Accepted UCLA Design Media Art Portfolio + Tips!

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Make sure to check the description box for more resources!

[@joseph1ne860]

Useful video!!! UCLA dma is my dream program, hope I can get in

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Good luck in the process!

[@korejoons]

I'm a transfer student planning on applying for fall 2023! Thank you for making this video

[@Nikkitanaka05]

omg so glad to hear it! Good luck!

[@heloni-pq8yv]

did you get in ??!!!

[@korejoons]

@@heloni-pq8yv Yes! I actually just completed my first year of desma at UCLA and I'm entering my senior year :D

[@heloni-pq8yv]

@@korejoons NO WAYYYY THIS IS INCREDIBLE NEWS CONGRATS!!!!!!! how are you enjoying it!? im considering transferring as well !!! :D

[@korejoons]

​@@heloni-pq8yv HAHA Thank you! I'm loving it here! UCLA has been my dream school since I was 6 and DMA is my dream major so it's definitely been an amazing experience so far. I've gotten some very cool internships because of this major and the projects I've done for my classes. We almost never have exams and everything is largely project-based.

[@caseyrickeyart]

Congrats! Nice video- I graduated DMA in 2021, happy to answer any questions you have about the program!

[@DochiTrades]

CONGRATS!!!!!!!

[@Nikkitanaka05]

THANK YOU!

[@Ghoulket5]

I had a question. Did you take any ap or dual classes in high school? I ask this because I’m not sure if that really counts in this for the arts side of UCLA. I haven’t taken any collage courses class yet and I’m about to be in my senior year so I wanted to make sure when enrolling into my upcoming classes.

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! I did take AP classes and Dual classes in high school but they don’t really look at that for the arts side. I was told that the most important thing they look at is your portfolio. However, since I am a transfer student it could be different than coming straight out of high school

[@Shabyfromtheblock]

So informative.thank you for this video. Your works are very unique 👌

[@sk8rscout]

so proud of you

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Omg thank you !

[@bringinglove2529]

Dose UCLA ..has..Game development course???...

[@PriyaSharma-sn6zm]

Can you tell me that is there animation program in UClA, please answer

[@ashleytanaka4198]

omg wow SHE’S SO COOL WHAT A SCHOLAR 😍

[@Nikkitanaka05]

TYYY bestie

[@Mia-jj2vn]

Hi Nikki, I really enjoyed your insight, and congrats on UCLA! I am a high school junior and really love art. I am interested in the DMA program and hope to become a graphic designer, however, I don't really have any experience in graphic design. I took a mini class between my sophomore and freshman year but lost all the pieces I made :(. I have also been unsure about if I should apply for DMA or art as I have more experience in traditional visual arts and really enjoy them as well. I'm also not as good with digital illustration as I am with my hands. Do you think it's worth applying for DMA still?

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! DMA isn’t really graphic design focused, it’s more about creating design with technology (especially hands on stuff!) while illustration helps, it’s not needed either. in my opinion, DMA is therefor very broad, so if you’re a traditional artist, you can find ways to incorporate that into your work. Keep in mind though we don’t learn traditional art, it’s more multidisciplinary such as coding, virtual reality, AI, the adobe creative suite…etc. I reccomend looking at the list of classes they have on the website to get a better idea on what we learn!

[@Imjustleaaa]

Hi this video was soso informative and I'm thinking about applying for Fall 2023 and was wondering if you think GPA is still a big factor in being admitted and if you don't mind sharing, what your GPA was?

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! Yes my GPA at community college was 4.0!. I think GPA is def looked at (there's a minimum GPA for UCLA in general) but the portfolio is the biggest factor in your acceptance

[@happysealll]

congrats!! i had a question about the part of the application where you list materials for the projects, would you have to be really specific or mention where you found stuff for collages you make? :) thank youu

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Thank you! I was not specific in that area! i just usually put the medium

[@切った眉毛]

I’m planning to transfer to ucla from community college, but my gpa is pretty low(3.64)😢 I’m just wondering your gpa.

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! My GPA was 4.0. But i was told the most important part is your portfolio. However there might be a minimum GPA that the school might require! I recommend looking at the website to confirm!

[@DiMiLi9734]

Hey!same transfer student here wishing to get into this program at UCLA. Can I ask if it is true that they say(on the website) that transfer students who transferred into UCLA would probably need 3 years to graduate rather than 2?(adding the 2 yrs in cc, it would take 5 years to graduate?) I’m worried about the tuition fees:(UCLA is soooo expensive.

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! I think it really depends on how much you can get done within two years; for example, I know some people took summer courses to graduate within 2 years. Other people take an extra quarter. I got most of my classes transferred over, so that's how I'm able to do it. This is just what I have seen, so I recommend reaching out directly to the DMA department for a more concrete answer!

[@june5642]

Congrats! Thank you for all your explanation. I have a question. We must upload five(5) images of our best work. However, they describe four(4)categories which are self-portrait, word project, book, and self-chosen best work. Which one I am missing? The additional work is optional. It is not included in five categories.

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Thank you! The requirements change every year so I recommend asking the UCLA DMA department directly about this question!

[@mono__chromatic]

How did you approach the written portions of the supplemental application? Like the Top 5 Creative Influences...

[@Nikkitanaka05]

I wrote out everyone who influenced me and my art (which was a big list at first) and narrowed it down from there! I chose Gregory Ferrand, Barbara Kruger, Nam June Paik, & Wong Kar wai. There’s a really helpful blog linked in the video description where there’s a great example of the written application!

[@nataliesnotablenonsense]

I’m applying to the UCs but I’m a bit confused, I want to major in art to become a artistic director but I’m not exactly good at drawing or painting, I use virtual mediums, photography, things like that, do I have to include a certain type of art or will I be good without it?

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Virtual mediums like photography is accepted! I didn't do any drawing and painting in the portfolio because I'm not good at it either. Honestly using whatever medium you're interested in pursuing in the future is the best way to go

[@Brbg2g]

Hi! Im not sure you’ll read this, but I got some questions. Q.1 Will it be very had to transfer to ucla design media arts from a cc(i just heard from someone that it is almost IMPOSSIBLE to transfer to ucla design media arts from a cc.)? I knew the acceptance rate was very low, but after hearing that it is almost impossible im kinda frustrated. I just wanted to know the reality if its HARD or IMPOSSIBLE Q.2 is drawing skills important(will you have to be good at drawing?) Or is it just a good advantage for self portfolio! Btw THANK YOU for this vid.

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! It’s definitely possible to transfer into design media arts, they take about 15 transfer students each year! However, I would agree it is hard. Not impossible though, since they do admit students. Drawing skills are not important, I don’t even have any. Focus on the media you want to do! I don’t think having or not having drawing skills gives you an advantage or disadvantage. It’s all about what your medium is and how you want to use it in the portfolio. Good luck!

[@Brbg2g]

@@Nikkitanaka05 thank you THANK YOU!

[@trishatanaka3899]

That’s my beastieeeee

[@林治哉]

I have a question! What was the size of the book cover portfolio?? I mean in pixels

[@Nikkitanaka05]

It was 238.4 px by 602.1 px!

[@林治哉]

@@Nikkitanaka05 Thank you for telling me that!! 😭 I will submit portfolio next month so I will do my best!!

[@unlikelyhydra926]

Awesome! Good stuff!

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Thanks!

[@angelabatoon4]

Congrats! I'm a transfer student looking to apply this year. I was wondering if you applied to any other colleges?

[@Nikkitanaka05]

I applied to CSU Long Beach, CalPoly Slo, Cal Poly Pomona, UC Santa Barbara!

[@anastaciamikhailova4804]

@@Nikkitanaka05 Hi! Thank you for making such a helpful video. I also a community college student looking to transfer. If you don't mind sharing what majors did you apply as to these schools?

[@whyamidumb8924]

How good does my portfolio needs to be? I’m worried my art isn’t good enough

[@Nikkitanaka05]

I would say it has to be pretty good considering the %5 acceptance rate. I know a lot of people including myself have this worry, but just take your time, create with passion, and study other portfolios!

[@bensonjiang6840]

I'm a transfer student planning on applyinh for fall 2023，I wonder if you conplete all the IGETC or just two English and on math courses，and did you do one English or math by the end of fall？

[@Nikkitanaka05]

I completed the IGETC & did one English & Math by the end of my first semester at CC.

[@kakata1237]

Why maths??

[@metaldegrad3445]

Did you do any extracurriculars at CC?

[@Nikkitanaka05]

I made videos on the side for people and did some volunteer work!

[@luizarufruf2294]

I’m a junior right now and I wanna apply to DMA program so badly and I researched and it said only 5% get in. How could I stand apart from the others. I have a 4.0 GPA weighted and not too many exercurlculars

[@Nikkitanaka05]

Hi! It's all about the portfolio, so extracurriculars aren't looked at as much