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E-folio Help/Discussion

With e-folio deadlines almost two weeks away at the earliest (Glasgow School of Art: 22nd Jan), I asked the Art Applicants for 2013 entry thread about whether anyone was planning to share their folios. After a brief discussion with another member, we believed it would be helpful for Art & Design applicants to post some of their E-folios here in order to receive a bit of feedback from other members, and for all of us to generally brain storm and help each other - not to mention to better our own folios as well.

Plus, we can all panic and tear our hair out together when something inevitably goes wrong with the school system as you're trying to desperately upload your folio the day before.

GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART PORTFOLIO GUIDELINES AND EXAMPLES: http://application.gsa.ac.uk/
(edited 11 years ago)

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Reply 1
Avatar for ionamunro
ionamunro
Original post by napoleons
With e-folio deadlines almost two weeks away at the earliest (Glasgow School of Art: 22nd Jan), I asked the Art Applicants for 2013 entry thread about whether anyone was planning to share their folios. After a brief discussion with another member, we believed it would be helpful for Art & Design applicants to post some of their E-folios here in order to receive a bit of feedback from other members, and for all of us to generally brain storm and help each other - not to mention to better our own folios as well.

Plus, we can all panic and tear our hair out together when something inevitably goes wrong with the school system as you're trying to desperately upload your folio the day before.


I'll allow you to get the ball rolling then! :wink: Let me see what you're made of!
Reply 2
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Haha, all right. Since I started the thread, I'll make the first post to get things started.

These are for the sketchbook section, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it to 4 or go for 9...
4: http://i.imgur.com/tFkvt.jpg
9: http://i.imgur.com/uXkGX.jpg

I was also wondering whether this could be counted as a "finished" piece:
http://i.imgur.com/BWLxB.jpg

And I'm not sure how to present this either - separate or together?
Together: http://i.imgur.com/ajNw4.jpg
Separate: http://i.imgur.com/j3Rqe.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ZAvug.jpg

Any suggestions...?
Reply 3
Avatar for ionamunro
ionamunro
Original post by napoleons
Haha, all right. Since I started the thread, I'll make the first post to get things started.

These are for the sketchbook section, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it to 4 or go for 9...
4: http://i.imgur.com/tFkvt.jpg
9: http://i.imgur.com/uXkGX.jpg

I was also wondering whether this could be counted as a "finished" piece:
http://i.imgur.com/BWLxB.jpg

And I'm not sure how to present this either - separate or together?
Together: http://i.imgur.com/ajNw4.jpg
Separate: http://i.imgur.com/j3Rqe.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ZAvug.jpg

Any suggestions...?


Wow, an amazing start!

First of all I think you should keep it to 4, I find it much easier to look at.

It counts as a finished piece if you would present it as a finished piece. This is also what they are judging you on: your decision making; how you approach an idea or subject and develop the work from initial enquiry, through experimentation and enquiry, to resolved work.

And I would personally keep them together :smile:
Reply 4
Avatar for Starsong
Starsong
20
Original post by napoleons
Haha, all right. Since I started the thread, I'll make the first post to get things started.

These are for the sketchbook section, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it to 4 or go for 9...
4: http://i.imgur.com/tFkvt.jpg
9: http://i.imgur.com/uXkGX.jpg

I was also wondering whether this could be counted as a "finished" piece:
http://i.imgur.com/BWLxB.jpg

And I'm not sure how to present this either - separate or together?
Together: http://i.imgur.com/ajNw4.jpg
Separate: http://i.imgur.com/j3Rqe.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ZAvug.jpg

Any suggestions...?


I'm stalking these threads :tongue:

They're all really lovely - I'd definitely say 4 too, although it's easier (for me, anyway) to look at the last ones separately.
Reply 5
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Thanks both for your feedback. Folio is steadily coming together now. (:

How is everyone getting on with theirs? I've received quite a bit of information on folio preparation and will be willing to share information. Just ask. :biggrin:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 6
Avatar for Rach432
Rach432
Original post by napoleons
Thanks both for your feedback. Folio is steadily coming together now. (:

How is everyone getting on with theirs? I've received quite a bit of information on folio preparation and will be willing to share information. Just ask. :biggrin:


Hello! SO happy this thread exists haha! Im applying for Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow!

I've nearly got mine sorted, just a few bits and pieces to sort out! The thing im a tad stuck on is the "Observational" section, it seems simple but I cant think of anything!

Ooo and by the way I love your work! :biggrin:
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 7
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Original post by Rach432
Hello! SO happy this thread exists haha! Im applying for Painting and Printmaking at Glasgow!

I've nearly got mine sorted, just a few bits and pieces to sort out! The thing im a tad stuck on is the "Observational" section, it seems simple but I cant think of anything!

Ooo and by the way I love your work! :biggrin:


Hello! Glad you're happy because I'm able to help with this thread. (:
Same here, I'm applying for that course as well.

Observational Section - Don't forget to include some life-drawings. In my opinion five is a good amount. You've got more? Even better. What about finding an object that you find really interesting, aesthetically? Or something that holds some significance for you? Like a toy that you had kept with you almost 24/7 as a child? Alternatively, that pretty souvenir a family or friend got you? Whether it's life drawing or studying objects or detailed pencil-executed portraits, I think it's safe to say play to your strengths.

Since your applying to Painting, possibly include some painting studies as well, done from Life, rather than a photograph? Just some quick ones should be fine.

I've got the observational and sketchbook/development section sorted. Just need four more pieces for the finished section and I'm done with my e-folio!

Hope that helps and gives you some ideas. (:

[EDIT] Also, thank you for your lovely comment! <3

How's everyone else progressing with their folios?
(edited 11 years ago)
Reply 8
Avatar for Rach432
Rach432
Original post by napoleons
Hello! Glad you're happy because I'm able to help with this thread. (:
Same here, I'm applying for that course as well.

Observational Section - Don't forget to include some life-drawings. In my opinion five is a good amount. You've got more? Even better. What about finding an object that you find really interesting, aesthetically? Or something that holds some significance for you? Like a toy that you had kept with you almost 24/7 as a child? Alternatively, that pretty souvenir a family or friend got you? Whether it's life drawing or studying objects or detailed pencil-executed portraits, I think it's safe to say play to your strengths.

Since your applying to Painting, possibly include some painting studies as well, done from Life, rather than a photograph? Just some quick ones should be fine.

I've got the observational and sketchbook/development section sorted. Just need four more pieces for the finished section and I'm done with my e-folio!

Hope that helps and gives you some ideas. (:

[EDIT] Also, thank you for your lovely comment! <3

How's everyone else progressing with their folios?


Thank you so much! That has really helped me with trying to pull everything together! I just need to get some observational ones done now then im done! :smile:
Reply 9
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Original post by Rach432
Thank you so much! That has really helped me with trying to pull everything together! I just need to get some observational ones done now then im done! :smile:


You're welcome, glad I managed to help. Yeah, the observational section is, in my opinion, the easiest of the lot. Let us know how you do and maybe share some of the stuff you've done! (:
Reply 10
Avatar for sakke
sakke
I've applied to GSA painting & printmaking as well as ECA painting course. I'm doing foundation right now, and I'm in a huge rush to finish the portfolio.. I wonder if it's okay to have unfinished work as well?
So I haven't put up my portfolio just yet but I can link my portfolio I used to apply for the foundation course ( www.sakkefolio.carbonmade.com ) the work on there is a bit more dated thou. I haven't decided if and which work I'd feature on the portfolio since I have a new set of work from the foundation that I'm mainly going to use. I'm hopefully going to get it together this week so maybe I'll post some here if anyone would be interested. The portfolios I've seen here so far have been all impressive.
Also I'm confused about the ECA mini portfolio, what does the source of inspiration work or something mean exactly?

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Reply 11
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Original post by sakke
I've applied to GSA painting & printmaking as well as ECA painting course. I'm doing foundation right now, and I'm in a huge rush to finish the portfolio.. I wonder if it's okay to have unfinished work as well?
So I haven't put up my portfolio just yet but I can link my portfolio I used to apply for the foundation course ( www.sakkefolio.carbonmade.com ) the work on there is a bit more dated thou. I haven't decided if and which work I'd feature on the portfolio since I have a new set of work from the foundation that I'm mainly going to use. I'm hopefully going to get it together this week so maybe I'll post some here if anyone would be interested. The portfolios I've seen here so far have been all impressive.
Also I'm confused about the ECA mini portfolio, what does the source of inspiration work or something mean exactly?

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I really like your stuff, especially your paintings. Where are you doing your foundation course?

I think its recommended to include finished pieces, just to be on the safe side. If you're really stuck for this and can't rush, see if you can bring things to a point where it could be considered as "finished"? (But you can always go back to them in time for an interview/physical portfolio) You may also want to mention in your statement then that it could be part of an ongoing project of yours.

I strongly suggest that you photograph all of your work in good white lighting against a white wall ASAP so that you can assemble your efolio before the 22nd (GSA) and 29th (ECA). It might not look like something that will take a lot of time but you're underestimating. You'll end up dithering on which piece to include, in what order your pieces should come in, and how each slide should look. Not to mention the fact that each folio requires an additional statement or caption for you to describe the concepts/influence behind your work etc.

Yes, some of the work certainly is, however there hasn't been much sharing. I suspect all the amazing ones are hidden away from us (:

Regarding the Inspiration section for ECA, from what I gather (and have done) and a friend of mine who had recently been accepted into second year of BA Illustration there, is to find an artist, or object, or subject matter or painting that inspires you and create your own piece from it. So if you particularly love Edvard Munch's "Scream" you could paint something similar but add your own twist. If you are fascinated by sunglasses, do something with that.
And for this, you need five slides. That could be five slides all on one piece influenced by one thing, or two/three pieces influenced by two/three things. I chose an object and two artists and created work influenced by them. My friend did the same (possibly four artists and an item).

Would love to see more of your work. Do feel free to share, as will I if people want to see it (:

Hope what I've written helps.

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Reply 12
Avatar for sakke
sakke
Original post by napoleons
I really like your stuff, especially your paintings. Where are you doing your foundation course?

I think its recommended to include finished pieces, just to be on the safe side. If you're really stuck for this and can't rush, see if you can bring things to a point where it could be considered as "finished"? (But you can always go back to them in time for an interview/physical portfolio) You may also want to mention in your statement then that it could be part of an ongoing project of yours.

I strongly suggest that you photograph all of your work in good white lighting against a white wall ASAP so that you can assemble your efolio before the 22nd (GSA) and 29th (ECA). It might not look like something that will take a lot of time but you're underestimating. You'll end up dithering on which piece to include, in what order your pieces should come in, and how each slide should look. Not to mention the fact that each folio requires an additional statement or caption for you to describe the concepts/influence behind your work etc.

Yes, some of the work certainly is, however there hasn't been much sharing. I suspect all the amazing ones are hidden away from us (:

Regarding the Inspiration section for ECA, from what I gather (and have done) and a friend of mine who had recently been accepted into second year of BA Illustration there, is to find an artist, or object, or subject matter or painting that inspires you and create your own piece from it. So if you particularly love Edvard Munch's "Scream" you could paint something similar but add your own twist. If you are fascinated by sunglasses, do something with that.
And for this, you need five slides. That could be five slides all on one piece influenced by one thing, or two/three pieces influenced by two/three things. I chose an object and two artists and created work influenced by them. My friend did the same (possibly four artists and an item).

Would love to see more of your work. Do feel free to share, as will I if people want to see it (:

Hope what I've written helps.

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I'm doing my foundation at Carlisle college, and I've very much enjoyed it so far. I agree it's a massive task with the photographing, and I'm just trying to finish last few paintings while photographing and organising all the rest of the work. I'll probably be forced to put in a few unfinished ones anyway.
Thanks for enlightening me about the ECA folio, helps a lot. I might just have to tackle GSA first before worrying about it since the deadline's so soon.
But yeah would be great to see how others are doing with their portfolios as well.
Reply 13
Avatar for clyona1
clyona1
hey guys, ive applied for illustration with animation/ film courses, hoping to specialise in moving image. this is my online portfolio.. feedback would be great
http://cargocollective.com/amylyons
Reply 14
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Original post by sakke
I'm doing my foundation at Carlisle college, and I've very much enjoyed it so far. I agree it's a massive task with the photographing, and I'm just trying to finish last few paintings while photographing and organising all the rest of the work. I'll probably be forced to put in a few unfinished ones anyway.
Thanks for enlightening me about the ECA folio, helps a lot. I might just have to tackle GSA first before worrying about it since the deadline's so soon.
But yeah would be great to see how others are doing with their portfolios as well.


Ah, I'll keep that in mind. (:
Yes, I found it a large and tedious task photographing all of my work but you just have to do it, I guess. Plus, once you've got it all on the pc, you can quickly see at a glance what you want to include and what you don't. It's definitely a lot easier that having to figure out on the spot what to photograph and what not to with everything about you. Unfinished or not, I'm sure it'll be fine.

You're welcome. I found it difficult to understand it too at first, and it was only through my friend that I came to understand it a lot better.

Yes, definitely focus on getting GSA out of the way before dealing with ECA. Quite glad that there's a week between the two.

If you're still stuck on finding out to fill that Inspiration section, I could link you to what I've done, if it helps.


Original post by clyona1
hey guys, ive applied for illustration with animation/ film courses, hoping to specialise in moving image. this is my online portfolio.. feedback would be great
http://cargocollective.com/amylyons


Those sketchbooks are just beautiful. Would love to see even ?more. That Gallery sketchbook you kept - it's so simple, abstract and just... akfjhadg great. My favourite by far is the Cabinet of Curiosities Love the little labels and how you've presented it.

Honestly, how did you do it? Those labels are fantastic.
Reply 15
Avatar for clyona1
clyona1
Original post by napoleons

Those sketchbooks are just beautiful. Would love to see even ?more. That Gallery sketchbook you kept - it's so simple, abstract and just... akfjhadg great. My favourite by far is the Cabinet of Curiosities Love the little labels and how you've presented it.

Honestly, how did you do it? Those labels are fantastic.


wow.. thankyou so much!!
Original post by napoleons
Haha, all right. Since I started the thread, I'll make the first post to get things started.

These are for the sketchbook section, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it to 4 or go for 9...
4: http://i.imgur.com/tFkvt.jpg
9: http://i.imgur.com/uXkGX.jpg


definitely stay with four, here is too much going on with nine and my eyes are drawn to all the white spaces!


i'll be sending off digital portfolios to kingston and brighton, so i'll post mine here soon. :smile:
Reply 17
Avatar for napoleons
napoleons
OP
Original post by beccafairy
definitely stay with four, here is too much going on with nine and my eyes are drawn to all the white spaces!


i'll be sending off digital portfolios to kingston and brighton, so i'll post mine here soon. :smile:


Thanks, and you're quite right about the white space - I've fixed it now!

Oh, can't wait to see them then! (:
Reply 18
Avatar for flartlou
flartlou
1
Feel kind of nervous uploading this, everyone elses is amazing.

This is for Brighton (Illustration), I only got the email today and this is what I have so far! Definitely need to upload more sketchbook pages, design boards and life drawings.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/fleurlowden/sets/72157632629474709/

Would love your opinions.
Original post by napoleons
Haha, all right. Since I started the thread, I'll make the first post to get things started.

These are for the sketchbook section, but I'm not sure whether I should keep it to 4 or go for 9...
4: http://i.imgur.com/tFkvt.jpg
9: http://i.imgur.com/uXkGX.jpg

I was also wondering whether this could be counted as a "finished" piece:
http://i.imgur.com/BWLxB.jpg

And I'm not sure how to present this either - separate or together?
Together: http://i.imgur.com/ajNw4.jpg
Separate: http://i.imgur.com/j3Rqe.jpg and http://i.imgur.com/ZAvug.jpg

Any suggestions...?


Do you do life drawing with Jenny? I have similar work haha


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