Art School Portfolio Prep: Ways You Can Stand Out to Admissions Officers

[@richardcampbell9325]

I appreciate this input. Art portfolios always make me feel like they need to be perfect or else I just wasted my efforts

[@artprof]

There are so many different kinds of portfolios & styles, no two are the same! I think the most important thing is that your portfolio shows you're capable of creating a cohesive body of work, and you're excited to make more :) - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@elishankaa3828]

watching this as I'm getting ready to submit my portfolio

[@rice6827]

Oh how much I love the fact that this video exists. It was great for self-reflection and I immediatly realized which techniques would benefit me and my personal style

[@artprof]

I'm so glad it was helpful for you! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@MyoArven]

Im actually so proud of myself and that I actually was planning on putting a lot of these tips in my portfolio before I even watched this video. This is very helpful for me to confirm my decisions!

[@artprof]

That's wonderful, a great sign!!!! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@jbspiszer908]

So helpful when putting together a portfolio for school! I wish this had been around when I was making mine.

[@basil116]

I'm a high schooler looking at putting together a portfolio and I've been doing a lot of mixed media recently! It's so much fun :))

[@artprof]

That's great! If you want some more guidance on how to put an art school portfolio together, we have a portfolio track with different assignments you can follow here: artprof.org/pro-development/art-school-portfolios/bfa-art-school-portfolio-track/

[@monikavalovicova9027]

17:00 actually my art teacher told me , that I shouldn't use any different shapes than rectangular or square ones for my artworks. It's really surprising for me to hear the exact opposite. Sometimes it gets difficult when you go for an advice and so many people with a lit of experience give you mixed or opposing advices. It gets confusing, when u r lost as an artist and u have maybe art block, it can get you even more frustration 😩😂. Thank you art prof for being here for s, it helps a lot.... 🖤

[@artprof]

I think so many artists feel differently (and strongly!) about things like this, it's so interesting to hear the different perspectives! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@ARandomPersonOnHere]

This makes me happy since I’ve been a landscape painter for a long time and I’m always scared that people won’t like or think it’s important since not as a common or popular type of art now.

[@emmaschmidtova2693]

Omg, this was so insightful!! So much new information that I am definitely going to use while creating my portfolio. It's great to see how easy it can be to create something different and surprising. LOVE YOUR CHANEL.

[@artprof]

Glad it was helpful! -Prof Lieu

[@themovingdance2744]

I did political history and protest at A level and went onto to do a degree in Liberal Arts in the same with English Lit. Years later I put my thoughts and protests into performance art at 61. It has to be expressed …well

[@artprof]

Totally, even with a lot of history and experience like you've had, it never ceases to be difficult making art about political issues. -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@artprof]

Join our Art School Portfolios Group! Ongoing support & critiques, voice sessions with Prof Lieu. Get a chance to connect with other students for $30-$40 monthly. More info: artprof.org/art-school/art-school-portfolios-group/

[@elianamoored7975]

As a sophomore this year I picked religious history and conflict for my investigation in AP studio art 🙂 It just requires extensive research before being able to come up with an idea so I feel like it’s more difficult than other people’s prompts 😕 It’s really interesting though

[@artprof]

I think having so much research can actually be a HUGE advantage for you-- it shows you care about the history and origin enough to pursue not only a piece of art, but the meanings behind your theme. It's an ambitious project, but you can do it! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@kyliesmith521]

Such good advice, I was just racking my brain for other ways to make my portfolio interesting other than using Diptychs and few wearable pieces. As always thank you, definitely taking this advice and implementing it into my portfolio.

[@artprof]

You might like our BFA Art School Portfolios Track, a structured sequence of video lessons and prompts that you can follow to develop your portfolio: artprof.org/pro-development/art-school-portfolios/bfa-art-school-portfolio-track/ We also have a channel in our Discord, #bfa-track where you can work with others doing the track. Invite link: discord.gg/artprof -Prof Lieu

[@catherinechung6482]

God Profs coming in clutch again 🙏

[@artprof]

Haha, yes! - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@sleepychamaeleon]

I really enjoyed this film. Great tips!

[@artprof]

Awesome! Thank you so much for watching! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@Micocinaenllamas]

Thanks for the video! I was wondering, if the school I'll apply for doesn't give me any guidelines for the portfolio, would it be okay if I add kind of a pop-up model of an asian temple or this kind of 3d is not acceptable?

[@artprof]

That would be incredible! Very ambitious of you :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@Roadkiller85]

I think I am going to use some 40 ton monoliths. Just need some cranes...

[@artprof]

Haha, easy peasy - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@starveartist]

Jordan can review my unusual surfaces anytime!!

[@artprof]

So long as they're art related, lol! - Mia, Art Prof Staff

[@batlikinan3229]

been rejected twice, so this is useful

[@batlikinan3229]

and im applying for an animation course that doesnt allow you to submit my extensive animation folio. :((

[@artprof]

I feel like there is stuff you can learn from the portfolio process, regardless of the outcome, so well done for going through the process, and good luck this year! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@batlikinan3229]

@@artprof thank you!! always improving...

[@michaelhelenethegirl]

Adults dismiss the political opinions of youth? What adults dismiss is youth not having enough life experience to understand their own political opinions. It is very hard for many people, not just youth, to have clarity due to narrative handed out to them, indoctrination and just simply not being well read on the subject. It is frustrating for all sides, trust me! On another note, I do political and historical art but with the world the way it is, I am careful of where I sell or share it, it’s sad that it has to be that way.

[@ansika_art]

Can someone become an artist without bfa degree I mean the people on Instagram most of the people don't have bfa degree but they are artist are they really considered as a real artist?

[@artprof]

Yup! There are many paths to becoming an artist, a BFA is just one way of getting there! -Lauryn, Art Prof Teaching Artist

[@ansika_art]

@@artprof thanks☺

[@starveartist]

Yes, but for some people, school not only helps them find their voice and direction (and honest their skills) but also adds a bit of experience to your story for gallerusts to promote you. If you develop those things outside of school, then as long as your work is strong/interesting, you should be fine.

[@evastamfestova1616]

Some of them can, but many can not and their "art" looks according to that. But it is not about degrees, but any art education or self-education at least.

[@ladyethyme]

Honestly it kind of looks like ‘already be a great artist’ =|

[@artprof]

There are tons of different ways to stand out!! Concept is everything, as long as your ideas are strong people will want to see more from you :) - Mia Rozear, Art Prof Staff

[@kaitzi]

Yeah - not sure why anyone who has the talent and initiative to do all the things they’re suggesting would be applying....Especially when they say themselves they don’t do most of it! So the applicants should be more talented than their instructors? What would the instructor be needed for, then?

[@paku_pak]

Why does everything have to be mixed media just to "stand out" and be "unique", you make it sound like traditional artists are no longer needed in this world; techinical skills are no longer needed in this world. This is why contemporary art is at the state it is at. Dont judge an art pieced based on its supplies and medium, judge an art piece based on the time and effort an artist put into not just making the art but also studying the technical skills behind it. Really take the time to understand each piece's idea the artist is trying to convey, stop looking for "Wierd" and "wowing" factors at first glance. If you are not taking the time to understand each piece, you do not deserve to judge it.