Part 1: "Creating a Portfolio: Where to Even Begin?!”
Embarking on the journey of creating a compelling portfolio for college admissions can be both exhilarating and daunting. This carefully crafted collection of your creative work has the power to showcase your skills, passion, and unique artistic voice. But how do you start? You may already have some work that’s been created in your AP Art class or other creative courses, maybe even work that was done outside of class. In this blog series created by Coach Mara, they will offer a guide on how to start your portfolio as well as tips on the different niches of the curation process. Watch our video!
How Do I Start?
Ask yourself these questions:
What do you consider your strengths?
What mediums am I confident in?
What mediums or styles do I want to get better at, explore or try out?
Where do you want to be at the end of this year artistically, conceptually, and/or technically?
How do you define success?
From there, start by setting expectations and delving into self-reflection.
Documenting and discovering what you are passionate about is the first step towards capturing your essence as a student and creating an authentic window into who you are as a creative.
Get messy! Break free from the molds you see online, and don’t compare yourself to other applicants who are making videos on YouTube showcasing their portfolios that “got them into RISD or Harvard.” Those videos are helpful to an extent, but they are not intended to be molds for you or anyone else.
Remember, finding and emboldening yourself first is key. Explore and pick the things that ignite your passion and pique your interest.
Don't worry if you don't stick to one medium or field. Shapeshifting is a positive sign that will create and open doors! If you have multiple interests, indulge in them all. Immerse yourself fully, and if you dislike something, spit it out and move on. Conversely, if you love it, devour it wholeheartedly.
Gaining clarity on what's good or bad art has always been a challenging endeavor. But guess what? There's no right answer! What’s important is reflecting on the aspects of your work that make you proud and identifying areas where you desire more experience.
Set realistic goals for learning, free from the restrictions of others' opinions.
Remember, if it's fun and motivating for you, it's worth exploring.
Now, sort your ideas and/or your work based on breadth (medium), quality, and thematic work (in other words, work that has an underlying concept or story).
Seek out themes and perspectives that resonate with you.
Discover that one word or phrase that connects deeply with you. For example, if you are passionate about educating others on menstrual equity, can you think of ways to use art as a tool to educate viewers?
Engage in free association writing about the chosen theme or the concepts you're observing together. Let your thoughts flow unrestricted, even if they don't directly relate to your artistic practice.
Take all the time you need.
As you spend time with your compiled images, ponder these questions:
Which folder showcases the strongest aspects of my portfolio?
Where does it appear weakest?
Are there any gaps in my body of work?
Which mediums do I feel most confident in?
Which ones do I yearn to explore and improve?
Where do you aspire to be artistically, conceptually, and technically by the end of this year?
No matter where you are in your portfolio process, you can start researching and considering the right schools that will support you on your creative journey. Observe the artists who graduate from those institutions (tip: find them on social media). Discover the professors who shape the program and explore their work outside of academia (many art professors will have personal portfolio sites that are free to access). Another way to research is to seek out where your favorite contemporary artists teach!
As you begin the process of building your portfolio for college admissions, remember that it is a reflection of your artistic journey and personal growth. Trust in your creative instincts, and let your passion and authenticity shine through.
