Portfolio Submission

Portfolio Review Process

Please keep in mind, we operate with a multi-person review committee; this is the same manner as art programs nationwide.  We receive over 200 portfolios each year and individual feedback or critiquing will not be supplied.

1.  Applying to the department.

Freshman, Transfer and Graduate/Certification Students - For admission to MU Department of Art & Design apply to the Office of Admissions at Millersville University for general acceptance. On the general application you will be advised to create an electronic portfolio on http://www.flickr.com/ .  Enter the URL in the last field of the Portfolio Submission Form.  Please follow the guidelines under section titled "Portfolio Content" when creating your portfolio.     

Internal Transfers -  If you are currently enrolled within Millersville University and wishing to change majors create a portfolio on http://www.flickr.com and enter the URL in the last field of the Portfolio Submission Form.  Please follow the guidelines under section titled "Portfolio Content" when creating your portfolio.

2.  Creating your electronic portfolio.

  1. Create a username.
  2. Upload photos
  3. Sign up for a flickr account at (www.flickr.com).
  4. sure the Photostream is an open public account.
  5. Provide descriptions of your works as needed.
  6. Test/view your portfolio to make sure all images are uploaded.
  7. Copy and paste the URL of your portfolio into the "Submission Form".

3.  The Review.

On the first Friday of every month (September-May) throughout the Fall and Spring semesters, the Portfolio Review Committee reviews all the portfolios that were submitted to the department.

4.  Notification.

Freshman, Transfer and Graduate/Certification Students - The department forwards their recommendation to the Undergraduate/ Graduate Office of Admissions.  They will notify the applicant on the status of their application to the University and to the department.

Internal Transfers - Internal transfers will receive an e-mail to to the e-mail account they entered on the Portfolio Submission Form from the department notifying them of the status of their portfolio.  If applicable, the applicant will be directed to complete a Change of Major Form and submit it to the Office of Academic Advisement.  The form will not only allow assignment to your designated major but also to an advisor within the department.

Portfolio Content

Your electronic portfolio must include a total of 10-15 pieces of art identified by title, media, and the dimensions of the original piece. 3-5 pieces must be drawings with a minimum of 2 being from direct observation. The remaining works can be from the other media types classified and defined below.

Drawings (3-5 WORKS)  
A minimum of two drawings although more is preferred must be from “direct observation”. These include still life drawings, live figure models, self-portrait, and landscapes. The remaining drawings can be done from memory or abstract but we discourage drawing from photographs. However, your drawing skills should be evident throughout your portfolio.

Ceramics 
Ceramic images may include sculptural, functional pieces, hand-built, wheel thrown, tiles, and/or mosaics. The images should show evidence of the ability to conceptualize and respond to the physical characteristics of form, space, structure, volume, and texture in clay.

2 and/or 3 Dimensional Design  
The candidate is encouraged to select artwork that best demonstrates their understanding of the elements of design and principles of organization in two and/or three-dimensional formats. Attention to the organization and presentation of composition should be evident in all media throughout your application.

Digital Media/New Media  
Digital Media/New Media may include web graphics, digital photography, video, and animation.

Metals  
Metalwork examples can be sculptural, functional, or wearable designs. Works selected should exemplify technical proficiency, original ideas, and strong design.

Mixed Media  
Mixed media examples may include combinations of acrylic, paper collage, watercolor, recycled materials, stencils, stamping, imprinting, encaustic, fabric, digital art, and digital photography. An emphasis on narrative and composition should be considered when presenting mixed media images.

Painting  
The paintings may be done in any medium including oil, acrylic, watercolor, tempera, pastel, collage, or mixed media. Painting images should show evidence of the ability to mix color, apply paint, understand how to depict form with color, and control value in a composition.

Photography  
Black and white or color photography maybe submitted. Select images based on the importance of composition, development of an individual point of view, and technical aptitude.

Printmaking   
Printmaking images may include examples of woodcut, etching, engraving, linoleum cut, lithography, letterpress, silk-screening, or a combination of any of the aforementioned media. Emphasis should be on print quality and composition.

Sculpture  
You may include photographs of carved, cast modeled, joined, or assembled sculpture in any media. You are limited to two slides per piece of art. Sculpture images should show evidence of the ability to conceptualize and respond to the physical characteristics of form, space, structure, volume, and texture in three dimensions.