I need help regarding a college admissions portfolio.

[GreyFox1221]

I want to go into Graphic Design but I really have no one to ask about what the process is like. That's why I came here I am a junior in HS and the first thing that is worrying me right now is building a portfolio. I can't draw for the life of me, but I have a feeling I'm really going to need to learn in order to suceed. Point of that being that I don't have any drawings or sketches. In fact, I've never been in an Art program in school. Yeah, thank my guidance department for that one.. If anyone has a chance can they look at my Flickr (http://www.flickr.com/photos/jonathanlampron) and let me know how I'm looking. What I mean by this is like, does my stuff look totally amateur? How much progression do I need to make to get some stuff that's portfolio worthy and that is going to get me into a good school? What it comes down to is that I have the drive, potential (well I like to think so), the equipment (MBP and Canon Rebel XTi, drawing supplies are easy to get), but I severely lack any direction so anything you can give me, even if its "woah, you really have a LOT of work do to if you want to be ready," would be so greatly appreciated.

 

[Genghis Khan]

All the graphical work i'm seeing is computer generated stuff. And of that, it seems you have very good skills at that, but your design ability is letting you down there. It seems to be just a computer generation of what primary school students do. That said, you do seem to have a taste for minimalism etc, i think you just misunderstand it.

If you want to get good at design, surround yourself with known great designs, be they in architecture/painting/sculpture/CGIs/industrial design or whatever.

If you have the drive you say you do, get interested in design and most of all keep practicing your own design...you'll get into whatever design course you want.

Good Luck

 

[freeny]

Drawing is VERY important with any visual art. Digital or not. Drawing is especially imprtant for a college interview portfolio, at least it was when I was interviewing in 1988 . Im pretty sure things havent changed all that much in that respect. I barely made it into art school because I had a lack of drawing examples.

It comes down to this, the few items I saw on your flikr page shows you have a handle/understanding of digital tools. If the school has to decide between you and someone else with digital examples plus good drawing examples, I think you already know who they will most likely choose...

Arm yourself with good work from several mediums, not just digi. And drawing is a good start.
EVERYONE who enters College first time is "amateur", if they weren't they probably wouldn't need college.
You just need to show them you have potential.
Your digital work already is showing that, now show them you aren't limited.

What schools were you considering?

 

[GreyFox1221]

Thank you guys. I think my drawing will get a lot stronger when I enter Art (Level 1) in Jan, but I'm still a little worried about that. As for schools, I'm still very much looking. Right now I'm considering Mass Art, Art Institute of Boston, Suffolk, and Pratt Institute. Once again, suggestions are welcome on that too.

 

[freeny]

Thank you guys. I think my drawing will get a lot stronger when I enter Art (Level 1) in Jan, but I'm still a little worried about that. As for schools, I'm still very much looking. Right now I'm considering Mass Art, Art Institute of Boston, Suffolk, and Pratt Institute. Once again, suggestions are welcome on that too.

A graduate of Pratt myself

 

[GreyFox1221]

Really? Can you tell me anything about it?

 

[flrazor]

As someone who came from a non-art background and got a BFA in Multimedia and Graphic design, let me tell you this: It's not impossible, but if you want to get there you've gotta work really hard and develop your skills and ideas.

Also, think about what you really love to do and try to focus while learning as much as you can in other areas. I wanted to work in graphics and print design and that's where I ended up, but I also picked up a serious photography bug along the way.

Good luck and work hard.

 

[freeny]

Really? Can you tell me anything about it?

Well, it was 15 years ago...

In three words, the school is small, gritty and real.
Just a few subway stops from Manhattan. The school is heavy on the traditional art background, meaning they push the drawing, painting and non computer skills first. If you are looking for slick and polished Pratt is not for you. If you are looking for the "fraternity" college experience, Pratt is not for you.
All around I liked the school. One of the only NYC schools that actually has a campus.

A few notes of interest on Pratt-
1- Several key scenes from "Debbie does Dallas" were filmed on campus (The director was a Pratt graduate)

2- "Art School Confidential" was based on the directors experiences while attending Pratt.


Famous Alumni include-
Rob Zombie
Patti Smith
They Might Be giants
Robert Redford
Peter Max
Robert Mapplethorpe
Betsey Johnson
Harvey Fierstein
Maurice Sendak
Terrance Howard
many more...

Ill add more notes as I have time and remember them...

 

[shecky]

Right now I'm considering Mass Art, Art Institute of Boston, Suffolk, and Pratt Institute. Once again, suggestions are welcome on that too.

not sure where you will be able to get in, but if you want to stay in the northeast then you should look at:

RISD
Yale
Northeastern
MassArt
AIB

and as far as portfolio goes, what admissions people are looking at is potential. they are looking for students who have the potential of being great artists and designers and the potential of being unique and talented. that does not mean what you show them needs to be amazing, it just means what you show them demonstrates your talent for being amazing after going thru school. this could be shown in your portfolio by a large variety of media, a mastery of some methods, a unique viewpoint to your work, or any number of things that make you stand out as the designer you are now and the designer you may become.

i agree that drawing is important, and the reason is that drawing demonstrates that you can see analytically and translate what you see into something on paper. it is NOT about making the most "realistic" drawing, it is about making the best translation - be it similar to real life or more interpretive.

 

[tbeeghly]

I just started my sophomore year at the University of Cincinnati, and my first year in their DAAP program. It's one of the best in the country and it took a freshman year of busting my ass to get in. I haven't taken an art class since 5th grade and I hate the way I draw. If it is a good school, they will teach you from the very basics, I mean the VERY basics. If you have the desire to learn the trade, you'll pick it up quickly.