David McGravie Associate Head of School School of Creative Arts University of Hertfordshire, UK

David McGravie Associate Head of School School of Creative Arts University of Hertfordshire, UK www.herts.ac.uk

…do youwant to study in the UK?

Entry to UK Art and Design Course and Portfolio Development www.herts.ac.uk

“A guide to applying for an art & design courses in the UK. It will cover portfolio preparation, tips and techniques, what to include in your portfolio, how to select your best work, layout and organisation. It will also briefly describe the range of courses on offer, where to study, the industry and value of industry links” www.herts.ac.uk

…..the UK!!

Application::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Portfolio www.herts.ac.uk

Q & A Application::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::::Portfolio d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What type of subjects can I study..? • Traditional versus specialised:::::::::: • Fine Arts painting, sculpture, installation, • Craft (jewellery, ceramics, metals, textiles) • Photography (commercial photography, fine art based) • Design (Fashion, Product, Industrial, Interior, Graphics, Model-making, SFX) • Media (Interactive, web, animation, VFX) • Film (professional film & TV, video, editing) • Too many to list…!!! • See www.ucas.com d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • How to apply..? • Direct to the Institution • via UCAS • See WWW.UCAS.COM d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What qualifications do I need to have..? • High School diploma (details/specifics will vary from University to University) d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What qualifications do I need to have..? • High School diploma (details/specifics will vary from University to University) • All undergraduate degrees normally require successful completion of a Certificate of Secondary Education at grade 11 (Attestat) together with successful completion of a foundation year, or of at least one year of a Bachelor's degree at a Russian university. d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What qualifications do I need to have..? • High School diploma (details/specifics will vary from University to University) • English language • For UG • 6.0 IELTS/ 550/79 TOEFL (or equivalent) • For Masters • 6.5 IELTS/ 580/92 TOEFL (or equivalent) • Note: English requirement crucial for a successful VISA application d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What qualifications do I need to have..? • Evidence of your creative work…… d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What qualifications do I need to have..? • Evidence of your creative work……a • Portfolio d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • I don’t have IELTS 6.0, what can I do..? • Universities run pre-sessionalEnglish language courses • (Designed to improve English language during the period before the UG/PG programme starts) • IELTS 4.5 (3 months) • IELTS 5.0 (2 months) • - IELTS 5.5 (1 month) d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • How & when to apply..? • Direct to the Institution or via UCAS • See WWW.UCAS.COM • January onwards in the calendar year the course is to start d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What do I need to do..? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What do I need to do..? Research d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What do I need to do..? • What subject do you want to study? • What courses are available? • Where are the institutions located? • Does the institution do your subject? • Where do you want to live? • Campus University or Urban University? Research d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Application:what do you need to know? • What do I need to know..? • Majority of art design companies clustered around London/South East of UK • (Links with industry are important to the success of courses) • Successful courses means valuable degrees • (Look for indicators of success) • Seek advice! • (Institutions, British Council, friends, recommendations, online forums - University representative) • Visit, if possible • (Huge commitment: time, money, etc..) • ( Research d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……why the feet? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……unique to you! d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? First of all, what do we mean by a portfolio of artwork? We are looking for examples of your own creative work, completed within the last three years. d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Why is a portfolio necessary? The reason we ask for a portfolio is to give us some indication of your ability, and to allow us to assess creative potential. d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! • what do we look for in a portfolio? • Some general guidelines… • prepare • plan • organise • select • explain • test d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! • what do we look for in a portfolio? • Preparation & Planning • Prepare well in advance – take advice from tutor and also from institution you wish to apply to • Plan it / consider logistics • Traditional portfolio • Pdf • Web based d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Organise…be selective! “….show the range of what you can do, concentrating on recent work”. Include visual and other background research, sketches, models and prototypes – not just the finished work d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Context…what interests you? Does the portfolio show the context of your work & your approach..? What are your influences..? What inspires you..? What exhibitions have you been to..? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Explain…does it make sense? Is it clear what the project is..? Is there a description or project brief..? Is the overall context clear..? Was it a joint project..? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Test it…does it make sense? Ask advice from a tutor, get a second opinion! Are there any gaps..? Assumptions..? Ambiguities..? d.mcgravie@herts.ac.uk

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? What should a portfolio contain? Your portfolio should be clearly laid out and easy to look through, with each piece of work labelled with project title or brief. Generally you should choose what are, in your opinion, between 15 and 25 (approx) of your strongest pieces of work that reflect the area you are applying for

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Drawing - For many courses this is a key element of the portfolio. Include examples of different types (life drawing, still life, fashion illustrations, imaginative, etc), showing the use of different media where possible.

Portfolio: ……help! what do we look for in a portfolio? Projects - Include examples of different projects you have undertaken, illustrating your breadth of experience. Show the development work and how you think and work through a project from research to final presentation.

Portfolio: …over to you! • The completed portfolio? • Sketching • Observational drawing • Use of sketchbooks • 2d/3d making • Creativity • Problem solving • Communication skills

Portfolio: …over to you! Q & A

David McGravie Associate Head of School School of Creative Arts University of Hertfordshire, UK