Portfolio Advice

In an Advertising or Graphic Design portfolio you'll want to include observational drawings (digital or hand drawn) and a range of design processes and ways of working. You can even include GIFs that you've created as part of the portfolio.

Projects that show your process from brief to final outcome are great to include along with visual research and any sketchbooks or journals you might have.

In an Animation or Post Production portfolio you'll want to include storyboards and film stills. A short showreel of moving image work is a good idea to put in your portfolio to show what you can do. It doesn't have to be long; short 60 second clips will be plenty.

GIFs that you've designed can also be included.

Preliminary sketches and observational drawings can be included along with photos, paintings, photos of sculpture work and design work.

In an Architecture, Product Design or Interior Design portfolio you'll need to include things like: observational, technical drawings and CAD renders.

If you've done 3D models and sculptures, then including photos of these is a great idea. Finished pieces and final outcomes should go in your portfolio. It's good to display a range of design processes and ways of working.

Show what inspires you by including notes and sketches that you've made of places and spaces that inspire you.

In a Fashion portfolio you'll want to include fashion illustration and drawings (digital or hand drawn). Adding in examples of textiles, prints and weave that you like is a good idea. Collages are also welcome.

Photos of finished pieces and final outcomes can be included. Fashion photography and sketchbooks or journals you have of visual research and idea generation can be included. Fashion Marketing and media/social media topics could also be evidenced in this way, by demonstrating written and visual skills e.g. through graphic design or magazine layouts. In all this you'll want to display a range of techniques and design processes.

In an art portfolio you'll need to include things like: preliminary sketches, observational drawings, finished pieces and final outcomes. Illustrations can be digital or hand drawn.

We also welcome paintings or colour work, to show how you can use, mix, control and communicate with colour.

You want to show a range of techniques and processes. If you do 3D work, then adding photographs of your work is a good way to showcase it.

If you've been to galleries and exhibitions and taken notes or sketches, then you can always include these as part of your portfolio.

If you are applying for a course that will involve elements of game design or creation, we would love to see some of the following:

Creative Computer work, e.g. 2D and/or 3D, digital composites, Computer Generated Imagery (CGI), Computer Aided Design (CAD), computer games. Remember, our course leaders love to see evidence of your thought processes, so please keep a record of your workings.

In this kind of portfolio, you can include coursework in relevant subjects (e.g. Media, Photography, Design). Rather than a formal school project, you can also include work inspired by your personal hobbies (e.g. Fashion, Music, Skating, etc.), or even content you have created for social media which received good feedback and engagement. Photos, films, short videos are also great to include.  

The important thing is selecting work to showcase your skills, personality, and creative interests. Include short captions to help explain or support the things you put in your portfolio. Be ready to talk about your work and what inspired you or how you made it at interview. 

In a Photography portfolio, you can include a mix of still or moving image work that demonstrates your photography skills, visual awareness, creativity and storytelling.

Your portfolio should include examples of your edited photography. We want to see evidence of idea development through sketchbooks, workbooks, notebooks or creative journals/blogs.

You may also include examples of essay writing or creative writing if you feel this is relevant.