Administracion De Empresas

HOW TO
PREPARE A PORTFOLIO

UNDERGRADUATE

ADmissioN

Sascha Neumann, Starkville, Mississippi, B.F.A. student, industrial design, Pieta, charcoal

introduction
When exploring an education in art or design, students may submit a portfolio as
part of the application process. Although portfolios and auditions are not required for
undergraduate admission, applicants are stronglyencouraged to present performing
arts, riding, writing or visual arts portfolios or to audition when possible to enhance
the application file and to be considered for scholarships. Since undergraduate
portfolio submissions are for scholarship consideration and do not ever adversely
affect the likelihood of a student’s acceptance, submitting a strong portfolio can be
of enormous benefit to students.Use this guide as a resource for building a portfolio
or improving one you’ve already started.

What is a portfolio?
A portfolio is a collection of your strongest artistic work that is presented as
professionally as possible and, depending on your area of talent, can take one of the
following forms:
A building arts portfolio should demonstrate strong spatial understanding
and creativeskills through the inclusion of samples like observational
sketches, CAD drawings and building interiors and exteriors.
A visual arts/design portfolio should include 2-D and 3-D works executed
in any medium that demonstrate both creativity and a grasp of basic artistic
techniques and principles.
A portfolio composed of digital or time-based media should demonstrate
a basic mastery of the conceptsof composition as well as effective use of
software or other relevant digital tools.
A performing arts audition, whether performed on site or submitted
digitally, should demonstrate strong characterization, energy and physical
commitment to the role.
An equestrian riding portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s skill
with riding, jumping and/or dressage as well as experience and levelof
performance.
A writing portfolio should demonstrate the applicant’s ability to create clear
and compelling copy across a variety of genres.
Grant Boutiette, Little Rock, Arkansas, B.F.A. student, motion media design, Crown, photography

2

Visual portfolio tips

Things to consider

(including visual arts, design, building arts, digital and

Composition—placement or arrangement ofelements in a work.

time-based media portfolios)

Drawing—demonstration of line weights, mark-making, proportion and

Submit fully-resolved pieces.

medium.

Create artwork early and often.

Design—overall unity achieved by combining elements of art and

Keep a sketchbook or journal to build your creative ideas.

principles of design.
Value—relative darkness or lightness of acolor.

Take art classes.

Spatial perception—understanding of the spatial relationships of

Seek portfolio feedback from peers, teachers, professionals and

objects, as well as foreground, middle and background.

SCAD representatives.

Technique—skillfulness in the use of fundamental methods and media.

Use only original work—don’t “borrow” images.

Color perception—generalsensitivity to color and sophistication in its

Whenever possible, work from direct observation.

application.
Originality—capacity to think independently and transform the

Experiment with different media and techniques.

predictable; the quality of being new and original.

While building your artistic repertoire, be prolific; this will give you

Conceptual awareness—expression of a clearidea and effective use of

options later and allow you to be selective when compiling your

materials and processes to strengthen the concept.

final portfolio.

Aesthetic awareness—guiding principle in matters of artistic beauty
and taste.

Submission requirements
A portfolio inventory sheet must be included. In the case of
documented, professional or group projects, applicants should...