Home › Admissions › Application Process ›

Portfolio Preparation & Submission

Each degree program gives you a choice of either submitting a portfolio of work or submitting specific art, design or film exercises. If you choose to submit a portfolio, it should reflect your individual style as well as your understanding of foundational skills.

Certain programs have a few specific requirements to be included in the portfolio.   Beyond that, the balance of your portfolio should include a variety of media and techniques demonstrating drawing ability, composition and color usage (for art or design degrees) or film-related work (for the film degree or certificate).  Examples of work created outside of class assignments that show more personal direction are also encouraged.  Please limit submissions to no more than 15 examples.

Watkins Admissions representatives and faculty will be happy to assist you in making final choices for your portfolio prior to submission and you are encouraged to meet with them during a National Portfolio Day or on your visit to the Watkins campus.

Your portfolio is the basis for which portfolio-based scholarships are awarded. NOTE: Digital portfolios are preferred. If submitting original material please be aware that although every precaution is taken to protect portfolios, the college cannot be responsible for loss or damage. Original work will be kept in the Admissions Office for three months after the semester to which you are applying. After that time the work will be discarded.


How To Submit Your Work

ONLINE APPLICATION:

Your entire portfolio can be uploaded in the online application in the “Add Media” section.

File types accepted:

Images (jpg, gif, png) up to 5 MB each
Videos (flv, wmv, mov) up to 60 MB each
Audio (mp3) up to 10 MB each
Documents (pdf) up to 10 MB each

Upload your application exercises first. Please label your files with your name and exercise number with no spaces (ex: JoeSmithExercise01.jpg).  Make sure that the exercise numbers match up with the numbers of the actual exercises. 

Number your portfolio pieces with your name and a number with no spaces beginning at number 1 (ex:JoeSmith01.jpg)

 

PAPER APPLICATION:


DIGITAL PORTFOLIOS
CD or DVD (Files accepted: .jpg, .tiff, .pdf, .mov, .mpeg and quicktime.) Website urls are also accepted for design or film portfolios.
Label the files on your disc with your name and a number with no spaces (ex: JoeSmith01.jpg).
Print an inventory sheet with corresponding file numbers identifying each file on your disc. Also include the following information for each piece:

  • Title of Work
  • Dimensions
  • Medium
  • Completion Date
  • Any other relevant information (possibly parameters of a class assignment)


Label the CD/DVD case and the CD/DVD with the following information:

  • Your Full Name
  • Address
  • Phone Number
  • Term for which you are applying


PHOTOGRAPHY PORTFOLIOS

Photography portfolios may be submitted on CD or DVD (please follow instructions for Digital Portfolios above) or submitted as printed images.  Printed images should not exceed 8 x 10. Include a printed inventory sheet describing each piece or work (title, dimensions, completion date, and photo medium).


FILM PORTFOLIOS
Film portfolios may be submitted in DVD-R format.  A title card must be at the beginning of each film and must include the following:

  • The project’s title
  • The name and phone number of the applicant
  • Term for which you are applying

 

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION FOR TRANSFER CREDIT
Applicants seeking to transfer prior studio credits must submit a portfolio of original work from each course to be evaluated. Each work/project
should include: your name, title, a description, the course name, the official course description photocopied from the institution’s catalog the
year the class was taken and a copy of the cover of the pertinent catalog.  A copy of the syllabus, if available, is also helpful.