Portfolio Requirements - Graphic Design

To be accepted into the Graphic Design program applicants must complete and submit the following creative material for assessment as well as meet the academic requirements as identified by the college.

Note to all applicants: Remember that you are applying to a creative program whose focus is on training students as graphic designers. This will enable you to seek work in a variety of areas within this industry. These may include printing and publishing companies, newspaper, magazine and book producers, art and design studios, advertising agencies and other creative studios, as well as the new media fields including companies producing design solutions for the web, television and the film industries. Keep this in mind when producing work for submissions.

  • Complete all work for the traditional portfolio submission on paper no smaller than 11" x 14" in size. Identify each piece on the back with the project number and your name.
  • Do not copy work from other sources, make sure it is all your own ideas
  • Be original in all your work, the industry expects this of you.
  • Explain your work if you do not feel it explains itself.
  • Prepare your portfolio presentation carefully. Take your time. Be neat and accurate with cutting and mounting of work.
  • Follow all requirements as set out but be as creative as possible. As an example, color does not mean paint. It could be anything from markers to colored paper or collage.
  • Some projects may be completed digitally, but when handwork is requested, please comply. Computers don't make people designers. Designers use computers as tools, like pencils, rulers, etc.

COMPLETE EITHER PART A OR B, BUT NOT BOTH.

Part A: Video/Audition Portfolio

Get a video camera and design and create a short video about yourself. The format and style you take is entirely up to you. It may be in the form of an interview or documentary style piece or a short fictional movie. The video should introduce yourself and explain some of your long-term goals, what you expect to get out of this program and the industry in general. You must also show some examples, no less than 8 and no more than 12, of your own artwork. The work should show your abilities to create with black and white and color and with type or lettering. Show posters and t-shirt designs and any other original material you have created. Try to describe the work. All the work you show must be original. The video should be burned to a DVD, have a title, and be between 5 and 15 minutes in length. All of the details of the video are up to you. You may use any sounds or audio you wish, and use any setting or locations necessary and you may incorporate other actors in the piece.

Remember that the intent of this video is to introduce yourself and your creativity to us, so keep this in mind when producing the video. Show us how creative that you can and would like to be.

Part B: Traditional Portfolio

Complete the following seven project requirements as listed below using the material suggested. Identify each by number.

  1. Draw a self portrait (head and shoulders only), using a mirror for reference. Use a soft pencil or other tonal tool to complete the assignment.
  2. Using a black felt tip pen, sit in a corner of any room in your house and draw the entire contents of the room in front of you, being as accurate as possible and including everything that you can see.
  3. Hand letter your name in a typeface or combination of typefaces. You may use any color or combination of colors and styles of type that you feel reflects you. Explain your reasons for choosing the type/color you chose on the back. Make the solution no smaller than 10" x 14".
  4. Design a poster for a music festival in your area. It can be any style of music, from hip-hop to folk. Make up all the details you need, such as dates, time and place. Make sure the poster is no larger than 11 x 14. Use as many colors as necessary.
  5. Create a design for a t-shirt for National Arbor day 2011 using only four colors. Place the lettering and the graphic on a t-shirt shape to show your concept.
  6. Submit three original works you have created in the last year. On the back of each write a description of the project or why you created the work. At least two must be in color.
  7. Prepare a typewritten 400-500 word statement describing what you would like to get out of this program and what you would like to do in this field or industry once you graduate.

Note to all applicants: If you have any questions about these requirements please contact the Graphic Design program. Once completed, please deliver all work to the Admissions Office at Holland College. All submissions will be returned.

Delivery of Portfolio
All work must be either delivered by hand, courier or mail to the Holland College Admissions Office. Clearly identify it with your name and indicate it as portfolio material. Do not ship any material with glass or measuring over 20" x 26". Try and have good quality photographs taken of these pieces. Make sure you have indicated a return address. Neither Holland College nor the Graphic Design program can accept any liability for any damage done during shipping of the portfolio.

If you have any questions concerning the Graphic Design program, you can e-mail the program instructor Nigel Roe.