Portfolios

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a curated collection of your creative work that reflects your ideas, skills and interests. It demonstrates your ability to explore different materials, themes, and techniques, as well as your approach to research, planning, and development. It is not simply about showing finished work – we also want to see your process, including experimentation and, maybe, even mistakes and how you dealt with these. Ultimately, your portfolio should highlight your creativity, personality, and potential. 

What to include 

The contents of a portfolio vary depending on your previous experience, and it is reviewed alongside your application. There is no ‘standard’ portfolio, but we would encourage you to include: 

• A range of different types of work, that show your interests and ability. 
• Sketching and drawing – these may be related to a specific project or drawings/sketches that you have done for pleasure 
• Models or prototypes – these are good for showing us that you can work in a variety of materials and techniques 
• Any other work that highlights creativity 

If you have studied interior design, architecture or other related subjects, you may have specific types of drawings and visuals that you can include: 

• Technical drawings (e.g., plans, sections, elevations) 
• Digital renderings or visualisations 

Organise your portfolio by project, telling the story behind each one. Show us how an idea grew from initial research and concepts through to the final outcome.  

It is better to include a small number of projects (3-5) where you can show development, rather than show a lot of just ‘finished’ work. Remember, we are as interested in how you approach your work as we are in the work itself. Focus on providing us with examples that show how you think and develop your ideas. 

A digital portfolio is simply an online version of a physical one, with the same guidance on content. This usually means photographing or scanning physical work (e.g., sketchbooks, artwork, 3D models) and converting them into digital files. 

Format 

Your portfolio should be submitted as a PDF file. You can produce the portfolio in many different types of software. Typically, candidates will use one (or a combination) of the following: 

• Canva 
• Google Slides 
• InDesign 
• Photoshop 
• PowerPoint 

A landscape layout works best, and you may also include short video clips. 

Length & structure 

Aim for 10–15 slides/images. Think of each slide as equivalent to an A4 or A3 page. Multiple images can be placed on one page, but avoid clutter – if the layout is cramped, your work won’t be seen clearly. Remember, it is better to remove ‘weaker’ images in order to allow the best of your work to have the space to be presented well. 

Think about how your pages are laid out. It is a good idea to try to align things, for consistency and clarity. There are many online resources that you can find to help you with the basics of page layout. 

What if I don’t have a portfolio? 

We recognise that not everyone wishing to study design, has studied a related subject previously. If you don’t already have a portfolio, you can request to do the Creative Project when you apply.  

The Creative Project is not about perfection or showing us that you have the skills of a professional designer. The aim of the Creative Project is for you to have the opportunity to show us your creative thinking, how you approach design questions, and your response to a creative problem. We don’t look at your response to the Creative Project based on how well you draw, but whether you have embraced the opportunity, made a clear attempt and thought through your proposition. 

For the Creative Project you will be provided with: 

• A brief for a small apartment, including a description of the client, their requirements and some artwork they wish to display. 
• A set of technical drawings (plan and elevations) of the existing apartment. 

Based on the above, you will be asked to submit: 

• A digital mood board; showing your approach to the style and features of your proposal 
• A floor plan; showing how you will layout the apartment, furniture, etc. 
• A ‘view’ of your proposal (a sketch or visualisation) that allows us to see some part of the project in 3D 
• A short rationale (up to 300 words) that explains why you have approached the project. 

Your response to the Creative Project should be submitted digitally, using the same PDF guidance as described in the portfolio section.  

Please note that your Portfolio or response to the Creative Project needs to be submitted before you attend your interview. Once completed, please email to [email protected].  

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a curated collection of your work that highlights your creativity, personality and potential. It contains your ideas, skills and interests and should give an idea of past experience, present knowledge and future development. It should demonstrate your ability to explore different materials, themes, and techniques. We don’t only want to see finished work so include sketchbooks and journals to show us the journey in developing your creative practice.

What to include

The contents of a portfolio vary depending on your previous experience. There is no ‘standard’ portfolio, but we would encourage you to:

• Include a range of different type of work including drawing, sketching, painting, printmaking, sculpture, journals, sketchbooks
• Organise your work into a selection of 3-5 projects that demonstrate the creative process and show us how you think and develop your ideas
• Be prepared to speak about every image in your portfolio – your ideas, the materials and methods you used

Creating a digital portfolio

A digital portfolio is an online version of your physical one. This is what should be submitted when you apply and must be sent before you can be considered for interview. This usually means photographing or scanning physical work (e.g., sketchbooks, artwork, 3D models) and converting them into digital files.

Format

Your portfolio should be submitted as a PDF file and emailed to the admissions team [email protected] You can produce the portfolio in many different types of software. Typically, candidates will use one (or a combination) of the following:

• Canva
• Google Slides
• InDesign
• Photoshop
• PowerPoint

Length & structure

Aim for 10-15 slides/images. Think of each slide as equivalent to an A4 or A3 page. Multiple images can be placed on one page, but avoid clutter, if the layout is cramped, your work won’t be seen clearly.

Think about how your pages are laid out. It is a good idea to try to align things, for consistency and clarity. There are many online resources that you can find to help you with the basics of page layout.

Graduate Diploma

Your portfolio should be a presentation of a sample of creative writing that you have completed within the last two years.

MA

Applicants should submit a portfolio consisting of 3000 words of prose fiction, demonstrating a commitment to writing. The portfolio should show evidence of current practical work and related development and an appropriate level of engagement with current debates in the publishing industry.