S4 Resource Creative guide

Many creative courses require you to submit a portfolio of work as part of the application and interview process. As creative courses are practical qualifications; colleges, universities, art schools, or conservatoires assess your creative skills, thought process and artistic flare as part of the application process, in addition to your application and personal statement.

What is a Portfolio? 

A portfolio is a collection of your work, which shows how your skills and ideas have developed over a period of time. It demonstrates your creativity, personality, abilities and commitment, and helps to show your potential. It should include more than the work you have created for school qualifications. A portfolio could include: Projects at various stages, documentation, annotation or notes, sketches and finished pieces. It should also include work in a range of mediums or materials

What is a digital folio? 

A digital portfolio, sometimes called a digi folio, is an electronic version of your portfolio. Many colleges and universities now ask you to submit a digital folio as part of your application instead of or in advance of seeing your physical portfolio. A digital folio can include photographs of your work and sketchbooks, typed annotations and any digital work, including videos- if you have any!

If a portfolio is required as part of an application to college or university, the institution will issue specific guidelines which you should follow. 

There is a common notion that to succeed in a creative application you need to use expensive or fancy materials. However, this is completely untrue!

Creative courses are about being playful, experimenting, and showing innovation. You don’t need to paint in oils or sculpt marble to be successful! Here are some resources and ideas to help you get creative: 

Reduce Reuse Recycle:

Some of the most exciting artwork is made using recycled or repurposed materials. Search through your recycling bin and look for newspapers, magazines and other paper goods that you can use to make a college or form the base of a sculpture.

MAKE BANK: 

The Make Bank provides Art and Design Kits for pupils who want to pursue creative education and a creative career. They also work with industry professionals to share inspiring stories, creative journeys and career advice. Find out more on the website here.

Digital Tools: 

Using digital software is a great way to get  creative and are really useful when making digital folios. Here are some of fantastic FREE software packages for you to try.

1. GNU Image Manipulation Program
2. Pixlr editing software
3. Shotcut Video editing
4. Vectr 2D illustration
5. SketchUp 3D design

Natural Resources: 

As well as being a great source for inspiration the natural world can also be a source of materials to make art.

1. Use twigs and sticks as paintbrushes.
2. Create prints by pressing leaves and flowers.
3. Make rubbings of trees, the ground or any interesting textures you find.
4. Create fabric dyes or inks from food waste!
5. Make temporary Land Art. 

Visiting a gallery or museum is a great place to find inspiration, do artist research, start a sketchbook and to begin to develop your discursive skills, which will boost your confidence and support a creative application.  No matter what subject you are interested in there is a museum and gallery for you! This section lists some of the galleries in Fife, Tayside.

Angus

• Hospitalfield
• Montrose Museum
• Meffan Museum and Art Gallery

Dundee

• Dundee Contemporary Arts
• Cooper Gallery
• The McManus
• V&A Dundee

Fife

• Fife Contemporary
• Fire Station Creative
• Kirkcaldy Galleries
• Mac