dmu.ac.uk/internationalportfolio Portfolio Advice For international applicants Leicester School of Architecture
Contents Contents Introduction Welcome to the Leicester School of Architecture 3 Submission Submitting your portfolio 4 Portfolio advice for undergraduate courses Architecture BA (Hons) 6 Portfolio advice for postgraduate courses Architecture MArch Architectural Design MA 14 18 English Language support Centre for English Language Learning (CELL) 22 2
Welcome to the Leicester School of Architecture We welcome your application to be part of our lively school culture through the various programmes that we currently offer. You are applying to a famous and well-established school in the historic heart of England, the city of Leicester, with a long history of producing high calibre graduates who can be found making an impact to the world we live in. The Leicester School of Architecture was established in 1897 and we are a leading school offering innovative architectural education and professional programmes that are accredited by the RIBA, prescribed by the ARB, and listed by the CAA. Our academic and extracurricular calendars offer a highly charged atmosphere of stimulating architectural discourse in the form of projects in studios, exhibitions, lectures, workshops, seminars, events and conversations all year round within our community of renown academics, award winning architects, respected research scholars, our alumni and students. In current and recent years our students have won international and national prizes, so a large part of our community is the talented students who will be your classmates and friends. Our school is situated within the Faculty of Art, Design and Humanities, and benefits from being in a wider collection of creative disciplines academically, socially and in terms of resources. We are equipped with state of the art studios, workshops, digital imaging and fabrication support, and learning resources and spaces. The city of Leicester is multicultural community, well positioned in terms of access and intercity and international travel. It is a very well planned city where you access world-class sport, entertainment, culture, global range of cuisine, high technology and multi-faith worship facilities all within walking distance. We hope you find the following application portfolio advice useful, should you have any questions please feel free to contact our admissions team at adhadmissions@dmu.ac.uk. We thank you for your interest in our school and wish you the very best in your application, and hope that you will soon be part of the LSA community. Professor Raymond Quek Head of the Leicester School of Architecture Welcome 3
Submissions Submitting your portfolio For some courses we may wish to conduct an interview via telephone or Skype, so please ensure your contact details are correct. If you are living outside the UK we will ask you to send us samples of your work. There are three ways that you can do this: Option one - online submission You can submit a digital portfolio using our online portfolio submission website. Your portfolio could contain written work such as essays, artwork and moving images. Please present your artwork as either a PowerPoint presentation or one PDF. If you submit moving images such as animation or video, please use.mov,.avi or Quicktime format. Please save all of your files in one folder with your name as the title. You will need to compress/zip the folder. Once you have zipped your file you will need to submit it together with your name, UCAS or student reference number and the name of the course you are applying for at http://www.mailbigfile.com/dmuac Option two - Personal website You can also send us a link to a website that displays your work. The website must be public (no sign up, passwords or logins), written in English, and have clear navigation. Your website must render correctly in Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Firefox and Safari. Option three - CD/DVD/USB by recorded post You can also submit your portfolio by sending us digital files on a CD, DVD or USB memory device. Please label the disc/memory device clearly with your name, UCAS or student reference number and the name of the course you are applying for. Your portfolio could contain written work such as essays, artwork and moving images. Please present your artwork as either a PowerPoint presentation or one PDF. If you submit moving images such as animation or video, please use.mov,.avi or Quicktime format. Please ensure your CD, DVD or USB works on both a Mac and PC. Please send this by recorded post to ensure safe arrival. The address to post to is: Art, Design and Humanities Admissions Team De Montfort University The Gateway Leicester LE1 9BH United Kingdom 4
Portfolio advice Portfolio Advice Undergraduate courses 5
Architecture BA (Hons) Architecture BA (Hons) Your Portfolio As a vital part of your application we would ask you to submit a portfolio of work to demonstrate your creative and graphic skills. Please present your artwork as either a PowerPoint presentation or one PDF of approximately 20-30 pages/slides. Your choice need not be restricted solely to work you have submitted for examination and you may wish to include pages from sketch-books or any relevant research/studies that relates to architecture. What are we looking for? We are looking for evidence of a broad range of skills, therefore your portfolio might include: Freehand drawing/sketching Still life/figure drawing Drawing or sketching of buildings Graphic design you may include conceptual work Painting 3D work such as modelling or sculpting Photography CAD/Digital work 6
Architecture BA (Hons) Breadth of Portfolio We would like to see a good range of work that demonstrates your design skills, drawing ability and thought process. We want to see evidence of conceptual development and thorough investigative research. 7
Architecture BA (Hons) Freehand/Sketching Skills We would like to see a range of freehand sketches, which include observational and creative drawings. You need to demonstrate the breadth of your sketching ability where possible showing the use of a variety of media and subjects. We would like to see a range of approaches to drawing i.e. mark making, expressive, analytical etc. We want to see evidence of this kind of drawing, however, we appreciate ability may vary. Some of the examples shown below are from our students and we do not necessarily expect your work to be of the same standard. 8
Architecture BA (Hons) 3D Skills Drawings/Models We would like to see evidence of 3D exploration in both drawings and models. You must demonstrate a good understanding of perspective and the 3D form in your drawings as well as accurate model making skills using a variety of different materials. 9
Architecture BA (Hons) Visual/Conceptual Ideas We would like to see evidence of the development of ideas that are clearly communicated and a well composed set of drawings/illustrations. Qualitative Mapping MATERIALS Initial Sketches in response to site visit. Used for inspiration in the qualitative mapping assignment. With the main focus on the negative image, the shadows it casts as well as views and textures and the contrast in calm vertical lines to the chaotic horizontal traffic. The final output is a collation of these ideas. Fibre optics and concrete are the main elements to my design. The concrete allows the form of my building to flow and have and continuous feel to it, whilst also providing a practical casing for the light transmitting fibre optics. The fibre optics will be at the surface of the concrete on the facades of the building and then sink into the concrete as it penetrates thought the structure allowing for the natural light to enter into even the darkest parts of the building giving the building a natural light throughout, this counterpoised with such a heavy element as concrete will create and interesting contrast. I am have going to use dark wood to make louvre to go over a building high window of the front facade, to allow for privacy when having such a large transparent element. Mapping Work- Mapping Analysis; The main finding from the mapping assignment was the contrasting straight linear lines and the differing edges of the site details. For example the perpendicular lines of the surrounding buildings and the thick nesses of the edges. These bottom photos are of my experiments with the plaster and light transmitting properties. A route to pursue is the spatial layering within the site and to represent this in the final design proposal. There are distinct differing levels in the mapping this could be conveyed in the floor plans of the design. The building will consist of multiple floors, which are on split levels i.e. mezzanine However there is an issue is of privacy, as our design could overlook the neighbouring houses and visa versa. The building needs to take this into consideration. The way light filters through the mapping and creates shade, dark area and well lit places, these are important principals to use in the continuation of the houses design. 10 Luke Spence BA (Hons) Architecture
Architecture BA (Hons) Graphic Communication We would like to see evidence of accomplished graphic skills and visual communication demonstrated using a variety of graphic techniques. 11
Architecture BA (Hons) Evidence of interest in the subject Your portfolio needs to demonstrate a clear interest in architecture which could include any personal research or visits your have done to buildings that interest you. We would like to see evidence of the interest you have in the subject as well as any architects you find particularly interesting and why? 12
Portfolio advice Portfolio Advice Postgraduate courses 13
Architecture MArch Architecture MArch Your Portfolio Your portfolio should comprise of up to 30 images. We recommend your portfolio be A3 landscape and in the form of a PDF or PowerPoint presentation. We have set out how a portfolio should be arranged and designed, however, you should do it your way, but ensure all the contents are included. The design of the portfolio itself is one of the criteria we use to judge your suitability for the course. What are we looking for? We are looking for: Evidence of your eligibility to attend the programme Conceptual ability (ideas/content) 2D drawing, technical and presentational ability 3D drawing, making and presentational ability Work or relevant experience Portfolio arrangement and presentation Evidence of interest in subject (architectural cultural knowledge, initiative, motivation, self-directed study) Written communication References First Degree 14
Architecture MArch Your portfolio should itself be carefully designed and composed for easy examination with a cover with your name, as well as a contents page. Cover page The cover pages should display your name and current qualification. Contents page This should contain and index or the sections of the document. Include pagination. Degree (or equivalent) certificate page Please show a copy of your final year transcripts to the left of the page (please highlight or state which module(s)/unit(s) is/are the design one(s)). On the right of the page please display an image of your certificate. Transcripts page Please display the transcripts from previous years CV page On a single landscape page describe your career, achievements and interests to date and including activities such as field trips and extra-curricular architectural events attended/undertaken such as talks, workshops, competitions, courses etc. Preferably this page will be illustrated. References Please add details of your referees on one page. 15
Architecture MArch Personal Statement On a single page provide a short 500 word max personal statement (in English) describing your architectural ambitions, what kind of office/ architectural activity you would like to eventually undertake, what kind of buildings you would like to design, your favourite architects and/or buildings past and present and what you like about them this could be illustrated. Final year project 1. Introduction and brief - give the name and number of the module/unit, the title of the project, the location of the site and describe or show a copy of the brief. You can add some further explanations of what it was about if you wish. It could include an image of the finished design (one page only please). 2. Site analysis and context (one page only). 3. Precedent studies/design research (one page only). 4. Conceptual/feasability studies - developmental drawings and models need to be included (one page only). 5. Proposed plans - the ground floor must be in context, site plans should also be included (one or two pages). 6. Proposed sections and elevations - drawings must include context (one or two pages). 7. Detailed design - if the project included constructional/structural/environmental studies please include a summary (one page only). 8. 3D drawings/perspectives - hand drawn or digital models or a combination of both. If more than image is included, ensure the primary image is larger (one page only). 9. Photographs of model work - we are interested in real physical models not digital ones. If more than image is included, ensure the primary image is larger (one page only). Note: You may include more than one final year project, however, you must make a clear distinction between each project. 16
Architecture MArch Office experience These pages should just show typical examples of what you have worked on and should include a commentary explaining the extent of your involvement. Please show a small selection of the work you produced (one or two pages). Skills If you have other skills you think are relevant, but are not necessarily architectural, please include examples (one or two pages). Dissertation Reproduce your dissertation with two sides on each A3 landscape page take as many pages as you need (For example, if dissertation consits of eight pages then it will fit on four A3 landscape pages). 17
Architectural Design MA Architectural Design MA Your portfolio Your portfolio should comprise of up to 30 images. We recommend your portfolio be A3 landscape and in the form of a PDF or PowerPoint presentation. What are we looking for? We are looking for: Evidence of your eligibility to attend the course Evidence of interest in subject Conceptual ability (ideas/content) 2D and 3D drawing ability 3D digital modeling ability 3D physical modeling ability Portfolio presentation and clarity Work or relevant experience Written communication References First degree 18
Architectural Design MA Your portfolio should itself be carefully designed and composed for easy examination with a cover with your name. The pages should include the following and be clearly labeled: Cover page The cover pages should display your name and current qualification. Degree (or equivalent) certificate page Please show a copy of your undergraduate architecture (or other relevant subject) degree certificate CV page On a single landscape page describe your career, achievements and interests to date and including activities such as field trips and extra-curricular architectural events attended/undertaken such as talks, workshops, competitions, courses etc. Preferably this page will be illustrated. References Please add details of your referees on one page. Personal Statement On a single page provide a short 500 word max personal statement (in English) describing your architectural ambitions, what kind of office/ architectural activity you would like to eventually undertake, what kind of buildings you would like to design, your favourite architects and/or buildings past and present and what you like about them this could be illustrated. 19
Architectural Design MA Final year project 1. Introduction and brief - give the name and number of the module/unit, the title of the project and describe or show a copy of the brief. You can add some further explanations of what it was about if you wish. It could include an image of the finished design (one page only please). 2. Precedent studies/design research (one page only). 3. Conceptual studies - developmental drawings and models need to be included (one page only). 4. Proposed plans, sections and elevations - (one or two pages). 5. Detailed design - if the project included constructional/structural/environmental studies please include a summary (one page only). 6. 3D drawings/perspectives - hand drawn or digital models or a combination of both. If more than image is included, ensure the primary image is larger (one page only). 7. Photographs of model work - we are interested in real physical models not digital ones. If more than image is included, ensure the primary image is larger (one page only). Note: You may include more than one final year project, however, you must make a clear distinction between each project. 20
Architectural Design MA Office experience (if applicable) These pages should just show typical examples of what you have worked on and should include a commentary explaining the extent of your involvement. Please show a small selection of the work you produced (one or two pages). Skills If you have other skills you think are relevant, but are not necessarily architectural, please include examples (one or two pages). Dissertation Reproduce your dissertation with two sides on each A3 landscape page take as many pages as you need (For example, if dissertation consits of eight pages then it will fit on four A3 landscape pages). 21
English language support English language support Our Centre for English Language Learning (CELL) offers a number of courses throughout the year to help you achieve the level of English required for your course. We also offer language support to students once they arrive at DMU with weekly English classes and workshops. Accredited by the British Council - ensuring quality and high standards of teaching with regular monitoring and inspections A member of English UK, the National Association of Accredited English Language Centres A member of the British Association for Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes (BALEAP) Intensive General English Course (IGEC) By the end of the course you will be able to communicate effectively in English within everyday situations, read and write simple essays and be able to organise your studies and work on your own. English Language Preparation Programme (ELPP) This programme is divided into three courses, A, B, and C. Each course improves your skills and abilities in English for academic purposes up to a level suitable for degree level study. Pre-Sessional English course We run a Pre-Sessional course for five weeks from mid-august each year to prepare you for the start of your degree in September. Which English language courses do you need to take? The Leicester School of Architecture requires all students to have achieved the necessary IELTS standard before they start their course. For full details visit the Centre for English Language Learning website http://www.dmu.ac.uk/englishlanguage 22