Portfolio Guide

The purpose of the portfolio interview is to try and assess each student’s potential and ability to benefit from the course. This will take the form of a discussion around the applicant’s range of interests and focus on their portfolio of work. The interview is a two-way process: the interviewer wants to see what skills and interests the applicant has, so it is important to spend some time preparing your portfolio.

It should include a selection of highlights from your work and illustrate a range of different skills. The process is just as important as the final image, so demonstrate the progress and method behind them e.g. sketches or development drawings/models.

A Level 0 portfolio should demonstrate the following things;

Potential

Sketchbooks

Visual diaries

Tech skills

Range of work

Selection of most successful pieces

It is hoped that all applicants will include in their portfolios a good selection of work that reveals their individual interests and skills. Essays, photographs, video, photos of 3D objects or self-generated projects can all be included. Offers of admission are based on evidence of motivation as well as intellectual and practical creative ability. Click here to see examples of a Level 0 Portfolio

A Level 1 portfolio should demonstrate the following things;

Working with concepts and ideas

Range of materiality/process/techniques

Exploration of concepts

Students applying for First Year are not necessarily expected to submit an ‘architectural’ portfolio. We like to see evidence of current interests and activities in the form of freehand sketches, drawings, collages, photographs, films etc. Click here to see examples of Level 1 Portfolio[1]1.pdf portfolio ideas.

A level 2 & 3 portfolio should include;

Clear ideas and development

Architectural approach

Conceptual thinking

Design abilities

Students with previous architectural or design experience may apply for entry into level 2&3. They will be expected to submit a portfolio of their work to date; but also unfinished work, drawings, sketches, photographs and independent interests. Evidence of full-time architectural study is essential. Students entering the Third Year must be registered for 120 credits and must attend a full time study to be eligible for RIBA/ARB part 1. It is worthwhile including examples of work carried out in an architectural practice as the interviewer may wish to look at them. Transcripts must be provided with portfolio or at Interview.

Overseas Students

Portfolios sent by post will only be returned if requested, and a £50 postage fee is paid in advance, or the portfolio can picked up in person from the admissions office.

There is no single way of preparing a portfolio. Many applicants will have artwork from school, but we would prefer to see more developed work. Own ideas and concepts developed which show individuality. Portfolios should include some recent work; models or sculptures can be photographed. It is important that any drawings should be from life, or drawn on site and not from images.

Electronic Portfolio Submissions

If you are an overseas student you may be asked to submit an electronic portfolio of work. Below are some guidelines to follow when putting this together;

• Your name, ID number from London Metropolitan University and UCAS number (where applicable) should be entered into the subject box.

• When submitting an electronic portfolio, make sure that the images of your
   work are combined in a single document and are not e-mailed as
   multiple files.

• Portfolio should be in the PowerPoint or in PDF format. Flickr, Picasa,Tumblr and BING are also an effective way of uploading work – send a link directly to your pages and please be aware that Facebook is not an accepted format.

• If you are submitting a PowerPoint File, it should be no larger than 10MB - which means that the resolution of your images may be quite low (from 72dpi to 150dpi at 150mm x 150mm).

• The text explaining your images, this must be clearly attached to your image.

• It is not necessary to e-mail hundreds of images of your work. A maximum of 25 images that clearly show your design is sufficient

All electronic portfolios should be sent to portfolios@londonmet.ac.uk       

IMPORTANT: Students need to quote their personal ID numbers so the Academic Leader can relate a decision with your specific number. If there is no ID number it will affect the rate at which your portfolio is viewed.

NOTE: International Students applying for Level 2 and 3 should send their transcripts from previous study along with their portfolio.