Central St Martins / Portfolio????

I have not done art at gcse or a level. However i am very intrested in photography and graphic design. What is the advice on portfolios, content, layout, etc...And in my case what should i do????

A) Make a portfolio and apply.
B) Call/email CSM (where I want to go) and ram my work down their throats, in a meeting for example or email.

Reply 1

love2learn

CSM is virtually impossible to get into!! You have to be super talented. If you apply I think they normally interview and require portfolios anyway.

Your problem might be that as you seem to lack any academic qualifications in these subjects, anything they'd recognise, they might refuse you before interview. It's not really fair if you have taent so just be prepared to that.

In terms of your portfolio, check their website. Tonnes of students apply and need the same advice so it's bound to be there.

Good luck!

Reply 2

luce20

Ditto love2learn! Uni of the arts is very hard to get into esp with it being one of the top art uni/colleges in the uk. To stand any chance with them, you will have to go through the normal route of UCAS and hope that they like what they see and read. Do you have any arty qualifications at all? Ever though of doing a foundation course as you build up a really good portfolio from that?
Definately check the website as most on my colleges websites it tells you how to present the portfolio. I was certainly surprised to how much extra they want in portfolios when i looked at textiles at Chelsea, e.g. like writing something above each piece of work, describing it. A lot of other art colleges don't ask for this. Anyways gl with what you decide to do.

Reply 3

elainennium

you'd have to be very lucky to get them spare 15 mins for an interview!! they dont usually interview applicants. its mostly based on portfolio, personal statement and a reference from your current tutor.

i would agree with luce20 as all csm courses would expect you to have done a foundation. not only would this build up a portfolio but you'd be able to get feedback from tutors.

do try and get on the foundation at one of the colleges in the UAL, it does increase your chance of getting into a BA course as they have a pre-ucas system which most places are filled from this. you can do it part time over 2 years if you plan to be working as well.

good luck and let us know how it goes :smile:

Reply 4

comaEffigy

Yeah, you'll REALLY need to do an Art Foundation.

Reply 5

hester

comaEffigy

Yeah, you'll REALLY need to do an Art Foundation.

thats not necessarily true..

you probably will need to do it, since you havent done any gcse's or a levels in art, but if you are super talented thet might give you a chance anyway.

i got an offer from CSM for graphics, having not done a foundation, but I had done a level. I turned it down though because it just wasnt my sorta place.

If you are really talented, you do stand a good chance, but the only problem might be that you will be unfamiliar with the ways of teaching and the way art courses are run. I found the most difficult thing about art college is understanding the way things work, its so very very demandiing and difficult - far more than people think, its a totally different way of doing things. This is where a levels and foundation especially help you, as they help you get into the swing of things and show you different ways of working etc.

I'd suggest you do a foundation course, but if you dont, either way, you still need to have a bloody good portfolio and be really really good and know what you are talking about. if you have that you should be fine

Reply 6

McNuggets

Don't be afraid of CSM - and do keep your options open. There are plenty of similarly highly regarded institutions for the subject - whether they be the University of the Arts or not.

Toodaloo.

Reply 7

Evil Muffin

It isn't impossible to get into. When I was at school, a girl in my AVCE class got in there for fine art (through clearing) and her fine art work was pretty mediocre. I'd call to check if they'll take you without the A Level but as others have said, the portfolio is the major thing and if you think you're good enough I'd say go for it. If you get an interview, make sure your portfolio is up to scratch and research graphic design, including designers who have influenced you and make sure you know why you like their work.

If CSM doesn't work out, I'd try London College of Communication (formerly of printing): it has quite a few famous graphic design alumni and may even be better than CSM for the subject.

Reply 8

jonnaemilia

Evil Muffin

If CSM doesn't work out, I'd try London College of Communication (formerly of printing): it has quite a few famous graphic design alumni and may even be better than CSM for the subject.

This is exactly what I've done. I applied for CSM and they didn't even bother to see my portfolio. LCC was more open-minded and had a look - and so I got in.

I can't wait to start my first year there... Anyone else here going?

Reply 9

piggish

I was going to apply for art foundation at CSM but I'm now going to do chemistry I think. Anyways, I went to see their degree exhibition, it was really good. For portfolio, make sure you have lots of variation in terms of style and media you use to show that you have a range of ability. Also, show that you're willing to experiment with different styles and techniques. Another good idea is to have some 3D work too, maybe some sculpture, not only flat drawings. Hope this helps :smile:

Reply 10

Archo

If you haven't done GCSE or A-Level Art related subjects you are up for some seriously fierce competition because most applicants will have these qualifications already backed up by strong portfolios, particularly those who have gone on to do foundation as well. If you check the course requirements on the websites it will tell you what you need to have/show in order to be considered onto the course.

Apply for a foundation course! LCC has a graphic design/media pathway foundation which will equip you better for a future BA application in those fields.

They give plenty of portfolio advice on their websites. Good luck!