The purpose of the portfolio is to allow you to demonstrate your creative thinking abilities and potential to succeed in one of the College’s degree programs. Please review the departmental recommendations for each major before submitting a portfolio.
Business of Art & Design
Business of Art and Design applicants fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting a resume or short written statement.
Your resume or short written statement, no more than three double-spaced pages, should address one or more of the following:
- Represents who you are as well as your interests in leadership, entrepreneurship, production, or other areas relating to the business of art and design.
- Documents your interests and creative activities that are an outlet for personal expression.
- Personal creativity reflective of innovation, collaboration, and imagination.
- Provides examples of excellence in the arts and/or business. Examples may include:
- Leadership in business, entrepreneurship, and creative media clubs
- Creation of after school enterprises that have led to the development of a new product or service.
- A personal history of creativity and accomplishment.
- The critical or creative projects you are interested in pursuing at Ringling College. Internships or work experiences with creative businesses or organizations.
Although not required, applicants may also submit a visual art portfolio to supplement the written submission. You may incorporate any or all of the following in the optional visual art portfolio:
- Design projects
- Creative presentation decks
- Illustration and animation
- Photography, film, video, multimedia projects
- Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation
- Visual representation of other creative projects
Please note that if you are accepted to the Business of Art and Design major and later decide to change to a studio-based major, you may be required to submit a portfolio.
Computer Animation, Game Art, Illustration & Virtual Reality Development
BE SURE TO SHOW LOTS OF EXAMPLES OF DRAWING FROM LIFE AND DIRECT OBSERVATION, SUCH AS:
- Hands, feet, human figures and animals
- Representational drawing
- Interior and/or exterior environments
YOU CAN ALSO INCLUDE:
- Class assignments, design projects
- Animation, multimedia
- Paintings, photographs, and/or sculptures
IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER:
- Do not copy from another artist.
- Avoid clichés like anime, tattoo designs, dragons, or unicorns
- At least half of your portfolio should consist of drawing from direct observation.
- Your ability to think creatively is important to us, so feel free to include pages from your sketchbook.
Creative Writing
Creative Writing applicants fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting a written portfolio that best represents who you are as well as your abilities as a creative writer.
APPLICANTS SHOULD SUBMIT:
- Original writing samples of any kind
- Poetry
- Essays
- Fiction and nonfiction
- Stage Plays and Screen Plays
Additionally, applicants are asked to include a short-written statement—no more than three doublespaced pages—that addresses the following:
- Your literary influences, specifically in terms of what you've learned from them, not just what you like.
- The critical or creative issues you are interested in pursuing at Ringling College.
- Anything else that supports your interest in Creative Writing.
Although not required, applicants may also submit a visual art portfolio to supplement the written submission.
YOU MAY INCORPORATE ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IN THE OPTIONAL VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO:
- Design projects
- Illustration and animation
- Photography, film, video, multimedia projects
- Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation
Entertainment Design
PREFFERED:
- Environment sketches demonstrating proper use of perspective
- Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation
- 3D modeling/sculpture
MAY ALSO INCLUDE:
- Floor plans, cross-sections, elevations, themed façade design, themed props, etc.
- Concept/mood boards expressing a theme
- Typography/signage, logo/branding design
- Theatrical set design
- Photography
- written works - story
- Unique ideas for themed guest experiences, written or visual Show us your imagination!
Film
Film applicants may fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting a visual art portfolio, or by submitting writing samples. You may submit both if you wish. Film brings together all of the arts, including visual and performing arts, music, and writing—literature and storytelling.
YOU MAY INCORPORATE ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO:
- Design projects
- Illustration and animation
- Photography, film, video, multimedia projects
- Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation
SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR WRITING SAMPLES FOR THE WRITTEN PORTFOLIO:
- Tell us your story: Who you are, and what you love to do
- Write about a performing arts experience, if any
- If you’re a writer, give examples (screenplay, stage play, short story, essay, poetry, or article)
Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Motion Design, Photography and Imaging & Visual Studies
Your portfolio is reviewed with your chosen major in mind.
YOU MAY INCORPORATE ANY OR ALL OF THE FOLLOWING IN YOUR VISUAL ART PORTFOLIO:
- Design projects (logos, posters, books, sculpture, products, etc.)
- Illustration and animation
- Photography, film, video, multimedia projects
- Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation
- Samples of your writing
- Images from your sketchbook
- Website or mobile app designs.
Work may be created by hand or digitally and should demonstrate diversity of style and strong sense of overall composition, regardless of medium. Make sure all of your work is original!
Visual Studies applicants may fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting writing samples. You may submit both if you wish.
SUGGESTED TOPICS FOR WRITING SAMPLES FOR THE VISUAL STUDIES PORTFOLIO:
- Tell us your story: Who you are, and what you love to do
- Describe how you would present a life changing experience as a public art project.
- If you're a writer, give examples (screenplay, stage play, short story, essay, poetry, or article).
- Successful candidates could demonstrate a range of ideas—for example: technology driven art projects, studio based exploration, online art and crafts stores and photo and/or movie projects.