Undergraduate Admissions
Portfolio Requirements
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Freshman applicants: Submit 8-12 pieces of original work.
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Transfer applicants: Submit 8-12 and up to 20 total pieces if seeking transfer credit.
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Concept Design applicants: Submit 15-20 pieces following the guidelines provided.
The art work submitted in the application should demonstrate original thinking and should be a reflection of yourself and how you view the world. Edit your work. Quality is more important than quantity. Work completed within the last two years is usually the strongest.
Specific Requirements for Programs
Advertising Design
Communication Design
Crafts: Art Furniture
Crafts: Ceramics
Crafts: Fiber and Textiles
Crafts: Glass
Crafts: Jewelry and Metalsmithing
Entertainment Arts: Digital Film
Fashion Accessories Design
Fine Arts
Interior Design
Photography
Product Design
Undeclared
- Submit any genre of work you wish- including, but not limited to: digital design, video/film, photography, sculpture, jewelry, painting, drawing, etc.
- Portfolio pieces do not need to relate to your intended major but they should show your strongest work.
Entertainment Arts: Animation
Entertainment Arts: Game
Illustration
Transportation Design
The portfolio you submit should show strong drawing skills.
- A minimum of 5 drawings from direct observation and/or imagination, in any medium, must be included.
Entertainment Arts: Concept Design
The portfolio you submit for Entertainment Arts: Concept Design should show your interest in storytelling and your ability to visualize it. You can choose an existing story or create your own which you will then execute original design ideas that include the following requirements:
- Submit 15-20 pieces digitally in a landscape, PDF format.
- Show all four major subject areas: environments, characters, architecture and hardware (vehicles and props).
- Include early concept sketches, development and inspiration photos along with finished renderings of your design ideas for each subject area. It is important to show your thinking process from rough to finish. This process should flow as follows: Inspiration photos-Rough sketches-Value studies or Silhouettes-Final rendering.
Portfolio Submission
Early Action Deadline: December 1
Priority Deadline: February 1
Rolling Admission will occur after February 1 and decisions for each major will be made as space becomes available.
If it is not possible for you to upload your work, you may make other arrangements with your admissions counselor.
Additional Tips & Recommendations
We encourage you to seek valuable feedback by presenting your work to an admissions representative, during a visit to CCS or at a National Portfolio Day.
Guidelines for Observational Drawing
- Draw from observation of objects, scenes, still lives, landscapes and people. Include descriptive or representational drawings of your surrounding environment.
- Include accurate line drawings and examples of fully rendered compositions using a complete range of light, middle and dark values.
- Any medium is acceptable for these drawings, including but not limited to: charcoal, graphite, pen and ink, paint, pastel, colored pencil and digital rendering.
Guidelines for Imagination Drawing
- When submitting original character drawings, include the surrounding environment you envision them working, playing and living in.
- Character development should incorporate your own unique style as opposed to copying a pre-existing style (i.e. anime or manga).
- You may combine one or more reference sources in combination when creating your own unique image. Copied images are not acceptable.
- If submitting your own original inventions or concept design (i.e. products, fashion, transportation or furniture) you may include sketches, background research and inspiration used to develop them. Show us your thinking process!
Suggested assignments for those with little to no art background or portfolio for admission
A minimum of 5 to 8 pieces are still required for admission. You may complete any of these suggested assignments multiple times.
- 2 Dimensional Design project:Use a camera to create the following:
- A portrait of how you see yourself.
- A portrait of how others (or “the world”) sees you.
- Documentation of your environment and how you interpret your environment.
- Three Dimensional Design project:
- Create a 3D sculpture from a variety of found objects or materials that you are drawn to. Explore color, texture, form and message. Photograph it in its environment.
- Create a mask that transforms the wearer into a whole new character, creature or world.
- Written project: Create a distress / “SOS” or “message in a bottle” letter. Contact the Admissions Office for more suggestions.