NCAD 2
0
Portfolio
Guidelines 2 1
The spectrum of contemporary art and de-
sign practice at NCAD runs from traditional
techniques and crafts to digital art and digital
design and everything in between.
What is a
Portfolio?
It all starts with an idea … ↑
A portfolio is a collection of art and/or de- commitment to working through a process–
sign work you have created yourself. It is an from initial ideas and observations right
opportunity for you to showcase your ide- through to thoughtfully researched and de-
as, your skills and your creativity.We want veloped work. We want to see more than
to see how your imagination can generate your finished work … Show your process
a rich and visually interesting body of work. through notebooks, worksheets, sketch
Building a portfolio will demonstrate your pads etc.
What to
↑ Include�
Work to your strengths. If you can draw Work completed within the last two
or paint or sew or sculpt, mould, carve, pho- years is relevant – whether undertaken
tograph, film, create, imagine, explore, or independently or as part of projects
turn the ordinary into something special, for school-leaving or further education
show us! Be creative and excite us with your assessments.
work!
Your Notebooks give us an insight into how
Include recent or current work. Your you think. It is where you visually record ide-
portfolio is a reflection of how you think and as, thoughts and notions that occur when
how you work now. immersed in the creative process. Note-
books are not perfect. Use them to show
us the problems and inventive solutions you
encounter along the creative journey.
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How is my 3
portfolio
assessed? ↑
Creative Enquiry and Visual Research
Critical Judgement, Selection and
– Begin with gatherings. Show us how you Resolution – Identify which ideas have the
observe the world around you. Visually de- most potential. Take at least one of your cre-
scribe, explain, record and invent through ative proposals and develop it thoroughly to
real-life observation. a level of completion. Show how your crea-
tive outcomes and solutions have evolved as
Idea Development and Material/Tech- part of the research process.
nical Exploration –Develop your ideas be-
yond the known or purely observed. Be play-
ful, imaginative, experimental and inventive.
We want to see how your research can pro-
duce new creative outcomes.
Use primary sources. Show us you can Be Brave. The portfolio journey can be
make direct observations using a variety of a lonely one. Seek out a support network
media and drawing processes. Experiment and look to family, friends and teachers
with line, tone, colour, form and surface. for suggestions and opinions as you work.
Mix things up! Your research should Think of the narrative of your portfolio
be visually rich, well-considered and show and how it is composed. Organise your
thorough exploration of ideas using a variety work sequentially to show the links be-
of material and processes. tween your observations, research and
creative outcomes.
Who or what inspires you?
Use your notebooks to show an awareness Let your work speak for itself.
of developments within the creative indus- Present your work so that your work is visibly
tries as well as an interest in individual ar- accessible - Between 10 and 20 A1/A2 or A3
tists, art movements and/or designers. sheets as well as at least 1 notebook.
NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
How do I
use this
Guide? ↑
The guide is designed as a resource Guide Words can spark ideas, inform
to help structure your portfolio for research and help to build a theme or narra-
presentation. Use it as a reference tive around your portfolio. Keep in mind that
to help frame your work in a way that your portfolio will be assessed by each de-
shows your creative thinking. partment you apply to. Focus your work so
that it is relevant to your preferred depart-
ment(s). Unsure as to which area of
Looking for inspiration to get started? Fine Art or Design best fits you? See
These suggested Guide Words could reverse for information on NCAD Studio
helptrigger your imagination: Departments.
PLASTIC . TRACK . TRANSMIT . COMMUNE . VIRTUAL
CONTRACT . FRAGMENT . INTERMITTENT . ADJUSTMENT
REPARATION . DISTURBANCE . REIMAGINING . REVOLUTION
Find out
↓
more
If you would like more information on how to events, or to join our Undergraduate Mail List
begin working on your portfolio; how to pre- to be first to receive updates and notifica-
pare your portfolio for various study path- tions on undergrad study at NCAD ... go to
way options at NCAD; sample portfolios our Portfolio site at ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/
from current NCAD students; guidelines on undergraduate-year-1/portfolio-guide/
how to submit your portfolio, FAQ's ... as well
as information on free open days and
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NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
NCAD
For NCAD sample
portfolios see:
ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/under-
graduate-year-1/portfolio-site/
sample-portfolios
PORTFOLIO
GUIDELINES
2021
First YearCommon Entry
↑
AD101
Education & FineArt Or Design
↑
AD202
Drawing, Painting, Mark-Making / which area of art or design fitsyour
Observation / Experimentation / specific skillset. Your First Year Common
Ideas Worksheets / Creative Entry portfolio should be inquisitive and
Notebooks / Primary Sources deeply explorative. Using primary sources
for inspiration, show us your fascination with
Common Entry brings together a mix of the world around you. We want to see you
creative minds. You will learn as much from combine your curiosity with observational,
your peers as from your tutors and lectures. research and problem-solving skills to re-in-
You will broaden your frame of reference, terpret your surroundings and develop new
discover new potential and beguided as to forms of visual expression.
Graphic Design/ Moving
Image Design
↑
AD102
Communication / Problem Solving / Your Graphic Design Portfolio should re-
Design Briefs / Drawing & Observation flect your interest in communicating
/ Typography / Creative Notebooks through design. Show us your strong draw-
ing and problem-solving skills. Demonstrate
Graphic Designers are excellent communica- how you can combine text a nd image to cre-
tors. Your drawing skills are rich and vibrant, ate an interesting aesthetic that communi-
and you like to work from design briefs. cates a clear message.
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9
Textiles, Jewellery & Objects
AD103 ↑
Surface Detail / Texture / Colour /
Finish / Assembly
Designers of Textiles, Jewellery andObjects
are interested in the finer details-textures,
colours and surface qualityfascinate and
intrigue you.Your portfolio for Textiles,
Jewellery and O bjects should show your
interest in detailand finish on items. You
should explorehow objects are put together.
Product Design
AD212 ↑
Problem Solving / Idea Generation / the world a better place, one design at a
Concept Development / Presentation / time.Your Product Design portfolio should
Creative Notebooks / Drawing & Model look a
t existing products and think how you
Making could improve on their design. Challenge
yourself to create a designsolution for an
Product Designers are problem solvers everyday problem.
for everyday life. You identify design flaws
quickly and want to find a solution. You want
to help people on a practical level andmake
NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
Illustration
↑
AD217
Imagination / Problem Solving / Visual illustrate anidea, how would it differ from
Language / Creative Thinking / Compo- illustrating idea, how would it differ from
sition & Narrative / Engaging Aesthetic illustrating the same idea on a postage
stamp? You s hould focus on solving design
Illustrators have rich and versatile imagina- problems.
tions. You solve complex design problems
with seemingly effortless skill.Your portfolio
should be rich in various styles of illustration.
How for example, might you illustrate one
of the guidewords? If you had a billboard to
Fine Art
↑
AD204
Individual Expression / Visual Aware- You may find that you work with both tra-
ness / Observation Skills / Subject ditional and new materials and media. Your
Engagement / Imagination& Interpre- Fine Art portfolio should show an emphasis
tation on visual awareness. You should look at how
you express yourself, explore a variety of
Fine Artists are thinkers and observers.You media and engage with your subject matter.
see and interpret the world differently and Original digital artwork is welcomed and
have a highly individual v isual expression. encouraged within your Fine Art portfolio.
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11
Interaction Design
AD222 ↑
Digital Experience / Technology / Your Interaction Design portfolio should
Engagement / Cutting-Edge Design show elements of problem solving, idea
generation and a curiosity for how to
Interaction Designers create intuitive engage with screen-based designs.
and engaging digital experiences.
Exploring therelationship between people
and technology, your research will help
predict user needs. Your ideas will inform
future design-concepts and technological
developments that make for easy digital
interactions.
Fashion Design
AD211 ↑
Idea Generation / Drawing & Design Think about how a piece of clothing looks
Skills / Colour, Texture & Line / Crea- on a body? What lines does a moving
tive Notebooks / Body & Environment / figurecreate when wearing a particular
Design Samples garment?From where do you draw your
inspiration?
Fashion Designers have their finger on the
pulse. You know what is in vogue and you are
ready for the next trend, before it happens.
Your portfolio should be Fashion-focussed.
NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
This guide is kept deliberatelyshort
and open for interpretation.We
want you to create: Your Portfolio –
Your Way.
If you need more guidance and
support, please check out our
website:
ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/undergradu-
ate-year-1/portfolio-guide/
Where you will find furtherguide-
lines on how you mightapproach
a portfolio for aparticular
department.
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NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
Dates
for
your
diary
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15
Visit our website for
dates, information and
booking for your free
NCAD Portfolio events
and open days
ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/undergradu-
ate-year-1/portfolio-guide/
CAO Closing Date Monday 1st February — 5:15pm
Portfolio Submission Deadline Friday 5th February — 4:30pm
NCAD PORTFOLIOGUIDELINES / 2021
Contact us.
National College of Art & Design
100 Thomas Street,
Dublin D08 K521, Ireland
or ncad.ie/study-at-ncad/contact-us/
