Applicants for the Bachelor of Design are required to present a portfolio demonstrating their art/design work with their application.
The portfolio comprises 16 photographs of visual work including art, graphic or design work in any media giving clear evidence of your ability to generate ideas and concepts towards a specific purpose. Drawing (process, descriptive or imaginative), composition, and technical skills will be given special consideration.
Send prints rather than originals
We prefer your portfolio of visual work to be submitted as 15cm x 10cm (6x4 inch) photographic prints, NOT original work.
We will also accept digital portfolios on CD. If submitting work digitally, you must also provide a document that outlines each image/piece of work in line with the portfolio specifications.
Tips for photographing your work
If you are taking your own photographs, make sure that you photograph in natural daylight, but not direct sunlight. Do not use a flash or photograph in artificial light.
Photograph 2D work front-on with the camera parallel to the image and make sure it is in focus. 3D work can be shown from a variety of different angles.
Get help to ensure the cleanest, most faithful reproduction of your original design/art work.
There is a maximum of 16 photographs per application. Please present these in a folder as detailed below.
One piece of work per photo
We recommend that only one piece of original work be represented within each photograph. You may include (within the 16 photographs) images of process (workbook renderings, rough sketches etc).
A maximum of five photographs should represent process work and the rest should be of finished work.
Unlabelled photographs cannot be assessed
Each photograph must be labelled with dimensions and media on the mount.
Your portfolio submission should include art, graphic or design work in any media giving clear evidence of your ability to generate ideas and concepts towards a specific purpose. Drawing (process, descriptive or imaginative) composition, and technical skills will be given special consideration.
You may include examples of drawing, sculpture, graphics, mechanical drawing, illustration, three-dimensional objects, painting, digital imaging, printmaking and any other artforms at which you may be accomplished.
Portfolio qualities which are reviewed:
- Research and concept development
- Analysis and interpretation,e.g. workbooks
- Technical competence (in any given medium)
- Understanding 2D and /or 3D form
- Understanding of colour/tone and line as basic design elements.
The portfolio should show evidence of your current ability as well as your potential to develop further a range of media and subject matter.
To receive full details of size and layout please email info@cpit.ac.nz.