<p>Alright so in my portfolio for art school (strictly art, most likely) it is nearly all 3 Dimensional stuff. I have a photograph, a painting, and then maybe 3 drawings top. The rest is all sculptural and crafty stuff (fiber art, ceramics, recycled art, jewelry, a sound piece, public art). I can work on more drawings from observation but my question is will this be a problem?</p>
<p>I am going into a craft field (either metal/jewelry, fiber, or ceramics) so I don't think it's important I stress on fine arts but will schools find this important? It's not like I'm not a creative person, I just choose to express myself outside traditional media. Will this be OK when applying to places like Tyler/Temple, MICA, RISD, and UArts? </p>
<p>My son applied to (and accepted to) Tyler, UArts, RIT, VCU, Syracuse & MassArt. Most of those schools wanted 12-15 pieces in the portfolio. You would probably be smart to include some more drawing from observation. </p>
<p>You are going to need drawing from observation for sure. MICA: “It is strongly suggested that some samples of drawing from observation (rather than from imagination or copied from photographs) be included.”</p>
<p>My D just finished applying to art schools, and there wasn’t one that didn’t expect drawing from observation.</p>
<p>Some art schools, like RISD, require drawings from observation in addition to the portfolio. For example, when I applied to RISD, in addition to my portfolio art I also had to do 3 drawings just for RISD - a self-portrait, a bicycle, and another one I can’t recall.</p>
<p>Just a word on your portfolio- while it is good to show a range of mediums, it is also good to have some unified “look” to your work, so make sure you don’t spread yourself too thin. Good luck.</p>
<p>You must read in detail the specifics the schools ask for. Some CC posts above state some of them, but depending on the focus you are selecting, the school may wish a slightly different type of portfolio. DD made a grid with all the schools and the requirements (including written products such as creative resume, essays, etc.) and then began to put the portfolio together in the summer so it was ready for EA institutions this past fall. Each one was different, but over time she was able to get some core pieces that she wanted in all of them and then select or develop others that were specific to what the program was asking. Also, you should check online. (Deviant, YouTube, etc.) where a lot of students post successful portfolios for a zillion schools. Very useful. </p>
<p>Im about to be a high school senior and so far my portfolio consist of two portraits, three self portraits, and 6 graphic design pieces. I’ve had three portfolio reviews so far and while impressed with my work so far all professional viewers have told me to include more drawings from direct observation. Right now I only have three. I plan on having at least six total.</p>
<p>12-15 pieces is right. Drawings from observation is important. Each school wants different things so know the specifics on each school you apply to. You may have one thing you do really well but variety shows creativity and talent range. </p>
<p>That’s true. There is thin line. One of the things about your portfolio is that it shows what you think is your best and what you are most interested in. It’s hard to balance a portfolio so that it showcases your talents and abilities and passion. I watched my S do it. He has hundreds of pieces and the funny thing was one piece was half done and he chose it. The reviewer loved it. She asked why he stopped when he did and he said he felt like he did enough. She loved it even more. She said too many artist struggle to achieve perfection and never quite finish a work. She said the decision to stop and declare it done was a great talent. Go figure.</p>
<p>You need to research each school separately, and you may end up changing the pieces in the final portfolio you send to each school. Remember, though, that there are many programs that will review your portfolio prior to submission. Consider this as part of your college tour/ interview process. D showed her almost completed portfolio in person to NYU, Goucher and Syracuse and sent it digitally to a former admissions counselor at Pratt for her imput. It was interesting to see how some schools indicated different pieces as their favorites and some favorites from one school were cut by other schools all together. Some schools wanted figure drawing using live models, too.</p>
<p>Oh shoot did not get the notifications about some of these responses! Thanks everyone that answered. </p>
<p>So when I asked this I was somewhat naive to it all but now that it’s time to apply and I’ve talked to loads of people I’ve wised up and to anyone in the future reading this needing advice: it really depends on the school. I’m going to apply to Parsons, MICA, KCAI, UArts, SAIC, and maybe Tyler. </p>
<p>Quirkier, edgier schools like Parsons and SAIC have no direct requirements for their portfolio. They just want your best work in any medium. SAIC even states on their website, “Your portfolio should be a collection of 10–15 pieces of your best and most recent work and should reflect your interests, skills, and willingness to explore, experiment, and express yourself…we encourage you to take risks and be inventive.”</p>
<p>While other schools that are more traditional, say MICA, RISD, and Tyler have certain things they want and all of these schools “strongly recommend” figure drawings and drawings direct from observation. “Strongly recommend” is equal to “we want it.” </p>
<p>So all of this has basically been stated but I was just clarifying for anyone who may need it in the future. I also think it really comes down to your area of interest and what your major will be. I think it’s good to have the foundation stuff but if you’re interested in something show it off. </p>
<p>Also consider attending a National Portfolio Day if you can. Most of the schools you are interested in will be there and you can get direct feedback on your portfolio well before the application deadline. You can also search online because many students post their portfolios. If you need help doing more pieces, look into weekend programs at nearby colleges and museums. </p>
<p>FYI, Tyler definitely wants lots of drawings from life, and requires a self-portrait that is not from a photo. My D did their portfolio boot camp this summer. She did three nudes, a still life, self-portrait, detail drawings of body parts (a large eye and a hand study), and flowers. She still has to do a landscape and plans to do another still life with more variety of objects, an animal drawing, and an abstract series of trees. She also has a sculpture and two collages she will submit photos of. </p>
<p>Sometimes the person who will give input at National Portfolio is the person who will be reviewing your portfolio in the end when you apply. Since everything about the process is subjective, it’s important to reach out and meet in person as many people as you can from the schools you are considering. And remember to carefully jot down their responses to your work so that you can customize the portfolio you submit to each school. If a school is not at National Portfolio day, see if you can meet with the art dep’t if you are planning a visit to the school. And make sure you take your portfolio (or photos of it) so you can whip it out if the opportunity arises.</p>
<p>And keep in mind that you will be dealing with many people who are artists first, school administrators second. My S got high praise from the reviewer from SVA at Portfolio Day. She said it was good and that his portfolio was immediately accepted. Somehow, all of that got lost in translation in the admissions process. Be organized because you don’t know how disorganized they may be and it can be very much so.</p>
<p>Some schools will accept your portfolio at Nat’l Portfolio Day. My son’s portfolio was accepted then by both RIT & Tyler. He still needed to submit his portfolio to both schools to be considered for scholarship</p>
<p>@mom4cw, that is encouraging! My D is applying to both of those schools. Her best friend also had hers accepted by Tyler at NPD and got a huge scholarship offer later. </p>
<p>Tyler has a really good program. My S would’ve attended either there or Rutgers art program but he already was fairly specialized in his desire. Tyler provides a broader, probably more well rounded art program which sounds like it produces jacks of all trades but the program has depth too. </p>