Most Art Colleges/Schools require a portfolio as part of the application process. A representative from the school will review your portfolio with you, these meeting lasts 10 to 20 minutes. Treat this opportunity as a job interview, be very professional. If you have work on a flash drive don’t assume the reviewer will have a laptop, bring your own or burn a CD with your images so you can leave it with the reviewer.
You need to research the school/schools you are interested in attending, these are just general guidelines to begin to collect and creating art.
What should your portfolio contain-
Northern Michigan University - Example of requirements -
Portfolio Suggestions
Toya Multi-Ring (Suggested Size13x19)
Itoya The Original (Suggested Size 14x17 or larger)
Purchase Portfolio
Utrecht - Royal Oak
Dick Blick - Order Online
JoAnn Fabric or Michael's also carry portfolios
Schools Portfolio Requirements
College for Creative Studies - Detroit, Michigan
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Art Institute of Michigan - Novi, Michigan
Open house held once a month and they offer a Senior Saturday - call for more information
Information About Ai's Programs
Lawrence Tech - Southfield, Michigan - Example of Industrial Design Portfolio
Selecting a Career
O*NET onLine - An online tool for career exploration and job analysis! If your not sure what you want to do explore this site.
MY NEXT MOVE - Created for the U.S. Department of Labor. This site allows you to explore different career options, another helpful site when trying to select your path in life.
Making the most of your money $$
MACRAO Agreement - The agreement provides for transfer of up to 30 semester credit hours to meet many (in some cases all) of the general education requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students should check with the college to which they plan to transfer to determine if the MACRAO agreement is honored or if the college puts limitations or provisos on the agreement.
You need to research the school/schools you are interested in attending, these are just general guidelines to begin to collect and creating art.
What should your portfolio contain-
- Your portfolio should contain 10 to 15 finished pieces, including 5-7 observational drawings (that is, drawings from real life. For example, still life, portrait, landscape, and figure. No drawings from photos). Beyond that, your options are wide open. Include paintings, prints, photos, graphics, ceramics, furniture, models and jewelry - whatever you like and are good at doing.
- Artwork needs to be organized and very neat.
- Submit your best, most recent pieces.
- Include pieces that you truly enjoy. Your portfolio can show a narrow focused body of work or a wide range of media.
- Reviewers prefer to see the work in person, but if it’s too large to transport easily, collect digital images, slides, video, or photos. Images need to show scale of work, and close-up details, select a solid background color to photograph work in front of document the work the best you can. Vantage points.
- Reviewers are looking at design quality, color usage, application of the entire gray scale (darkest of darks and lightest of lights), craftsmanship, draftsmanship, composition, and concept development. They are also looking for evidence of the personal qualities that will help you succeed - qualities like creativity, motivation, dedication, drive, and enthusiasm. Your work should be able to speak for itself, evoke an emotion.
- You don’t need to frame your work.
Northern Michigan University - Example of requirements -
Portfolio Suggestions
Toya Multi-Ring (Suggested Size13x19)
Itoya The Original (Suggested Size 14x17 or larger)
Purchase Portfolio
Utrecht - Royal Oak
Dick Blick - Order Online
JoAnn Fabric or Michael's also carry portfolios
Schools Portfolio Requirements
College for Creative Studies - Detroit, Michigan
Kendall College of Art and Design of Ferris State University - Grand Rapids, Michigan
Art Institute of Michigan - Novi, Michigan
Open house held once a month and they offer a Senior Saturday - call for more information
Information About Ai's Programs
Lawrence Tech - Southfield, Michigan - Example of Industrial Design Portfolio
Selecting a Career
O*NET onLine - An online tool for career exploration and job analysis! If your not sure what you want to do explore this site.
MY NEXT MOVE - Created for the U.S. Department of Labor. This site allows you to explore different career options, another helpful site when trying to select your path in life.
Making the most of your money $$
MACRAO Agreement - The agreement provides for transfer of up to 30 semester credit hours to meet many (in some cases all) of the general education requirements at participating Michigan four-year colleges and universities. Students should check with the college to which they plan to transfer to determine if the MACRAO agreement is honored or if the college puts limitations or provisos on the agreement.