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Portfolio Preparation

Portfolio Preparation: Design (Preparing an Application) (Online)

Course Times & Enrolment

This course is currently unavailable.

Course Summary

This course will provide practical support for students who have already begun to apply to, or who are planning to apply for degree courses in the subsequent academic year in Design subjects, such as Fashion, Graphic Design, Product Design, Illustration, Jewellery or Animation.

Students will be guided on appropriate ways of creating digital and physical portfolios using work that they have made prior to the course, supplemented by work that they create during this course.

At least one session will be devoted to developing digital presentation skills, the preparation of a personal statement (required by some institutions in addition to the UCAS personal statement) and, for those for whom it is relevant, interview skills.

Course Details

Special Information

  • Sketchbook (at least A4)

  • Assorted Drawing materials: pencils, pens, coloured pencils/pens with varying tip sizes, rubber, sharpener, inks, paints, pastels, etc.

  • Collage materials (assorted papers, fliers, magazines, etc). 

  • Scissors

  • Glue

  • Tape

  • Digital Camera or Smart Phone (for documentation)

Content of Course

Online Seminars:

1. Portfolio submission guidelines and examples of student work.

2. Introduce to image-making: eg: collage and mixed media. Students will use these techniques to design a concept board for their personal projects and presenting their contextual findings or inspirations for a mini portfolio.

3. Reimagining an everyday object, product or image. Students will choose everyday, familiar items to explore, critique, take apart and reimagine for a new use, look and meaning for that item.

4. Design context and process. Students will tackle a self-curated design challenge to explore multiple responses to a design problem.

5. Branding and presentation. Students will consider the presentation of their work in relation to university application and interviews.

6. Writing a statement of purpose. 
 
Online Group Discussions + Tutorials:

1. Portfolio review – individual tutorials with students’ work. Advice will be given about selecting and presenting work.

2. Students will give short presentations of their work, including their inspirations, contextual influences and aims for their work and the future. 

Teaching method(s)

Teaching will be fully online. Students will need an up-to-date web browser, microphone (ideally head set), webcam and strong Internet connection.

In addition to the live sessions, students will have the opportunity to have one-to-one with their tutor each week.

Learning outcomes

On completion of this course, the student will be able to:

  • Create a body of visual research and development, which explores the potential of a range of personal ideas.

  • Explore a range of mediums, techniques and approaches relevant to their chosen theme or brief.

  • Select and edit work for a digital online application and submission.

  • Create a distinctive body of work which demonstrates contextual awareness of at least one specialist Design discipline ready for art college study.

  • Make a confident application to an undergraduate degree programme in Design, including confident preparation for an interview, where relevant.

Sources

Web Sources

https://www.pinterest.co.uk/pushpibagchi/curating-a-design-portfolio

https://www.dandad.org/en/d-ad-how-to-build-creative-portfolio-new-blood-advice

https://www.dandad.org/en/d-ad-portfolio-tips-new-blood-advice

https://www.itsnicethat.com/features/the-graduates-2018-portfolio-tips-040618

https://www.creativereview.co.uk

http://thegreatdiscontent.com

https://signalvnoise.com/posts/3024-questions-i-ask-when-reviewing-a-design

https://www.johnsonbanks.co.uk/thoughts/an-insiders-guide-to-the-design-presentation

Queries

If you have questions regarding the course or enrolment, please contact COL Reception at Paterson's Land by email or by phone 0131 650 4400.

Student support

If you have a disability, learning difficulty or health condition which may affect your studies, please let us know by ticking the 'specific support needs' box on your course application form. This will allow us to make appropriate adjustments in advance and in accordance with your rights under the Equality Act 2010. For more information please visit the Student Support section of our website.