Portfolio Requirements

A portfolio should showcase your best work, so editing is a key factor when selecting which projects to include. Please review the following technical requirements and portfolio requirements for each area.

Technical Requirements

All work and personal statements will be submitted through your Application Status Portal in your Portfolio—deadline for submissions is Jan. 31.

Media Size Requirements:

• Images (up to 5MB size)
• Videos can be uploaded directly to your Portfolio in the Application Status Portal. If uploading directly, the maximum file size is 5 GB in the following formats: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv. There is also an option to add a link for work hosted publicly on external websites (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive). 

Graphic Design Portfolio Requirements

For the Graphic Design concentration, two parts are required for a complete portfolio submission: a portfolio of original creative work and a personal statement.

Portfolio 

• 8–10 original projects, including an optional assigned project* 

• The work you select should reflect your ideas, curiosity, creative experimentation, and experience with different materials and processes. This can include work in any medium, in finished or sketch form, and can be the result of an assigned project or a self-directed exploration.

• Include image captions to indicate media, size, and any relevant information about each project. 

Optional Assigned creative project* - Design a new cover for one of your favorite books. Include the book title and author’s name in your design. Size: 6 x 9 inches. Your work can be designed using either digital and/or traditional methods.  

Statement of interest 

In a brief statement (350 words), describe your interest in graphic design and your career goals. Include your name, date, and desired concentration (Graphic Design).

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cal Poly embraces the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). For admission to Art and Design, it is important for portfolio reviewers to understand how and where AI was used. Any work supported or created by AI in your portfolio should include a description of the tools you used in your creative process.

AI Tool: Name tool, Used for: How it was used in your creative process

Examples of how to cite AI use in your portfolio application:

• AI Tool: ChatGPT, Used for: Written description of the work.

• AI Tool: Adobe Firefly, Used for: Generating reference images for composition and color exploration.

• AI Tool: Midjourney, Used for: Creating concept sketches that informed the final hand-drawn piece.

• AI Tool: Photoshop Generative Fill, Used for: Removing distractions and extending the background during photo editing.

Photo and Video Portfolio Requirements

1. One-Page Personal Statement:
   In a one-page statement, discuss the ideas behind your work, career goals, and aspirations. Include your name, date and desired concentration (Photography and Video) on your statement.
    
2. Submissions:
   Work samples can be photography, video, or a combination of both.

• Photographs Only: Twenty digital photographs
• Video Only: Three videos
• Photographs and Video: Fifteen digital photographs and two videos
  
  Photographs will be evaluated for concept, composition, use of light, tonality, sharpness, idea, and design. Photographs are acceptable in both color and black and white. Videos will be evaluated for concept, editing, sound design, and cinematography. Identification of work: include a title for each image and video. 
  
  Image requirements: Maximum file size 2 MB, Save as JPEG, Minimum size: 1000 pixels in the largest dimension, Maximum size: 2000 pixels in the largest dimension.
  
  Videos requirements: Maximum running time 10 minutes, total for all videos if no photography is submitted. Maximum running time 5 minutes, total for all videos if also submitting photographs. Please specify in the description if you are sending an excerpt from a longer work. Please also specify your role in the production. Links to media hosted on YouTube and Vimeo are strongly recommended (no restriction on file size). Videos can be uploaded directly to your Portfolio in the Application Status Portal. If uploading directly, the maximum file size is 5 GB in the following formats: .3g2, .3gp, .avi, .m2v, .m4v, .mkv, .mov, .mpeg, .mpg, .mp4, .mxf, .webm, .wmv. There is also an option to add a link for work hosted publicly on external websites (e.g. YouTube, Vimeo, Google Drive).

Studio Art Portfolio Requirements

One-Page Personal Statement:
In a one-page statement, address your artistic and career goals, as well as your current artistic themes and processes. What kinds of cultural influences (literature, movies, music, art) affect your work? Include your name, date, and desired concentration (Studio Art).

Submissions:
Submit ten samples of original artwork that you have completed within the last three years. The work may range in media (2D, 3D, 4D). Include the date of completion and dimensions: height x width (plus depth when measuring three-dimensional pieces).

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Cal Poly embraces the ethical use of artificial intelligence (AI). For admission to Art and Design, it is important for portfolio reviewers to understand how and where AI was used. Any work supported or created by AI in your portfolio should include a description of the tools you used in your creative process.

AI Tool: Name tool, Used for: How it was used in your creative process

Examples of how to cite AI use in your portfolio application:

• AI Tool: ChatGPT, Used for: Written description of the work.

• AI Tool: Adobe Firefly, Used for: Generating reference images for composition and color exploration.

• AI Tool: Midjourney, Used for: Creating concept sketches that informed the final hand-drawn piece.

• AI Tool: Photoshop Generative Fill, Used for: Removing distractions and extending the background during photo editing.

Portfolio Review Policy

Cal Poly’s Department of Art and Design considers it unethical to provide feedback on any student’s portfolio prior to the official portfolio review—or to assist with decisions regarding content or interpretation of the portfolio requirements. We ask that you review the requirements carefully, then prepare and submit your portfolio based on the information provided, rather than seeking additional information by contacting our department.

Following the review, we are unable to provide feedback and/or recommendations toward improving an applicant’s portfolio.