Application Process

Portfolio Requirements

The portfolio serves as a visual summary of your experience with art making and/or graphic design. The Department of Art Faculty Review Committee will evaluate your portfolio. The committee will examine your portfolio based on the following criteria:

• Perceptual Skills — ability to draw from direct observatio.
• Composition — definition of space in respect to foreground, middle ground, and background, color, shape, etc. • Craft — technical knowledge and skills in media as well as presentatio.
• Concept — use of the formal elements of design to express your idea.

Your portfolio may be submitted in slide, on CD or DVD disk, or in original form. The portfolio must contain fifteen (15) examples of your best original artwork that reflects your development in the areas of Design, Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Photography, Sculpture, Graphic Design and Digital Media. You can submit any combination of two-dimensional and three-dimensional work. (Please note: three-dimensional work may only be submitted in slide form.) A variety of media may be used, such as graphite, colored pencil, charcoal, pastel, ink, watercolor, acrylic or oil paint, or combinations there of.

Students Applying to the Studio Art Program

If you are applying to the Studio Art program, include at least (6) pieces based on direct observation such as still life, landscape, interior spaces, portraits, and figures. We discourage work produced by means of magazine photo montage, stipple, airbrush, and scratch board. Additionally, we discourage “heavy metal,” science fiction, and fantasy imagery, as well as T-shirt art.

Students Applying to the Graphic Design Program

If you are applying to the Graphic Design program, include examples of design studies that illustrate your skill in respect to positive/negative space, two-dimensional design studies, color, and drawing. When including graphic design pieces, be sure to note the source of all imagery (is it stock art or clip art?) and written content (name of author) used in the design in your annotated work list. You should also include at least four (4) pieces based on direct observation, such as images of still life, landscape, interior spaces, portraits, and figures. We discourage work that has a preponderance of computer-generated filters or step-by-step tutorials. We look for work that shows how well you can design and plan a composition with as much original imagery as possible.

Submitting Slides

Slides should be submitted in a clear plastic slide sheet. Each slide must be clearly labeled with your name. Please indicate the top of the image and number each slide to correspond to the Annotated Work list. Be sure that your slides are good representations of your work. A typical mistake made by applicants is that they submit slides that are poorly focused, too dark, and lacking in detail. Work with a teacher or professional when shooting slides, and consider taking more than one slide in order to capture details or surface treatment.

Submitting Computer Prints or Disks

You can also submit work samples in the form of photographic prints, high quality digital prints, or PDF or Photoshop files on Zip or CD disk. If you apply primarily by means of electronic media, you need to submit at least three printed pieces. Each digital file must be clearly named and numbered to correspond to your Annotated Work list. We will look at web sites only as an example of web design and will not evaluate other portfolio work contained on that site. Additionally, be aware that all digital imagery is not equal in terms of quality. Artwork photographed with a digital camera does not always reflect positively on the original. Avoid submitting digital imagery that is pixilated and lacking in detail.

Annotated Work List

The annotations should include: name, size, medium, date, and a brief statement as to the purpose of the work, such as why and for whom it was done. Please be thorough in describing the work. Indicate whether or not the project was done for a class, and whether or not it depicts your own solutions to the problem. Explain why you made the choices that you made. Remember, we are looking for evidence that you can create your own imagery, as well as evidence that you have the fortitude to discipline yourself, and build skills, and hand-eye coordination. We want to see a balance of original work as well as the studies all artists do to gain skill and ability. [The Annotated Work list is where you prove you have done the work and understand what that means.]

Written Statement

Please include a 500-1000 word written statement that describes your art/design work, your interest in art, and your future career plans. As a professional artist, designer or educator you will be required to write about your work and it is essential that you are able to describe your work to a diverse clientele. Writing statements are carefully examined; grammatical and spelling mistakes are not acceptable.

First describe one or more of your artworks in terms of its visual formal elements including: line, space, light, color, texture, design, and the other elements of composition. Additionally, you should carefully analyze the content of one or more of your pieces. What meaning is communicated to the viewer and how is this achieved? Compare one of your pieces to that of a well-known artist or graphic designer. When discussing your future plans at Oswego, be sure to address your previous experiences in art and your long-term career goals. What qualities do you possess that would ensure your success?

Transcripts

Submit a copy of your academic transcripts. These may be copies given to you by your school and stamped as such by the transcript office of the school issuing the document. Do not submit a transcript printed from the web that does not show your name. The transcripts must be included in the application. Please do not send transcripts under separate cover or ask us to get them for you.

Application Form

The attached application must be filled out in its entirety and included in the portfolio. Additional application forms can be downloaded from our web site at www.oswego.edu/art/.

Application Submission

Portfolios submitted by mail should not exceed 16” x 20” and must include a self-addressed stamped envelope so we can return them. Work submitted in person should not exceed 32” x 40” and should be enclosed in a portfolio case. You can drop off portfolio application in person between 8:30– 11:30 a.m. and 1:30–4 p.m. Monday through Friday in room 126 of Tyler Hall. (You may wish to call in advance to make sure that someone will be here to take your portfolio. The telephone numbers are: 315-312-2113; 315-312-2111; 315-312-3017). The Written Statement, Annotated Work list and application form should be placed inside the portfolio case. Portfolios sent via mail/UPS/FedX can be sent to Art Department, ATTN: BFA Application, 123 Tyler Hall, SUNY Oswego, Oswego, NY, 13126. Be sure to include information, labeling, and postage/call tags for return shipping.

Review Cycle

Portfolios are reviewed at the end of the following months: October, November, February, March, April, May and June. Notices regarding acceptance follow shortly thereafter. Work will be returned at that time.

Open House Submissions – One Day Event

Applicants may elect to drop their work off during an Open House event. Work is dropped off just prior to the start of the event and picked up when it is over. Notification will occur by mail shortly thereafter. To find out the specific Open House dates on which the department will review original portfolios, please call the Art department at (315) 312-2111. Note: The department is not responsible for any portfolios not picked up at the end of a review, or for those that are sent without a return shipping envelope or box.

More Information

Download Department Brochure & Application (pdf, 408kb)