{"id":118,"date":"2022-09-06T02:13:58","date_gmt":"2022-09-06T02:13:58","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/?page_id=118"},"modified":"2025-12-01T03:28:39","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T03:28:39","slug":"portfolio-instructions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/portfolio-instructions\/","title":{"rendered":"Portfolio Instructions"},"content":{"rendered":"

[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ fullwidth=”on” admin_label=”Header Section” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” background_color=”#7ebec5″ max_width=”100%” custom_padding=”|0px||0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_fullwidth_header title=”ENTRANCE APPLICATION” subhead=”for GRAPHIC DESIGN” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” title_text_align=”justify” max_width=”875px” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” custom_padding=”|0px|29px|0px|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_fullwidth_header][\/et_pb_section][et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”0px|||||” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”700px” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

Effective Spring 2026<\/em><\/em><\/strong> <\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

<\/em><\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

CURRENT WCU STUDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

All entrance portfolios are reviewed once a year in February. The next portfolio submission due date is Friday, February 20, 2026.<\/p>\n

Please see instructions below.<\/p>\n

<\/strong><\/p>\n

TRANSFER STUDENTS<\/strong><\/p>\n

This Entrance Application and Portfolio is NOT for transfer students or high school seniors. If you are interested in transferring into the program, you should contact John Seefeldt at jseefeldt@wcu.edu<\/a><\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_accordion _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” max_width=”700px” custom_margin=”|auto||auto|false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_accordion_item open=”on” _builder_version=”4.27.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n

The Graphic Design entrance portfolio includes both a prerecorded video interview and a PDF portfolio of your design work. Please follow the guidelines in the sections below when preparing your materials for submission.\u00a0<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”VIDEO INTERVIEW” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

Please record a video, no longer than three minutes, in which you verbally respond to the questions below. Your video should demonstrate professionalism and clearly communicate your interest in joining the design program. Once completed, copy and paste the video link into the video interview section of the application form.<\/p>\n

Create a free account with Loom<\/a> to record your interview. After recording your interview , copy and paste the share link into the interview field in the application form ( How to share from Loom Link <\/a>).<\/p>\n

Questions:<\/strong><\/p>\n

1)<\/strong> Describe an art or design project that you are proud of. Why do you think the project is successful? Are you proud of the process or the final outcome or both? What was your favorite part of completing the project? Include the project in your portfolio if possible.<\/p>\n

2)<\/strong> Discuss an art or design project that was challenging or did not go as planned. How did you address the difficulties you faced? Looking back, what would you do differently now? If possible, include this project\u2014or documentation of it\u2014in your portfolio.<\/p>\n

3)<\/strong> Choose one word that describes your creative process. Explain or visually demonstrate why you selected that word.<\/p>\n

4)<\/strong> Please describe how you define the broad field of design.<\/p>\n

5)<\/strong> What made you decide to apply to the program?<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”PORTFOLIO CONTENT” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

For current WCU Students who have taken foundations classes at WCU. Use large,
high-quality images and include the following information with each image.<\/p>\n

-Project title
-Project size
-Project date
-Material, medium, or software used.
-1 sentence project description
-Class name and professor<\/p>\n

SAVE your PDF portfolio file as: LastName-FirstName-Portfolio-Design.pdf<\/span><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n

Portfolio content guidelines:\u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n

1. All projects from 2D Design (ART 132)<\/p>\n

2. All projects from 3D Design (ART 142)<\/p>\n

3. All projects from Intro to Drawing (ART 131)<\/p>\n

4. In addition to the materials listed above, please include 1 to 4 additional projects completed within the last three years. These works should demonstrate your interest in design, attention to craft and detail, and your ability to think creatively.<\/p>\n

Examples of other possible projects:<\/strong>
Other possible projects include but are not limited to animation, video, comics, sketchbook work, 3D design, sculpture, painting, collage, and interactive work. Work should not include any existing copyrighted or intellectual property (this includes fan art). In a portfolio, we are looking for evidence of interest in design, attention to craft and detail, and use of creative thinking.<\/p>\n

Drawing recommendations:<\/strong>
Drawings from direct observation. These drawings should demonstrate a knowledge of perspective, volume, spatial relationships, and composition. Drawings can be any physical or digital medium. Drawings must have been completed in the last 3 years.<\/p>\n

<\/blockquote>\n

FOR STUDENTS REAPPLYING TO THE PROGRAM<\/span><\/strong><\/p>\n

If you applied to the program previously and were not admitted, you should update your portfolio with new work. Your portfolio should include 10\u201320 pieces that were not part of your earlier submission. These works should reflect a clear interest in design, strong craft and attention to detail, and creative thinking. All pieces must have been completed within the last three years and may include personal and\/or school projects.<\/p>\n

\n

[\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Building your Digital Portfolio” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

\n

We recommend you use Figma to construct your portfolio and export the file as a PDF for submission (You can use Google Slides or Power Point as well). See below image for example of slide layout. Do not use Microsoft Word to construct your portfolio as this program is not suited for displaying images.<\/p>\n

\"\"<\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/div>\n

<\/div>\n
    \n
  • If you are looking to add to your portfolio, research personal graphic design project ideas online.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • Use high quality images and photograph your artwork against a white background. Using white poster board or a large sheet of white paper is effective.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • To increase light in your photographs, photograph your work outside on a sunny day around noon to avoid intense <\/span>shadows<\/strong>. You can also photograph your work inside next to a large window.<\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • Stand on a chair or step ladder to photograph your work from above. Avoid photographing 2D work at an angle. Using white poster board or a large sheet of white paper is effective.<\/span><\/span><\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • When photographing your work instead of zooming in on your camera or phone, move the camera as close to the artwork as possible to fill the screen and then take the photo.
    <\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • After you have taken your photos, you can slightly adjust brightness, contrast, and <\/span>levels in any photo editing program.<\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • Crop your photos to only show the artwork and remove any background, mat, or frame.
    <\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • Proofread for any spelling or writing errors.<\/span><\/span><\/span>\n

     <\/p>\n<\/li>\n

  • Avoid including any colored backgrounds or additional decorative elements on digital slides which may distract from the image.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][et_pb_accordion_item title=”Saving and Submitting” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” open=”off”]<\/p>\n

    SAVE<\/b> your portfolio file as: LastName-FirstName-Portfolio-Design.pdf<\/p>\n

    SUBMIT<\/strong> your PDF portfolio and interview link by using the apply link below.<\/p>\n

    [\/et_pb_accordion_item][\/et_pb_accordion][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][et_pb_row _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.18.0″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_button button_url=”https:\/\/wcu.az1.qualtrics.com\/jfe\/form\/SV_d6XzygBJd8QRj26″ button_text=”Apply Here” button_alignment=”center” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” custom_button=”on” button_text_size=”16px” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/et_pb_button][\/et_pb_column][\/et_pb_row][\/et_pb_section]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

    Effective Spring 2026 CURRENT WCU STUDENTS All entrance portfolios are reviewed once a year in February. The next portfolio submission due date is Friday, February 20, 2026. Please see instructions below. TRANSFER STUDENTS This Entrance Application and Portfolio is NOT for transfer students or high school seniors. If you are interested in transferring into the […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_et_pb_use_builder":"on","_et_pb_old_content":"","_et_gb_content_width":"","footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-118","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=118"}],"version-history":[{"count":74,"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":288,"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/118\/revisions\/288"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/design.wcu.edu\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=118"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}