Applicants to the BFA in Digital Art and Animation degree program are required to submit an art portfolio that showcases the applicant’s best and most recent work. This portfolio will contain between 15 to 20 samples of original artwork created by the applicant. Drawings fall into two categories:
Prescribed Drawings From Direct Observation
Using graphite pencil or charcoal and on quality art paper, the applicant should draw the following four Prescribed Drawings from real life (not from images or photographs):
- Pair of shoes
- The same pair of shoes as above but from a different perspective (e.g. shoes drawn from the back) or a different orientation (e.g. shoes turned upside down)
- Interior space, such as a kitchen or bedroom
- Self-portrait
The primary objective of these four Prescribed Drawings is for you to demonstrate foundational drawing skills. You should focus on drawing the Prescribed Drawings realistically and accurately, NOT applying any artistic style (e.g. cartooning).
On the corner of the page of each Prescribed Drawing, please write the date created and length of time spent on the drawing.
Miscellaneous Art Samples
The remaining 11 to 16 pieces should demonstrate an applicant’s current range, skill, and process. These personal works should include 2 to 3 drawings from the following categories:
- Anatomy sketches: hands, feet, and faces from different angles
- Human figures in different poses
- Still life drawings from different angles
- Perspective drawings of interiors and exteriors
- Drawings of your own creation like characters or creatures
The submitted work should not contain illustrations copied directly from manga, anime, animations, paintings, or photographs (cited master copies are acceptable).
Note: Applicants should avoid including samples of work that rely heavily on exaggerated physical features such as large eyes, big hair, or elongated limbs. In general, portfolios should not include samples copied directly from manga, anime, Disney, or the like. These types of work have a very specific visual language, and relying on this language will hinder one’s growth as an artist. Instead, applicants should demonstrate how they draw from observation or their own imagination.
Optional Samples
In addition to the prescribed and miscellaneous samples, optional pieces can be added to the applicant’s portfolio. These samples can include animations, digital artwork, sculptures, and any other artistic work you feel would add weight to your portfolio. Photographs of sculptures should be in good quality and well lit.
Portfolio Submission Guidelines
BFA in Digital Art and Animation applicants should submit their art portfolios to their admissions representative via email. Artwork sent electronically should be submitted as a single file in PDF, JPEG, or PNG format.
The file should include a coversheet with the applicant’s full name. An additional contents page should describe each drawing, include each sample’s date of completion, list any materials used, and estimate the time taken to complete the drawing. The file should contain only one drawing per page.
Before presenting your final and completed portfolio, applicants are more than welcome to email individual pieces to us for feedback and any relevant insight.