Students from around the world visit Ringling College to attend National Portfolio Day that showcases over 40 accredited art and design schools across the nation on January 22, 2023 in Sarasota, FL.

Preparing Your Art Portfolio

Are you ready to start creating your art portfolio for college? Not sure where to start? Don’t worry, our major-specific portfolio guidelines listed below will help!

We understand that our applicants come from diverse backgrounds and have had varying levels of educational opportunity. So, as you prepare your portfolio, keep this in mind and know that Ringling College values your individualism and creative voice. We are simply looking for a portfolio that demonstrates your potential to succeed.

If you’ve been creating work for your high school classes, you should have lots of work to choose from. Choose work that shows your strengths. We want to see what you’ve got, from final pieces to works in progress from the pages of your sketchbook. Show us what materials you enjoy experimenting with, what topics you like to explore, and how you like to push your work to the next level.

Please submit only one portfolio. We do not need a duplicate portfolio in another program if you are still deciding on your major. All work submitted must be the student’s original creation and not made using Artificial Intelligence tools such as art generators, writing generators, or the work of others.

We look forward to reviewing your work! Please know that we are always here to help.

Contact

Office of Admissions
2700 North Tamiami Trail
Sarasota, FL 34234
admissions@ringling.edu

Schedule a Portfolio Review

Schedule a video appointment with one of our admissions counselors to review your art portfolio.

Suggestions and Guidelines

Need some ideas? Here are a few. Here are a few suggestions and guidelines for building your art portfolio for college.

Business of Art and Design

Business of Art and Design applicants fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting a short, written statement (3 pages maximum) that addresses the following:

  • Describes your interests in art, design, and the creative industries
  • Tells us why you wish to pursue a creative business degree and what you hope to achieve as a student here
  • Anything else that supports your interest in Business of Art and Design

Although not required, applicants may also submit visual work samples such as:

  • Design projects
  • Video, photography, or multimedia projects
  • Project presentations
  • Other creative projects

Computer Animation, Game Art, Illustration

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create an art portfolio for Ringling College, if you are applying for the Computer Animation, Game Art, or Illustration majors.

It’s important for us to see examples of drawing from life and direct observation. These can include:

  • Hands, feet, human figures, and animals
  • Representational drawing (drawing from life)
  • Interior and/or exterior environments

Important to remember:

Do not copy from another artist. Avoid clichés like anime, tattoo designs, dragons, or unicorns. At least half of your portfolio should consist of drawing from direct observation. Your ability to think creatively is important to us, so feel free to include pages from your sketchbook.

Note: The Computer Animation application deadline is January 15.

Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Entertainment Design

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create an art portfolio for Ringling College, if you are applying for Entertainment Design. Show us who you are as an artist and designer. You may include any visual artwork you have created-show us your imagination! We recommend including work that showcases basic drawing techniques (digital or traditional) with a focus on space and ideas.

Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Creative Writing

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create a Creative Writing portfolio for art college.

Creative Writing applicants fulfill the portfolio requirement by submitting a written portfolio that consists of two (2) things. Applicants must include a short, written statement (3 pages maximum) that addresses the following:

  • Your literary influences, specifically in terms of what you have learned from them, not just what/who you like.
  • The critical or creative issues you are interested in pursuing at Ringling College.
  • Your writing/career goals after you graduate with your undergraduate degree.
  • Anything else that supports your interest in Creative Writing.

In addition, applicants should submit well-edited, original writing in two or more of the following categories (excerpts of longer works are acceptable):

  • Fiction
  • Journalism
  • Creative Nonfiction
  • Poetry
  • Essays
  • Film scripts
  • Plays
  • Graphic novel/comic texts
  • Picture book texts


Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Film

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create a Film portfolio for Ringling College.

Film applicants may fulfill the art portfolio requirement by submitting two or more examples of film and or creative writing samples. Film is an amalgam of all the arts. So, you may certainly submit film work. But if you don't have film work, or film work that you feel best expresses your potential, you may submit writing of any kind (screenplays, short stories, poetry), drawings, paintings, photographs, or even experience with theater and/or dance. You may also include a short video of yourself taken with your cell phone talking about the pieces you have chosen to submit, and why you want to study Film at Ringling College.

Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Motion Design, Photography and Imaging

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create an art portfolio for Ringling College, if you are applying for Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Motion Design, or Photography and Imaging.

You may incorporate any or all of the following in your visual art portfolio:

  • Design projects
  • Photography, multimedia projects
  • Paintings, drawings, sketches
  • Images from your sketchbook


Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Virtual Reality Development

Virtual Reality Development applicants may submit a written statement or examples of visual artwork and past creative projects. For the written statement, applicants may submit an essay (maximum of 3 pages) describing their interest in virtual reality, technology, art, design, and the creative industries. Tell us what attracts you to virtual reality, what immersive experiences you have had, and what you hope to accomplish as a student. Please save your written statement as a PDF and submit it to SlideRoom. For further directions, please see “How do I submit my portfolio?” below in the FAQs.

You may also submit visual artwork or past creative projects including:

  • 3D Modeling and Animations
  • Creative programming examples
  • Sketches, drawings, and/or paintings
  • Digital images and/or mockups
  • Project presentations and/or Other creative projects

Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Visual Studies

Here are some examples and suggestions to help you create a Visual Studies art portfolio for Ringling College.

Visual studies applicants must submit a visual art portfolio.

You may incorporate any or all of the following:

  • Design projects
  • Illustration and animation
  • Photography, multimedia projects
  • Paintings, drawings, sketches from observation


Need help selecting pieces for your portfolio?

Contact Admissions for a virtual portfolio review here.

Porfolio Examples

Here are a few examples of student work that has been submitted as part of an art portfolio in the past.

FAQs

What is an art portfolio for college?

Your art portfolio for college is simply a collection of the best examples of your visual creative work and/or writing. Think of it as a means to show us how creative and talented you are! For helpful suggestions of what to include, please see the Suggestions & Guidelines section.

What if I don't have an art portfolio?

If you have not yet put together your art portfolio for college, don’t worry! We offer plenty of suggestions and exercises to get you started. Review the recommended list for each major and

see what you come up with! If you’re having trouble, feel free to reach out to us at admissions@ringling.edu.

Why does Ringling College require an art portfolio?

An art portfolio is our best indication of your potential to be successful in courses belonging to your major of interest. It also lets us get to know you as an artist in a way that goes beyond grades and test scores.

Can I get feedback on my art portfolio before I apply?

Of course! We are happy to help you. There are several ways to get feedback on your portfolio before you apply:
Video chat with an admissions counselor! Ask specific portfolio questions and learn a little more about what Ringling College has to offer. Setup a virtual portfolio review here.
Attend a National Portfolio Day at Ringling College or in many major cities around the US.

How does Ringling College evaluate art portfolios?

The art portfolio is an important part of your application. It helps us to determine your potential to be successful at Ringling College. We take into consideration how much instruction you’ve had, and we understand that high school programs vary greatly. We also look at your work as one part of your total application, along with your grades, difficulty of courses taken, recommendations, and application essay.

No two applications are alike, so we look at all of them individually. Successful artists, designers, and writers need to be creative thinkers, which is why we value your creativity as much, if not more, than your technical skills. We also understand that high school students are still developing as artists. Finding the perfect fit is essential. We firmly believe there is a perfect school for everyone.

How do I submit my art portfolio for Ringling College?

To submit your art portfolio, follow these easy steps:

  1. Go to www.commonapp.org and select Ringling College on the My Colleges tab
  2. Under Portfolio, select instructions
  3. Follow the link to the Ringling College of Art and Design Portfolio site, which will take you to SlideRoom.