Game Art (BFA) Portfolio Requirements

The Game Art major at Champlain College is a visual art program focused on the creation of 2-D and 3-D art assets and animation for games. To be successful, students must enter the program with a strong aesthetic ability and a passion for creating visual art using both traditional and digital media. As part of the application for admission into the Game Art major, Champlain College requires the submission of a portfolio consisting of seven or more works of art, submitted in five separate files.

One portfolio consisting of seven or more (7+) pieces—contained in five (5) separate files—including:

1

One PDF file consisting of three (3) pages (one drawing per page) that contain the following observational drawings from life, created with traditional media (e.g. pencil, pen, charcoal, paint, etc.):

  • One still life
  • One perspective drawing
  • One portrait

2

Four (4) additional files that include any combination of the following (you don't have to include all of these and you may submit multiple samples through multipage PDF files):

  • Drawings and paintings created using traditional media
  • Drawings and paintings created using digital media
  • 2-D or 3-D characters you have designed
  • 2-D or 3-D environments you have created
  • 3-D models, with or without textures
  • 2-D or 3-D animations
  • Traditional or digital sculpture
  • Please do not include work that copies photographs by using paintovers or the grid method-although photos may be used for reference. Do not include AI generated artwork. Do not directly replicate another artist's work (including replicating anime drawings, cartoons, or video game character designs). Please do not include anime style drawings in your portfolio. They don't tell us enough about your aesthetic ability.
  • Please include a title and description for each piece.
  • If possible, show us your process for one of your pieces. For example, include your sketches as well as the final piece.
  • If you have more quality pieces, we would like to see them. We suggest putting similar images into a single PDF file. For example, traditional drawings could be put in one PDF file and presented as one body of work, digital work in another PDF file, and multiple animations could be edited into one movie file (no longer than one minute). Make sure the PDF files are nicely formatted with one image per page.

Submitting Your Project

Upload your files to Slideroom and finish the application by answering the last questions about yourself in the online form.

Submit

How the Portfolio Will Be Evaluated

Faculty members from Champlain College's Game Art program will evaluate the submissions for skill, visual aesthetics, artistic practice, subject matter, and art appreciation. Students should concentrate on demonstrating the depth of their artistic talent. Quality is preferred over quantity. Please take time when answering the questions on the form. Good communication is an important quality for game artists, and it's one we value.

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Admissions Application Deadlines

Application DatesDecision Release Dates*
Early Decision I November 15 Mid December
Early Decision II December 15 Mid January
Regular Decision January 15
Mid-February/Early March
Extended Regular Decision February 15 Mid-to-late March
Transfer Priority Deadline: June 1 Rolling
Spring Enrollment**
Priority Deadline: October 1 Rolling

All deadlines are 11:59 PM (Eastern Standard Time)

File the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) to ensure that your financial aid award includes all of the institutional and federal aid you are eligible to receive.

Champlain's FAFSA code is 003684

*Decision release dates are contingent on receiving all requisite application materials by the stated deadlines, including transcripts and portfolios, if required.
**Certain majors are not eligible for Spring enrollment.