<p>My son is gettng a portfolio together. He is just really beginning in the arts and is unsure about how to present certain kinds of work. The guidelines say the portfolio has to be in a binder with pages 8.5 x 11 size. Not the original work since it won't be returned. </p>
<p>He is going to print out his graphics from the computer on photo paper, but is unsure how to present his drawings and photographs. He was thinking of taking a digital photo of his drawings since they are large and then printing them out. What sort of paper should they be printed on and is this a good idea? He was thinking of taking his photographs to kinkos and having them copy them.</p>
<p>If anyone can give us suggestions or direction on this....we are new to the whole thing.
Thanks!</p>
<p>Putting together a portfolio can seem like a very daunting task at the beginning!</p>
<p>Most schools will have specific directions on their school websites. In fact, many will accept a CD with image files on it. You can scan or take photos of the artwork and put them on that CD and send it in. Very few schools require original artwork these days.</p>
<p>Im working on my protfolio as well and my art teacher (not in my school, a side art class I attend) says the best way to present work like drawings or paintings is exactly what your son is doing, taking a nice quality picture of it and getting them printed the size suggested. I do not know about the photographs. I have some as well but don't know exactly what to do with mine, if sizing them would make a difference in the quality or what.</p>
<p>Which school is he applying too if you don't mind me asking?</p>
<p>Thanks for your help. He took his photographs over to kinkos to have them copied yesterday and he said it worked out OK. He is going to take a picture of his drawing and incude it that way.....and then just hope for the best.</p>
<p>He also needs to write a statement of purpose essay a page long. He is unsure exactly what to say....any suggestions?</p>
<p>He is applying to SUNY New Paltz art dept. Where are you applying beari?</p>
<p>to tell the truth, I dont know which schools Im going to apply to yet. I wanted to start applying sometime this week but I doubt that is going to happen because I can't seem to find a good school in my price range. My dream school is SCAD thought but my dad said I basically shouldn't apply because at the end of the day for international students its 42,000 a year and thats.... ALOT :P</p>
<p>Hopefully I find about 5 good ones soon for interior design :)</p>
<p>Thanks, emifinan. I will pass that info on to him.</p>
<p>beari - what part of the country are you looking to go to school? Do you want only art schools or would a university with an art program be OK? Where do you live, since you mention you're international?</p>
<p>I does not matter much to me where I go once it is relatively safe, pretty and of course offers a good education.
At first my heart was set on an art school. I have little interest in taking up math and english and whats not after all of those years in high school XD However because of the prices of the art schools Im finding I think Im going to have to open my eyes to liberal art schools that offer a good ID program as well.
And I live in the Bahamas. (Nassau to be exact).</p>
<p>P.S- This is also a portfolio help related question:</p>
<p>If my photography has my name watermarked neatly on it in the corners I can still print them like that and put in my portfolio right?</p>
<p>Beari - you could find a school's policy on watermarks on their instructions to send in a portfolio. If they don't mention it you should be fine. But I wouldn't buy a whole pack of watermarked prints until I know which schools I'm applying to and whether or not they allow that.</p>
<p>Lilymoon, about your son's essay, tell your son to try to consult the instructions on the website or application. If they are specific, follow them as guidelines but not a direct extrapolation of the question; that is, its okay and probably better to be a bit creative and show why you really love art (if that isn't the direct question), don't just be a drone and answer off every question one by one. If there are no instructions or a very vague question, explain why your art (probably the concentration pieces your son did in high school) is creative and unique, why it stands out, what you learned in the process, maybe what you plan to do next. Consider telling a narrative, some weird story from the past about something that inspired a piece or many pieces or taught you something important, art related.</p>
<p>(sorry I keep switching perspectives from you and your son, its a late night haha.)</p>
<p>sleepyman - thanks for your suggestions. The essay description is sorta vague. It is called a statement of purpose and says that it can describe aspects of your work, past experiences, creative interests and future goals. The problem is that my son just started taking art related courses this semester in college so he is just beginning and doesn't have much history working in art. The work that he is putting into the portfolio is just the few things he has done in the last month in his intro art courses, so he doesn't have much experience to draw from and his work is very basic at this point. He wants to double major in Comm and Graphic Design...so the portfolio is for the Graphic Design acceptance. He is struggling to come up with ideas for the essay, although I think he should focus on what drew him to his interest in art and why he chose Graphic Design. Any other suggestions are very welcome.
Thanks</p>
<p>wowwww New Paltz seems tough thing to do... why is that we tend to think it is easy.
Does he like rural setting? will be commuting or livng there?</p>
<p>bears and dogs - New Paltz has gotten a lot harder to get into in recent years. It has become a very popular SUNY school and the standards have gone up a lot. The art school has a really good reputation. My son will be living there. He is now attending University of Miami and wants a change...a really big change. LOL</p>
<p>bears and dogs - we are NY State residents and son decided he wanted to go to Miami originally. He has had an OK experience there but feels as though he does not want to spend all of his undergraduate years there. Some aspects of college life at UM are not to his liking. He chose New Paltz for a totally different college experience, the proximity to home and NYC, the down to earth and artsy population and the good reps of the art and comm depts. It will be an adjustment, so we shall see how it goes. I have my fingers crossed! :)</p>
<p>Tell us more
If he went to M, he did well and must have had choices. I have to ask why he picked to go there (programs, weather, girls; said to be the hottest, really?) what he was disappointed about (programs, weather, girls..) if he wants to leave as a junior, it must be hard decision. Will he be starting in spring or senior or have to do two more years? What else will be the option if not New Paltz?
Did M's small art students portions do any help in his choice process or their environment has nothing to do with it?</p>
<p>Yes, he did have choices, but he chose UM for the weather, beautiful campus, good academic reputation, large selection of majors, nice facilities and proximity to an area with a lot going on. As it turns out the weather gets tiring fast and the hot, humid days take their toll as he has found that he misses cool crisp days and change of seasons. While there is a lot to do in the area, it disperses the students so they are always off in different directions and campus life suffers a bit. The student population tends to be superficial and self absorbed and while he has found a nice group of friends, it wasn't easy to find and most of the kids are just not his cup of tea. He and his friends are not the typical UM kids. He is not the ra-ra football game type kid nor the clubbing in South Beach kid either. He is more into music, concerts, playing guitar, art and hanging out with friends.
He will be transferring as a junior but will most likely lose credits in the transfer and have to make up a semester or two. He doesn't mind that. It has been a tough decision for him though. He just doesn't want UM to be his only college experience, he feels he has had that experience now and would like to see what a different school would be like. He has only applied to New Paltz and did not have another school he was interested in.
The art department at UM had nothing to do with the transfer.
Can I ask why you are so interested? Do you have a similar situation?</p>
<p>Yes, yes and yes
Difference is my son is now HS junior does well in English and history but math killed him over and over, and will forever, science so-so, overall not doing so well academically (as to say, get in UM range) because he is tracked onto visual arts already. However his interest now is more in guitar/bass playing and normal college experiences, not art-art schools after summer art Pre College or two.
He lived in NYC all his life and I am looking into outside for it is every good intended mentors' opinions that he should get out when he could since he can always come back.
New paltz is the possibility (not any more it seems, hurdle gotten awfully high) about near-est of "far" that is affordable, not counting Purchase because nobody we knew seems ever happy there.
Other options will be nice LAC or university that offer art and music but not tied to major.
People say" you can always transfer" but it doesn't work from art-art schools to others.
I think it's better to start the other way and if he does want to pursuer visual art, it still can be done. I am very interested in someone actually doing it and how it all comes about.</p>
<p>Sounds like New Paltz would be a good choice for your son, but yes, getting in has gotten more and more competitive these last couple of years and probably will only get more so with the economy like it is. My son began college with no defined major, so he was behind a bit with the art stuff. He is planning to double major in Communication & Media and Graphic Design but has to get that portfolio out to them to see if he gets into the art dept. Otherwise he will just do the Comm and minor in art if possible.
New Paltz seems to fit the bill with being good for art but not an art only school, which is what my son wants. I know a friend whose daughter is at Purchase and is very happy there. But you're right, not everyone is of that opinion.
Good luck finding the right fit for your son. It's not always easy. We have certainly had our ups and downs.</p>