Pattern

Portfolio Review Instructions

Design Department

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Design Department Admissions

A portfolio review is a required part of the Design Department admissions process. Your portfolio will be reviewed by a faculty member who will gauge your potential for success in the Design Department.

Portfolio Requirements

Compiling your portfolio presents an excellent opportunity to showcase your design abilities. You may express your creativity in the way you combine, compose and present your work. Please follow these specific guidelines regarding what you should include.

Portfolio Format

Your portfolio may be submitted in one of the following three formats:

  1. Originals or Reproductions:
    Original works are preferable. You may also choose to submit reproductions of your work in a format of your choice, not to exceed 8.5" x 11" x 1". Indicate the intent for each work, original size, and media.
  2. Digital Portfolio:
    We will also review work submitted on videocassette and digital media. Digital media may be submitted on CD for Macintosh. Acceptable file formats are GIF or JPEG format, 800 pixels x 600 pixels maximum image size. Interactive work must be self-contained (play in projector/player mode without resident application). Websites should be placed on a CD. This work should not be a duplication of other works already submitted/presented. You should prepare this material to be left behind so that faculty can review it more carefully outside of the interview. Please include printed images of your digital portfolio to supplement your presentation.
  3. Portfolio by Mail:
    The faculty strongly encourages you to make every effort to present your portfolio in person. However, if distance prevents an in-person review, you may submit a digital portfolio or slide documentation (see instructions below on How to Make Slides) of your work via mail to:
    Admissions Office
    Cornish College of the Arts
    1000 Lenora Street
    Seattle, WA 98121
    If you wish to have your slide portfolio returned, please include a self-addressed, stamped envelope with sufficient postage.
Transfer Students

Transfer students should submit a portfolio consisting of approximately 20 items. We suggest that a portion of the submission reflect studio coursework that you previously completed, including: 2-D and 3-D design basics, observational drawing, and work showing digital proficiency. To be considered for advance standing in the Design program, be sure to include work in your area of concentration, (interior design, motion design, and visual communications) including project process and sketchbooks.

The Day of Your Review

You will present your portfolio to a member of the Design Department faculty during a scheduled review or at a National Portfolio Day Association event. During your review be prepared to discuss the work you present, your experience in design, and your goals.

How to Make Slides

Care should be taken when photographing your work to make certain the quality and detail show in the slides. If possible, consult a professional for photographing your artwork. Your high school or college instructors might also be able to assist you. If your work is small-scale and you have access to a copy stand, we recommend its use; it will provide better conditions for consistent and even lighting of your work. If photographing your work on your own, follow these general instructions:

  1. We recommend Kodak E-6 35 mm outdoor slide film. Best results will come by photographing your work outdoors on an overcast day; you will be using the diffuse daylight as your light source.
  2. Find an exterior wall that is facing the sun. Use a black surface as your background such as a black cloth drape or board.
  3. Shoot one work at a time; do not combine pieces into one slide. Focus the camera on the artwork and set the f-stop (aperture setting) at 11 or smaller.
  4. Take at least 3 exposures of each piece, setting the camera to a different shutter speed each time and leaving the f-stop the same (a.k.a. bracketing).
  5. Have your film developed at a quality photo lab.
Presentation of Your Slide Portfolio

Slides should be placed in a single 11" x 8" three-hole punched, clear transparent slide sleeve. For the best results please make computer printed labels or print clearly using a fine tip permanent black marker. Each slide should be labeled as follows: