all categories. The portfolio should reflect freehand drawing and sketching ability; sensitivity to color, line, and proportion; and neatness of presentation. Sketchbooks are welcome. Slides are not recommended for in-person evaluation; however, they are welcome for mail-in portfolios; photographs or color copies are acceptable substitutes for large work.
Illustration Portfolios should include a minimum of ten pieces of original art drawn or painted directly from life and up to ten more pieces, which could be created by using photo reference. Applicants should include at least one drawing or painting from the following five categories: portraits; situations (people sleeping, eating, watching TV); environments (a view out a window, a room, a cityscape, a landscape); still life (fruits, flowers, books, shoes, wine bottles and glasses); conceptual (a person as an animal, a businessman the size of a skyscraper, a person of stone). The maximum size is 18 by 24 inches. The inclusion of a sketchbook is strongly encouraged. All work must have been completed within the last two years. Graphic design or photography that is not illustration should not be included. A drawing test will be given at the time of the in-person portfolio evaluation
Interior Design Artwork of a variety of types may be presented. Measured drawings (floor plans, elevations, or perspectives) may be included; however, any artwork will be considered if it communicates the applicant’s sensitivity to color, line, proportion, etc. Organization and neatness are considered as part of the evaluation. Sketchbooks are welcome. A drawing test will be given at the time of in-person portfolio evaluation. In addition, applicants are required to complete a home test, which must be submitted with the portfolio.
Jewelry Design Artwork in any medium that reflects attention to detail and sense of color and design, particularly in drawing and sculpture, may be submitted. Applicants are encouraged to supply a selection of jewelry, either designs or actual pieces. Beaded items should be limited to no more than five pieces. Photographs or slides of work are also acceptable
Menswear Design Applicants should submit seven original sketches of their own menswear designs. These should include at least two of any of the following categories: suits, sport coats, knitwear, sportswear, active sportswear, formal wear, and casual wear. The aim is to assess creative design ability, not proficiency in fashion illustration. Applicants should be prepared to explain their interest in entering the menswear industry in essay form.
Photography Portfolios should contain 24 to 30 of the applicant’s most creative black-and white and color photographs. Work in other media may also be submitted. Portfolios should communicate sensitivity to design, imagination, creativity, diverse subject matter, willingness to be experimental, ability to convey complex ideas visually, and organization and neatness of portfolio presentation. Evaluators prefer photos processed and printed by the applicant, but commercially prepared work will be accepted. Applicants should be prepared to explain their interest in commercial and editorial photography
