| The Portfolio |
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A portfolio evaluation is required for all degree-seeking admissions candidates. The portfolio is one of the most important requirements in the admissions decision. Your artwork reflects your visual sensitivity, your intellectual curiosity and creativity, your motivation, self-discipline and previous experience in the visual arts. The freshman portfolio should contain approximately 15 - 20 examples of your best and most recent work. You should select works which demonstrate the depth and breadth of your art experiences, and which highlight your ideas and conceptual ability as well as your technical skills. Your portfolio may include works from the fine arts disciplines such as drawing, painting, sculpture, printmaking and/or photography. It also may include works from design such as illustrations, computer generated images, drafting, architectural renderings, websites, interactive media, animations, text intensive compositions and/or advertising projects. It is strongly suggested you include samples of work completed from direct observation rather than from imagination or copied from photographs. The admissions counselor will assess the way you express your thoughts and ideas visually. Your previous training and technical abilities are also reviewed. Portfolios are evaluated on an individual basis, keeping in mind your specific educational background and experiences. If your work demonstrates talent and potential but you are weak in traditional skills, you may be given assignments by the Admissions Counselor to complete prior to a second review. You may submit your portfolio in the following ways: A. You may schedule an appointment for a portfolio review, interview and campus tour Monday through Friday between 9:00 a.m. and 4:00 p.m. (CST) by calling the Office of Admissions. This is the preferred method for all admissions candidates. However, if you live a great distance from Milwaukee it may be unrealistic to visit in person. B. Show your portfolio to a MIAD representative at one of the National Portfolio Days held around the country. National Portfolio Days are hosted by MIAD and other institutional members of the National Portfolio Day Association. For information regarding dates, times and locations, watch for posters sent to your high school art department throughout the year or call the MIAD Office of Admissions for details. C. Submit your portfolio by mail or digitally. For mail, place digital work onto a CD-R, labeled properly, and include a printed proof sheet and description. You can also upload your work online through MIAD's Dropbox Service. All work becomes a permanent part of your admissions application. D. Present your portfolio during your interview. All students are interviewed as part of the admissions process to evaluate their enthusiasm, desire, and potential to succeed at MIAD. Interviews are conducted during the portfolio review or over the phone for students who submit their portfolio in slide or digital form. Our goal in evaluating your portfolio is to help you become a better artist. Our counselor will give you opinions on what pieces are strong as well as which pieces need further development. Don't worry about framing or matting your work, and do not purchase an expensive portfolio case just for your review; we're interested in the art, not the container. Mark Fetherston, MIAD's Executive Director of Admissions, talks about what makes a good portfolio and discusses particular examples. Download the 50 minute video here:
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