Portfolio Guidelines

Transportation Design Portfolio Guidelines:

• Your portfolio should include a minimum of 3-4 design projects including academic, personal and professional.
• All projects must have a clear representation of the phases of the design process - including your project brief, research, target market development, concept ideation, development and final renderings and models - presented in a fluid, clear, systematic manner.
• Submissions should demonstrate your functional skills including freehand sketching in accurate perspective, use of Photoshop and Alias – or other use of 2D/3D modeling and rendering software.
• Include a significant amount of original process sketches and/or a separate sketch book as a PDF attachment in SlideRoom, or if necessary, mailed or e-mailed to the Office of Graduate Admissions.
• The portfolio should reveal a high level of skill in critical thinking, creative conceptualization and visual communication.

Interdisciplinary Design Portfolio submission Guidelines:

• Your portfolio should consist of a minimum of 6 projects including academic, personal and professional work.
• Think strategically when you choose your best pieces. The quality of your work and your presentations is much more important than an adorned and complicated presentation.
• You may include pieces that show your ability to work in a multidisciplinary team (the applicant’s role and contribution to the project should be clearly indicated).
• The communication of your ideas should be clear with use of effective storytelling, and every project should show all phases of the design process (research, analysis, initial sketches and development).
• We care about your digital craft. Make sure that your portfolio shows a range of skills. 
• Generally, you should include the following as related to your specific background in 2D or 3D: Sketching and freehand drawing ability, an understanding of typography, 3D modeling skills package (such as Pro/E, Alias, Catia, I-DEAS or Solidworks 98, Form Z, Rhino 3D, 3D Studio Max, etc.) Graphic manipulation program (Flash), final renderings with Photoshop and Alias or Pro/E + 3D Studio Max, a good understanding of industrial techniques, model making ability and a awareness of rapid prototyping technologies.

• For applicants from related fields interested in pursuing the MFA degree as an entryway into design: Your portfolio should demonstrate that you can communicate complex ideas in a professional manner and that you have ability to work in one type of design discipline. We are looking for your unique approach to design solutions.