Graphic Design & Visual Communication (BFA) Portfolio Requirements

To be fully considered for admission into the Graphic Design & Visual Communication major, students must submit the following to Slideroom for Portfolio Review:

One portfolio consisting of five or more (5+) pieces:

1

Your portfolio should consist of a minimum of five work samples, contained within five separate files. You may submit a maximum of 10 work samples, not to exceed five individual files, by consolidating multiple pieces of work into a multipage PDF file. Please include a brief description of each piece. NOTE: Please do not submit more than 10 pieces in total. Your work should include:

  1. A minimum of two (2) drawing examples rendered in pencil, charcoal, or ink, or any combination. Please include a brief written description of each.
  2. A minimum of three (3) pieces formatted as PDFs, photos or scans of the original works, or as any of the file types accepted by Slideroom. Please include a brief written description of each.

2

Choose one piece from your portfolioindicate which one you've selected—and write a concise narrative statement (between 150–250 words) about the work that answers the following:

  1. Under what circumstances was the piece created (class project, for personal pleasure, for an art display, etc.)?
  2. Tell us about your process for creating it. Which mediums did you use? How does the piece demonstrate your passion for designing and creating?
  3. What was the most enjoyable and challenging part of the process when you created the piece?
  4. What does the piece communicate?
  5. What do you think the piece tells us about you as a person? How does it convey your values, your abilities, and your aspirations?
    NOTE
    : Please be sure to indicate which piece you are writing about.

Please contact your Admissions Counselor for specific questions about the Graphic Design & Visual Communication portfolio requirement.

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

Portfolios will be evaluated on observational drawing skills, creativity, visual communication and concept.

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We Are a Test-Optional School

Champlain is a test-optional school. What does that mean to you as an applicant? If you would like us to consider your standardized test scores, by all means, feel free to include them with your submitted application. If you would rather us consider your application without them, we are happy to do that as well.

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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.