BFA Admissions

200-Level

DESIGN: Students must complete all 100-level classes before taking 200-level classes. Check with the secretary at 801.422.8773 for information on level advancement.

STUDIO: Students must complete all 100-level classes before taking 200-level classes. Check with the secretary at 801.422.7321 for information on level advancement.

300-Level

BFA DESIGN: Students may apply for the BFA program at the completion of their 200-level course work. Those accepted are invited to continue into the BFA programs and are permitted to enroll in specified BFA courses at the next academic level. Contact the Department Office for further information at 801.422.8773.

BFA STUDIO: Students in may apply for the BFA program at the completion of their 200-level course work. Contact the HFAC Department office for further information at 801.422.7321.

Students not accepted into BFA degree programs may elect to continue studies in the Bachelor of Arts (BA) program in Visual Arts.

To apply, applicants must already be an accepted Visual Arts student and then fulfill the following requirements:

1. Complete all required 100-level courses and 200-level courses as listed on the Visual Arts MAP sheet for your major whether required or suggested on the chart at the end of this packet. Any Exceptions must be approved by the major’s area head before applying.

2. Applications for the Department of Visual Arts are still in paper form. Please pick up a copy in E509 HFAC. Students must have the application completed by the due date.

3. Paper copies of the Application can be found in E509 HFAC. Graphic Design, Photography and Illustration require actual work to be submitted for the Portfolio. All students are required to submit a portfolio which represents their best work. The Studio Arts students will submit their portfolios on a CD to be handed in with the Application. Design students must submit 15-25 images, and Studio applicants should include 15-20 in their applications.

4. A current Progress Report must be included in the application. Applicants in Studio areas need to remember that a current picture and confirmation of a faculty member agreeing to be the student’s advisor are also required in the application.

NOTE: Applicants will receive notification regarding their BFA status in two to four weeks after the review, and should not call the Department office to find out if they have been accepted.

NOTE: Students will not be cleared to take the next level of classes until they have completed the requisite portfolio review and been accepted.

Deadlines

Studio Disciplines (Drawing, Painting, Printmaking, Sculpture & Ceramics) are due by 5 p.m., April 1 and December 1. The portfolios are made up of images on a CD and must be turned in with the applications.

Design disciplines (Graphic Design, Illustration, & Photography) are due by 5 p.m., April 1 and August 1. The portfolios are actual work.

[ DESIGN AREAS ]

An applicant’s portfolio should contain the best work from previous classes. Work will be judged on design skills, originality/creativity, drawing skill, and craftsmanship. The faculty review committee will also discuss work ethic, attitude, progress, and commitment—these are considered to be of major importance. The most important work is from the courses in the applicant’s major. If any of the required courses were waived or substituted, please indicate this on the application.

Illustration

Portfolios are judged on drawing skill, design, and creativity. We give preference to applicants with strong figure drawing skills. Drawing from life, which is directly from the subject (people, animals, buildings, trees, still-life, etc.) rather than from photographs, is the best representation of the applicant’s potential talent and level of preparation and, therefore, is given more weight than drawings from cartoons, comics, or photographs in magazines. We are also interested in the applicant’s creativity, which may be shown in personal paintings or illustrations that tell stories or develop conceptual ideas. A letter of intent and picture are not required when applying to this area.

Other portfolio suggestions:

• The most important work to this review is from an applicant’s major courses, particularly VAILL 251, “Illustration 1,” and VAILL 252, “Intermediate Life Drawings”
• Work from life is essential to the review portfolio, therefore, the applicant must include up to 15 samples of figure drawings from live models
• All work must be original—work submitted for review must not be copied from other artists’ works. We will not consider copies of cartoon characters (or derivative works based on them) or drawings based on pictures from magazines or books
• Sketchbooks are also essential and should contain studies from life and/or imagination. They should not contain classroom notes or thumbnails for class assignments
• Personal works (outside class assignments) are also useful elements of a review portfolio and may be included
• Work from VASTU classes is also appropriate to include
• Work must have been created during the sophomore year—do not include foundations or high school work

Photography

Submit your best work from high school and college courses, outside work, etc. in digital form only for the freshman review and print work only for the transfer and BFA review. Sequencing, variety, themes, subject choice, black and white versus color, are all less important than the overall feeling or content of your body of work. It is your handling of the subject matter that is the most important criteria in our evaluation, not the subject matter itself. Content...ideas, creativity and originality, are our priority. General design, technique, lighting, and presentation are expected and are also very important, but of a secondary nature to content. Your ability to stand out in a crowd in terms of personal ideas, expression and vision (content) are normally what really separate you, granting you access to the program. We do not need to see drawings, paintings and other creative work. Trust your own feelings with regard to selection, as everyone has their own opinions. Portfolios should contain 15-20 images of your best work. A letter of intent and a recent picture are required when applying to this area.

Graphic Design

Work from VAGD 243 and 245 will be the most important for BFA graphic design students. Portfolios should contain 15-20 images of your best work. A letter of intent and a recent picture are required when applying to this area.

[ STUDIO AREAS ]

The applicant’s portfolio should contain 15-20 images of their best work. They may be class projects or art work done outside of class. The portfolio should contain work from the applicant’s area of emphasis.

The Letter of Intent is a one-page typewritten letter addressing motivation for seeking a BFA degree. The student may include ideas regarding long range career goals, as well as expectations of the program. Discuss how you feel the BFA program will help you develop as an artist.

The application may be submitted upon completion of the sophomore year. Please keep in mind that applicants must be accepted into the BFA program at least one year before graduation.

Once accepted into the BFA program, the student MUST enroll in VASTU 480R with the student’s advisor each semester it is offered. VASTU 480R is a 3.0 credit studio class.