Portfolio requirements for transfer students

The below requirements are for students applying for direct entry to year two or year three of the Bachelor of Design or Bachelor of Fine Arts. If you are applying as a first year student, see the portfolio requirements listed here. 

1. Curriculum Vitae

List your education, volunteer and/or work experience as it pertains to your art practice.

2. Samples of your work

Choose samples that best represent your abilities, your personality. Links to specific requirements for each major (and stream) can be found below.

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Art major (all concentrations)

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Photography major

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication Design major (Character Design and Illustration stream)

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication Design major (Graphic Deign and Advertising stream)

3. Supporting statement 

Supporting statements will respond to different questions depending on your major (and stream) specific questions can be found below.

Portfolio and Statement Submission Deadline

BFA applicants | May 1 

BDes applicants | May 1 

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Fine Arts - Studio Art major (all concentrations)

Samples of your artwork

• Select 12 to 15 samples of your recently completed artwork
• Include artwork that relates to the specific program that you are applying to
• Examples may include two and three-dimensional, traditional and nontraditional materials and techniques
• Research drawings and images from sketchbooks are encouraged to help show creative thought processes and iterative skills

Supporting Statement

This is where you tell us all about you, your background, inspiration, and goals. Your supporting statement should be 300-500 words in length and explain the following: 

1. Why do you want to go to art school and earn a degree?
2. Besides art, what else do you like to do?
3. What excites you about AUArts? 

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Photography Major

Samples of your artwork

The applicant must submit 15 images in total of current work (created within the two years prior to submission).

Ten (10) are the best photographs you have done. Careful consideration for the following should made when choosing images.

• Compositional
• Conceptual
• Technical

Five (5) are non-photographic foundation-year work, and must include at least two drawings.

Slideroom allows applicants to add commentary to accompany images. Commentary is encouraged.

Supporting Statement

This is where you tell us all about you, your background, inspiration, and goals. Your supporting statement should be 300-500 words in length and explain the following: 

1. Why do you want to be in the photography program?
2. What are you passionate about and where do you find inspiration for your photographic work?

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication Design major (Character Design and Illustration stream)

Samples of your artwork

Required pieces (10) for the Illustration/Character Design portfolio must demonstrate understanding and skill in the following areas. Work must be in traditional media (graphite, charcoal, conté, acrylic, cut paper, etc.). Include a mix of black + white and colour work. The examples should represent you as the best illustration student you can be.

An understanding of the following should be demonstrated:

• Classical lighting (include full value range, value planning, rendering)
• Figure Drawing – multiple varied examples of short pose gestures and extended poses (Maximum 3 of each type in multiple page pdf)
• Figure in the environment – narrative through image
• Information drawing – control of three-dimensional space (perspective, value, line weights, etc)
• Contrast
• Composition
• Perspective
• Emphasis / Hierarchy
• Colour Theory (Colour Schemes and Harmony and Discord)

Process piece (1) can be either process from a school project or personal sketchbook work that demonstrates research, exploration, development, and refinement of ideas. Maximum 10 pages in a multiple page pdf.

Personal piece (1) can be in any media. Pages out of personal sketchbooks are highly recommended, as they provide valuable insight into a student’s commitment and creative potential. Maximum 10 pages in a multiple page pdf.

Slideroom allows applicants to add commentary to accompany images. Commentary is encouraged.

Supporting Statement

This is where you tell us all about you, your background, inspiration, and goals. Your supporting statement should be 300-500 words in length and explain the following: 

Portfolio Requirements for Bachelor of Design - Visual Communication Design major (Graphic Deign and Advertising stream)

Samples of your artwork

Required pieces (10) for the Advertising / Graphic Design portfolio must demonstrate understanding and application of the principles of design, skills in application, and conceptual and critical thinking. Include a mix of black + white and colour work. Three (3) of the ten must demonstrate drawing skills. The examples should represent you as the best design/advertising student you can be. Also considered are originality, storytelling, humour, and flexibility in thinking.

An understanding of the following should be demonstrated:

• Contrast
• Value
• Abstraction (simplification and exaggeration of form)
• Balance and Composition
• Emphasis / Hierarchy
• Unity / Variety
• Gestalt Theory
• Pattern
• Colour Theory (Colour Schemes, Harmony and Discord)
• Perspective
• Classical Lighting
• Figure Drawing

Process piece (1) can be either process from a school project or personal sketchbook work that demonstrates research, exploration, development, and refinement of ideas. Maximum 10 pages in a multiple page pdf.

Personal piece (1) can be in any media. Some possible examples are: sketchbook, 3-dimensional work, digital work, or motion video. Maximum 10 pages in a multiple page pdf.

Slideroom allows applicants to add commentary to accompany images. Commentary is encouraged.

Supporting Statement

This is where you tell us all about you, your background, inspiration, and goals.