Art & Design Foundation Year

Introduction

The portfolio review is an essential part of the selection process for this course. Here, you will find all the information you need to prepare you for the review.

It is also your opportunity to learn more about us, meet the teaching staff, see our facilities and ask questions that help inform your decision.

• Drawing – this takes up an important position for all artists and designers. Good, analytical, observational drawing and life - drawing should be evidenced. A drawing is a means of searching for and expressing a sense of identity and is often considered to be an artist’s most intimate work. For designers it is a means to collect visual stimulus, develop designs and communicate ideas.
• Examples that evidence breadth of creative art and/or design experience i.e.drawing, painting, photography, digital image creation, 3D making, textiles, fashion, graphic design etc.
• Evidence of sequential, logical idea development –a project that has a beginning (the use of first-hand information [source] – research – drawing), a middle (idea development) and an end (resolution).
• A sense of ‘you’ – in terms of your interest within art and design. Sketchbook work demonstrating the ability that you are able to think for yourself (some of your time will be untutored at the University and it is important that you show evidence that you are able to work independently).
• Written work – It is important to remember that there is a written element to the Foundation course; it is therefore helpful if you can include examples of written work you have done before. This could be annotations in your sketchbook or a written essay or report.

The BA(Hons) Art and Design Foundation year course at Staffordshire University is a practical course, so as part of the selection process we would like to see some of the work that you have already made, either during your studies and/or in your own time.

You can either bring a hardcopy portfolio with you on the day of your portfolio review/visit, or send us a digital portfolio in advance.

Traditional hardcopy portfolios can be any size, we suggest the most appropriate to the type of creative work you make, so for example Fine Art portfolios are often A1 and design A2 or A3.If you have made sculpture, objects, textiles etc., then bring some examples with you if practicable to do so, otherwise take good photographs and include them in your portfolio. We also like to see examples of your sketchbooks to see how you develop ideas so include one in your portfolio.

If you choose to send a digital portfolio, your portfolio can comprise either a Powerpoint presentation; images of your work in either a PDF or JPEG format [if you are sending in several different files, please number the files and add in an index/contents page so that we know which piece is which; or the URL link to an online website where you have uploaded examples of your work].

We will need your portfolio at least 24 hours before your interview so that the tutors are able to give your work full consideration and be able to give you meaningful and useful feedback in the interview.

If you are sending in several different files, please number the files and add an index/contents page so that we know which piece is which.

• Please upload your portfolio as a PDF or weblink to your applicant portal which you can access here.
• When you log in to the portal, click the ‘My Applications & Course’ tab at the top of the screen.
• On the next page, in the ‘Actions’ box, you will see the name of your course with a hyperlink asking you to upload your portfolio evidence, click that and it will take you to an upload page
• Select the file that you are uploading from your computer.
• You will be asked to name the file before you upload it; a simple filename such as ‘My Portfolio’ is fine

Please arrive at the Henrion Gallery 15 minutes before your session time to register.

A member of staff will collect and escort you to the subject area where you will have a group course presentation followed by your individual portfolio review with an academic. You will discuss your portfolio, your interests and have an opportunity to ask any questions about the course and studying at Staffordshire University.

• Your portfolio will be used as a point of discussion and for you to promote your skills and interests.It is an opportunity for you to express your thoughts and feelings around your ideas and tell us about your career aspirations.
• We are looking for potential, not the finished article; your personality and passion for the subject is vital.
• We would likeyou to demonstrate your interest and enthusiasm in the subject area.
• Course awareness. How does this course differ from other similar courses? What attracts you to Staffordshire University?
• Your personality. We promise to try to find the real you behind any nerves you may have.
• Don’t worry, we’re looking for potential, not the finished article.