What exactly is Parsons looking for?

Colleges and Universities A-Z Parsons School of Design
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<p>I'm a senior in high school, and I absolutely want nothing more than to attend Parsons because of their general reputation as a great launching pad into the fashion design world. But, I've been filled with a lot of stress and anxiety of whether or not I'm good enough, because to not get in would really crush me, I think. </p>

<p>So, I just have a few questions:
--I've been drawing and illustrating for my whole life, but that doesn't mean my portfolio is very big. Since my middle school didn't offer any art courses, I merely drew on the side for fun. But once I got into high school, schedule conflicts kept me from skipping a year of art, and jumping into Art Studio (I'm in IB). Sorry for the narrative, but here's my question: what exactly does Parsons look for in a portfolio? My work is varied, when you consider the basic Principles and Elements of Art and Design, but for the most part, I normally just illustrate women. Plus, my portfolio consists of maybe three basic media. I've tried sculpture and just did not have a feel for it.</p>

<p>--Second question! Parsons has these additional requirements which have me truly perplexed. I don't know if any of you know of the assignment, but it is to look at either an event, object, location, or activity that has had an impact on one's surroundings, and to present it from three different perspectives. It's just so BROAD, that I don't know where to even start. First of all, nothing in my community is the least bit impacting, or even inspiring enough to look to. Second, does "surroundings" generally refer to just where in your community you live? Nothing much has changed here, except for maybe a few flowers being planted. </p>

<p>Someone please help! I would really appreciate it so I can finally just finish this application and send it in! I have a feeling that with my general passion and interest in art, I could get in with an interview. Plus, I feel my portfolio is quite strong, if a bit limited in subject matter, AND my GPA is very high. I think the additional exercise is what will decide whether or not I get accepted.</p>

<p>Thanks so much to any replies!</p>

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<p>Hey Bjerkly,
I am also applying to Parsons for the fall of 07. I was just at a National Portfolio Review (which I recommend checking out) over the past weekend in Phoenix, AZ where I currently live. The feedback I got was something like this:</p>

<p>1) Direct observation is big! Still lifes are good, but also more random scenes from around the house would work too. Like they said they would like to see more "natural" scenes instead of all class setups. (Also they said they wanted to see the background of scenes incorporated, not just blank space.)</p>

<p>2) The two people before me were told that they wanted to see strong VALUE and COMPOSITION in their future work. It seemed really important. They just didn’t want to see images randomly placed in the center of the page. They wanted the images to fill the page in an interesting way. And they wanted to see convincing value to help create a more 3-D feel.</p>

<p>3) They weren't too concerned with my personal more creative art. They mainly wanted to see potential in basic traditional work, look at something and replicate it on a piece of paper that's what they want. They see this as the foundation of all other art I guess. So if you can do that they think you have potential. With that said, I am still going to put some creative wacky stuff in though. (The School of Visual Arts on the other hand was really excited about my more creative stuff.)</p>

<p>4) Life drawing is really good (esp. for fashion I bet.) They wanted to see polished and finished pieces as well as a couple of GESTURES. So of the total 10 slides I am going to submit, I am going to put 2 expressive gesture-type life drawing in with probably 3 life drawing.</p>

<p>5) Color- I had no color pieces to bring since I haven't worked with it much, but they said that could be ok if I didn’t have any. I am going to try to get at least one in my portfolio I think.</p>

<p>But this is only what I heard or was told on that day, and I am planning to be an illustration major so it may be somewhat different for fashion. </p>

<p>Oh and for the 6 part assignment I called the admissions office because it is so vague like you said and I had no idea what they wanted. The girl on the phone told me that it is meant to be vague. It’s not a rigid structured assignment and we can pretty much make it our own thing. It’s like that she said because the actual portfolio is really just about technique and rigid traditional art so these 6 (damn it’s a lot!) projects are for us to show our ability to be creative.</p>

<p>Anyway let me know if you hear any more about what they are looking for. So good luck and keep me posted!</p>

<p>Paul V.</p>

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<p>Thanks so much for all of the helpful information pval! I really, REALLY appreciate it.</p>

<p>But now I feel as if I have even more anxiety about this, because, I hardly do any observational work, because it always feels so empty and meaningless to me. With that said, most of my portfolio is composed of creative pieces. I, do, however, have a grand total of 2 still-life pieces. I can only hope that is enough...
My art teacher never stops telling me that the composition of my pieces are always some of the strongest elements of them, so I guess that's a good thing. And it's a coincedence you mention value, because she's been telling me to start incorporating darker values to make my pieces seem less "dreamy" and more "bold." And almost all of my work is in color... yay!</p>

<p>I'm going to get on the ball, and start doing some observational and life drawings... </p>

<p>And I figured out something to do for the additional exercise... and I guess I was on the right track with that. There is a Muslim mosque in my neighborhood... I originally didn't want to work with it, but now I feel I can reference it indirectly without being too literal about it.</p>

<p>But again, thanks so much for your help! Now I feel pretty satisfied about where I'm going artistically, and feeling quite confident. </p>

<p>Hope to see you there?! </p>

<p>(BTW, my name is Paul, too.)</p>