First of all, I want to explain some background information. Art is a very important aspect of my life, and all the ECs/Honors I’ve had so far relate entirely or partially to art. Submitting an art portfolio almost becomes a necessity for me.
Please believe that I’m not bragging. I consider myself to have a decent skill level. When I say “anime style”, I’m not referring to fan art which I draw for fun. Rather, I’m talking about works that express emotions and meanings. I develop my own style by exploring Japanese illustration for years. It’s certain that some people in Western world may not accept this type of style, but drawing in anime help me learn this world more.
That’s why I want to include works done in anime style. However, I can understand that the Art departments (who review students’ Art portfolio) may not prefer this and that my chance of getting in may be hurt. If that’s actually the case I’m also capable of drawing in more traditional style.
Just my opinion, and I know very little about art.
Yale is a reach for nearly everyone. You definitely need to apply to safeties.
To me “I develop my own style” sounds like exactly the right thing to do.
Top universities are not looking for a long list of identical perfect students. Rather, top universities are looking for exceptional students who also have some degree of uniqueness.
You might want to google “applying sideways MIT”. As I understand it, the blog that this will take you to on the MIT admissions website tells you to do what is right for you, and do it very, very well. This is what I did that did get me into MIT, and IMHO also applies to Yale.
Of course your grades, test scores, references, and essays will also matter. Of course you need to pay attention to your budget and apply to safeties. However, in terms of the question in your original post in this thread I think that you are doing the right thing.
You might consider including one more traditional art work in your portfolio just to show that you do have the ability to use a range of styles, but again I do not know much about art.
“Because the Admissions Committee gives greatest weight to the required documents, it is recommended that you focus your energy primarily on those elements of the application.
If you have a substantial and well-developed talent that cannot be conveyed adequately in the rest of your application…”
And this:
“You should only consider submitting work if your artwork is a strong and important part of your application and demonstrates a high level of ability for a high school artist. You should limit the submission to between 5 and 8 pieces and include at least one drawing.”
I don’t think they care if it’s anime, but it had better be good. I suggest asking an art teacher or someone knowledgeable about art if they think it is worth submitting your work. That means, get another opinion.
I would say “be yourself” artistically but yes, include a couple of traditional pieces too. Yale has a questionnaire as well, and allows one letter of recommendation related to art.
I think it is very interesting that you have studied Japanese illustration for years and I hope you can get that across, and that that has inspired your own art.
I don’t know much about what Yale looks for in an art supplement but traditional art schools frown on anime style in a portfolio. Unless you’ve created your own works of fiction or truly have gotten away from the highly stylized anime I wouldn’t recommend it. Art schools look for figure studies drawn from life (not a picture).
Thank you and you’re right! I’ve also done a lot of research on traditional art schools. Unless we can show some degree of uniqueness, anime style won’t do its job. I guess that applies the same for Yale.
You may want to reference or tie in the style and subject of your portfolio into your college specific essays. The pieces alone may not tie in the significance. Don’t do it in the common app essay as not every school allows additional portfolio submissions.
Also, you may appreciate Brown’s relationship with their neighbor, RISD. And Brown’s video submission may lend itself to this self-exploration through anime style you are developing.
I think the answer to this is important for us to give the best advice.
If you’re applying to an art department, I would give different advice than if your art is an EC important in your life but not a career goal.
If the latter, I see value in sharing your art as a supplement. It will make you stand out from the crowd. Especially if it reinforces one of your essays (not necessary but could be a powerful part of your application done right.)
From Yale site: Areas of concentration Each Art major selects an area of concentration from five possible choices: (1) graphic design, (2) painting/printmaking, (3) photography, (4) sculpture, and (5) filmmaking.
Is one of those the area of art you want to pursue?
Yale is not my only choice. I’ve also planned to apply for other art schools. However Yale is my first choice because I want to learn more besides art techniques. Yale is a school which emphasizes research when it comes to art.
And yes, graphic design and painting are two of the areas I consider to pursue. But I do not know exactly which one to go after.
We don’t know much about your background besides your interest in Yale and anime. But, have you thought about programs with animation?
Some schools from that list that might interest you (among others) are:
Rhode Island School of Design/Brown (students can take classes at the other school)
U. of Southern California
Savannah College of Art Design/Emory (through the ARCHE consortium, students can take classes at the other’s campus…the Atlanta campus for SCAD)
Carnegie Mellon
Rochester Institute of Technology
Maryland Institute College of Art (MICA)/Johns Hopkins (again, another consortium arrangement)
NYU
U. of Pennsylvania
This is a different article on animation programs. Between the two lists, you should probably also be able to schools to help create a balanced list of schools to apply to.