Portfolio Application

Portfolio requirements vary by school and department, but there are common themes.

  • Is the school focused on selecting the top tier of applicants that year based on talent, compared to other applicants? e.g. the top 30 film or top 30 gaming designers?

  • Similar to hiring from a stack or resumes, what factors might help land in the “for consideration” stack versus the “pass” stack?

Each school is different, and researching or comparing past accepted portfolios or “portfolio discussions” can provide insight.

School of Art Institute of Chicago (SAIC):

https://issuu.com/saic1866/docs/portfolio_prep

https://www.saic.edu/admissions/undergraduate/portfolio-requirements

Bachelor of Fine Arts in Studio

  • Submit 10–15 pieces of your best and most recent work. We will review your portfolio and application materials for merit scholarship once you have been admitted to SAIC.

  • When compiling a portfolio, you may concentrate your work in a single media or show work in a breadth of media. The portfolio may include drawings, prints, photographs, paintings, film, video, audio recordings, sculpture, ceramics, fashion designs, graphic design, furniture, objects, architectural designs, websites, video games, sketchbooks, scripts, storyboards, screenplays, zines, or any combination of the above.

ArtBridge

  1. Do your homework: “The guidelines vary between courses and schools.)

  2. Create art from life: “One of the biggest skills that many schools look for is observational drawing or painting from still life, figure models, or landscape.”

  3. Include personal work: “Complete your portfolio with work that speaks to your personal experiences or draws from your background.”

  4. Explore ideas and originality: “Don’t play it too safe. While it’s important to demonstrate good technical skills (anatomy, color, lighting, etc), it is equally important to make sure that your portfolio stands out with work that reflects thoughts and concepts.”

  5. Keep a sketchbook: “You’ll want to show your process work – how you developed your ideas and how your work has matured.”

  6. Photograph your work in its best light: “Use outdoor or natural light to photograph your portfolio pieces.”

  7. Digitize all artwork: “For most schools you’ll need to upload your portfolio or send digital attachments rather than hard copies. Work should be saved with sufficient pixels so the reviewer can enlarge without pixilation. Use RGB color mode, and save in JPG or PDF formats.

  8. Be very selective: “A portfolio submitted for admission will usually consist of 10-20 digital images of your best and most recent work. Be sure that each piece showcases your talent, conveys your ambition, and represents your finest capabilities. It is better to have 10 really strong pieces than 15 or 20 that aren’t your absolute best. Organize the portfolio to create a flow for your audience considering the program to which you are applying.

  9. Practice discussing your work: “For your art school interview, preparation is important, so arrange for a mock interview with a teacher or another authority figure.

Michael Wei