Your best source to answer your question is that actual program(s) to which you plan to apply. Contact UBC and others to ask the question -- what does it take to become admitted. Many programs are also more than willing to review your "draft" portfolio in person with you to provide guidance.

I would suggest you visit -- www. portfoliodesign.com -- for some ideas and consider purchasing the book, Portfolio Design. It is the best resource out there.

Also, remember, you should spend time on the other materials of your application, GRE, letters of recommendation, statement of purpose.

Best.

Thanks Dr.

Yes, I've been in contact with UBC and UofT a fair amount over the months. Visiting the admissions the woman at UofT was very helpful and gave me tons of useful pointers and information. However when it came to the actual quality of work they expect she said that she wouldn't be able to give a direct answer because of the competitive nature of the admissions process.

UBC was a little more lenient, but still stopped short of links to specific examples. Distance seems to be a factor in this case, although I will definitely talk to them more in the coming days.

portfoliodesign.com looks pretty useful, thanks for that. I ha no idea.

And yes, am also working on all those other parts of the application as well. It's a little daunting to say the least...especially with school coming back in September.

I'll be applying as well for 2010, with a BFA in painting from University of Manitoba. I'm applying to UBC too, as well as U of T, U of M, and Guelph for landscape architecture. I think you're ahead of the game compared to me though, with regards to the portfolio. I haven't been working on it as much as I should. I'll post some of my work up as soon as I get started and maybe we can compare notes. Good luck with yours!

Hey That would be great! I'm applying for both Architecture and Landscape Architecture as well. The only reason I'm not applying to UofM is because I don't want to live in Winnipeg, lol. I know that's a pretty bad reason. But you're there right now, how do you like it?

I am by no means ahead of the game, I figure some September with both school and a part-time job I won't have much time for the application, so time is of the essence I suppose.

But yeah, sharing notes and comparing work would be great. Are you doing GRE's btw? Every program is telling my it's really necessary.

*It ISN'T really necessary

Oh okay you got me worried there for a minute regarding the GREs. Yeah I'm not going to write it. They didn't say it was necessary so....I guess only if you're applying to American schools. Which I'm not.

U of M architecture program I think is considered pretty top notch. However the city is another matter altogether. It's not the best. Although it has a pretty good arts community for it's size, still has that pervasive nothingness quality you can feel in the air. Which could be considered the driving force for some of the creativity that comes out of it. I personally wouldn't choose it for grad school experience. Especially since I did undergrad here. It's just an option I'm giving myself. It'll be cheaper, but it's a last resort kind of thing.

I think UBC would be my top choice for land arch program, but perhaps architecture as well, since they're into sustainability. And U of T would probably be my top choice for architecture. We'll see what happens.

What was your major?

You have a background in Concerning? What college did you go to?

I went the opposite route and used my B.Arch to get into an MFA Photography program at RIT.

The RIT Coordinator told me that my being picked was based on the committee's decision to diversify the program and consider applicant's with a minimal (not -ist) art background.

While I know you want to hit that 'sweet spot' with your portfolio - sometimes different is better.

Lol, it was supposed to be "concerning AN art background....". Typo. I think everyone got that. (douche)


Anyways, my major(s) are drawing and photography. More like specialization actually, since my program doesn't require you to declare a major in a certain medium, but specialization is recommended.

Different is better. Hmm, I've heard that before too, and it's not that it doesn't make sense, but going against the grain can be very hit or miss, especially with first impressions. But then again, if something's not worth taking a risk for it's not important enough i guess. I was kind of hoping to see some examples from people who did visual arts in undergrad and went on to architecture.

Sorry I can't be of direct help with what type of portfolio images would help one go in the visual art BFA to architecture M.Arch direction. But here's my $.02

Don't worry about going against the grain. You're not showing Henry Darger-esque imagery or Jake and Dinos Chapman fvckfests.

Some of your illustrations have architectural elements - include them. Your photographs also show a developed sense of composition, abstraction and layering - perfect.

I would just leave out the alcohol based series and the term 'psychedelic'. The admissions committee doesn't want to know what you do in your spare time. ;)

In my opinion, you are already different. You are an artist. There is no changing that. And your work, it is already your own. It is you. Assemble it, print it and bind it. If they don't like it, know that you did your best.

I do think (as Dr. Arch sort of alluded to) that in your situation, it may help if you clarify for them why you believe that you can play an active role in their program.

Emphasize that you aren't just attending only to learn, but that you will be a valuable part of the studio process and that you think your background will be beneficial for all parties.