Putting together a portfolio requires an equal mix of inspiration and motivation. You have to first find a vision and then, keep working on it till you believe you have reached your final draft.
To help you, some universities may offer guidance on how to create your portfolio and what they will be focusing on. If the university of your choice does not have offer any guidelines, look at this page created by the University of Art, London, which may give you the advice you need: https://www.arts.ac.uk/study-at-ual/apply/portfolio-advice.
What are the challenges that you will encounter?
- Creating one strong vision
You can have 20 extremely beautiful images, made over the period of 4-5 years, but they all collectively need to showcase one, strong, unique thought. This thought is your communication with the person looking at your portfolio. They will use it to evaluate your artistic expression and cohesion proves that you are able to truly communicate through your work. Using different mediums and showing the gradual development in your skill and technique will also help you.
What you have to remember is that universities especially Art schools receive tons of portfolios every day, especially during application session. How you secure an admission is not just by creating an oil painting better than everyone else (of course if you have those skills then you’re almost there) but also if your oil painting communicates your vision.
So, if I select the topic- ‘India through my lens’ and selected these three images-
Then, you can see a clear vision and plan in my art. It also helps in conveying where I am from and a part of my heritage to those who may not be aware.
This vision is essential in a portfolio. If you have illustrations made by you as a child as well as those from you today, put one sample from both. It will show growth and communicate your journey to the admissions officer and compel them to choose you.
Tip: For more ideas, here is a site that may help- https://www.studentartguide.com/articles/how-to-make-an-art-portfolio-for-college-or-university.
2. Be prepared
Before you start working on any other college requirement, make sure you have your artwork and vision ready. Take proper pictures of your work and store them on your computer. The moment the university updates you on how to upload the documents, you can easily put it all together and submit your portfolio.
3. Using the correct software or method to upload.
Creating your art is just one part of the process. You also have to upload it according to the university’s rules and deadlines. You might be asked to use software such as Pebble Pad which you may not be aware of.
Tip: Use this site to understand Pebble Pad, if you need to- https://intranet.secure.griffith.edu.au/computing/using-learning-at-griffith/students/assessment/pebblepad/creating-assets-in-pebblepad/create-a-portfolio.
Ensure all the pictures of your work are HD and will not get blurry or distorted when you upload them. You should also roughly plan out the order in which you would upload them. If the university tells you to make it on Adobe Portfolio or something of your choice, then it is better to give yourself as much time as you can to put the pictures together and take care of the aesthetics of the portfolio.
4. Find the right balance between text and images. Portfolios can include text, write-ups, description, any work of yours that you want to showcase. Think about how you can find this balance and what suits your work best.
In addition, ask someone to take a look at your work. Sometimes feedback by friends/ family/ counsellors can help enhance your ideas and truly help you believe in them. If you do get an admission consultant to help you then you can receive professional advice and think better about which changes you should make.
Lastly, create something you are proud of, a vision that naturally comes to you. For inspiration, there is a lot of content on the internet but at the end of the day, it will stand out if it is original and made by you.
