University Interview Advice

[flatliner]

Has anyone got any advice on what to expect from a University portfolio interview? The interview is for an 'Illustration and Animation' course @ Derby Univeristy. My portfolio is going quite well and its now just a matter of filling a few gaps to beef it up, so thats not a problem. What is though is im not sure what will be expected of me. Will I be giving a presentation of my work? will I be asked questions the whole time?

Anyone with any experience of an Interview @ a university would be a great help. I know there not all the same, but I just want an Idea of what im in for.

[Storyboard Dave]

Has anyone got any advice on what to expect from a University portfolio interview? The interview is for an 'Illustration and Animation' course @ Derby Univeristy. My portfolio is going quite well and its now just a matter of filling a few gaps to beef it up, so thats not a problem. What is though is im not sure what will be expected of me. Will I be giving a presentation of my work? will I be asked questions the whole time?

Anyone with any experience of an Interview @ a university would be a great help. I know there not all the same, but I just want an Idea of what im in for.

Think of it as YOUR presentation to them if you're doing an in-person interview with an Admissions counselor. That way you can at least guide it through and once you're done, be prepared to answer any questions they might have. More than likely they'll be asking you your approach to a piece, how much time did you spend on a piece, and if you had any challenges/ difficulties with the piece. It's not that difficult- after all you're speaking about pieces that you should be very familiar with.

What gets a little tricky are those times when you're sending off slides. While it's safer and probably more convenient for you, the slides/ art has to speak for itself. Just be sure to label the slides clearly (which side is up, right or wrong reading, etc.). I'd also suggest a very VERY brief description of each piece as well describing it as well as you can.

More than likely the counselors just one step of the way to being admitted, but if your portfolio is solid, I wouldn't worry too much.

[Mirana]

As Dave said--don't sweat it, those interviews are easy. It's only a discussion about your work, and IF they think it needs more, then a friendly critique.

I went to one because a friend of mine wanted "company" while he had his done. I only had my personal sketchbook (it was the end of the year and all my HS stuff was locked away, being graded) and was in jeans and a t-shirt. The interviewer I talked to loved it and said that it was nice to look at current, thought-process type work. We spent the whole time just talking about art (mostly what the interviewer liked). It was a very relaxed time.

[Storyboard Dave]

Just like Mirana said, it's a talk about YOUR work. It's not like they're going to ask you about long division or quantum mechanics. It's about your work so you should be familiar with it!

One hint if you're REALLY nervous and have palms that sweat- take a stick of deodorant and run it over your palm prior to the interview. There's nothing worse than shaking a clammy handshake so if you have that problem, try this stupid little stunt- it works!

But don't worry too much about it. Let your work speak for itself and you just guide the other person through it.

[flatliner]

thanks for the tips guys. I get nervous quite easy when im in those types of situations, so im gonna try and not let that hold me back. Ive already had an interview that did'nt go to well, but what i've learned from that one will strengthen me in the next. Im looking forward to the next in a way, i wanna show off my work! :P

[Storyboard Dave]

thanks for the tips guys. I get nervous quite easy when im in those types of situations, so im gonna try and not let that hold me back. Ive already had an interview that did'nt go to well, but what i've learned from that one will strengthen me in the next. Im looking forward to the next in a way, i wanna show off my work! :P


Just remember that you're talking about YOUR stuff. You're not trying to convince anyone of anything. Let your pieces speak for themselves and it should go easily. If you can, see if you can get someone to help you practice as well.

[BlackGuy]

yeah I'm going to echo what was said here. I tend to do really well in interviews, and the most important thing is to relax and be yourself. Common sense will tell you about the amount of professionalism and courtesy, so I won't get into that. But more importantly, just take deep breaths, and just relax. Don't be overly formal, be a little "real" with them (without overstepping that professionalism line).

[WhizBang]

I was nervous as all hell at my first college meeting then it dawned on me that the guy across from me was an artist as well and then I relaxed. Go to find out that we both spoke the "same language" and it was a lot easier then. And like people have said here, it's your art you'll be talking about and not someone else's!