Anybody with an art/design portfolio?

[witness]

Haven't been around for a while due to freakishly busy times, but here I am. Anyways, I'm in a serious pickle and I thought of Onrpg as a source of guidance since you've all helped me with other things. Well, I just applied to OCAD, an art/design school, thinking that I will have my portfolio interview sometime after the school year was over, and giving me loads of time to work on my portfolio. Well Sh*t just got real and I just found out I might be scheduled sometime in February, atm I have basically only 3 out of 15 pieces for my art portfolio and I'm still completely clueless with many things. So, I'm wondering if there are any art/design members out there that have been through or are about to go through this portfolio process and can give me some tips and suggestions. Chances are there very little to no members with this experience out there due to this being a gaming forum, but the general has helped me in life, so why not try my luck!

[Paladinn]

If there isn't a limit, include absolutely everything you can. Don't leave things out because you think it isn't your best work, or that it's bad. You never know what an interviewer likes.

[Croix]

Doing the same thing as you are right now.

What most schools will want are, for starters, four observational pieces. For where I am applying they want a still life, a self portrait, a landscape, and an interior, all drawn from real life (no pictures). After that it is all about showing them that you have what it takes to be an artist.

That means they want to see things with actual skill, even if it is something basic. Correct use of color, lighting, composition, understanding human anatomy, being able to work well with different mediums, etc. are all different things they will be looking for. If you are very proficient in one field, try to make as many pieces as you can with that medium.

Only send in something you are sure is complete, because they are not going to want to look at your doodles or sketchbook.

[witness]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm planning on including a self-portrait (black and white pencil drawing) but is it really a good idea to have any plain pencil drawings as a portfolio piece?

Edit: More info: I'm going in for industrial design and I do have a house built in wood-shop to use and I was wondering if a photo (photography) would make a good piece. I was thinking of using this photo to demonstrate knowledge of composition.

[zipykido]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm planning on including a self-portrait (black and white pencil drawing) but is it really a good idea to have any plain pencil drawings as a portfolio piece?

Edit: More info: I'm going in for industrial design and I do have a house built in wood-shop to use and I was wondering if a photo (photography) would make a good piece. I was thinking of using this photo to demonstrate knowledge of composition.

I can't say I'm a fan of that photo. It doesn't look like he's staring at anything in particular and the lightning seems rather poor. Plus the scenery doesn't seem to be very appealing in the first place. But I'm not an art expert.

[witness]

I can't say I'm a fan of that photo. It doesn't look like he's staring at anything in particular and the lightning seems rather poor. Plus the scenery doesn't seem to be very appealing in the first place. But I'm not an art expert.

True, but I thought it'd be good for the composition. If my teachers advise me to include a photo or two I'd ask my photography teacher on his opinion of which photos I should use.

[Serix]

Thanks for the tips guys, I'm planning on including a self-portrait (black and white pencil drawing) but is it really a good idea to have any plain pencil drawings as a portfolio piece?

Edit: More info: I'm going in for industrial design and I do have a house built in wood-shop to use and I was wondering if a photo (photography) would make a good piece. I was thinking of using this photo to demonstrate knowledge of composition.

Having a variety of pieces helps you immensely, you should try having 9 concentration pieces (main focus) and 6 breadth pieces (variety of different styles, could be experiments) to show that you have a wide range of skills with a certain specialization.

You can check out my -outdated- portfolio here http://grimmerman.carbonmade.com/

As you see, I focused on digital with small on emphasis on web and traditional. Variety is usually what colleges and the ap board go for.

[Ronin]

^^ Post nails it.

Well, the thing is, that photo doesn't have very good composition.

I don't know much about photography, but I do know that a rule of thumb is the two thirds rule, where you divide the picture into thirds and fill two of them with the object you want the viewer to look at. So unless you are trying to draw attention to the background, which I doubt you are because it is a little bland, maybe try cropping the photo or something to make the guy stand out.

Indeed.

What the heck do you have a photography teacher for if you don't learn about the Golden ratio?