PORTFOLIO REVIEW APPLICATION FORM To ensure the program s success, the Department of Art requires all applicants to submit a portfolio review application form for the Graphic Design Concentration within the Art Major. Acceptance into the program is based on a face-to-face interview and evaluation of the portfolio along with other materials outlined in the application to Binghamton University. Students not currently enrolled at Binghamton University must complete a Binghamton University undergraduate application (all supporting documents outlined in that application) to the Binghamton University s Admissions Office at least two weeks prior to the selected portfolio review date. For more information see: http://www2.binghamton.edu/admissions/ CONTENT CHECKLIST o Application Please mail the application form on page 2 along with your statement of interest and required assignment to: Graphic Design Portfolio Review Committee Binghamton University Department of Art P.O. Box 6000 Binghamton, New York 13902-6000 o Statement of Interest Your application must include a brief, typed essay of 200 350 words describing your interests and ambitions as an artist and graphic designer. o Required Assignment Each applicant is required to complete an assignment and submit it with their application and statement of interest. Directions are given on page 4. The assignment should be submitted in the original format. o Portfolio Review All students must make an appointment to show their portfolio in person. See page 3 for more information about preparing your portfolio for the interview. Skype is a trademark of Microsoft/Skype.
APPLICATION Use this form to request a date for a portfolio review and to notify the Department of Art of your intention to apply for the Graphic Design Concentration within the Art Major. The Department of Art must receive all components of your portfolio review application form at least two weeks prior to the selected date. Last Name First Name Middle Date of Birth Address City State Zip Email Check online for current portfolio dates: http://www2.binghamton.edu/art/graphicdesign.html or email fareview@binghamton.edu Phone APPLICANT STATUS o Freshman o Transfer Student o Current Harpur College Student o Current School of Management, Watson, Decker and CCPA Students (Binghamton University students who are not currently Harpur students must also submit an application to the Office of Admissions for an Intra-University Transfer or Dual Degree status). page 2
PORTFOLIO REVIEW To be accepted into the Graphic Design Concentration within the Art Major prospective students must complete a face-to-face portfolio review. Face-to-face portfolio reviews are required so that prospective students may receive direct feedback about their portfolio from faculty members. Decisions are only made once the applicant has submitted a completed application to the university. Final admission decisions are not made at face-to-face portfolio reviews. Current Binghamton University students should receive a decision regarding their admission to the Graphic Design Concentration within two weeks of the portfolio review. REQUIREMENTS AND INSTRUCTIONS o Applicants should have a portfolio of 12-20 pieces that represent your best and most recent work, presented as professionally as possible. o It is not necessary to add extra work if it is not consistently strong (quality over quantity). o Your portfolio can include examples of drawing, painting, photographs, digital media, design and three-dimensional work. o All of your work should be your own original artwork, we will not keep any of your work. o If any of your work requires a computer to be seen and evaluated, please bring a laptop with you to the interview. o Be prepared to discuss your work with the graphic design faculty. For example, describe assigned class projects and your solution to each problem. If the work was self-directed, tell us about your ideas and concepts. o Confirmed applicants for the portfolio review are asked to check in to the Fine Arts Building, Green Room, 15 minutes before your assigned time. o If you have any questions, please contact: fareview@binghamton.edu page 3
REQUIRED ASSIGNMENT Select from any source: One identification device (a logo, logotype, visual mark, or signature see definitions below) that you think is a successful design, and one identification device that you think is an unsuccessful design. Definitions: A logotype is made of uniquely-treated letters which create a customized word-form. IBM s trademark is a well-known example of a logotype. A device that has no letter-forms. The CBS eye trademark is a well-known example of a visual mark. A signature is the combination of a visual mark and an organization s name in an established configuration. The American Red Cross trademark (where the cross visual mark appears in red, and the organization s name in black) is a well-known example of a signature. PART 1 SUCCESSFUL DESIGN o Make a copy of a logo that you consider to be a successful design. The copy, or paper on which it is placed, should be 8.5" x 11". The logo should be in color (if it exists in color) or only black and white (if it does not). o Analyze the logo, stating why you think it is a successful design. Your analysis must be on a separate 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper and should be typed (no more than one page double spaced). PART 2 UNSUCCESSFUL DESIGN o Make a copy of the logo that you consider to be an unsuccessful design. The copy, or paper on which it is placed, should be 8.5" x 11". The identifier should be in color (if it exists in color) or only black and white (if it does not). o Analyze the logo, stating why you think it is an unsuccessful design. Your analysis must be on a separate 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper and should be typed (no more than one page double spaced). o Design an improved version of this logo, and visually render it on a separate 8.5" x 11" sheet of paper. You may use any medium or process, but you may not change the name of the company or organization, though you may shorten its name for use in the new identifier. You are limited to the use of two colors (black is considered a color). EVALUATION CRITERIA FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT: o Analytical abilities o Writing skills o Creativity and visualization skills IBM, CBS and the Red Cross logos are all copywrited by their respective companies. page 4
FAQS FOR STUDENTS APPLYING TO THE UNIVERSITY Should I wait for the letter of acceptance into Binghamton University before applying to the Graphic Design Concentration within the Art Major or do I apply to the program before I am accepted into the University? You must submit your University application at least two weeks prior to the portfolio review date you select on your Graphic Design Concentration application. You do not need to wait for the University notification before your portfolio review. What happens if I am accepted into the University, but not the Graphic Design Concentration? You may elect to pursue another major at the University, or pursue another concentration within the Art Major. You are also eligible to seek enrollment in entry-level art courses. I am a transfer student. Can I still apply to the Graphic Design Concentration? Yes, but the program requires a minimum of two years in residence to complete it. For this reason, it is unusual for a student to be accepted into the Graphic Design Concentration later than the first semester of their junior year. If you are accepted into the program later than this, you should expect to spend additional time at the University completing the Art Major and Graphic Design Concentration. I live very far from Binghamton University, and am not able to come to campus for an interview. Can I still apply to the program? Email fareview@binghamton.edu for other options. If I am not accepted into the Graphic Design Concentration, may I reapply? Students may apply to the Graphic Design Concentration no more than twice. A student who is not accepted into the program must wait until the next semester to reapply. page 5
FAQS FOR CURRENT DEGREE-SEEKING STUDENTS AT BINGHAMTON UNIVERSITY I am currently a student in Harpur College, and I d like to apply for the Graphic Design Concentration within the Studio Art Major. What is the process? Current Harpur students must be admitted to the Graphic Design Concentration no later than the second semester of their sophomore year. The application process is the same. You do not need to have completed the introductory courses in the Art Major to apply; however, please be aware that if you have not completed any courses in the major and you are admitted as a sophomore, it may be impossible for you to complete all the courses for the concentration and the major within your next four semesters. I am currently a student in CCPA/Decker/ SOM/Watson, and I d like to apply for the Graphic Design Concentration within the Studio Art Major. Is my process any different? Is it important to include a variety of media, or work in the medium I plan to pursue? While it is good to demonstrate your ability in a variety of media, the guiding principle in selecting your work is that it best represent your abilities as an artist. In general, it is better to submit several strong pieces in the same medium than to submit weak work in a variety of media. The committee is looking for the specific qualities listed above, not for technical proficiency in the field you plan to pursue. If, after reading the instructions carefully, I still have questions who can I contact? Questions about the Portfolio Review Application should be sent to fareview@binghamton.edu If you are not a current Harpur student, you will need to be admitted to Harpur College before you can declare any Harpur major, including art. In addition to completing the Graphic Design Concentration application, you will need to complete an application for an Intra-University Transfer to Harpur College, or a Dual Degree application, and submit it to the Office of Admissions. page 6