6 answers
Darrell
Student
5
Questions
Updated
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What can I do to start having a strong art portfolio for art school before I transfer?
Hi! I am a student at community college who’s in a studio art major but has planned to go to art school, specifically art schools that are near me and are well-known for their animation programs like SVA, CalArts, and Moore College of Art and Design. However, I am stuck on how to make a portfolio that could help impress the admissions team of these schools and could showcase my work better.
I was thinking of doing stuff that is not shown in sketchbooks much like pop-ups and flip-able pages like the ones in children’s books but I’m not so sure. Any advice or recommendations for a beginner?
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6 answers
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
103
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Darrell,
It is great to hear that you are looking to get your portfolio ready in order to apply for a few art schools. It sounds like you have a few ideas already which is great. Here are a few things to consider while applying to each school.
Be sure to read the portfolio requirements. Many of them are digital submissions. This is worth considering if you wanted the tangible effect of a pop up book. However, it would be something tou can still document and include in a digital portfolio. Some will ask for a video as well. If there is a chance to include it do so, unless they just want to hear you speak/respond to a question in the video.
When making a portfolio, be sure to have proper alignment, spelling, and general organization. Make it to who you are as an artist. Included only what is needed per project. Most importantly, make it genuine.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
It is great to hear that you are looking to get your portfolio ready in order to apply for a few art schools. It sounds like you have a few ideas already which is great. Here are a few things to consider while applying to each school.
Be sure to read the portfolio requirements. Many of them are digital submissions. This is worth considering if you wanted the tangible effect of a pop up book. However, it would be something tou can still document and include in a digital portfolio. Some will ask for a video as well. If there is a chance to include it do so, unless they just want to hear you speak/respond to a question in the video.
When making a portfolio, be sure to have proper alignment, spelling, and general organization. Make it to who you are as an artist. Included only what is needed per project. Most importantly, make it genuine.
Best of luck to you on your journey!
Nalena Kumar
Motion Design, Animation
3
Answers
San Diego, California
Updated
Nalena’s Answer
You’re already thinking in the right direction by wanting your portfolio to stand out, that curiosity will take you far.
For schools like CalArts, SVA, or Moore, admissions teams really value observational drawing, that means drawing from life rather than imagination. Spend time doing figure drawing, still life, landscapes, and sketches of people in motion. These help show that you understand form, proportion, and gesture, which are all essential for animation.
If you can, try to attend a National Portfolio Day (you can find upcoming events at nationalportfolioday .org). Bring your sketchbooks, finished pieces, and any in-progress work. You’ll get direct feedback from representatives of top art schools, and it’s one of the best ways to learn what each school looks for.
You can absolutely include creative projects like pop-ups or flip books. Animation programs love to see storytelling and experimentation. Just make sure your portfolio has a balance of strong observational work and your personal creative ideas.
Finally, don’t stress about making it perfect. Schools want to see potential and how you think, not just polished pieces.
For schools like CalArts, SVA, or Moore, admissions teams really value observational drawing, that means drawing from life rather than imagination. Spend time doing figure drawing, still life, landscapes, and sketches of people in motion. These help show that you understand form, proportion, and gesture, which are all essential for animation.
If you can, try to attend a National Portfolio Day (you can find upcoming events at nationalportfolioday .org). Bring your sketchbooks, finished pieces, and any in-progress work. You’ll get direct feedback from representatives of top art schools, and it’s one of the best ways to learn what each school looks for.
You can absolutely include creative projects like pop-ups or flip books. Animation programs love to see storytelling and experimentation. Just make sure your portfolio has a balance of strong observational work and your personal creative ideas.
Finally, don’t stress about making it perfect. Schools want to see potential and how you think, not just polished pieces.
Michelle M.
Actress
3284
Answers
Updated
Michelle’s Answer
Hi, Darrell !
Since you are already an art student in college, I think you should first make stronger connections in your Art Department about how to make a portfolio and sketchbook. You should also see what your future colleges are asking for in the way of a portfolio and even if they are asking for a sketchbook. Most want a portfolio. Ask one of your professors why this isn't being covered in class or when it will be covered as you are a Studio Art Major currently.
Are your Art professors assigning you projects ? You can include your artwork from projects in your portfolio. Include the forms of art that you are good at and I would say to stay away from pop ups and flip page unless they are professionally published and manufactured finished items that you have done. For Studio Art, you should make both a hard copy as well as an electronic portfolio. Photograph any sculpture and your 3D hand made art pieces for your portfolios.
Go to the websites of the School for Visual Arts, California Institute of the Arts, and Moore College of Art and Design - the colleges you've stated - and see what they expect for Admissions. Call the colleges directly for accurate, official and detailed information. If your community college is nearby any of those art colleges, your professors would undoubtedly know how to guide you in the right direction for a portfolio collection.
Random people should not be telling you what to put in your portfolio. It has to come from you. As I've mentioned, include all of your Studio Art projects and create some outside of school, too. Go to more art galleries and read more art books for inspiration, too. You can do it !
Best wishes in all you do !
Since you are already an art student in college, I think you should first make stronger connections in your Art Department about how to make a portfolio and sketchbook. You should also see what your future colleges are asking for in the way of a portfolio and even if they are asking for a sketchbook. Most want a portfolio. Ask one of your professors why this isn't being covered in class or when it will be covered as you are a Studio Art Major currently.
Are your Art professors assigning you projects ? You can include your artwork from projects in your portfolio. Include the forms of art that you are good at and I would say to stay away from pop ups and flip page unless they are professionally published and manufactured finished items that you have done. For Studio Art, you should make both a hard copy as well as an electronic portfolio. Photograph any sculpture and your 3D hand made art pieces for your portfolios.
Go to the websites of the School for Visual Arts, California Institute of the Arts, and Moore College of Art and Design - the colleges you've stated - and see what they expect for Admissions. Call the colleges directly for accurate, official and detailed information. If your community college is nearby any of those art colleges, your professors would undoubtedly know how to guide you in the right direction for a portfolio collection.
Random people should not be telling you what to put in your portfolio. It has to come from you. As I've mentioned, include all of your Studio Art projects and create some outside of school, too. Go to more art galleries and read more art books for inspiration, too. You can do it !
Best wishes in all you do !
Jarien Skywall
Technical Art Manager
6
Answers
Boston, Massachusetts
Updated
Jarien’s Answer
Hi Darrell, I think Michelle made really good points that different schools will want to see different things in your portfolio so you should check their websites and find out what you can from them. And of course use resources at your current school.
One thing I would add is that I think in general, observational drawing is usually pretty valuable for most art school admissions. If you want to do animation, drawing people from life is especially valuable. I would hope that your college's art program offers life drawing, but if not, since you live near lots of prestigious art schools, you can likely find art studios with drop-in life drawing sessions. For most art disciplines and at most schools, the basic foundations that are considered valuable are the same - color theory, principles of design, perspective, anatomy, showing action and weight for how people and animals are posed, etc. And for animation, art that demonstrates understanding/use of the 12 principles of animation.
I'm also a little confused about your use of the word "sketchbook." Are you referring to a portfolio of works for your application? Or are they actually going to flip through all 50-100 pages of a sketchbook? Either way, I still think it's important to practice all of the above. But it's also important to think of each drawing as practice for getting better, rather than "this must be an excellent final product." The best way to get better at drawing is to do it a lot. After you've produced a lot of work you can go back and pick the best ones you want to show off, rather than pressuring yourself to make each drawing perfect. I hope all this helps, good luck!
One thing I would add is that I think in general, observational drawing is usually pretty valuable for most art school admissions. If you want to do animation, drawing people from life is especially valuable. I would hope that your college's art program offers life drawing, but if not, since you live near lots of prestigious art schools, you can likely find art studios with drop-in life drawing sessions. For most art disciplines and at most schools, the basic foundations that are considered valuable are the same - color theory, principles of design, perspective, anatomy, showing action and weight for how people and animals are posed, etc. And for animation, art that demonstrates understanding/use of the 12 principles of animation.
I'm also a little confused about your use of the word "sketchbook." Are you referring to a portfolio of works for your application? Or are they actually going to flip through all 50-100 pages of a sketchbook? Either way, I still think it's important to practice all of the above. But it's also important to think of each drawing as practice for getting better, rather than "this must be an excellent final product." The best way to get better at drawing is to do it a lot. After you've produced a lot of work you can go back and pick the best ones you want to show off, rather than pressuring yourself to make each drawing perfect. I hope all this helps, good luck!
Wong Loke Yuen
Head of Programme cum Senior Lecturer
645
Answers
Johor Bahru, Johor, Malaysia
Updated
Wong’s Answer
Hi Darrell. The most important thing to remember is that art schools like SVA, CalArts, and Moore College of Art and Design want to see your creativity, technical skill, and ability to think critically through your art. Your sketchbook should show your ideas, practice, and growth.
You can start by drawing regularly and exploring a wide range of subjects. Try sketching people, animals, objects, and places around you. Animation schools especially like to see drawings that show movement, emotion, and life.
Your idea of adding pop-ups and flip pages is very creative. If you do it, make sure it helps show your storytelling or animation skills. For example, a small flip-book could show how a character moves. Just don't make the sketchbook too complicated or hard to look through. The drawings should still be the main focus.
You can try using different materials too, like pencil, ink, watercolor, or digital tools. This shows you can experiment and aren't afraid to try new things. You can also include drawings based on your own interests or personal themes, like character design, dreams, or emotions. These help the school see who you are as an artist. All the best.
You can start by drawing regularly and exploring a wide range of subjects. Try sketching people, animals, objects, and places around you. Animation schools especially like to see drawings that show movement, emotion, and life.
Your idea of adding pop-ups and flip pages is very creative. If you do it, make sure it helps show your storytelling or animation skills. For example, a small flip-book could show how a character moves. Just don't make the sketchbook too complicated or hard to look through. The drawings should still be the main focus.
You can try using different materials too, like pencil, ink, watercolor, or digital tools. This shows you can experiment and aren't afraid to try new things. You can also include drawings based on your own interests or personal themes, like character design, dreams, or emotions. These help the school see who you are as an artist. All the best.
Don Holland
Member Service Representative/Food Runner
244
Answers
Austin, Texas
Updated
Don’s Answer
Hello Darrell,
It is good that you are thinking about being an art major and hopefully you will be able to be accepted into one of those art schools. In terms of what you should focus on I would say that you should include your own personal best artwork, show different versatility/styles with your art work, look over the schools requirements in terms of art, find the best fit for what you want to do in terms of style and what school offers the best conditions for your success. Hope you are able to get into one of the art schools and best of luck to you when it comes to your artwork!
It is good that you are thinking about being an art major and hopefully you will be able to be accepted into one of those art schools. In terms of what you should focus on I would say that you should include your own personal best artwork, show different versatility/styles with your art work, look over the schools requirements in terms of art, find the best fit for what you want to do in terms of style and what school offers the best conditions for your success. Hope you are able to get into one of the art schools and best of luck to you when it comes to your artwork!