The obvious answer to this question might be “yes”…Here’s the thing. My kid is sure about art school (loves to draw, paint and make things and wants that to be life’s work), but not about the major. I think that’s perfectly reasonable. An art teacher is encouraging formation of a “traditional” portfolio: a combination of thoughtful finished pieces in different media and also sketches/exploratory work to show process, and discouraging anything too random that makes the portfolio less cohesive (like, say, a random fashion drawing). What do y’all think? If you’re willing to share what went into your child’s portfolio, I’d be grateful.
If possible, your child should consider taking a summer intensive program (4-6 weeks) at one of the art schools this summer. It will allow him/her to dabble in what they think may be an area of interest, as well as experience the art school environment (all art, all the time). That experience usually goes a long way towards finding their “calling”, as well as learning what they don’t like. It helps to narrow down the choices.
Many art schools have a generic foundation year that is completed by all freshman before they specialize in a major. Many of those schools prefer a more generalized portfolio. Other art schools start your major courses on day one and build the foundation classes for that major into the curriculum. Those types of art schools prefer a specific portfolio. Usually there isn’t a single portfolio that works for all the colleges they are applying to; it needs to be tweaked a bit for each. If your child can narrow down their choice of majors before applying, they can take classes between now and then to build up those specific skills to help prove themselves in their portfolio.
Also, you’ll learn here on College Confidential that some art schools are more commercially-focused, training students for specific jobs after graduation. While other art schools are more focused on training so that students can express themselves artistically, and are less job-focused. It’s very helpful to know which of those you want before applying.
@animal1096 Very helpful, thank you! I’ve heard great things about the CCA summer program, and also read here on CC that it’s great, so we’ll take a look at that one for sure. If anyone had a great experience at another summer art program, feel free to chime in, it would be appreciated!
My daughter did a 4-week summer animation program at CCA, as well as took many of their extension courses during the school year over the past 2 years (we are local). The animation program (taught by ex-Disney animators) taught her that animation was not for her, but that concept art for the entertainment industry was. She used that to take specialized courses to beef up her skills for concept art. The next summer she took a 4-week summer program (both figure drawing and character design) at OTIS (lived on campus) and loved it. All of those classes provided a ton of pieces for her portfolio.
She’s an example of someone who used these experiences to narrow her choices of a major and find an appropriate school for it. She then applied to an art school that is very commercially-based, well-known in the entertainment industry, and specializes from day one. Her portfolio was very specific to her major. She applied very early to that one college, got in, and was done. Whew! (Since she knew exactly what she wanted, that technique worked. However, that certainly doesn’t allow for any exploratory time in college for those who aren’t quite sure.)
@animal1096 Congrats to your daughter for finding out what she wanted to do and making it happen! Was talking to mine earlier this morning; she expressed a strong interest in Pop Surrealism, a fine art movement. A lot of artists in that arena also work in illustration and concept art. But all we know for sure right now is that she is great with color and very imaginative, and also very good at life drawing. She has a great work ethic and sense of personal responsibility, so that’s all I can ask for when she’s just 16. Meanwhile, we’ll see if exploration in classes and a summer program give her some ideas about what to focus on.
A pre-college summer program is what I’d research like animal1096 mentioned.
Most if not all big name art schools have them. Ringling, MICA, RISD, CalArts, SVA, SCAD to name just a few . They range in price and length (price seems based on length pretty much). (Many threads here about them).
My own D went to Ringling pre-college which is closer to a 4 week residential program.She did CA and never looked back–her friend did CA and switched immediately to illustration. Just saying it’s a great way to test the waters!
Usually you choose one or two “immersions” for the program in addition to classes that everyone attends (mostly foundation drawing classes and basics).
They’re great for two reasons especially for someone who is unsure of what they want to do.
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They help answer the question " Is art school really where I want to go?"
Knowing if art school is “your thing” is important before you make a very expensive plunge into an art college.
Do you want art 24/7? Is this a career or a hobby for me?
It’s much cheaper to pay for a short trial than sign up for the long term and decide it’s not for you. -
They help build a portfolio in a relatively short amount of time. That’s a combination of intense instruction coupled with 24/7 focus on art.
At the very least you’ll emerge a better artist.
Now to your actual question!
Yes, go traditional portfolio as the art teacher suggested.
For most portfolios the schools look for skills like figure drawing (always big), color use, perspective, spatial use (any 3 D art–sculpture). Art teachers suggestion of process work is good–why you did this piece, what you changed in subsequent renditions of same subject and why.
A portfolio isn’t that big–you don’t get to put EVERYTHING you ever did in it so keeping it to your very best work is important.
Something outside the realm of most of your work would be an “outlier” unless you’ve won an award. So a “fashion sketch” no matter how great would be left out unless it has something “super special” going on. OR pertains to what you want to ultimately do–fashion design.
National Portfolio Days help a lot just to see what goes into portfolios and get feedback.
A Fine Arts major would probably have more paintings and still lifes for example.
My D’s computer animation portfolio was focused on life drawing, quick sketch and scenes showing action.
National Portfolio Days are very fun–like a college fair with feedback on how to apply to a specific school.
@gouf78 This is exactly the feedback I needed. My kid’s teacher is very experienced but I needed to get what she was doing, and now I think I do. Thank you so much!!
We found at National Porttolio that certain schools wanted different types of art I the portfolios, but more importantly we learned judt how subjective things are. Schools A, B and C showed distinct preferences for different pieces. One school said keep this in, take that out and another school the exact opposite. So take notes, and keep track of what school liked what! Beyond that, go with your gut, because it’s all so subjective.
ConceptArt.org is a great place to look at examples of portfolios. Students post their portfolios and get feedback.