Portfolio Requirements

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.

The Interior Design portfolio submission consists of a design test, original artwork, and written essays. We want to understand your creative process in both written and visual components. We ask that you put thought into your process and work to create original creative art that reflects your unique self-expression and special quirks. Because this is a test, we are unable to provide you with any additional information on how to execute the projects beyond what you receive here. In addition, we ask for neatness, a high quality of technical execution, and evidence of organizational skills. We want to see who you are in your design process.

PART ONE: Design Test

The Design Test is a very important part of the total portfolio evaluation. We request that you put thought and effort into the concept, design, and execution of these projects. We are looking for you to use a variety of visual expressions to communicate your ideas and concepts. Unless stated, you may execute the assignments in any media, such as mixed media, colored pencil, cut paper, collage, or painted media. At least one assignment should be executed in a three-dimensional format and one assignment should be a drawing (black and white or color). 

PROJECT ONE:  FLOOR PLAN

Draw the floor plan of a large room or space (example: living room, reception room, office, etc.) at a scale of ¼ inch = 1 foot (metric scale = 1:50). Indicate all furniture and architectural components (examples: doors, windows, columns, breaks in walls, etc.).
MEDIA: ink or pencil 

PROJECT TWO:  THREE-DIMENSIONAL DESIGN—Choice of Media/Emphasis on Color

Visually create your favorite room/space three-dimensionally. It may be a room from your past, present, or your imagination. It may be abstract or literal, but you should emphasize the emotional state/feeling (happy, sad) of the room/space and incorporate color as an expression of the space. This project can be executed with any materials or word choice. 

PROJECT THREE:  FURNITURE SKETCH—CHAIR

On sketch paper, draw freehand sketches of three different views of a chair you find interesting.
MEDIA: any color media (examples: marker, watercolor, color pencil or pastel) 

PROJECT FOUR:  DESIGN A FUNCTONAL OBJECT OR PIECE OF FURNITURE

Choose one artist. Research the artist’s design style and convey that style by visualizing a functional object(s) or piece(s) of furniture (table, lamp, sofa). Present your own design ideas on one sheet of paper using any media or type of drawing(s) (example: plan, elevation, perspective, etc.). Include the artist’s name and a picture of the artist’s work (your design inspiration) in a separate document.

PART TWO: Your Original Artwork 

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

Submit 8-10 pieces of what you believe to be the best examples of your work. Any artwork will be considered if it communicates your overall artistic ability, creativity, and design sense. We recommend that you draw from observation. Measured drawings (floor plans, elevations or perspectives) may be included, but are not required. You may include, but are not limited to watercolor, painting, collage cut out paper composition and Gouache painting.

Your portfolio should convey a sense of design; imagination and creativity; freehand drawing, sketching, visualization ability; sensitivity to color, line, proportion, texture and materials; analysis of form; diversity of interest in related arts, crafts, or technology (examples: sculpture, graphics, ceramics, textile design, photography, computer graphics, etc.) 

PART THREE: Written Essays

1. In 250 words or less, please list what newspapers, magazines and/or websites to you view on a regular basis? 
2. If you had to choose only three words to describe yourself, what would they be? 
3. In 250 words or less, please describe what you believe the profession Interior Design to be, and why you with to enter this profession.

Please also refer to our general Portfolio Requirements page.

Apply now.