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Portfolio Preparation Guidelines

Tips and words of advice for preparing your portfolio for submission to Montclair State University:

Portfolio submissions for Visual Arts, Product Design and Fashion are encouraged, but not required.
Check first if your degree requires a portfolio

We recommend that you select examples of your work that best represent your approach to the visual arts. You will also be expected to present your work in a digital format as well as bring original works to a campus interview, where possible. In presenting your portfolio, please note that each work should be described with a title (even if “untitled”), medium and dimensions.


In conjunction with the above general guidelines, please review the additional guidelines respective of your intended major:
  • Fashion Design and Merchandising – Portfolio not Required
  • Illustration – Please put together a professional presentation of 15-20 works that include labels (ex: title, medium, year completed). All work should indicate a specific light source by use of value and understanding of composition.

    The portfolio MUST include the following:

    -7-10 works of observational drawing (such as still life, landscape life studies, and drawing what is in front of you)
    -3-5 examples of portraiture and figure drawing
    -At least 1 three-point perspective of some form of architecture (e.g. buildings, room interior, etc.)
    -Sketchbook pages
    -Optional: You may also include a few examples of sequential narratives (e.g. comic book panels), original character studies, or conceptual illustration ONLY if you consider this your best work.

    Please Do NOT include:

    -More than 3 examples of character studies/ sequential narratives
    -Unoriginal Fan Art such as drawings of licensed cartoon characters
    -Artwork that is copied from another artist’s photograph

  • Product Design – Portfolio not required. View additional guidelines here: Product Design Admission
  • Visual Arts – Portfolio not required.
  • Visual Communication Design – View additional guidelines here: Visual Communication Design Admission