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Portfolio Development

Your portfolio is a critical part of the admissions process. When preparing your portfolio think of your audience, your strengths, and what you are trying to express to the viewer. A well-developed portfolio can assist you in gaining acceptance to CCAD, as well as increase your chances of being awarded a scholarship.

Think of the following items when developing a new piece of work for your portfolio:

  • Consider overlap of shapes/objects to create a sense of depth in space. Variety in size, shape, and texture will add interest to the image.
  • Utilize the entire frame of reference. Give your image a foreground, middle ground, and background to create the illusion of space.
  • Establish a strong, defined light source and be sure to display very light highlights to very deep shadows.

Some image ideas include: a self-portrait, drawings of human figures, still-life objects of a certain theme, and drawings of buildings or interiors.

What You Need to Know

What Is a Portfolio?

A portfolio is simply a collection of your best pieces of artwork, demonstrating your interest and aptitude for a serious education in the arts. CCAD suggests that you submit at least 10 (but no more than 15) pieces of art.

What Should You Include in Your Portfolio?

Your portfolio is a critical part of the admissions process. When preparing your portfolio think of your audience, your strengths, and what you are trying to express to the viewer. A well-developed portfolio can assist you in gaining acceptance to CCAD, as well as increase your chances of being awarded a scholarship.

The work may include, but is not limited to, drawing, painting, design, printmaking, collage, photography, ceramics, architectural drafting, sculpture, digital work, and three-dimensional projects. Your portfolio can include classroom assignments as well as independent projects. You may also include your sketchbook, which will constitute one portfolio piece. Observational drawing is encouraged, but we want to see what you do the best.

Quality is always better than quantity.

Consider Taking Slides of Your Work
If you are planning to enter a number of competitions, consider documenting your portfolio in slide form. This allows you to submit the same piece of artwork to more than one competition. It is always best to show original work; however, this is not always possible or practical. For example, larger paintings, framed artwork, three-dimensional pieces, sculpture, and ceramics should be submitted in slide form rather than original. A combination of original work and slides is also acceptable at CCAD.

How Should Your Portfolio be Presented?

Try to make it as clean and organized as possible. It is always important to protect your work but be certain the type of packing you select is easy to handle and does not interfere with the viewing of the artwork. Drawings that have been rolled up are difficult for the jurors to handle and view. If you wish, you may wrap your pieces in acetate but it is not required. Many students like to attach flaps of paper over their work to protect it. Avoid loose sheets of paper between pieces. We recommend that you mat or mount your pieces to protect them but it is not required.

If you choose to mat or mount your artwork, use only neutral gray tones, black, or white. Never include framed pieces or three-dimensional work. Always use spray fixative on any pieces that could smudge. Be certain paintings are completely dry before you place them in your portfolio. Take care in keeping everything neat. Be sure each piece is labeled with your name, address, and high school.

Submitting Slides

You may also submit your portfolio in slide form. Here are some important things to remember:

  • Slides can be taken indoors or outdoors. It is necessary to match film type to the lighting situation.
  • Avoid unnecessary clutter in the background. Use a black, white, or neutral background rather than a complex surface that will be distracting.
  • The artwork should occupy as much of the slide image as possible.
  • The lens/face of the camera should always be exactly parallel to the two-dimensional image that is being photographed.
  • When you photograph three-dimensional work, the same background and lighting considerations should be applied. Multiple views of one three-dimensional piece are acceptable and will still constitute one portfolio entry.
  • Be sure to label each slide with your full name and any information you want to share about the piece (size, medium, title, year completed).
  • A slide portfolio should be presented in a standard 8.5" x 11" slide sleeve. These can be purchased at any photo or camera supply store.

Digital Work

Digital portfolios are also accepted. Here are some important things to remember:

  • CD-ROMs, DVD-ROMs, and floppy disks are each acceptable ways of submitting digital work.
  • Artwork should be placed in PowerPoint, Flash, or QuickTime (this also applies to movies and animation shorts).
  • Include titles and dimensions directly on the piece if you think the viewer will not have a sense of size and medium.
  • Clearly label your disk by including your name, address, and phone number.

How to Submit Your Portfolio

You can deliver or ship your portfolio to CCAD's Admissions Office. The Admissions Office is located on the first floor of the Joseph V. Canzani Center, on the southeast corner of Cleveland Avenue and East Gay Street in downtown Columbus. (Click for campus map and directions.)

If you ship your artwork, rather than deliver it for review, use a sturdy cardboard shipping container that meets postal regulations. This container should be as close to the actual size of your enclosed portfolio as possible. If you are not sure of the shipping requirements, contact the carrier.

Please use this address for any materials that need to be mailed to CCAD's Admissions Office:

Admissions Office
Columbus College of Art & Design
60 Cleveland Ave.
Columbus, OH 43215

For more information on developing a portfolio, please contact the Admissions Office toll free at 877.997.CCAD.

Top Portfolio Development Tips

A portfolio is a critical part of the admissions process. When preparing your portfolio think of your audience, your strengths, and what you're trying to express to the viewer.

1. Know Your Audience

Some institutions are interested in seeing specific forms of artwork. Others are only interested in variety and less on individual style or technique. Therefore, it is important for you to truly know what viewers are interested in seeing.

CCAD is interested in seeing your strengths. We want to see what you're good at and what you're passionate about—from video and photography to painting and drawing.

2. Showcase Your Strengths

It is important for artists to identify their strengths. In order to do so you may need to place all of your work on a table, be honest with yourself, and find your voice.

Artists can often identify that voice immediately. There are times, however, when a second opinion is necessary. Look to an art instructor, other artists, and family for feedback. Family should be included despite their knowledge of art and design. Often as an artist you'll be asked to or choose to create artwork intended to be viewed and appreciated by non-artists. Get into the habit of having non-artists review your work. They often offer an unbiased and honest critique.

3. Focus, Variety, and Quality

Approach the construction of your portfolio in a very strategic way. Focus, variety, and skill allow you to do just that.

  • Focus refers to the area of art in which you excel. If your most outstanding work is photographic then use it as your focus. If you only produce photographic work then your focus may be select black and white examples. Your focus could be figure drawings, abstractions, black and white photographs, etc. Of the 10–15 examples that you submit approximately seven–11 should show your focus.
  • Variety shows the viewer that you are not a one-dimensional artist. Present a variety of subject matter, technique, or style in your portfolio. If your portfolio is mostly comprised of drawings, adding a printmaking piece, a stenciled example, or oil pastel would express variety.
  • Quality or 'wow' pieces are very important. Find your two best pieces—the two that would cause a viewer's jaw to drop. Once you find those two amazing pieces be sure to place one at the beginning of your portfolio and the second at the end. You need to grab the viewers' attention as soon as they see the first page of your book. You also want to leave viewers with a great last impression.

For more information on developing a portfolio or to request a catalog please contact us.

Admissions Contact: email I 614.222.3261 I toll free 877.997.CCAD (2223)