What are the requirements for portfolios at California Institute of the Arts?

California Institute of the Arts is one of the most avant-garde pure art schools in the United States and has trained countless outstanding art creators. If you want to successfully apply to CalArts, what can you do without a good portfolio?

Requirements for application portfolio:

Part 1: Sketching (minimum 15 pieces)

Example: Depicting the shapes, forms, outlines, and contrasts of people and animals Elements of painting. The paintings should range from one minute to longer in action. Show hands, feet, face.

Paintings that incorporate interior environments and exterior landscapes, displaying depth, atmosphere, and mood.

Do not erase your construction lines; they will be very helpful to the instructor in understanding your approach to creating life drawings.

Do not submit tracking images or other people’s work.

Part 2: Essay Collection/Image Diary (filled or completed essay collection)

Example:

Sketch of daily life

Drawings explaining the concept of the film and story

Short essay about the scenes you want to realize

Short notes that interest you

Character design

Image research from videos or other sources you like

Part 3: Other works:

Include any combination of the following:

Continuous Graphic Storytelling: Work that showcases your storytelling and design abilities. Examples: picture boards, graphic novels, comic strips, flip books, or short stories with thumbnails.

Digital creative works (animated or still) that you produce or operate in one or more programs on your computer. This can be in the form of two-dimensional digital art or three-dimensional computer graphics (computer graphics).

Photography

Oil painting

Sculpture

Installation

Mural

Character design

Cartoon

Animation

Art Major

Submit about 20 pictures representing your recent achievements. Faculty are interested in each applicant's motivations and drives and will look for this in portfolios and statements.

BFA: Submit personal work, but not classwork. We want to know what your interests are and how you use practice to express your interests. Your results can be published in the media. We hope to see a variety of Media mix.

MFA: Applicants who have passed the preliminary selection will be notified in mid-February. At that time, we will invite candidates to come to CalArts in March for interviews and meet with teachers and classmates. Interviews are an important part of the final selection process. We also accept video interviews, but in-person interviews are highly recommended.

Graphic Design Major

BFA: Please submit a portfolio of at least 20 works, including graphic design, typography, and conceptual visualization (examples showing conceptual thinking)

As well as your experience and skill level. Examples of these may include class assignments and self-designed professional projects.

Statement: We recommend that you specifically emphasize your interests and knowledge of graphic design in your statement. Additionally, please describe your other design projects and any design-related experience. When applying online, you should submit your online application and online portfolio.

MFA: Please submit a portfolio of your current design work, containing at least 20 works. As a designer practicing design, you should succinctly state your goals and how these goals will serve as a basis for graduate study. Applicants who have passed the preliminary selection will be notified in mid-February. At that time, we will invite candidates to come to CalArts in March for interviews and meet with teachers and classmates. Interviews are an important part of the final selection process. We also accept video interviews, but in-person interviews are highly recommended.

Graphics and Animation Major

MFA: Please submit a portfolio of your current design work, containing at least 20 pieces, which may include motion and static design works. You need to clearly state your role (are you the sole author of the project or a member of a team of authors). You can use a video portfolio, but please keep a full version of your work, which can include both self-produced and practical work, as well as commercial work. Your statement should succinctly highlight your goals as a graphic animation designer and how they serve as a foundation for graduate study. Applicants who have passed the preliminary selection will be notified in mid-February. At that time, we will invite candidates to come to CalArts in March for interviews and meet with teachers and classmates. Interviews are an important part of the final selection process. We also accept video chats, but in-person interviews are highly recommended.