Guidance for preparing your portfolio

Present your design work, which may include; garments, 3D experimentation, sketch books, digital images etc. We are keen to see your design process and not just the final outcome. This will allow us to assess your design experience and capabilities. We would like to see at least three different projects, showing a design response to your in-depth and individual research.

Your portfolio is to include an edited body of work with examples of your research, development of your ideas and finished pieces.

Your sketchbook pages can also demonstrate how you research, generate and develop ideas.

Below is a list of what we recommend you include in your portfolio and sketchbooks:

1. Drawing and Visualisation:

• Drawings from observation of the world around (i.e. research inspiration, exhibitions, objects, drape or garments on the body, fashion images)
• Variety of drawing mediums and techniques such as experimental drawings, design developmental drawing, storyboards, collage, fashion illustration and technical design drawings

2. Research:

• Evidence of how your own research interests inform your design ideas. An interest in contemporary fashion is important but your work should be informed by wider art, design and culture
• Evidence of research to be presented as part of a project and demonstrate how it has informed the design process (i.e. primary and secondary research, rough ideas and notes, descriptions and annotations)

3. Creative process and problem solving:

• Show a project and all stages of the development process; show a clear record of testing, exploration and experimentation
• This should be evidenced through drawing and stand work
• Showing the development of technical skills using a variety of materials and construction techniques; developing ideas through 3D experimentation and final outcomes to be recorded through photography

Present your design work, which may include; garments, 3D experimentation, textile and material development, sketch books, digital images etc. We are keen to see your design process and not just the final outcome. This will allow us to assess your design experience and capabilities. We would like to see at least three different projects, showing a design response to your in-depth and individual research.

Your portfolio is to include an edited body of work with examples of your research, development of your ideas and finished pieces.

Your sketchbook pages can also demonstrate how you research, generate and develop ideas.

Below is a list of what we recommend you include in your portfolio and sketchbooks:

1. Drawing and Visualisation:

• Design development drawings (attention to detailing, silhouette & proportion)
• Technical drawings (both hand and CAD drawings)
• Photoshop images (moodboards, print artwork, fashion photography, image making)
• Variety of drawing mediums and techniques such as experimental drawings, design developmental drawing, storyboards, collage, fashion illustration, diagrams, and technical design drawings (working drawings)

2. Research:

• Evidence of how your own research interests inform your design ideas. An interest in contemporary fashion is important but your work should be informed by wider art, design and culture
• Evidence of research to be presented as part of a project and demonstrate how it has informed the design process (i.e. primary and secondary research, rough ideas and notes, descriptions and annotations)

3. Creative process and problem solving:

• Show a project and all stages of the development process; show a clear record of testing, exploration and experimentation
• This should be evidenced through drawing and stand work
• Pattern and toile development methods (recorded through photography and written annotation within a Technical File) as well as final garment outcomes using a variety of material and construction techniques

We are looking for a body of work that demonstrates your research skills, creative thinking and idea generation, experimentation, mark-making and sketchbooks, image-making, drawing and observation skills. Please also show finished pieces of work that you are proud of.

We would also like to see experimentation with typography and letterforms that demonstrate your understanding of typography as a fundamental creative communication tool.

We are looking for candidates with enthusiasm for all things visual. Your portfolio should demonstrate that you have an aptitude for creativity through your previous studies.

You will have an inquiring mind. How are you influenced by the world around you? What are your interests and how does this come through in your work? Visual communication is all around us, how does it inspire you to become a graphic designer?

We would like to see evidence in your portfolio of:

1. Research, creative thinking, idea generation and visual problem-solving:

• Project research and how you generate ideas from information you have found
• Research methods and how you distil, organise and document information
• Scrapbooks and Pinterest boards showing project inspiration and visual reference material

2. Mark-making and visual experimentation:

• Sketchbook work demonstrating mark-making and idea exploration
• Sketchbook work with visual experimentation and image-making

3. Drawing and observational skills:

• Sketchbooks and artwork showing your observational skills through drawing
• Show various examples (i.e. objects, still life, abstract, mixed-media, collage, photography)

4. Experimentation with letterforms:

• Show typography exploration and letterform drawings
• Demonstrate your understanding and awareness of type as a creative communication tool

5. Evidence of a contextual understanding of graphic design:

• A basic awareness of graphic design history
• An appreciation of the theoretical nature of graphic design
• An awareness of graphic design a fundamental means of communication in society

6. Basic awareness of digital design and technical understanding:

• Work showing skills with any of the creative Adobe software packages is welcome, but not expected
• Demonstrate an understanding of digital technology as a creative medium

Your portfolio is to include an edited body of work with examples of your research, development of your ideas and finished pieces. We would like to see at least three different projects, showing a design response to your in-depth and individual research. We are keen to see your design process and not just the final outcome as this will allow us to assess your creative thinking and problem solving abilities. Evidence may be in the form of ideas, notes, research, photographs, drawings, visualisations, 3D work, material experimentation, models and can include work you've made outside of your school course work.

Your sketchbook pages can also demonstrate how you research, generate and develop ideas.

Below is a list of what we recommend you include in your portfolio and sketchbooks:

1. Drawing and Visualisation:

• Drawings from observation of the world around (i.e. landscapes, cityscapes, interiors, people and objects)
• Variety of drawing mediums and techniques such as experimental drawings, design developmental drawing, storyboards, collage and technical design drawings

2. Research:

• Evidence of how your own research interests inform your design ideas. An interest in architecture and interiors is important but your work may be informed by politics, history, media, music, theatre, cinema etc.
• Evidence of research to be presented as part of a project and demonstrate how it has informed the design process (i.e. primary and secondary research, rough ideas and notes, descriptions and annotations)

3. Creative process and problem solving:

• Show a project and all stages of the development process; show a clear record of testing, exploration and experimentation
• This should be evidenced through model making and drawing
• Model making to involve a variety of materials; model making stages and final outcomes to be recorded through photography

Your portfolio is to include an edited body of work with examples of your research, development of your ideas and finished pieces. We would like to see at least three different projects, showing a design response to your in-depth and individual research. We are keen to see your design process and not just the final outcome as this will allow us to assess your creative thinking and problem solving abilities. Evidence may be in the form of ideas, notes, research, photographs, drawings, visualisations, 3D work, material experimentation, models and can include work you've made outside of your school course work.

Your sketchbook pages can also demonstrate how you research, generate and develop ideas.

Below is a list of what we recommend you include in your portfolio and sketchbooks:

1. Drawing and Visualisation:

• Orthographic drawings (both hand and CAD drawings)
• Perspective drawings (1 point and 2 points perspective, hand or CAD drawings)
• Photoshop images (view of interior spaces)
• Variety of drawing mediums and techniques such as experimental drawings, design developmental drawing, storyboards, collage, diagrams, and technical design drawings (working drawings)

2. Research:

• Evidence of how your own research interests inform your design ideas. An interest in architecture and interiors is important but your work may be informed by politics, history, media, music, theatre, cinema etc.
• Evidence of research to be presented as part of a project and demonstrate how it has informed the design process (i.e. primary and secondary research, rough ideas and notes, descriptions and annotations)

3. Creative process and problem solving:

• Show a project and all stages of the development process; show a clear record of testing, exploration and experimentation
• This should be evidenced through model making and drawing
• Model making to involve a variety of materials; model making stages and final outcomes to be recorded through photography