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ECA and GSA applicants 2022
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EdgarEmily
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#1
Hi! I wanted to create a thread for people who are applying to ECA and GSA so we can support each other! I’m applying to illustration at ECA and communication design at GSA!
Last edited by EdgarEmily; 1 month ago
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JulieClareRead
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Aliceejohnson
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#3
Hey 
I'm applying for painting and printmaking at GSA and MA fine art at ECA. I know technically GSA is more well known and more respected in the art world but the ECA course looks perfect for me so I'm really hoping to get an offer there. I've also applied for fine art at Oxford (just got rejected on friday), Newcastle, and Brighton.
I'm applying for painting and printmaking at GSA and MA fine art at ECA. I know technically GSA is more well known and more respected in the art world but the ECA course looks perfect for me so I'm really hoping to get an offer there. I've also applied for fine art at Oxford (just got rejected on friday), Newcastle, and Brighton.
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JulieClareRead
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#4
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been unsuccessful at Oxford.I'd make it a matter of urgency to ask for feedback on your application so that you can use the time between now and when ECA and GSA will request to see your digital portfolio to make improvements.ECA is incredibly competitive, as is GSA and knowing where your weaknesses are will be key. You have 2 months so anything you can do in this time will be time well spent.Good luck. 🍀
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Aliceejohnson
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#5
(Original post by JulieClareRead)
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been unsuccessful at Oxford.I'd make it a matter of urgency to ask for feedback on your application so that you can use the time between now and when ECA and GSA will request to see your digital portfolio to make improvements.ECA is incredibly competitive, as is GSA and knowing where your weaknesses are will be key. You have 2 months so anything you can do in this time will be time well spent.Good luck. 🍀
I'm so sorry to hear that you've been unsuccessful at Oxford.I'd make it a matter of urgency to ask for feedback on your application so that you can use the time between now and when ECA and GSA will request to see your digital portfolio to make improvements.ECA is incredibly competitive, as is GSA and knowing where your weaknesses are will be key. You have 2 months so anything you can do in this time will be time well spent.Good luck. 🍀
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JulieClareRead
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#6
Great, that's good news, ensure that you understand how they've assessed your folio and the comments / grades that they've given you. No I'm not applying, I used to teach there for 9 years and assess entrance portfolios.
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jsaffer424
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#7
Thank god this thread exists. Hello, I am an American student trying to apply to ECA for graphic design, and navigating the UK system has been quite the journey to say the least. However, I didn’t really understand what I was supposed to include in the portfolio? I am currently awaiting a response from the school over email, but I thought I might ask here. ECA has some interesting requirements compared to other schools. As I read on their website, it said that they required “Up to 10 images of sketchbook work, 10 images of finished work, and up to 5 images that demonstrate your influences”. What does the influence part even mean? Should I go on the internet and literally copy paste the art of my favorite artists and call it a day, or is there more nuance that I am not understanding? Let me know.
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JulieClareRead
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Hi there, you've got it, the context part is anything, any place, objects, people that have influenced you. So artist and designers and as you're applying to Graphic Design it's important that you include some contemporary graphic designers. Also, what has influenced you? I'd try to get some designers but also the things that have had an influence on ideas in your folio etc. I guess you've looked at this too? https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/fil...compressed.pdf
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Aliceejohnson
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#9
(Original post by JulieClareRead)
Hi there, you've got it, the context part is anything, any place, objects, people that have influenced you. So artist and designers and as you're applying to Graphic Design it's important that you include some contemporary graphic designers. Also, what has influenced you? I'd try to get some designers but also the things that have had an influence on ideas in your folio etc. I guess you've looked at this too? https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/fil...compressed.pdf
Hi there, you've got it, the context part is anything, any place, objects, people that have influenced you. So artist and designers and as you're applying to Graphic Design it's important that you include some contemporary graphic designers. Also, what has influenced you? I'd try to get some designers but also the things that have had an influence on ideas in your folio etc. I guess you've looked at this too? https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/fil...compressed.pdf
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JulieClareRead
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#10
(Original post by Aliceejohnson)
Do we need to put our influences together with our own work, or do we just make a slide of every artist we like and has inspired us?
Do we need to put our influences together with our own work, or do we just make a slide of every artist we like and has inspired us?
Last edited by JulieClareRead; 5 months ago
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jsaffer424
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#11
(Original post by JulieClareRead)
Hi Alice, they ask for 2-5 images of context - so these are the slides for those artists, designers and things, places, people, objects that have inspired/influenced you. It's up to you how you do it, you perhaps have much of this in your sketchbook with annotations, so you could photograph those pages in your sketchbook to demonstrate it. Or you could lift them off the internet like @jsaffer424 said and paste them into a slide/s. This is where it's up to you to do what you think is going to show it best and this also helps them to see how well you can present your ideas and influences.
Hi Alice, they ask for 2-5 images of context - so these are the slides for those artists, designers and things, places, people, objects that have inspired/influenced you. It's up to you how you do it, you perhaps have much of this in your sketchbook with annotations, so you could photograph those pages in your sketchbook to demonstrate it. Or you could lift them off the internet like @jsaffer424 said and paste them into a slide/s. This is where it's up to you to do what you think is going to show it best and this also helps them to see how well you can present your ideas and influences.
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JulieClareRead
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#12
Hi there, I can only say what I do with student portfolios whom I work with, some have been accepted and made offers, others haven't - remember ECA is extremely competitive. So just to be clear I don't work there now, I left in 2008.I usually work with students to compile a slide with a few images of artists and designers, make sure you're not putting loads on though as their stipulation for images to be no larger than 800 pixels is quite small. Meaning that if you cram it too full, if they try to zoom in the images will be very pixelated. So a few images, 3 should be fine.Hope this helps.
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EdgarEmily
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#13
(Original post by JulieClareRead)
Hi there, I can only say what I do with student portfolios whom I work with, some have been accepted and made offers, others haven't - remember ECA is extremely competitive. So just to be clear I don't work there now, I left in 2008.I usually work with students to compile a slide with a few images of artists and designers, make sure you're not putting loads on though as their stipulation for images to be no larger than 800 pixels is quite small. Meaning that if you cram it too full, if they try to zoom in the images will be very pixelated. So a few images, 3 should be fine.Hope this helps.
Hi there, I can only say what I do with student portfolios whom I work with, some have been accepted and made offers, others haven't - remember ECA is extremely competitive. So just to be clear I don't work there now, I left in 2008.I usually work with students to compile a slide with a few images of artists and designers, make sure you're not putting loads on though as their stipulation for images to be no larger than 800 pixels is quite small. Meaning that if you cram it too full, if they try to zoom in the images will be very pixelated. So a few images, 3 should be fine.Hope this helps.
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JulieClareRead
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#14
Hiya, I think to ensure you've read the guidance pdf properly, that's key. Illustration obviously love lots of good, solid drawing, but about things you're interested in, not just drawing for drawing's sake. Also, the narrative, and communication of ideas, after all...you're illsutrating a story, an editorial or book cover etc. and it's important you can interpret well. Essential to have a good understanding of contemporary illustrators too I'd say, for your context. Hope this helps. https://www.ed.ac.uk/files/atoms/fil...compressed.pdf
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EdgarEmily
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kirstinkellybone
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#16
(Original post by EdgarEmily)
Do you have any advice for creating a portfolio. Like things ECA likes and dislikes? If you could give any hints or tips specifically relating to illustration It would greatly appreciated!
Do you have any advice for creating a portfolio. Like things ECA likes and dislikes? If you could give any hints or tips specifically relating to illustration It would greatly appreciated!
How are you getting on with your portfolio?
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kirstinkellybone
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#17
Hey everyone! I am applying for ECA Illustration and also Animation, and GSA Communication Design. This is my second year doing UCAS so hopefully this year I can get my first choice, which I did not last year - which was why I ended up going to college. How is everyone feeling about their applications, portfolio, etc? Think it is great for us to have a platform we can use to support each other while we endure the dreaded wait...
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JulieClareRead
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(Original post by kirstinkellybone)
Hey everyone! I am applying for ECA Illustration and also Animation, and GSA Communication Design. This is my second year doing UCAS so hopefully this year I can get my first choice, which I did not last year - which was why I ended up going to college. How is everyone feeling about their applications, portfolio, etc? Think it is great for us to have a platform we can use to support each other while we endure the dreaded wait...
Hey everyone! I am applying for ECA Illustration and also Animation, and GSA Communication Design. This is my second year doing UCAS so hopefully this year I can get my first choice, which I did not last year - which was why I ended up going to college. How is everyone feeling about their applications, portfolio, etc? Think it is great for us to have a platform we can use to support each other while we endure the dreaded wait...
Last edited by JulieClareRead; 4 months ago
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kirstinkellybone
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#19
(Original post by JulieClareRead)
Hi Kirstin, did you get some feedback about your folio last year and the areas where it was weaker? Hopefully, good luck making improvements.
Hi Kirstin, did you get some feedback about your folio last year and the areas where it was weaker? Hopefully, good luck making improvements.
thank you! Good luck to you as well
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abonny
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#20
I'm applying for painting and printmaking at GSA. how long does it usually take them to get back if you get an interview or not ?
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