dmu.ac.

uk/graphicdesign

Portfolio Advice

For UK and European Union applicants

Graphic Design / Illustration

Graphic Design / Illustration

Graphic Design / Graphic Design and Illustration BA (Hons)

Your portfolio
Your portfolio should contain around 15-20 pieces.
Most importantly we are looking at your potential to be a creative designer/maker. We do not expect you to be exceptional in all the areas
described below. We want you to be keen to learn and have ambitions for your own future.
We will also want to know who or what inspires you in the field of art and design and particularly in graphic design and in illustration. You
can include a section in your personal statement on your application form, detailing which magazines you read, websites you visit and about
any other cultural interests you have, such as film, music, architecture, dance, travel, sports etc. We advise you to look at design magazines
and design/illustration related websites for up to date information.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for:
Someone who loves design/illustration
Drawing skills demonstrate a range of approaches
Idea generation and lateral thinking
Development of ideas
An interest in contemporary culture
Experimental approach to handling materials
The questioning of conventions

Graphic Design / Illustration

What should a portfolio contain?

Please include any evidence of your experience in IT (Adobe Photoshop or Illustrator, CAD/CAM, Microsoft Word, digital photography and
digital printing for example)
Sketchbooks
Your research will show us what excites you and what has inspired you during your projects and current course. This needs to be evident in
your sketchbooks and should include visual references to other artists and designers. You should include references to contemporary and
historical practices and show your interests in graphic design/illustration. You can include research from exhibitions or study trips abroad for
example.

Images by Urte Palauskaite

Graphic Design / Illustration

What should a portfolio contain?

Drawing and image making
We like to see drawing and image making in the broadest sense, from life
drawing to experimental design sketches, photography and collage, the
more diverse the better. Try to include some colour work too. We particularly
want to see some drawing based on objective study drawn from life.

Images by Urte Palauskaite

Graphic Design / Illustration

What should a portfolio contain?

Project work
We are looking for evidence of questioning, intent and to see how you develop an idea and how you research and respond to a given brief.
Make sure you have a project in your portfolio that demonstrates creativity, a deep involvement in your work and your conclusion or final
idea. This could be any art or design project (either as part of your course or an independent project), the subject does not matter.
Include evidence that you enjoy making and using materials. We like to see your experiments with materials. 3D models are also of interest
and photographs of these can be presented in your digital portfolio.

Images by Urte Palauskaite

Graphic Design / Illustration

What should a portfolio contain?

Written work
Please bring an essay or a recent example of writing. We
like to see how well you write and how you think. Even
though this is a practice-based degree, you will have to
undertake written work that supports your design ideas.
For example, you will be asked to keep a workshop log
book of technical information, write a short report, and
you will also need to take notes during lectures.
Conclusion
Ultimately we look for your portfolio presentation to tell
us the story of your interests, enthusiasms, design
process and love of your subject.