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Illustration

Portfolio Requirements

Print these requirements by clicking here for a .pdf version. 

NOTE: These instructions are for portfolio preparation only. Do not submit or mail any portfolio items to FIT until you have applied and received your USERNAME, PASSWORD, and LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS in an email from the FIT Admissions Office.

As part of the requirements for admissions to Art and Design majors, applicants must submit original work for evaluation by the FIT faculty.

Because this presentation serves as a means of assessing your qualifications, we are unable to provide you with any additional guidance beyond what you receive here. Use this assessment as a means of demonstrating the caliber of your personal ability, evidence of your achievements and passion for your work.

Carefully follow instructions for each requirement requested. Your ability to do so will positively affect your overall assessment.

PART ONE: Illustration Portfolio Presentation 

CATEGORY ONE:  YOUR ORIGINAL DRAWINGS AND PAINTINGS CREATED FROM DIRECT OBSERVATION

Illustration seeks potential students who demonstrate significant drawing ability. The quality of your Direct Observation Images has the greatest influence in determining the level of your qualifications.

In this category, please submit only paintings and drawings produced directly from life. Applicants to the Illustration AAS program are expected to submit a competitive selection of original work that may include the following subject areas:

  • portraits/model drawings (e.g.: drawing of a life model, study of your hand, portrait of a relative) 
  • situations (e.g.: people sleeping, eating, watching TV) 
  • environments (e.g.: landscapes, a kitchen with untidy stacks of dishes, downtown at rush hour) 
  • conceptual (e.g.: self-portrait as an animal, a person turning to stone, a person as a machine) 
  • still life (e.g.: a study of old shoes, a bowl of flowers, an arrangement of fruits or vegetables)

Submit 7-10 images.

CATEGORY TWO:  ORIGINAL WORK CREATED FROM OTHER SOURCES

Please drawings, paintings, and digital imagery that are produced from photo reference and/or the artist’s imagination, as well as additional artwork derived from direct observation from life.

Submit 7-10 images.

CATEGORY THREE:  ILLUSTRATION DRAWING TEST CREATED FROM DIRECT OBSERVATION

For this test you will create one black and white drawing produced from direct observation using media such as conte, charcoal, pencil, ink, or watercolor. 

Draw a country or city scene:  Observe and depict an exterior scene, which might include a busy city street, your neighborhood, the local grocery store, the parking lot of a mall, your school, or even the exterior of the home you live in. Include figures, vehicles and other elements to bring interest to your rendering. Use perspective, composition, lighting and mood to capture a sense of time and place.

Submit 1drawing.

PART TWO: Written Essays

Please write essays (250 words or less) to answer the following questions:

  1. Describe one of your best artworks. How did you use your media, technique, composition, lighting, style and/or idea to make the image special? 
  2. Describe some of the unique qualities you have developed to become a productive artist. What are your greatest strengths, skills and achievements? 
  3. How have you evolved as an artist over the years? What people, experiences and other sources continue to inspire you to be creative?

Please also refer to our general Portfolio Requirements page.

Apply now.