[Lost]

Hi everyone,
I stumbled across this forum today and was hoping to be able to get some advice about entry to art study courses. I've been creating ever since I was little and love all sorts of art from drawing and painting to textiles and wood working.

My local college is offering a Level 3 Foundation Studies in Art & Design course that I'm hoping to sign up to in 18 months time. (Money constraints mean I can't do it sooner.) The only trouble is they need me to present a portfolio of work as part of the admission process and I have no idea where to begin. I did both Fine Art and Textiles when I was at school but that was almost 10 years ago now and all the art I do in my spare time is a rather random mish mash of things with very few concept sketches or "journeys" through my creative process. What sort of things do colleges expect to see in portfolios and/or sketch books? Is there a certain way to put one together? Does it need to be a certain size or contain essential items, ie: all portfolios must have at least one drawing and at least one painting etc?


Thanks very much for reading and sorry for all the noob questions.

 

[corydulos]

The best thing I'd say is to contact the Admission's office of the school(s) you're interested in and simply ask them what they are looking for in a portfolio...however, the whole point is for the officials to assess where you're at skill-wise and (hopefully) build up from there, not to determine whether or not you're "worthy" of being admitted.

I could be misunderstanding your post. My apologies for my errors.

 

[Lost]

Thanks for your reply. From what I had found out so far it seemed like a portfolio was a big selling point that you have to get right otherwise you get laughed out of the admissions office. I was under the impression that it was a "worthiness" thing as you say so it's a relief to know otherwise!

 

[George924]

Presentation of the portfolio is everything...Your work could be great but with a poor presentation it will look amateurish and weak. On the other hand your work could look amateurish but a great presentation could set it apart from all the rest.

Five to seven pieces is plenty for a portfolio...start off with your best piece and finish with the strongest. Do not throw a bunch of work together just for this think it out a bit, if you need help choosing pieces to include I'm sure we could give you the advice to help make your decisions. I also would start thinking about making a digital portfolio that you can leave with them and include an artist statement, bio and a brief statement on where you see your art going from these classes (a bit of smoozing) can't hurt.

Hope this helps and by all means let us know how it is going!!!

 

[Lost]

Thanks for the advice. When you say presentation do you mean as in the physical layout of the portfolio or presentation as in the verbal explanation of the work during the interview?

An artist statement should be relatively easy for me compared to the rest of the portfolio. I had practice and feedback on personal statements at school so at least I have some idea what I’m doing with that one!

 

[George924]

The answer to your question is Yes, the whole presentation is key, know what you are talking about and be passionate about your work, never say things like I am trying, tell them this is what I have done. Learn some basic art terminology but nothing to make you look smug and cocky.

Pay attention to detail when it comes to your physical portfolio and your digital if you go that route...