10 answers
mason
Student
South Brisbane, QLD
3
Questions
Updated
2797 views
whats the best way and how do i create a art portfolio within the next 4 years to get accepted in a uni?
Also, what can i put in my portfolio? can i do stuff like my blender creations even though its not 2d art related??
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10 answers
Margarita Syrocheva
Set Designer/Designer
1
Answer
Hyattsville, Maryland
Updated
Margarita’s Answer
Building a portfolio is a great way not only to collect evidence of your skill and expertise but also to expand your horizons and try something new! When you are approaching this process with a bit of time in your pocket, it is a great opportunity to explore options of artistic directions/meet new people/experiment with styles/try out new software or medium/participate in local event/volunteer in student art groups. This approach will allow you not only to understand your own style and artistic preferences better, but also might lead you to wonderful discoveries.
When working on a project I recommend not only documenting the result, but also taking photos/screenshots/videos of the process. Many creative people of business these days are not only interested in your pristine final projects, but in what steps you are making to get there, how do you overcome challenges and approach issues that come up when doing something new. It is important to keep your portfolio professional but personalized, don't hesitate to add artwork that is conventionally "doesn't match" your field (for example, if you do 3D-renderings in blender, but also paint in your free time, add a separate page/folder with your paintings to your portfolio. Especially, as an aspiring artist, the more you present the better understanding the recruiter will have of your general artistic inclinations and skills.
As a platform to keep your work on you can use Behance or create a website on Wix (tip: buy domain on separate websites like go daddy etc. it's cheaper). You can also put together PDFs with your work, Google Drive Folder, Google Slides etc. For starting chose a tool that you are the most familiar with, so you don't waste any time on learning the program itself. Keep things clean, clear and labeled. Add descriptions and make images large and at good resolution. If you feel like it you can briefly describe challenges/process/or important notes about your artwork. And take a look at other people's portfolios: on Pinterest, Instagram, or just by google search.
Good luck!
When working on a project I recommend not only documenting the result, but also taking photos/screenshots/videos of the process. Many creative people of business these days are not only interested in your pristine final projects, but in what steps you are making to get there, how do you overcome challenges and approach issues that come up when doing something new. It is important to keep your portfolio professional but personalized, don't hesitate to add artwork that is conventionally "doesn't match" your field (for example, if you do 3D-renderings in blender, but also paint in your free time, add a separate page/folder with your paintings to your portfolio. Especially, as an aspiring artist, the more you present the better understanding the recruiter will have of your general artistic inclinations and skills.
As a platform to keep your work on you can use Behance or create a website on Wix (tip: buy domain on separate websites like go daddy etc. it's cheaper). You can also put together PDFs with your work, Google Drive Folder, Google Slides etc. For starting chose a tool that you are the most familiar with, so you don't waste any time on learning the program itself. Keep things clean, clear and labeled. Add descriptions and make images large and at good resolution. If you feel like it you can briefly describe challenges/process/or important notes about your artwork. And take a look at other people's portfolios: on Pinterest, Instagram, or just by google search.
Good luck!
Steve Basmajian
Designer
15
Answers
Dallas, Texas
Updated
Steve’s Answer
Thinking about your portfolio already puts you way ahead, Mason! Your site should showcase your skills, work, and passions. Your 3D designs are great for showing your ability in game or spatial design.
Keep adding personal projects and look for open-source game projects where you can contribute. Consider taking on small projects on platforms like Fiverr. Even unpaid work in the real world is valuable, as it shows you can deliver and add value.
You have plenty of time! Keep learning and progressing, and by the time you're ready for college, you'll have an outstanding portfolio to help you get into a great university!
Keep adding personal projects and look for open-source game projects where you can contribute. Consider taking on small projects on platforms like Fiverr. Even unpaid work in the real world is valuable, as it shows you can deliver and add value.
You have plenty of time! Keep learning and progressing, and by the time you're ready for college, you'll have an outstanding portfolio to help you get into a great university!
Sydney Arrowood
Graphic Design
11
Answers
Burlington, Kentucky
Updated
Sydney’s Answer
Hi Mason! The content of your portfolio will differ depending on what you want to do with your art. But, speaking generally, you will want pieces that will show both technical skill and your own personal style. Sometimes you'll have pieces that serve only one of those purposes, but ideally they would show both of those things. That being said, you aren't limited to any specific medium! There is a clear connection between great pencil sketches and great 3D designs, and that's an understanding of form, anatomy, motion, color, etc. If your foundational skills are there, it will be expressed no matter what medium you're using. However, the medium does matter in some ways. For example, if you are applying for a graphic design position or university, it may be wise to remove pieces that don't serve the graphic design function.
I appreciate this, thank you for the advice.
mason
Christos Zafiropoulos
Senior Client Executive
5
Answers
Clermont, Florida
Updated
Christos’s Answer
Create your portfolio with passion and focus on quality. Sometimes, doing more helps you find the best pieces, and that's okay. Remember to take it easy and not stress too much. We often judge our work too harshly.
Ignore the negative voices. Everyone has their own challenges. Share all your work, and you'll be surprised by the things others notice that you might miss.
Ignore the negative voices. Everyone has their own challenges. Share all your work, and you'll be surprised by the things others notice that you might miss.
Shay Marshall, MS
Senior Juvenile Probation Officer
9
Answers
Navarre, Florida
Updated
Shay’s Answer
It's awesome you're thinking ahead about building your art portfolio for university! Four years is a fantastic amount of time to develop a strong collection. The best way to do this is to practice consistently across various mediums, including 2D art like drawing and painting, and yes, even your 3D Blender creations are highly valuable! Universities love to see versatility and a grasp of different techniques and digital tools, showing your foundational skills and creative problem-solving. Always seek feedback, refine your pieces, and research university-specific requirements as you go.
Consistent Creation & Experimentation: Make art regularly, trying out diverse mediums and styles, including observational drawing and digital work.
Document Everything: Photograph all your completed (or nearly completed) work with good lighting and organize it digitally.
Seek Regular Feedback: Share your art with teachers, mentors, or trusted peers for constructive criticism to help you improve.
Research University Requirements: Start looking at the specific portfolio guidelines for your dream universities to tailor your work.
Curate & Reflect: Regularly review your work, selecting your strongest pieces and thinking about what they communicate, even in a simple artist statement.
Shay recommends the following next steps:
Kelly Smyth
Visual development, character design, storyboards
16
Answers
Cupertino, California
Updated
Kelly’s Answer
Hello, happy to help!
The fundamentals are probably the most important! Things like figure drawing, still life, and other observational studies in traditional mediums. And these can either be full drawings/paintings or stuff you keep in a sketchbook. It gives reviewers an idea of where you currently are in your artistic development and if you can keep up with their foundational courses. But if other mediums like digital illustration are your forté, add the best works from that category too, especially if the major you're applying for is asking for anything specific. (So your Blender creations would be a good thing to add to a digital art or game design portfolio!)
It may seem like a lot of work (because it is), but it sounds like you're still years away from starting college, so for now you have plenty of time to try new things! (I had to cram in a few life drawing sessions right before the semester ended lol). High school art classes tend to focus on traditional art and the fundamentals so they're a good place to get started, and you can ask your teachers for advice when it comes to your goals. But if you feel like they're not teaching you everything you wanna learn, then look into summer programs, local drawing classes, and online tutorials/self-study.
The fundamentals are probably the most important! Things like figure drawing, still life, and other observational studies in traditional mediums. And these can either be full drawings/paintings or stuff you keep in a sketchbook. It gives reviewers an idea of where you currently are in your artistic development and if you can keep up with their foundational courses. But if other mediums like digital illustration are your forté, add the best works from that category too, especially if the major you're applying for is asking for anything specific. (So your Blender creations would be a good thing to add to a digital art or game design portfolio!)
It may seem like a lot of work (because it is), but it sounds like you're still years away from starting college, so for now you have plenty of time to try new things! (I had to cram in a few life drawing sessions right before the semester ended lol). High school art classes tend to focus on traditional art and the fundamentals so they're a good place to get started, and you can ask your teachers for advice when it comes to your goals. But if you feel like they're not teaching you everything you wanna learn, then look into summer programs, local drawing classes, and online tutorials/self-study.
Thank you, this is really helpful.
mason
Leo McKenzie
Creative, Traditional & 3D Artist, Designer and Corp Executive.
13
Answers
Sanford, North Carolina
Updated
Leo’s Answer
It could be 2D with Blender. Grease Pencil is perfect for that if you wanted to use Blender as the tool for your portfolio. Just make things you like over a period of time and put that work into a collection. Eventually you'll start to see your personal flare on the work and that will help build your portfolio. Make sure to be able to tell your story in your art also because companies look for that ability to dream, think and tell stories.
Marianna Katorgina
19
Answers
Timonino, МО
Updated
Marianna’s Answer
Definitely start building your portfolio now and add to it over time. It shouldn’t be just pictures—you can also include things like projects you participated in, certificates from courses, any exhibitions or even local publications. All of that shows your involvement and growth.
And yes, you can absolutely include Blender creations! Even if it’s not 2D, it still shows your creativity, skills, and interest in digital art. Just make sure your portfolio reflects your range and development, and keep exploring different styles and mediums over the next few years.
And yes, you can absolutely include Blender creations! Even if it’s not 2D, it still shows your creativity, skills, and interest in digital art. Just make sure your portfolio reflects your range and development, and keep exploring different styles and mediums over the next few years.
Thanks for the help.
mason
Rebecca Tang
Banking
2141
Answers
Hong Kong
Updated
Rebecca’s Answer
Thank you for your question. I am glad to know that you started planning your university applications.
Below are my suggestions ：
1. Think about the subjects you plan to apply
2.Attend the information session hosts by the department of relevant subjects of colleges. Understand their selection criteria. Speak to the professors if you can
3. Select the relevant subjects in high school. Work hard on.yiur academic to meet the criteria
4. Participate relevant extracurricular activities
5. Explore any intern opportunities in the relevant industry
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Below are my suggestions ：
1. Think about the subjects you plan to apply
2.Attend the information session hosts by the department of relevant subjects of colleges. Understand their selection criteria. Speak to the professors if you can
3. Select the relevant subjects in high school. Work hard on.yiur academic to meet the criteria
4. Participate relevant extracurricular activities
5. Explore any intern opportunities in the relevant industry
Hope this helps! Good luck!
May Almighty God bless you!
Phill Pezo
Industrial Design
28
Answers
Nutley, New Jersey
Updated
Phill’s Answer
Hey Mason,
It is great to hear you are considering how to organize your portfolio for the next four years. It is great that you are keeping in mind getting into a university, which is definitely important to consider. What you show in your portfolio is an extension and display of your work. Your portfolio will constantly change as you constantly change as a person/artist until you find your own "identity". Do not let this trick you up, simply be you, and as you continue to evolve and experience, you will discover your routes. At the end of the day, you are organizing your work however you want it. Make sure to let other people see it to see if your work delivers how you would like it to. Make sure not to take criticism too harshly; any feedback is good to know and experience. Be confident when you are showing your work, you have done all the hard work, now you get to show it off! Make it as high quality as possible. If you have any kind of grid layout with numerous pictures, make sure to have even spacing and alignment. Try not to have too many, if any, words explaining what it is. Some are fine, as long as it is not overwhelming throughout the portfolio.
For now, and always, document everything! Take good pictures of your work in progress and the finished product. You can never have too many. Keep track of dates from all your work as well. Make sure everything is saved and backed up. You can also reach out to schools that you might want to apply to and see what they are looking for in new students. Sometimes they have it on their website, sometimes you can get in touch with a student who is currently enrolled.
Best of luck with your future!
It is great to hear you are considering how to organize your portfolio for the next four years. It is great that you are keeping in mind getting into a university, which is definitely important to consider. What you show in your portfolio is an extension and display of your work. Your portfolio will constantly change as you constantly change as a person/artist until you find your own "identity". Do not let this trick you up, simply be you, and as you continue to evolve and experience, you will discover your routes. At the end of the day, you are organizing your work however you want it. Make sure to let other people see it to see if your work delivers how you would like it to. Make sure not to take criticism too harshly; any feedback is good to know and experience. Be confident when you are showing your work, you have done all the hard work, now you get to show it off! Make it as high quality as possible. If you have any kind of grid layout with numerous pictures, make sure to have even spacing and alignment. Try not to have too many, if any, words explaining what it is. Some are fine, as long as it is not overwhelming throughout the portfolio.
For now, and always, document everything! Take good pictures of your work in progress and the finished product. You can never have too many. Keep track of dates from all your work as well. Make sure everything is saved and backed up. You can also reach out to schools that you might want to apply to and see what they are looking for in new students. Sometimes they have it on their website, sometimes you can get in touch with a student who is currently enrolled.
Best of luck with your future!