Admissions Portfolio Scope

[rookieJohn]

Hey everyone,

I'm currently in the final year of an undergraduate engineering program (please don't stop reading yet!) and I want to apply for the Industrial Design program at Emily Carr once I'm done.

The obvious hurdle is the portfolio, for a few reasons. Firstly, the 3 years I've spent in engineering haven't left much time for artistic/portfolio development. I have a few sketches, and can make more, but this is the only work I feel like I'm able to confidently submit. I could submit a couple of renderings of engineering projects; they don't have much artistic value but I hope they would show technical aptitude as well as research and project management skills. Leading to my next point...

Emily Carr happens to have a foundation first year, so I feel that sketches of various Industrial Design ideas might not be enough when pitted against others with a myriad of fine art skills. Is this the case? Will they take into consideration my desired specialization even though the specialization does not begin until 2 year? Do I need a range of "fine art" pieces in my portfolio (painting, sculpture, photography)? Is sketching, 3D modelling, a model or two, and a few pieces that refer to my previous degree enough?

Thanks for your insight and any advice!!

[Maxine Schacker]

Requirements vary from school to school. You really should call Emily Carr and speak with the Admissions Counselor, or someone from the department you are applying to. They should be able to give you explicit directions about what they want to see.

[rookieJohn]

The description they have for what they're looking for is very broad, which should be a good sign. However, it makes me think of what others may be including, but that's how it is everywhere I guess.

I suppose a big worry is how (of IF) to represent my engineering degree in some way. Will the committee reject my application based on a portfolio piece that was attempting to show this, because they see it (out of context) as a failed attempt at art?

Applicants may upload images (jpg) or video (mov, wmv, flv).

10-15 EXAMPLES OF YOUR ARTWORK SUBMITTED ONLINE AT SLIDEROOM

The portfolio is a collection of work and ideas that represents the state of your creative development. It represents your creativity, knowledge, interests and skills. All applicants to Emily Carr University must submit a portfolio as part of the admission process. There is no formula for an acceptable portfolio. The portfolio you prepare may take a variety of forms. The primary goal of the portfolio submission is to show us how you communicate ideas and make use of research processes and materials. You should submit your best and most recent work that represents your personal interests and your abilities.

Portfolios often include a combination of the following:

* Drawings, prints or paintings
* Animation, film, video, audio recordings, ideas for scripts and storyboards
* Photographs, collage and other mixed media work
* Sculpture and ceramics
* Designs for zines, websites, communication and industrial design
* Performance art
* Images from sketchbooks, journals and notebooks

We recommend that you include in your portfolio a combination of work in a variety of media. Include works that are a reflection of your time and place in relation to the immediate world, tell a story or show how you have developed a theme or an idea in your work. Select and use materials and techniques that best suit your ideas. These may include two and three dimensional, traditional and nontraditional materials and techniques. It is recommended that at least 50% of your portfolio work should be original self-directed projects, i.e., work done outside of structured art classes. Note: In order to show us research drawings, images from sketchbooks, details of sculptures, diptychs, etc. you may need to exceed the maximum 15 examples of artwork. This is permitted within reason but should not exceed a total of 25 images.

We value inventiveness and exploration. How imaginatively you develop and give form to your ideas will be important to the assessment committee.