Art and Design Interview days

How to prepare for your portfolio interview day

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Fashion Design programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview day to determine your suitability for the course and ensure you are fully aware of the demands of the programme.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain 10-15 examples of recent work to demonstrate your ability in any of the following areas:

• Fashion design examples, illustrations and drawings
• ​Textile design (surface pattern and/or garments)
• ​Sketchbooks – showing where you get your ideas and inspirations from and how you visually explain the evolution from research to garment design translation
• ​Examples of drawing, painting, colour exercises
• ​Garments you have made​
• ​The ability to generate lots of ideas
• ​Animation, film or storyboards
• ​Photography
• ​Any other project work you feel may be relevant

What we’d like to talk to you about

Your portfolio should include at least one example of a project that illustrates how you have developed an idea from start to finish. This should include any developmental or “rough work” alongside sketchbooks or notebooks, including discarded ideas – not just the final outcome. You should prepare to talk about one project in detail during the interview. We are most interested in how you think and solve problems, not simply in evaluating the production values of the final outcome – though this is, of course, very important too. Your interview will normally last for about 15 minutes and be with one member of staff.

During your portfolio interview day, you will be offered a guided tour of the Department’s facilities by either a staff member or current student.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.

How to prepare for your portfolio interview day

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Fashion Design programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview day to determine your suitability for the course and ensure you are fully aware of the demands of the programme.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain 10-15 examples of recent work to demonstrate your ability in any of the following areas:

• Fashion design examples, illustrations and drawings
• ​Textile design (surface pattern and/or garments)
• ​Sketchbooks – showing where you get your ideas and inspirations from and how you visually explain the evolution from research to garment design translation
• ​Examples of drawing, painting, colour exercises
• ​Garments you have made​
• ​The ability to generate lots of ideas
• ​Animation, film or storyboards
• ​Photography
• ​Any other project work you feel may be relevant

What we’d like to talk to you about

Your portfolio should include at least one example of a project that illustrates how you have developed an idea from start to finish. This should include any developmental or “rough work” alongside sketchbooks or notebooks, including discarded ideas – not just the final outcome. You should prepare to talk about one project in detail during the interview. We are most interested in how you think and solve problems, not simply in evaluating the production values of the final outcome – though this is, of course, very important too. Your interview will normally last for about 15 minutes and be with one member of staff.

During your portfolio interview day, you will be offered a guided tour of the Department’s facilities by either a staff member or current student. 

How to prepare for your portfolio interview day

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Fine Art programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview to determine your suitability for the course and ensure you are fully aware of the demands of the programme. There will also be an opportunity for you to ask questions.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain examples of recent work to demonstrate your creative ability and may include:

• Painting, drawing, collage and other two-dimensional work
• Sculpture or three-dimensional work (please bring along photographs of these rather than large or delicate objects)
• Photography, printmaking and digitally manipulated images
• Video, animation and performance documentation
• Textiles
• Any sketchbooks, journals, notebooks and evidence of the generation of visual ideas

What we’d like you to talk about

We are interested in how you develop concepts or ideas and explore material processes in the making of your visual Fine Art work. Your portfolio and what you have to say about it should illustrate that process and give an indication of some of the directions and interests you see yourself developing as an artist at university. This will be evident in completed work and preparatory work alike.

The work you have made already will without doubt be interesting. The discussion about your potential place on the Fine Art programme and your aspirations within it will be exciting! Your interview will normally last for about 15-20 minutes and be with one member of staff.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.

How to prepare for your portfolio interview

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Graphic Design programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview to determine your suitability for the course and ensure you are fully aware of the demands of the programme.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain five to ten examples of recent work to demonstrate your ability in any of the following areas:

• Graphic design
• Illustration, drawing or calligraphy
• Animation, film or storyboards
• Photography
• Layout design or typography
• Multimedia, film making or website design
• 3D work (bring photographs of these rather than large or delicate objects)
• Point of sale displays
• Any other project work you feel may be relevant

What we’d like to talk with you about

The interview process is designed to be as informal as possible and should be just as much a chance for you to make sure Graphic Design at Chester is the right course for you as it is for us to make sure you are a suitable candidate for the course. Therefore, questions from you during the interview will be welcomed. Your portfolio should include at least one example of a project that illustrates how you have developed an idea from start to finish. This should include any developmental or “rough work” alongside sketchbooks or notebooks, including discarded ideas – not just the final outcome. You should prepare to talk about one project in detail during the interview.

We are most interested in how you think and solve problems, not simply in evaluating the production values of the final outcome – though this is, of course, very important too. We are very keen to find out what you are hoping to achieve by studying Graphic Design, what you are passionate about and if there is a specific area of the creative industry you are aiming to work once you complete your degree. Your interview will normally last for about 15 minutes and will be one to one with a member of the Graphic Design programme team.

While you are waiting for your portfolio interview you will be offered a guided tour of the Department’s facilities by either a member of the Graphic Design team or by a current Art and Design student. Any questions while on the tour will also be welcomed.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.

How to prepare for your portfolio interview day

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview day where you can show us a sample of your work and ask questions about the programme in more detail.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should contain examples of recent work to demonstrate your creative ability and this can include work in any of the following areas:

• Design technology projects
• Textiles projects
• Graphic design
• Illustration, drawing or calligraphy
• Animation, film or storyboards
• Photography
• Multimedia or website design
• 3D work (bring photographs of these rather than large objects)
• Any other project work you feel may be relevant

What we’d like to talk to you about

Your portfolio should include at least one example of a project that illustrates how you have developed an idea from start to finish. This should include any developmental or “rough work” alongside sketchbooks or notebooks, including discarded ideas – not just the final outcome. You should be prepared to talk about one project in detail during the interview. We are most interested in how you think and solve problems, not simply in evaluating the production values of the final outcome – although this is, of course, very important too. We will look at your portfolio together during a one-to one interview and this will normally last about 15 minutes.

During your portfolio interview day, you will be offered a guided tour of the Department’s facilities by either a staff member or current student.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.

How to prepare for your portfolio interview day

As an applicant to the BA (Hons) Photography programme, you will be invited to attend a portfolio interview day to determine your suitability for the course and to ensure you are aware of what the course entails.

What to put in your portfolio

Your portfolio should include a selection of approximately 15 - 20 photographs preferably in print form or if not possible a PDF portfolio.

The work which you bring for interview can also include an edited selection of supporting or preparatory work which can include the following:

• Contact sheets
• Intermediate work prints
• Film and video work
• Publications: fanzines or photobooks etc.
• Other text/image-based work
• New media projects including blogs or website links or evidence of these
• Other Photography-related or object-based work
• Any other relevant art and design practice

What we’d like to talk to you about:

Your portfolio should include a cross-section of your strongest work including a personal project that demonstrates a coherent or longer-term approach to a subject, which involves investigation and research. You can also bring other supporting material including sketchbooks etc. associated with the development of your project, which will provide the basis for a one-to-one interview.

During the interview be prepared to discuss your work with a member of staff from BA Photography. Your interview will normally last about 15 minutes and you will have the opportunity to ask us questions too.

While you are waiting for your portfolio interview you will be offered a guided tour of the Department’s facilities by either a member of the BA Photography team or by a student currently studying on the programme.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.

How to prepare for your interview day

We like to see how you work, so your portfolio should include at least one project that illustrates how you have developed an idea from start to finish. This should include any developmental or “rough work” alongside sketchbooks or notebooks, including discarded ideas – not just the final outcome. 

In your portfolio please demonstrate your skills in the following areas:

1. Designing skills

   How you develop ideas (this is usually in the form of sketchbooks or design sheets showing a range of designs and how your designs evolve)

2. Making skills

   Examples of what you have made, particularly your hand-making skills – this could be models, prototypes or final products

3. Digital skills

   This could be examples of 2D or 3D CAD, 3D printing, animation, VR etc (this is for our interest and not essential, as 2D & 3D CAD will be taught on the programme - some applicants may have no experience of this).

Your portfolio can contain work from school or college, or your own personal work which may come from any of the following sources:

• Design & Technology projects
• Product Design projects
• Art projects
• Graphic Design projects
• Illustration or drawings
• 3D work (bring photographs rather than large objects)
• Previous work experience
• Personal projects that you feel may be relevant

What will we talk about?

You should prepare to talk through one project in detail to explain how you tackle a design brief and show evidence of your designing and making skills.  In addition, you can include other examples of your design work, practical work and 2D or 3D CAD from a variety of other projects.  We are most interested in how you think and solve problems, which usually comes through in your development work. We will look at your portfolio together during a one to one interview which will normally last about 15 minutes.

Portfolio Format

When the work is produced by hand, it is always better to see the original work in a physical portfolio, providing it is a suitable size to carry. However, if transportation is an issue, then a digital portfolio would suffice. If an applicant has physical sketchbooks, it would be useful to see these alongside a digital portfolio.

If the work has been produced digitally and has never been printed, then a digital portfolio would be appropriate.

If an applicant does wish to provide a digital portfolio, we would recommend bringing a backup of the images (e.g. USB stick), should there be any internet connection issues - a PDF document is the best format as this should be accessible on any computer. If an applicant isn’t sure how to create a PDF or doesn’t have access to software to create a PDF, a collection of .jpgs would be sufficient.