Baiting the Trap, oil by Professor Donald Robson

Portfolio Submission Guidelines
Department of Visual Arts 

 

If you are applying to become an art or art education major in the Department of Visual Arts, you must be accepted by portfolio review. The Department of Visual Arts requires at least three weeks from the portfolio deadline date to complete the review.

Portfolios will be evaluated on the basis of drawing and design ability, original ideas, craftsmanship, and overall presentation. You will receive separate notification of the result of your review directly from the College of the Arts.

 

Glossary of Visual Arts Terms


Entrance Portfolio Requirements

Content

The portfolio is composed of photographic images of your studio work.  A total of ten to twenty still images and/or moving images should be submitted.  The portfolio must include a minimum of four (4) samples of representational drawing made from direct observation (i.e., not copied from photographs, comics, or “fantasy”).  At least two works should be original works (not assignments) that express your own identity and imagination as an artist.  If you are requesting transfer equivalency credit equivalency for previous coursework at another university, you must also submit at least four strong examples of artwork for each art course that you wish to have evaluated for transfer equivalency credit .  (Works submitted for transfer may expand the total portfolio size beyond 20.)  Current students may submit work from their KSU studio classes as well as work done outside of class.  Work submitted may be in any medium, including design, applied arts, or time-based media.

Format

Portfolios should be submitted as Powerpoint files.  The file name should be the student’s name, last name first (“Smith Jane.ppt”).  Images should be of high enough resolution to be crisp and clear.  Poor image quality will negatively affect the evaluation of your portfolio.  Standard 4x3 page setup is preferred, and background color should be black.  Any moving images should use a commonly available player and be embedded in the Powerpoint file and should be no longer than two minutes. The four drawings from direct observation must be the first four images in the portfolio. Sculpture and three-dimensional works may be represented by two different views on one page.

All submissions must be on a CD or DVD that is Macintosh-readable.  Disks should be sent in paper sleeves with your name legibly printed on the disks, the sleeves, and the envelope. If you would like your CDs or DVDs returned, you must include a self-addressed, stamped envelope.  Portfolios without self-addressed, stamped envelopes will be held for 1 year after notification.  If still unclaimed, the portfolio will be discarded.

Labeling

Each Powerpoint “slide” should be labeled at the bottom or left side in white 12-point Arial with the following information.  Do NOT include your name with the individual images.

Title (titles are italicized, not put in quotation marks)

Dimensions (height, width--and depth for 3-D works)

Medium

Year work was made

If it was created for a class assignment, please indicate for which class it was created and a brief description of the assignment; if it was not for a class, indicate it as an “original work.” 

Examples:    

Untitled Figure Study 

18” X 24” 

Charcoal on newsprint

2007

Drawing 2, figure study from direct observation.  

Montana Plains

8” X 10”

Photography--film negative, digital print

2006          

Original work, photo made in Grand Tetons at sunrise.

Untitled

10’ X 8’  X 12’ 

Sculptural installation--steel, wire screen, & electronics  

2006 

3-D Design assignment, “Express the space-time continuum”

Working with Time

24” X 36” 

Digital media—Photoshop, Illustrator (screen capture) 

2006

Graphic Design I, Poster design for a company of my own creation

Glass Bottle Study

16” X 20”

Oil on canvas

2006 

Painting 2, color and value assignment.

Anna Goodwin

12” X 16” 

Pencil on paper  2007. 

Original work, portrait drawn from photograph.

Evaluation Criteria

The portfolio review committee uses the following criteria to evaluate portfolios:

  • Representation of Form – Accurate description of subject matter based on perceptive reality and visual observation
  • Composition – Emphasis, focal point, eye movement, balance, etc.
  • Craftsmanship – Basic fine motor skill and attention to detail
  • Conceptual Inventiveness – Creativity and effort to communicate

Each of these criteria will be assigned a value from the list below by the faculty reviewer:

  • Excellent – roughly equivalent to an A (4.0) grade
  • Good – roughly equivalent to a B (3.0) grade
  • Adequate – roughly equivalent to a C (2.0) grade
  • Weak – roughly equivalent to a D (1.0) grade
  • None – used if evidence of criteria is not evident or applicable

The Assistant Dean will use this information in making the final decision regarding whether an applicant will be declared a major in the Department of Visual Arts.

Additional Information for Transfer Students

In order to transfer studio courses for credit, you must have received at least a “C” in the course AND receive credit for it through the portfolio review.  Transfer students should have their portfolio reviewed and evaluated before registering for art courses.  At least four images must be included for each course that you wish to transfer.  Line 5 of the image caption in your portfolio should indicate what class it was created in (see above examples).  Arrange works from the same class consecutively in the portfolio.  Transfer students should submit, along with this application and your portfolio, an unofficial copy of all transcripts with catalog course descriptions of any art and art history courses taken, and the Transfer Credit Equivalency Form available from our website. Credits from non-accredited institutions will not transfer.  If we do not accept your work as equivalent through the portfolio review, you must repeat the course here.  Some transfer course credits may be determined to not be equivalent to specific KSU courses; if that is the case, you may request that they be transferred as art electives.

Submit your application and portfolio to:

Samuel G. Robinson, Assistant Dean of Admissions and Student Services

College of the Arts

Kennesaw State University

1000 Chastain Rd. #3101

Kennesaw GA 30144-5591

Or hand deliver to:

College of the Arts

Room 201, Joe Mack Wilson Building on Bartow Avenue

Questions about the application process can be directed to the College of the Arts Office of Admissions, 770-423-6614 or COTA-Admissions@kennesaw.edu

 

Procedures to Apply at KSU Photographing Your Artwork (MSword Doc)

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The College of the Arts at Kennesaw State University supports, defends and promotes academic freedom in artistic expression, as outlined by the American Association of University Professors, and diversity of all kinds as outlined by the university's Human Relations Position Statement.

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