Portfolio

Applicants must submit a portfolio of creative work, which may include sketches, graphics, photographs, sculpture, technical drawing, or other non-visual creative content. 

  • Standard Admission Portfolio Content: In recognition that you do not have an architectural background, any variety of creative or technical work in your portfolio is acceptable. While we value work related to architecture and the built environment, it is not essential if you do not have prior architectural portfolio content. Your portfolio should reflect your academic background and potential for creative expression by including things such as personal drawings, paintings, sculptures, photography, crafts, or anything related to a design endeavor. Photography and creative writing such as poetry and music are also acceptable. Your portfolio can also include your technical abilities such as drafting, woodworking, construction, or metal work. Overall, the portfolio should display evidence of the potential for creative expression and critical inquiry. 
  • Advanced Standing Portfolio Content: A portfolio of architectural design work is required for all Advanced Standing applicants. The admissions committee is interested in the quality of the work, not the quantity, so applicants should limit the portfolio to no more than 20 pages. Architectural design work can be academic or professional. If multiple people worked on a project is included, applicants should indicate their contribution to the group-based project.  The committee strongly encourages applicants to include process work, hand drawings, and physical model images as well as final design drawings and 3D computer renderings. 

Submission Details 

All applications must include a portfolio submission in PDF format. Portfolio PDF files should be a singular multi-page PDF; print or bound portfolios or digital portfolios in formats other than PDF will not be accepted or reviewed.  

File size: PDF portfolio file should not exceed 6.0MB.  

Page dimensions and orientation: There are no requirements for portfolio page dimensions and orientation; these choices are up to each applicant. However, as a baseline, the committee recommends US Letter size (8.5”x11”) or Tabloid (11×17) pages formatted in a landscape orientation.  

Image Quality: Image and page resolution should be between 300 and 600 DPI to help reduce file size while providing acceptable graphic resolution. In the event the review committee requires additional information or higher resolution images, the applicant will be notified. 

Image enhancement: If the image files of your work are not accurate after photographing, image-editing software is allowed to correct the appearance of the files you are submitting. Please use caution. It is important to maintain the integrity of the original artwork. Images should be clear and free of reflections or ‘hot spots.’ 

Additional Portfolio Formatting Notes

To best show off your creative talents and personality, an applicant’s portfolio should have a clear format, structure, and flow. Below is a list of ways applicants may format and present their work; however, this is not an exhaustive or required list. Applicants are encouraged to be creative in formatting and designing their portfolio (which is another way to demonstrate creative abilities). 

  • Portfolios should include: 
    • A title page 
    • A table of contents 
    • Clearly delineated creative work submissions (ie. Project 1, 2, etc.) 
  • Each creative piece or sample should include a title, approximate date, and a brief description.  
  • Applicants should showcase their best work 
    • Limit the portfolio to no more than 10 pieces within the 20-page suggested limit. 
    • If you have more to showcase, note that some portfolios we have received have their last page used as an assortment/collage of other work.  
  • Portfolios must be submitted digitally in a PDF, and can be created using various software including, but not limited to one of the following: 
    • Adobe InDesign, Illustrator, and Photoshop 
    • Adobe Acrobat (create Portfolio) 
    • Microsoft Publisher or PowerPoint (saved as PDF)