In the visual arts, a portfolio is primarily a visual record of an individual’s interests and explorations. It may be a collection of original pieces or a documentation of previous work in the form of photographs, photocopies or slides. Applicants are asked to follow certain guidelines in the presentation of their portfolio. Aside from these guidelines, the means of presentation is at the discretion of the applicant.
The kinds of things selected and how they are presented are of interest to the Admissions Committee. The work submitted should be a thoughtful selection of those pieces that the applicant wishes the Admissions Committee to consider in assessing her/his application to the university. Some applicants will have been developing their portfolios over a number of years; others will be approaching this activity for the first time. In both cases, applicants should take this opportunity, in developing and selecting work, to indicate their understanding of the university’s programs; their seriousness in applying to the university, and their level of maturity, self-motivation and commitment to a visual arts education. An applicant’s care in the presentation of her/his work should assure that the presentation will not distract from the work itself. In addition to a sketchbook submission, a selection of 20 additional images is required. Image submissions must be in digital format on DVD, CD or USB stick. An applicant’s ability to edit her/his work is also an important factor in developing a portfolio.
What should be included?
Applicants are encouraged to draw on personal experience and cultural heritage as possible avenues of exploration for the required projects and other work submitted for review. Applicants should include work that gives evidence of their ability and willingness to look closely and carefully at a subject. This documented work may take the form of drawings from observation (do not copy from photographs) or a thoughtful, carefully written short essay. The sustained personal involvement and searching brought about by the projects may tell the Admissions Committee as much as does the finished work. Therefore, the submission of notes and sketches showing the process and activity generated by the exploration of images and ideas can be an important part of the portfolio.
The work applicants submit should display a wide range of explorations, and use of a variety of materials. This shows that an applicant is not afraid to try working with different media in response to her/his observation of a particular situation, or subject. Unusual and non-traditional materials should also be considered. An applicant’s surroundings may offer other means and materials with which to explore mark-making, building, patterning, composition and colour. The Foundation Program is multi-disciplinary in nature and while applicants may be focused, now, on one specific medium, evidence of a range of media and approaches should be reflected in the portfolio. It is vital that all applicants include some examples of drawing from observation.
Applicants should consider their everyday surroundings as a source for ideas. These may include studies of organic structures, tools, implements, interior spaces, environmental formations, decorative arrangements and still lifes, to name a few. Applicants may include work completed in school, college or adult education classes, but the Admissions Committee is particularly interested in seeing work that is carried out independently of the classroom and that makes the most of the opportunities available.
The information included about the work (written descriptions, labels, etc.) should be clear in indicating how the work was produced (i.e. whether photographs were printed by the applicant, whether videos were directed by the applicant, whether a poster was designed by the applicant, etc.). Work should be dated.
All applicants must submit a digital portfolio documenting original and recent work that must include the following:
- 20 digital images of work completed that illustrates one’s material skills and conceptual development of ideas/theme. Submissions must be in the form of DVD, CD or USB stick.
- a sketchbook/journal that was begun at least 3 months prior to the submission of the application. The sketchbook/journal may include sketches, plans, drawings from observation, samples of creative writing, notes/observations made in response to other works (exhibitions, museums, novels, etc.), and explorations of mark-making with varied materials; and should demonstrate a sustained personal involvement in the exploration of ideas and images. The sketchbook should be documented by photograph or scan and submitted as digital files to a maximum of 20 images.
The Foundation program is multi-disciplinary in nature and while applicants may be focused, now, on one specific medium, evidence of a range of media and approaches should be reflected in the portfolio. It is vital that all applicants include some examples of drawing from observation.
• All work must be clearly labeled with applicant’s name.
• No work should be submitted in its original form; only photographic documentation (digital files) of work should be submitted.
• Each digital image file must be identified with your name and a number that corresponds to a list of works that includes your name at the top and, for each slide: Title, Media, Dimensions, Date.
eg: 1_firstname_lastname.jpg – untitled, oil on board, 33”Hx20”W, august 2010
2_firstname_lastmame.mov – sunshine, digital video, 3 mins, January 2009
3_firstname_lastname.jpg – untitled – plaster, wire, 12”Hx12”Wx6”D, April 2010
• Digital image files may be presented on DVD/CD or USB stick as individual .JPG files, PowerPoint or Acrobat documents are also acceptable, but discouraged. Keep file sizes small; images should be no larger than 600×800 dpi, resolution should be no greater than 100ppi.
• Time-based pieces (video, audio, interactive applications or film) should be submitted on DVD/CD or USB stick. Works should not exceed 5 minutes each.
• Submit your work in a format that best represents it. Ensure that discs and USB sticks are readable on a variety of computers, check that your photographic documentation is correctly colour-balanced, in focus and clearly represents the original work. It is appropriate to submit more than one view of three-dimensional pieces in order to fully illustrate the work. Also, in the case of larger works, a separate detail image may be submitted.
• Design Portfolios should be submitted as a multi-page .PDF file, however multiple digital images on DVD/CD or USB Stick are also acceptable.
Please follow the instructions above. The Admission Committee may not be able to review work that does not follow these guidelines.
Applicants are encouraged to submit portfolios on DVD/CD or USB stick that they do not need to be returned. For works the applicant does wish returned, s/he is responsible for their immediate retrieval after review by the admissions committee. If arrangements are not made to retrieve the work immediately after its review, the work will be considered disposable.
For applicants who cannot retrieve his/her portfolio in person, portfolio return will be completed by NSCAD using applicant-provided pre-stamped (Canada only) and addressed mailing envelopes, prepaid courier invoices, or cheques/money orders/credit card information to cover postage costs. Do not submit metered postage as it has an expiration period of 24 – 48 hours and will not be valid for portfolio return. Although all possible care is exercised in handling application materials, the university does not accept responsibility for the loss or damage of these materials.
The university hosts information sessions and portfolio previews for Foundation applicants and other interested individuals such as parents, guardians, and teachers. These sessions are held twice yearly on the third Saturday of February and October. Individuals are welcome to tour the university facilities, discuss visual submissions with members of the Admissions Committee and explore program offerings with University faculty and students. For further details or to sign up for the next Portfolio Day, individuals should contact the Office of Student and Academic Services, (902) 494 8129, or toll free at 1 888 444 5989.
NSCAD University is a member of the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA) which was created solely for the organization and planning of National Portfolio Days. Since 1978, NPDA members have been hosting portfolio days and career-in-the-arts events throughout the United States and in Canada.
The Association consists of accredited art colleges and university art departments which are members of the National Association of Schools of Art and Design. It is the only organization of its kind, and its membership represents the highest standard of visual arts education.
NSCAD participates in a number of NPDA events in various cities throughout Canada and the United States each year. Visit National Portfolio Day Association for more information.