Portfolio guidance
To support your application you will be asked to bring your portfolio to an Applicant Taster Day. Your portfolio is an opportunity to show us who you are, your creative ability and your potential.
This page provides a detailed insight into how to submit the best possible portfolio for your course. Please note that if you are applying to the following courses you will not need to submit a portfolio:
- BA (Hons) Fashion Branding and Communication
- BA (Hons) Fashion Business and Promotion
Please select the course you are applying for
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BA (Hons) Costume Design and Practice
It is important to note that portfolios are subjective so what you choose to include is up to you, but if you’re struggling with ideas of what to include or how to structure it take a look at the following guidance:
Content
- Aim to include 4-5 projects, or 15-20 pieces of work.
- There is no preferred folder size, but if you choose to use a folder we’d advise that you don’t use one that is bigger than A1 as it may be impractical for you to carry. An A2 or A3 folder is sufficient.
- Include relevant work related to the subject area of costume design, but also show us who you are as a creative practitioner. Show ideas generation, experimentation and development, and include a cross-section of ideas to evidence your creative interests.
- Show examples of drawings; these should include fashion sketches, life-drawings and observational drawings. You can also include textiles, print ideas photographs, three-dimensional work, garments and anything else relevant to the area of creative practice.
- You are welcome to bring in 3D pieces, but photos are acceptable if objects are too large or fragile to transport. If you do take photos, please ensure they are clear and show a sense of scale, texture, material, colour and context.
- Try to show one full project from start to finish with the preparatory drawings included. Annotations are helpful as they show how you research and reflect on the development of your work.
- Include one to three final pieces that you are able to talk about. This might include garments or accessories.
- Bring along your sketchbook/s, as this will give us an understanding of how you think (through your annotations) and allow us to see the development of your drawing.
- There is no set way to order your portfolio, but we would advise that you arrange it in an orderly way that allows you to talk through it confidently. For example, you may find it useful to cluster your portfolio into projects, or put it in a chronological order, or start and finish with your best pieces.
- If you are mounting your work ensure you take care to cut things carefully, glue things neatly and keep edges tidy. If you would are presenting your portfolio in an unusual way, keep it clean crisp, elegant.
Skills we would like to see
- Skills in relation to colour and materials.
- Drawing.
- Composition.
- Individuality.
- Use of a visible design process for idea development.
- Willingness to experiment using a range of media, fabrics and technology.
- Evidence of an understanding and love of text as you will be working with books, scripts and poetry on the course.
- A passion for costume
Preparing for your portfolio review
The final part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and your interest in the course during your portfolio review.
Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, it's a dialogue to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them. When preparing for your review consider the following questions:
- Why have you chosen to apply to BA (Hons) Costume Design and Practice at Birmingham City University?
- Who or what inspires you?
- What are your aspirations?
Format for digital portfolios
If you have been asked to submit a digital version of your portfolio, please follow the guidance below.
- Submit your work as one PDF or PowerPoint file.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Ensure your work has a good screen resolution.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF or PowerPoint. Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password.
BA (Hons) Fashion Design
It is important to note that portfolios are subjective so what you choose to include is up to you, but if you’re struggling with ideas of what to include or how to structure it take a look at the following guidance:
Content
- Aim to include 4-5 projects, or 15-20 pieces of work.
- There is no preferred folder size, but if you choose to use a folder we’d advise that you don’t use one that is bigger than A1 as it may be impractical for you to carry. An A2 or A3 folder is sufficient.
- Include relevant work related to the subject area of fashion design, but also show us who you are as a creative practitioner. Show ideas generation, experimentation and development, and include a cross-section of ideas to evidence your creative interests.
- Show examples of drawings; these should include fashion sketches, life-drawings and observational drawings. You can also include textiles, print ideas photographs, three-dimensional work, garments and anything else relevant to the area of creative practice.
- You are welcome to bring in 3D pieces, but photos are acceptable if objects are too large or fragile to transport. If you do take photos, please ensure they are clear and show a sense of scale, texture, material, colour and context.
- Try to show one full project from start to finish with the preparatory drawings included. Annotations are helpful as they show how you research and reflect on the development of your work.
- Include one to three final pieces that you are able to talk about. This might include garments or accessories.
- Bring along your sketchbook/s, as this will give us an understanding of how you think (through your annotations) and allow us to see the development of your drawing.
- There is no set way to order your portfolio, but we would advise that you arrange it in an orderly way that allows you to talk through it confidently. For example, you may find it useful to cluster your portfolio into projects, or put it in a chronological order, or start and finish with your best pieces.
- If you are mounting your work ensure you take care to cut things carefully, glue things neatly and keep edges tidy. If you would are presenting your portfolio in an unusual way, keep it clean crisp, elegant.
Skills we would like to see
- Skills in relation to colour and materials.
- Drawing.
- Composition.
- Use of a visible design process for idea development.
- Willingness to experiment using a range of media, fabrics and technology.
- An understanding and love of fashion, evidenced in visits to galleries, museums, and a good knowledge of fashion designers.
Preparing for your portfolio review
The final part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and your interest in the course during your portfolio review.
Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, it's a dialogue to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them. When preparing for your review consider the following questions:
- Why have you chosen to apply to BA (Hons) Fashion Design at Birmingham City University?
- Who or what inspires you?
- What are your aspirations?
Format for digital portfolios
If you have been asked to submit a digital version of your portfolio, please follow the guidance below.
- Submit your work as one PDF or PowerPoint file.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Ensure your work has a good screen resolution.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF or PowerPoint. Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password.
BA (Hons) Garment Technology
It is important to note that portfolios are subjective so what you choose to include is up to you, but if you’re struggling with ideas of what to include or how to structure it take a look at the following guidance:
Content
- Aim to include 4-5 projects, or 15-20 pieces of work.
- There is no preferred folder size, but if you choose to use a folder we’d advise that you don’t use one that is bigger than A1 as it may be impractical for you to carry. An A2 or A3 folder is sufficient.
- Include relevant work related to the subject area of fashion design and technical garment knowledge, e.g. garment manufacturing sequence, but also show us who you are as a creative practitioner. Show ideas generation, experimentation and development, and include a cross-section of ideas to evidence your creative interests.
- Show examples of drawings; these should include fashion sketches, life-drawings and observational drawings. You can also include textiles, print ideas photographs, three-dimensional work, garments and anything else relevant to the area of creative practice.
- You are welcome to bring in 3D pieces, but photos are acceptable if objects are too large or fragile to transport. If you do take photos, please ensure they are clear and show a sense of scale, texture, material, colour and context.
- Try to show one full project from start to finish with the preparatory drawings included. Annotations are helpful as they show how you research and reflect on the development of your work.
- Include one to three final pieces that you are able to talk about. This might include garments or accessories.
- Bring along your sketchbook/s, as this will give us an understanding of how you think (through your annotations) and allow us to see the development of your drawing.
- There is no set way to order your portfolio, but we would advise that you arrange it in an orderly way that allows you to talk through it confidently. For example, you may find it useful to cluster your portfolio into projects, or put it in a chronological order, or start and finish with your best pieces.
- If you are mounting your work ensure you take care to cut things carefully, glue things neatly and keep edges tidy. If you would are presenting your portfolio in an unusual way, keep it clean crisp, elegant.
Skills we would like to see
- Skills in relation to colour and materials.
- Drawing.
- Composition.
- Use of a visible design process for idea development.
- Willingness to experiment using a range of media, fabrics and technology.
- Evidence of an understanding and love of garments, how they are cut and made, along with an enquiring and engaging mind.
Preparing for your portfolio review
The final part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and your interest in the course during your portfolio review.
Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, it's a dialogue to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them. When preparing for your review consider the following questions:
- Why have you chosen to apply to BA (Hons) Garment Technology at Birmingham City University?
- Who or what inspires you?
- What are your aspirations?
Format for digital portfolios
If you have been asked to submit a digital version of your portfolio, please follow the guidance below.
- Submit your work as one PDF or PowerPoint file.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Ensure your work has a good screen resolution.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF or PowerPoint. Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password.
BA (Hons) Textile Design (all pathways)
It is important to note that portfolios are subjective, but if you’re struggling with ideas of what to include or how to structure it take a look at the following guidance:
Content
- 20-25 sheets of work in an A2 or A1 folder. It’s not too big of a problem if your work is held within plastic sheets, but we’d ask you to avoid presenting it this way to prevent any light glare on your work during your review. This also cuts the cost to you and weight to carry.
- Examples of the type of work that can be included are: drawings, paintings, collages, photos, visual research, Photoshop work, longer length studies, still lifes, architectural studies, garments, fashion visualisations, material studies and material testing and manipulation.
- You can also include three dimensional pieces, but please only bring these in if they’re easy to carry. Alternatively you can take a series of photographs that include a sense of scale in relation to objects around it.
- Evidence of one to two design projects from start to finish, including: research, sketchbooks, design developments, materials samples, processes used, and what the work is being designed for as an end project.
- Journals and sketchbooks, including 2-3 sketchbook projects.
- Work you have created outside of your course.
- Start your portfolio with your best or favourite piece of work and include several pieces you can discuss or explain well.
Skills we would like to see
- Skills in relation to colour and materials.
- Craft and practical skills such as taking care to cut things carefully, gluing things neatly and trimming edges.
- Design skills showing a key interest in textiles even if you haven’t studied the subject before.
- A breadth of your personal interests and what excites you.
Preparing for your portfolio review
The final part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and your interest in the course during your portfolio review.
Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, it's a dialogue to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them.
Format for digital portfolios
If you have been asked to submit a digital version of your portfolio, please follow the guidance below.
- Submit your work as one PDF or PowerPoint file.
- Your digital portfolio should be no more than 10MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
- Ensure your work has a good screen resolution.
- Add any links to video, animations, and moving image work to your PDF or PowerPoint. Please check that these links work before you submit your portfolio and that they can be easily accessed. We will not be able to view links that require a password.