How does the Candidacy Portfolio Review relate to the Foundations Portfolio Review?

The Foundations Portfolio Review no longer exists. The Candidacy Portfolio Review replaces the Foundations Portfolio Review for all BFA programs. This change serves two purposes: 1) it allows easier access to introductory art courses for students across all majors, and 2) it creates consistency in how students are admitted into all BFA programs.

When in my college career do I submit to Candidacy Portfolio Review?

Application at the earliest point of eligibility is recommended, to allow time for re-application or change of major if the application is unsuccessful. For most students, the prerequisite courses will be completed during the fall of the sophomore year, though students with transfer credits may be eligible to apply sooner. All declared BFA majors must pass the Candidacy Portfolio Review before enrolling in any 3000-level classes within their major.

Do I need to apply to Candidacy Portfolio Review if I already passed the Foundations Portfolio Review?

For BFA Studio Art and BFA Art Education majors, no. For Graphic Design majors, you will still need to pass the Candidacy Portfolio Review that has been in place for many years.

Is the candidacy portfolio review for Graphic Design changing at all?

No.

May I apply to more than one Candidacy Portfolio Review in the same semester?

Yes. You may apply to one, two, or all three reviews, provided you have met the necessary pre-requisite course requirements.

What happens if I don’t pass the Candidacy Portfolio Review?

You have several options:

• You may re-apply the next semester
• You may apply to a different BFA program the next semester
• You may use your earned credits toward a different major within the department, or as an art minor with a major outside the department
• How many times may I re-apply to the Candidacy Portfolio Review?
• You may re-apply to each Candidacy Portfolio Review one time. In other words, you could potentially submit to each BFA program twice, for a grand total of six Portfolio Reviews.

What courses should I take if I’m not sure which BFA program I intend to apply?

Evaluate the checksheet for each major. There are many classes that overlap amongst the majors, including five of the six pre-requisite courses. Register for courses that will fulfill requirements for all majors in which you are interested until you have advanced to candidacy in one or more majors.

Coursework to have completed by the end of the semester in which portfolio is submitted

• ART 1001 Foundations I
• ART 1002 Foundations II
• ART 1003 Foundations Drawing
• ART 2222 Introduction to Art Education
• One 2000 level studio art class
• Either ART 2030 Art from Prehistory to 1400 or ART 2130 Art from 1400 to the Present
• Praxis I or equivalent

Access important information and dates here.

For information about Candidacy Portfolio Review for BFA Art Education, email Brooke Hofsess at hofsessba@appstate.edu.

Overview

All prospective graphic design majors must submit portfolios for review to be formally admitted into the BFA Graphic Design program. Students must pass the review to take ART 3102 Typography II, ART 3302 Idea Lab, and for students on 2020-2021 and later programs of study, ARH 2230 History of Graphic Design.

The portfolio review happens twice a year, immediately following the end of classes in the fall and spring semesters on Reading Day. Graphic Design faculty will meet with interested students during group advising meetings each semester to announce the date of the review, explain the review process, and answer questions. Additionally, a Q&A session will be announced for students who plan to submit portfolios to ask questions.

To submit a portfolio for review, students must either complete, or have in-progress, the prerequisite courses listed below. A grade of C or higher in each course is required for admission to the program. If you pass the review, but do not earn a C or higher in a prerequisite course, you will need to repeat the course before you can continue in the program.

For information about Candidacy Portfolio Review for BFA Graphic Design, contact Stephen Parks at parkssr@appstate.edu.

Prerequisite Courses

Complete the following courses by the end of the semester in which you submit your portfolio

• ART 1001 Foundations I
• ART 1002 Foundations II
• ART 1003 Foundations Drawing
• ART 1102 Introduction to Graphic Design
• ART 2102 Typography I
• Either ART 2030 Art from Prehistory to 1400 or ART 2130 Art from 1400 to the Present

Submission Date

The submission deadline is on Reading Day in both fall and spring semesters. The Fall 2023 review will take place on Wednesday, December 6 and will start at 10:00 a.m. Work must be dropped of in the Rough Ridge room of the Plemmons Student Union on campus. All work must be ready for review at that time.

Fall 2023 applicants must complete an application form by 11:59pm, Friday, December 1. Use the application form to include links to projects in your portfolio and upload your written response.

You may drop work on the evening before Reading Day from 5:00–9:00 p.m. or on Reading Day from 8:00–9:00 a.m.

Students may not be present during the review. Please make sure to plan to remove your portfolio materials between 2:00 and 3:00pm on the day of the review. We can not ensure your work will be left untouched in the Student Union and we are not responsible for work left in the room after 3:00 p.m.

Portfolio Preparation

The review takes place in the Rough Ridge room of the Plemmons Student Union on campus. Your application materials will be placed on the tables. Neatly stack and arrange all work required for the review. The reviewers do not need to see everything at once, but all work must be accessible. Cooperate with other applicants and take no more room than you need. An upper-level student worker will be available to help place your work and check you in.

Submit your online application form by 11:59pm, Friday, December 1.

Portfolio Contents

Your portfolio must contain:

• All completed projects from Introduction to Graphic Design, including final process book
• The following projects from Typography I: 72 Variations book, One letterform/counterform piece, Three reading for hierarchy posters + postcards, Recipe Book (with your recipe indicated), and Type Specimen poster
• Three drawings
• Two pieces of work from non-graphic design studio art courses. Work may come from Foundations courses, but does not have to. If you wish to submit a 3D piece, submit documentation of it (photographs, video, or both) rather than the actual piece.
• A written response (500 word limit) to: Beyond your portfolio, discuss what qualities you have as a designer that will ensure your success in this program. Give examples from your experiences in either Introduction to Graphic Design or Typography I. Typeset your response in a form appropriate for this communication and submit it as a PDF in your application.

Guidelines and Tips

Your graphic design and typography work should match the assignment criteria provided in class. Presentation matters. Make sure your work is neat and orderly, with no frayed or ragged edges, creases, etc. Please label any 3D work you plan to show.

Review Process

A review committee consisting of all members of the Graphic Design faculty will review portfolios submitted by the deadline each semester.

This portfolio review is competitive. The review committee will assess not just your achievements but your potential for future growth as a creative practitioner. Strong grades in your prerequisite courses do not guarantee a successful review.

The review committee’s decisions are final and may not be appealed. Students will be notified of their acceptance status within three weeks of submission.

Submitting your portfolio for review signifies that you have read, understood, and will observe the conditions of the review as described here.

Assessment Criteria

On review day, you will be evaluated in the following areas on a scale of 0-4.

• Design Principles and Aesthetics: Student work shows the skilled use of a visual design vocabulary including an eye for composition and layout. Application of formal principles (scale, balance, weight, rhythm, etc.) is highly creative and appropriate. Form/counterform relationships are highly active and work shows a clear understanding of color relationships. Type choices and type combinations show a heightened sensitivity to typography.
• Craft: Student work is produced with a high level of polish demonstrating excellent hand skills and attention to detail. Work made using a computer shows a facility with software. Work is presented neatly in an organized way.
• Exploration: Student work shows a broad exploration of concepts, processes, and materials. Student demonstrates a willingness to fail and respond through iteration.
• Conceptual Thinking: Student work demonstrates a mastery of the relationship between ideas, their physical representations, and interpretations by viewers. Ideas embodied in the work are innovative and strong.
• Communication: Student work communicates intended messages effectively through visual form and language. Student has shown an ability to communicate the development and meaning of their work through writing and speaking.
• Systems: Student work shows an advanced understanding of systems, including strong use of hierarchy and grids. Process book demonstrates evidence of a thoughtful application of typographic and layout systems.
• Engagement & Self Reflection: As demonstrated through their process book and response to video prompt, student shows an enthusiasm and hunger for learning, along with a willingness to reflect on previous work and think critically about strengths and weaknesses.
• Collaboration and Community: As demonstrated through their process book, student has shown the ability to work well with peers and provide thoughtful feedback.

Evaluation

• 4 = strong evidence of specific criterion
• 3 = good evidence of specific criterion
• 2 = some evidence of specific criterion
• 1 = minimal evidence of specific criterion
• 0 = no evidence of specific criterion

Results

If you pass review, take ARH 2230 History of Graphic Design, ART 3102 Typography II and ART 3302 Idea Lab in the following term; these courses are prerequisites for ART 4102 Typography III and ART 3202 Interaction Design I.

If you do not pass the candidacy portfolio review, you may resubmit your portfolio for one further review only. Before resubmitting, you are strongly encouraged to consult with the instructors of your graphic design courses for advice and feedback, and with the assistant department chair to discuss your options. You may continue to advance toward a degree in Graphic Design by taking art history, studio art, and general education courses. Remember that Introduction to Graphic Design and Typography I can count as electives in other degree programs.

Computer Requirement

All students who pass Candidacy Portfolio Review will be required to purchase a laptop computer. Academic pricing is available. A MacBook Pro is recommended as an industry standard. Currently Adobe Creative Cloud is available for free when students use their Appstate email credentials.

All intended BFA Studio Art majors must submit portfolios for review to be formally admitted into the program, and before enrolling in 3000-level studio courses.

Portfolio reviews happen once each semester. The submission deadlines are: the third Monday in March (Spring semester) and the third Monday in October (Fall semester).

Studio Art faculty will meet with interested students during group advising meetings each semester to announce the deadline for portfolio submission, explain the review process, and answer any questions.

You must complete or have in progress the prerequisite courses listed below to qualify for review. A C grade or higher in each course is required for admission to the program.

For information about Candidacy Portfolio Review for BFA Studio Art, email Andréa Connell at connellak@appstate.edu.

Coursework to have completed by the end of the semester in which portfolio is submitted

• ART 1001 Foundations I
• ART 1002 Foundations II
• ART 1003 Foundations Drawing
• Any two 2000 level studio art classes
• Either ART 2030 Art from Prehistory to 1400 or ART 2130 Art from 1400 to the Present

Portfolio Submission Date

The submission deadlines are: the third Monday in March (Spring semester) and the third Monday in October (Fall semester). Submissions to be via Slideroom.

Portfolio Contents

10 images of your best work, including:

• a brief essay responding to one of three prompts
• a recommendation from an Appalachian State University Art Department faculty member 
• a semester-by-semester plan for what courses to take through graduation

The portfolio and application essay must be submitted via Slideroom. The link to the portfolio review will appear below four weeks prior to the deadline.

Please complete all required boxes on Slideroom including: title, dimensions, media, and additional information, which should include a description of the assignment, your process, your thinking, and/or your creative problem solving.

Application Essay

Write an essay of no more than 500 words in response to one of the following prompts:

• What is an area of interest or issue outside of art and design with which you are concerned, and how has it influenced your art and creative thinking?
• What does studying art at the college level mean to you? How do you see this experience impacting your future?
• What project in one of your studio classes challenged you the most, and why? Describe your creative process. What did you learn from the experience?
• What is the most influential artist talk you have attended? How has this impacted your creative process?

Documentation of Art

As an artist, most opportunities in your career will be judged from images. Good documentation of your portfolio is critical. For installation work and many 3D media, giving a sense of the work may include offering various angles, carefully considered lighting, and appropriate setting. This is your chance to give us the best possible experience of your work. Here are some helpful tips:

• Make sure you are photographing the art, not background clutter
• Photograph your work on a plain, neutral background
• Crop your image so that your art fills as much of the frame as possible; show off your work, not the background. The perspective crop tool in Photoshop is an excellent way to get clean, straight images.
• If you don’t have a lighting setup, photograph your work outside on an overcast day, or in the shade. This will provide even light without harsh shadows
• Consult with your past or current instructors or artists in your community
• You may also consider hiring a fellow student or professional photographer who advertises portfolio services

Image Specifications

• File format: JPEG only
• File dimensions: 1500 pixels on the longest side
• File resolution: 72 ppi/dpi (standard web resolution)

Documenting your work tips

Review Process

All members of the Studio Art faculty will review portfolios and essays submitted via Slideroom by the deadline each semester. Students will be notified of their acceptance status within three weeks of submission.

The review process is competitive. The committee will assess not just your achievements but your potential for future growth as an artist. Strong grades in your prerequisite courses do not guarantee a successful review.

If you do not pass the candidacy portfolio review, you may resubmit your portfolio for one further review only. Before resubmitting, you are strongly encouraged to consult with studio art faculty for advice and feedback. You may continue to advance toward your degree via additional art history courses and 2000-level studio art courses.

Submitting your portfolio for review signifies that you have read, understood, and will observe the conditions of the review as described here.

Criteria

• Creativity: Work reveals an original approach to process, concept, subject matter and a willingness to take risks.
• Craft & Technique: Work reflects competence and potential within chosen medium.
• Content: Work successfully communicates meanings, ideas, attitudes, views and intentions of the artists in a concrete, complex, nuanced, and intelligent manner.
• Design: Work appropriately applies formal design and composition principles (scale, balance, weight, color relationships, etc.) in support of conceptual intent.
• Drawing: Drawing demonstrates competent representational drawing skills.
• Communication: Writing is insightful, articulate, introspective, and specific.

Evaluation

• 3 = strong evidence of specific criterion
• 2 = some evidence of specific criterion
• 1 = minimal evidence of specific criterion
• 0 = no evidence of specific criterion