Your portfolio should showcase your best work to date.
Whether you are applying for first year Foundation or as a transfer student, all applicants to Emily Carr University must submit a portfolio online through SlideRoom as part of the admission process.
Find requirements for submitting your Foundation Portfolio below. If you are a Transfer applicant, see "Transfer Applicant Portfolios" below for sample portfolio requirements.
Foundation Portfolio Requirements
Your portfolio is a collection of work and ideas that demonstrate the state of your creative development. We want to see what you create to imagine how you might succeed at Emily Carr University of Art + Design.
A strong portfolio includes a diverse array of artwork, experimental processes, material techniques, observation skills, and creative thinking.
There is no rigid or fail-safe formula for a good portfolio: we are looking for that unique combination of creativity, engagement, and inspiration that makes art, design and media education suitable for you.
Part 1: 10 Examples of your Creative Practice
Show us a wide range of examples of your creative practice. All media, mixed or otherwise—from a video or a song, to a comic strip or a zine—are welcome.
Submit only your best work in its final state from the last two years. Be critical in your selection, as we evaluate 10 samples maximum.
Part 2: Process Projects
Respond to three prompts using a variety of materials, from images to songs to sculpture.
· In one original image or 20-second media clip, answer the question: How is creativity important for both the individual and the community?
· In three original images, tell us a story about yourself.
· Using three different materials, build a model of what you would put in the centre of a public space. Include process sketches/photographs.
After responding to the three prompts artistically, please tell us how you feel about that entire creative process by writing no more than 50 words.
Part 3: Written Responses
Lastly, we want to hear your voice and learn about you through your writing. This is not a formal essay, but an opportunity for personal reflection and intellectual honesty. In 75-100 words per answer, respond to the following three questions:
· What makes a communication problem interesting to you?
· In your experience, what is the best part of learning something new? Give an example of when you loved learning as a shared experience.
· Make a list of all the things you’d like to learn at Emily Carr.
A portfolio of original visual artwork is a requirement for admission to all programs.
Portfolio and Statement of Intent
A portfolio submission should include the applicant’s most imaginative, best and most recent work (within two years). It should include a variety of mediums (two-three minimum) that demonstrate range as an artist.
Applicants will be sent a link to Slideroom to upload their portfolio and Statement of Intent within one week of submitting their application.
Note: If you are a Transfer Applicant, applying for direct entry to the Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Fine Arts, see Portfolio Requirements for Transfer Students.
Original work only
The admissions portfolio must be your original work. Misrepresenting the work of others as your own is a violation of our Student Conduct procedure, as well as intellectual property rights in general. Violations are subject to sanction.
Portfolio Components
Twelve pieces of work are required. Your AUArts Portfolio must include at least one observational drawing and 11 additional pieces of finished work from a variety or range of mediums. Process work (1 piece) from a sketchbook or notebook is optional and can be included in lieu of one of the pieces of finished work.
· Finished work – Showcase a range of work in its best final state
· Process work – Provide some of your sketchbook work including documentation, research and evidence of your conceptual understanding and thought process. To upload multiple photos of your sketchbook pages, save it as a single PDF document, and submit that as 1 piece of artwork
· Each piece of artwork should be accompanied by an explanation of how you developed the idea for the piece (up to 50 words per piece)
Media Considerations for Finished Work for Your Portfolio Submission
Images
· Observational Drawing (landscape, still life or figure drawing) – required
· Painting
· Photographs
· Mixed Media or collages
· 3-Dimensional artwork such as ceramics, sculpture, textiles, glass, or jewellery
· Documentation of installation art
· Creative or critical writing
Digital Media
· 3-D models
· Video
· Animation
· Website designs
· Performance or installation art
· Digital art (paintings, digital 3D object design/sculptures)
· Other forms of digital media
Note: Please refrain from submitting anime/manga and/or fan art
File formats and sizes for uploading to Slideroom
· Images (up to 5MB each), JPEG, EPS, GIF, PNG
· Video (up to 250MB each), MP4, MOV, M4V
· Audio (up to 30MB each), WAV, MP3, AIFF
· PDFs (up to 10MB each)
· 3D Models
Note: You may also link to media from YouTube, Vimeo and SoundCloud
Portfolio Evaluation Criteria
· Originality, Inventiveness, Experimentation of Concepts – Show the development of original ideas that are researched and socially relevant. This applies to both the visual pieces, but also to the explanation supporting each piece of artwork selected for the portfolio.
· Variety of Media, Materials, Explorations– Show experimentation in different mediums – 2D and/or 3D and/or digital – including the use of traditional and modern materials and processes. As well, show variety in your subject matter. Explore topics that interest you in your own life - politics, people, emotion, experiences, dreams etc.
· Manual Skills, Craft Execution – Show your hand or manual skills in the chosen medium and/or the skill level associated with the work presented.
· Presentation and Documentation – Present your artwork in a professional manner (ie: edges cropped, enough lighting, quality photos, videos or similar). Each piece should have a title, a brief description, materials/mediums used, and size. For 3D pieces, work should be photographed from multiple angles with a neutral background. The description of each submission should detail how the concept was developed.
· Process Work – (Optional) Artwork should demonstrate problem-solving, clarity of process and depth of research as proven by the notebook or sketchbook submission. Examples of media for process work may include images, videos, or models of sketchbook work and/or creative research or documentation.
· Statement of Intent – Include a written statement or in-person ‘interview’ for those attending Portfolio Review events which will provide us with an understanding of you as an artist and how your goals fit with our programs and culture at AUArts. See below.
Statement of Intent
In addition to the portfolio, applicants must submit a “Statement of Intent”. The written statement should define why an applicant will thrive at AUArts. The statement should be no longer than 500 words total and address the following:
1. Why do you want to go to art school and earn a degree?
First Year Portfolio GuidelinesYour portfolio is a collection of work that represents your individual creative and technical experiences and accomplishments and should be a visual representation of who you are. You need to demonstrate that you are a visual communicator and that you are well-equipped to succeed in the program you have applied to at OCAD U. This can include experimentation in both traditional and digital media or any combination. Keep in mind that when it comes to your portfolio, some of the most important features we look for are skill, passion, curiosity and your ability to think creatively, shown in a diverse range of mediums. Your portfolio for admission should include:
Statement of Intent: To support your application to OCAD U, we ask that you tell us about yourself through a statement of intent (300 words maximum). Your statement of intent should explain your specific interest in the program that you have applied to at OCAD U as well as what or who inspires and influences the work that you do. This is your opportunity to introduce yourself as an artist/designer/maker and provide context so we can better understand your work. Further details are available through SlideRoom and you will submit your statement as part of the SlideRoom submission process.
Process Work: Include your sketchbook, process and concept development skills as part of your portfolio submission. You can document your process work as a sketchbook, creative journal, concept/idea book or a digital document. Your process work should demonstrate a routine of creative process, should link to several of the finished pieces included in the portfolio and include experimentation, photos of development, drawing, mark-making, writing, research and inspirations. You may submit more than one sketchbook but must remember that each counts as one piece in the portfolio submission. Upload your process work to SlideRoom as a multiple page PDF or a brief video.
Finished Work: Include 8 to 10 examples of your original finalized work that demonstrates a variety of your skills and approaches to art, design and media. Be sure to include examples of work that is directly related to the program that you are applying. Also include explorations in traditional, digital, and experimental mediums or any combination. Show us who you are through your work and that you are well equipped to succeed in the program that you have applied to at OCAD U. Be sure to appropriately label your work in SlideRoom using the fields provided.
Descriptions: Explain in 50 words per finished piece the process/making method/media/concept and purpose of each piece. Use the additional details field in SlideRoom as you upload your work.
Please note, there are additional guidelines for some of our programs available through our SlideRoom portal and at the following links:
