Portfolio Guidance

BA (Hons) Horology – Physical Portfolios

It is important to note that you are not required to create a portfolio for your interview. However, bringing one along with you would be useful as a point of reference during your interview, not only to show your Horological interest but to act as a window into your mind and your ability.

What you choose to include in your portfolio is subjective to you and your interests. However, if you’re struggling with ideas about what to include or how to structure it, take a look at the guidance below:

Content

1. Include examples of activity that illustrate the right mind set to approach Horological work, so paying close attention to detail, working with small mechanisms, practical 3D thinking, problem solving, patience, cleanliness, planning, applying a considered focused approach to the task in hand.
2. Aim to show three or four examples that illustrate the point above, not all the same but examples of different skills.
3. We would like to see a practical ability and evidence, if possible, of existing interest in the subject area. This could be through exhibition visits, Design technology projects, hobbies, knowledge of particular “famous” clocks or watches.
4. Please present your portfolio in an A4 folder with clear titles, descriptive passages and images with supporting text or vice versa.
5. There is no set way to structure your portfolio, but we would advise that you arrange it in an orderly way that allows you to talk through it confidently. A well organised portfolio shows a well organised mind!
6. We like to see 3D pieces, but photos are acceptable if objects are too large or fragile to transport.

Skills we would like to see

1. A practical ability and evidence, if possible, of existing interest in the subject area.
2. Attention to detail.
3. Practical 3D thinking
4. Problem-solving
5. Patience

Preparing for your interview

If you are bringing a portfolio we suggest practising speaking about it, as we will ask you about the work you’ve chosen to include. Be prepared to talk about your interests, why you want to join the BA (Hons) Horology course at Birmingham City University and how you have worked in the past.

Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, but it’s a conversation to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them.

BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects – Physical Portfolios

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

1. Examples of the type of work that can be included are: sketchbooks, design sheets in any medium, samples of material exploration, jewellery and/or objects made. Please feel free to include any work you think is relevant.
2. There is no preferred folder size, but try to pick a size that is easy for you to carry.
3. Try to structure your portfolio in a chronological way that shows your most recent work first, and reflects a genuine relevance and interest in the subject area.
4. Include a project brief and ensure your work is clearly labelled, that projects are titled, that sheets/sleeves/artefacts are named and include a dated cover page for projects if necessary.

Skills we would like to see

1. Use of a visible design process for idea development
2. Willingness to experiment using a range of media, materials and technologies
3. Any relevant work you’ve created outside of academia
4. Innovation and enquiry

Preparing for your portfolio review

The last part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and what made you apply to the course during your portfolio review. Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, but 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:

1. Why are you applying to Birmingham City University?
2. What are your career aspirations?
3. Out of the work you have chosen to include in your portfolio, which aspect are you particularly proud of and why?

BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects – Digital Portfolios

The content of your digital portfolio and the skills it demonstrates should be the same as if you were creating a physical portfolio. The only difference is that you will need to submit your portfolio through your applicant portal rather than physically bring it in for us to see.

Take a look at the course specific guidance below for help with putting your BA (Hons) Jewellery and Objects digital portfolio together.

Content

1. Examples of the type of work that can be included are scans or photos of: sketchbooks, design sheets in any medium, samples of material exploration, jewellery and/or objects made. This is not an exhaustive list so please feel free to include any other work that you think is relevant.
2. Try to structure your portfolio in a chronological way that shows your most recent work first, and reflects a genuine relevance and interest in the subject area.
3. Include a project brief and ensure your work is clearly labelled, that projects are titled and that page/artefacts are named through annotations.

Skills we would like to see

1. Use of a visible design process for idea development
2. Willingness to experiment using a range of media, materials and technologies
3. Any relevant work you’ve created outside of academia
4. Innovation and enquiry

Format

1. Submit your work as one PDF file.
2. Your digital portfolio should be no more than 2MB. Please compress your file if it exceeds the limit.
3. 3D work can be represented by including a few photographs of the work from different angles. Remember to show a sense of scale.
4. Ensure your work has a good screen resolution and present it in the order you would like it to be seen in.
5. To help your reviewer get a better understanding of you and your portfolio please include annotations where relevant.

HND Jewellery and Silversmithing – Physical Portfolios

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

1. Examples of the type of work that can be included are: paintings, drawings, designs, sketchbooks, 3D models, CAD design work, any jewellery you have made.
2. We’re looking for quality rather than quantity so there is no set limit for the amount of work you should include. Try to include as much as possible, focusing on offering the best work you have produced.
3. Similarly there is no preferred folder size, but we’d advise that you don’t use a folder that is bigger than A1 as it may be impractical for you to carry.
4. We like to see 3D pieces, but photos are acceptable if objects are too large or fragile to transport.
5. Include design projects from start to finish as they allow us to see the design-thinking and design-processes in action.
6. Work outside of prescribed school/college work is always very welcome. For example, if you’ve been making work in a part-time job or a night-class, include this.
7. In terms of the structure, it is best if the portfolio corresponds to the layout of the sketchbooks if these are being presented.
8. Portfolios should, where possible, be presented by project, with materials relating to each other in the same section. Chronological presentation if useful but not essential.

Skills we would like to see

1. The ability to think in three-dimensions.
2. Problem-solving.
3. Visualisation of processes.
4. Evidence that you’re enthused by the subject, or by the subjects you have chosen to explore.

Preparing for your portfolio review

The last part of putting your portfolio together is to practise speaking about it, as we will ask you about your work and what made you apply to the course during your portfolio review. Be prepared to talk about your interest, passion and how you have worked in the past. It would also be useful to have examples of problem-solving skills where you’ve solved problems in the past.

Remember, this isn’t to put you on the spot, but it’s a dialogue to help us understand your aspirations and how the course fits them.