Portfolio Guidance Art & Design

Portfolio Guidance
Art & Design

A guide on
preparing
your online
portfolio.
At Coventry University,
we would like to see…
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
The selected projects should show
your interest, skill and idea generation.
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
You should carefully select your
projects. More is not always more.
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
You should always start and end
with your best, most cherished
projects.
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
Projects must be a balance of:

• Self-Initiated projects (things you did for
yourself that show passion, curiosity and a
particular interest or goal)
• School Projects (that respond to a brief or
task and demonstrate your ability to work
with limitations and constrains)
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
Projects must be a balance of:

• Self-Initiated projects (things you did for
yourself that show passion, curiosity and a
particular interest or goal)
• School Projects (that respond to a brief or
task and demonstrate your ability to work
with limitations and constrains)
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
We are keen on process, well as final
outcomes. It shows us the way you think and
your potential. Therefore, consider including
more background information for at least 3 of
your projects:
• Research
• Development
Research—shows us you’re curious and want
to learn. It includes things from your
sketchbook like:
Observational drawings
Articles and books
Visual references
Development and Experimentation—shows
us how you work through your ideas:
Sketches
Experimenting with different media
(paint, ink, graphite, paper, etc.)
Idea generation
Architecture &
Interior Design
Space, scale and perspective
Drawing in a wide variety of media,
pencil, paint, ink, pen
Expressive and technical drawings
of exterior and interior of spaces
showing spatial understanding
Draw architectural details
Draw from diﬀerent perspectives,
birds eye and worms eye views!
Model making/3-D experience of
any sort demonstrating scale and
volume, these can be very simple
in construction, be playful and
innovative!
Work must be photographed well!
Automotive &
Transport Design
Drawing: Observational, technical,
exploratory, expressive, communicative,
diagrammatic
Observational transport/car drawings
from life (not tracings), these should
demonstrate strong evidence of
perspective, scale.
Look to draw the interior and details of
actual transport spaces (not
photographs).
Strong product design and architectural
projects will demonstrate skills in scale,
volume and perspective.
Ensure drawings aren’t just in pencil
and pen, a broad range of media is
important. Pens, ink, wax, graphite.
Model making/3-D experience of any
sort, well photographed.
Examples of prototypes, sculpture,
foam/card, engineering projects will
show a understanding of material use
and 2-D to 3-D understanding
Product Design
Creative problem solving and context is key
Identifying a service or product that could
be improved in interesting ways
Drawing: observational, technical,
exploratory, expressive, communicative,
diagrammatic
Demonstrate spatial awareness and
understanding (perspective and proportion)
Model making/3-D experience of any sort—
well photographed! Examples of prototypes,
sculpture, ceramics, engineering projects
will show a understanding of material use
Evidence knowledge of contemporary
designers that inspired you to become a
Product Designer.
Journaling/visually recording your making
and production skills
Fashion
Strong sense of individual/
primary research and
development (drawing,
collage, photography and
colour awareness)
Evidence fabric manipulation
and textile experimentations.
Life drawing or observational
fashion illustrations to show
you can understand
designing for the body.
Show us concept/
moodboards summarising
your projects.
Fine Art
Idea and concept generation is
crucial.
How you ‘think’ in your portfolio,
your particular talent and
specialism should be supported
with journaling of your thought
process and analysis of creative
decisions.
Show us your drawing, painting,
sculpture/installation or other 3D
work, photographs, prints, video,
sound and digital media.
We are always interested to see
and hear about a broad spectrum
of your creative activities so bring
evidence of other forms you have
worked in such as performance,
music/audio, writing, textiles,
design etc.
Illustration &
Games Art
storytelling and narrative are key.
All story telling happens in spaces
and places so drawings
evidencing characters in context
is desirable.
A broad variety of drawing styles
and media is important to
evidence. Pen, pencil, collage,
acrylics, cutwork, oil pastel and
felt-tip, charcoal and wax.
Life drawing and figurative
drawing is great as it shows us
observational skills in proportion
and perspective.
Story boarding (thumbnail
sketches) is a great way to show
us your ideas and what story your
illustrations are telling.
Original drawings not tracings!
Graphic Design
Standalone work (posters, music covers)
Campaign oriented (series of connecting
elements i.e.poster + flyer)
Editorial (layout) and sequencing (a few
spreads)
Playful integration of text (fonts) and
image (photography, collage, drawing,
illustration)
Technical skills (some digital skills i.e.
Photoshop and drawing, photography)
An understanding of your design in
context (some knowledge of existing
design scene and ability to articulate
why certain designs work).
Concept and ideas.
Research (how you reached those ideas)
and development (how you worked with
the ideas)
10:50 AM 15°24’15”N, 30°E10’3” 10:50 AM 15°24’15”N, 30°E10’3”
6 Complete Projects
(or 20 images)
You should consider the presentation of
your portfolio. It shows us you have a
good awareness of industry standards.
Demonstrate visual literacy through
interesting layouts and consistency.
Aim for:
• Clean
• Clear
• Structured
• Works well photographed or scanned
• No pixelation
• Landscape (if online)
• Save as .pdf
Don’t forget your
Personal Statement!
Tell us about your passion,
interest and inspiration in
your chosen course and
design area. Tell us about
your professional and
personal abilities that will
support your application.
Make it dynamic!
Thank you!
Questions?
http://blogs.coventry.ac.uk/artanddesign/
Insta: @Coventryfah_
Twitter: @coventryfah
Facebook: Coventry University
Faculty of Arts and Humanities

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Portfolio Guidance

Art & Design

Projects must be a balance of:

Projects must be a balance of:

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