Preparing for University interview

[Kagemusha22]

Over ten days ago I finally got a reply from my 1st choice for University, inviting me to go to an interview to show my work and to determine whether I'm a unique character. Despite being excited about this opportunity, I also worry about the fact that I feel my Foundation Art course at college hasn't really prepared me, I've pretty much learnt nothing from the course.

Whilst a friend in a different college doing the same course, has had lectures on Art History, art theories, has been taught how to use computer programs and has a ton of materials at his disposal. Whilst the course at my college pretty much involves attending a room where a teacher will take the register, and then just pace around the room for the next hour whilst the students try to get on with their projects with as little help as possible. (As the teachers are either indifferent, or don't know how to help)

They also haven't made any attempt to centre a class on compiling our portfolio's, most people weren't even told when to start doing them, never mind what Universities are hoping to see. (Though I asked the lecturers at my 1st choice during an open day, what was the key thing they wanted to see, and it turns out that it's how we develop our work)

To make matters harder there's about 33 places for my 1st choice. (about 11 of those places reserved for the Uni's own Foundation Students) What I really need at this moment is just some general pointers in the interview process, and what experiences people have had with University interviews.

[Viridis]

Hm. I haven't done an interview for art before, not really, but I can give you one piece of advice-- don't try to explain or make excuses for your art, just let them judge it and let the art speak for itself. Afterwards, if they ask you questions, you can talk about various aspects of the work, I think.

As for compiling a portfolio, a lot depends on what major/focus you're looking at doing. If it's just to get into college I would suggest something that covers all areas. Take 10-20 of your very best pieces. Include several black and white studied, including at least a few figure pieces. Do a few pieces in color, again of traditional subjects: some still life, some landscape, some figure. This shows your observational and technical skills. Have a couple pieces of more personal work in a different style if it interests you and if you think it holds up to your other work. Have one or two pages from your sketchbook or gestures/rough studies to show your thought processes.

More info and tips on portfolios can be found here: http://thedrawingboardforillustrators.blogspot.com/

[Grief]

you are going to kick ass.

[ladydove7]

I know the way my college worked, my portfolio counselor suggested I bring about 20 slides and break down each row of 5 into various subjects. The first row was my foundation work (life drawing studies, etc), then the next row was a more refined series, and etc, etc, etc.

Just remember that a lot of what makes you a real artist ISN'T your education, it's your attitude and how you train yourself. Having a good teacher can really help, but not having one shouldn't stop you from learning on your own. Maybe ask this friend for advice or if he can show you a few things so you can feel more confident and well-rounded?

Good luck and let us know how it goes!

[KonnA]

In my opinion, art portfolios should be open ended. Just add everything your PROUD of. I mean the more there is the more the interviewer can actually see how diverse and rich your knowledge and that you actually have a base of knowledge and not just luck.

[Alex Chow]

Just be passionate in your interview but not to the point that makes it seem like you're faking it. I couldn't even count how many high school students talked like zombies in a previous art college interview session I had; it certainly doesn't make a good character. Other than that, do not make excuses as Flame stated and avoid "I don't know"s; confidence is a big part of it.

[ladydove7]

Springboarding off of what Amaranth said about the questions you don't know the answer for, I've found the best way to handle these is to be straightforward and honest. In all likelihood, they'll stick to areas that you're familiar with considering they will have your portfolio as a first impression of what your areas of expertise are. Be thinking about what inspired your work, what your processes were, and perhaps the 'elevator speech' (the 5 second speech about what you do and why and how you do it) of what's the main motivation for your work overall and ALSO how you'd like to develop it in the future (as that is the reason you're pursuing higher education).

If they start getting into territory such as questioning digital methods, or other areas you may not be feel too comfortable in, just present yourself as ready and willing to learn more. It's why you're going to school, after all!

Hope that helps some:D It really is almost like a job interview so it may be worth looking up job interview 'tough questions' for further preparation.

[Kagemusha22]

Thanks very much everyone for the feedback;

FlameRaven: The one thing I was hoping to do was summarize my development work to them before I show it to them, i.e. the weaknesses, the strengths, how it shows a progression. But if you think I should leave it to them, I'll consider dropping that.

The difficult thing with the portfolio is that they said they don't want too many pages showing my skill (I guess because they can develop that over the next 3 years), they want strong ideas and good development work. (In other words potential)

Grief: Lol, I'll try to.

Ladydove7: I know what you mean, I wouldn't be at the level I am today if I left all my learning upto the teachers I've had. (Though if I just relied on my art teachers, then there'd be no point me embarking on a art-based career) I just wish that I'd had a more competent teacher heading the course, it would have made this year a hell of lot easier and less stressful.

Thanks for the advice on interviews, I'm going to be doing a mock interview at my college this Thursday to prepare me.

KonnA: Well all the slips are A1, I have abou 5 to 6 pages of lifedrawing, about two pieces that muck around with materials (I'm hoping to make two more), and then there's this mini-project, where I make various illustration off a set of themes. So far I only have one illustration, which is a plan for sequential piece that explores lonliness.

Along with 3 project sketchbooks.

The Amaranth: The one worry I have is whether I lose my nerve before the interview, and just become a jibbering idiot. I'm hoping to keep my cool, and be diverse in my interests.

Anyway I'll try and upload my portfolio after my interview.

[wookiedabo]

where are ya applying? I'm goin through the same process at the mo, had a coupla interviews. The format seems to usually be fairly relaxed, really all you're doing is talking about the thing you're passionate about. All they want to see is some skill and application of that passion, and that you'd be an asset to the course. anyway, good luck with it all.

[Kagemusha22]

where are ya applying? I'm goin through the same process at the mo, had a coupla interviews. The format seems to usually be fairly relaxed, really all you're doing is talking about the thing you're passionate about. All they want to see is some skill and application of that passion, and that you'd be an asset to the course. anyway, good luck with it all.

It's a Illustration (or 'Visual Communication, as it's called there) course at Loughborough Uni. If I don't get in there I'm hoping for Cardiff UWIC as my second choice and Manchester Met as my third.

[Kagemusha22]

Hey everyone, had my interview at Loughborough last Wednesday. Not too sure how it went really, I made a few mistakes along with a few good things. There were two interviewers, one who looked at my work and one who judged my character. The actual interview seemed to last for over 30 minutes (if not 40), so that surely must be a good thing?

Though the questions I got weren't as straight forward as I was expecting them to be, the first bunch were fairly conventional like what did I think were my greatest strengths and what was my weaknesses. I tried to tie my answer to the weaknesses question as to my reasoning for choosing that specific course. (To overcome those weaknesses) Saying something along the lines of that I wanted to gain confidence from the course to achieve a unique style. (As I said my weaknesses were a lack of polish and confidence, as well as my work at times looking generic) This prompted the interviewer to reply with "You must be pretty confident to be wearing what you are now?" (I was dressed like a poor-man's Russell Brand), and then following on with "Would you say that you'd be wearing that style in 3 years time and will it be considered fashionable in 5 years time?". (Which threw me off for a minute or two, before realising he was illustrating how trends go in and out of fashion, like drawing/art styles)

Then we started talking about Graphic Novels (Persepolis to be exact), and he listened to my analysis of the comic and then asked me how relevant the style was. Then following my answer to that question, he retorted with whether the style or story was more important. This took me three times to answer. The first two times I tried to play the middleground, as I assumed by saying that the story was more important he'd retort that I should have gone on a creative writing course instead. But everytime I tried to say both were important, I could tell I was testing his patience, and by the third time he asked the question I just said the story was the more important. (Which he agreed to and I tried to save my skin by going over the definition of illustration, as being a way to project an idea)

After that we talked abit about my work and how it personally related to me, and then following that I asked a couple of questions of my own and it was over. They informed me they'd get in touch, on whether I'd been rejected or accepted.

They gave me some opinions that they had of me from the interview, like that they felt I had good critical analysis (regarding my dis-section of Persepolis' story) and seemed to conclude that at the moment my ideas aren't being concieved to their full potential, due to my skills not being able to carry them. (But agreed that a degree would help solve that)

[Viridis]

Well, it sounds like it went fairly well for you then. That's good.

I will say, for future interviews, I think good advice would be not to waffle. Don't always try to play it safe. Like the question of 'is story or art more important?' Pick what you think and defend your opinion, whether the other person agrees or not. I think they'll admire you more for your conviction and your ability to defend it than whether or not they agree with you.

Obviously, this doesn't work for all things (sometimes you need to tell them what they want to hear) but if you're just debating opinions, try to stick to your guns.

Still, it sounds like it went okay. Best of luck getting in!

[Twelve]

Well Done :) You've just made me pile my pants for my uni interviews next year. lol

I hope it all goes to the very best for you and you get on the course you truly want. Best of luck.

[Kagemusha22]

FlameRaven; Thanks very much, I'll try put more belief in my opinions in the future. :)

Though I did believe in the first place that the story is the most important thing within any media of storytelling, no matter how much anyone can try and cover up a lack of story with either gimmicks, special effects, cliches, etc. Eventually time will make those things useless (Either outdating them, or people grow tired of the gimmick) and all that's left is what it's about at it's core, if it has nothing to say then it's pretty worthless. But I do believe that the style is importrant in the execution, as it needs to augment the story (or idea), and that was the way I tried to put. (Though I think, the interviewer wanted a rather more 'black & White answer' of one or the other)

Daemien; Lol, don't fret if you're hoping to go on an illustration course just make sure you build up a portfolio that you personally feel comfortable with and that you can talk about in depth. Also having a decent knowledge in literature can help. (If you're not going on a illustration course, forget everything I just said there)

Well I'll let you know how I did when I get a reply.

[Zaxser]

I don't know. Comics like Maus are obviously about the story. You can tell by looking at them. Watchmen is more about story, but wouldn't work without the art style. And the stories mostly a format to test "gimmicks" only available in comics.

And then there's hardboiled, which, as awesome as it is, no one would give a shit about if Geoff Darrow hadn't left his artstyle on every rediculously detailed page.

[Kagemusha22]

I got a letter yesterday from Loughborough Uni, saying that they'd accepted me! (On the condition that I pass my foundation course) So I'm pretty pleased about, so thanks to everyone for the advice and support. I'll upload the rest of my portfolio onto my sketchbook, when I have time.

Zaxser; I wouldn't call what Watchmen did as gimmicks, as much as it was using the aspects of the medium to it's advantage. Alan Moore really thought through how the panels and dialogue would be put-together and presented to the audience. (Though personally I prefer The Ballad of Halo Jones over Watchmen, too bad it was never concluded...)

[Grief]

i told you that you'd kick ass.

congratulations.