Graphic Design Interview at Brighton... Help!

Hey guys,

I've got an interview at Brighton coming up really soon and I'm starting to get nervous, I applied route B for Graphic Design. It would definitely be my first choice if I got offered a place, so I really want to make sure I'm fully prepared for the interview.

In the letter I was sent it said that you have to leave your portfolio out with 3 pieces on top. Has anyone done this at Brighton before? What's recommended? My portfolio is A2, do they want you to take a couple of sleeves out the folio and leave them on top? Or present 3 pieces and make them fit A2 size? Any help would be hugely appreciated.

Also, anyone else experienced in a Brighton interview I would love to hear from, any advice would be great, what sort of questions do they ask? What can I do to look better than the competition?

Thank you very much for any help you can give! :smile:

Cheers,
Matt

Reply 1

antonia333

I was considering applying to Brighton to do Graphics next year too. I had an interview in Portsmouth this week and it went quite well but seems like the ones in Brighton are a bit different.
All I know about them is that there is usually one student and one of the tutors interviewing you and they might ask you questions about why you've chosen the location, the course etc and also one of the questions they mentioned at the open day was "Have you seen any examples of Graphic Design today?" ..
I live in Brighton at the moment and went to both of the open days last year and this year.
I know this doesn't answer your question but there were no replies and I thought it may be helpful.. :erm:

Good luck on your interview!

Reply 2

schtum

I had my illustration one this thursday just gone, and was really worried too. Its a pretty relaxed affair really, they make it seem so strict in the letter!! I put some varied pieces on top, things that might stand out a bit to make them interested, show your different skills to them!

You mention sleeves, if you mean plastic ones, I think the general feeling towards them is that they're not really needed.I came back and did some research on lawrence zeegen the graphics tutor, and came across a article he wrote on portfolios and its what he recommends too.
http://www.computerarts.co.uk/in_depth/features/perfect_portfolios
I totally forgot to buff up what I knew of the tutors at Brighton, so just have a look into them! Especially Lawrence Zeegan if youre having a graphics interview.

I'm not sure about the graphics people, but something they asked us in illustration was whether we had been to the open days, obviously if you have it demonstrates that you care about the course, and are really enthused to go to brighton etc, we got told by the director lady to have a pretty damn good exscuse as to why we didnt if we hadnt been to one...

I'm not sure about anything else I'm afraid,I'm still in a panic over how I did! I think if you love it there enough, it will show through though. It's such a amazing institution, and wish anyone going for a place there good luck!!

Reply 3

mdempsey

Hey, thanks for the replies. I actually had my interview last Monday so unfortunately it's a bit too late, but nevermind :smile:

. Like you say it was a pretty relaxed affair, there were two tutors and one student from the second year. I found that it was mainly one tutor asking questions, while another looked through my work and took notes, and the student just sat there smiling - which sounds useless but was actually really comforting when you're nervous.

The questions were mainly straightforward to answer but I stumbled on a couple. My least favourite was 'What in your view is the importance of drawing for the brain?'. In hindsight I would have had a much better answer but I was on the spot and not expecting anything like that, so a lot of stuttering and "I'm not really sure" was all I could give.

The work I laid out on my portfolio was quite 'polished' & 'finished' (as opposed to rough development/sketch work), in comparison to the other applicants around me. The interview letter specifically said they were NOT looking for highly finished work, so I was almost certain before going in that they wouldn't want me. However, besides a couple of bad questions I don't think it went too badly. I don't expect to be offered a place, so if I do it will be a nice surprise.

On another note, I too applied to Portsmouth and was offered a place. Assuming I don't get an offer from Brighton, I think I'll be headed there. The interview at Portsmouth was much easier, just one tutor and just basically talking through my work. There weren't really many questions outside of the reasoning for me doing certain things in my portfolio.

Anyway, thanks again, and hopefully this thread will serve of some use to someone else in our situations in the future!

Reply 4

antonia333

Good luck again and would be happy to hear if you got a place in Brighton. Also, if you don't, that means we may be going to the same university next year then! :yep:

Reply 5

schtum

Everyone seems to say about the whole relaxed affair, it was so hard at the end to figure out what they were thinking! I just packed my stuff and resolved to a hard 2 weeks wait. Only one more week to wait hopefully :smile:

Been trying to do the finishing bits of my FMP, in case im lucky enough to get a offer :s-smilie:

Sorry for the late reply!
Yep, hopefully this thread will give some other people in our situation some help!
Do tell if you hear back mdempsey!

Reply 6

pav_snooze

Brighton interview was well fun. Larwence Zeegan is a right top bloke and I genuinelly enjoyed myself in the interview! Fingers crossed!

Weirdest question: "Is there anything in particular that you didn't want us to ask you?"

Reply 7

schtum

pav_snooze

Haha, what did you answer to that!! Have you heard back yet? ive had nothing! nearing 3 weeks now :frown:

Reply 8

mdempsey

Hey again guys,

I heard back from them yesterday and didn't get a place :frown:

. Like I say I wasn't expecting one, but still a bit disappointed. Ah well, I'm happy with going to Portsmouth!

Anyone else heard?

Reply 9

schtum

I heard back too, and was unsuccessful as well :frown:

was distraught yesterday and thought I was losing it, but picked myself up now! And trying to find other places to go T_T
Well done for portsmouth! Hope ya have a awesome time there :biggrin:

Reply 10

hillo010109

how did your portsmouth graphic design interview go? what sort of questions were you asked? i have one soon and would love to hearwhat yours was like! thank you!!