Portfolio Requirements
All incoming freshman and transfer students applying to our Animation + VFX, Experience Design/Graphic Design, Fashion Design and Game Art & Design programs are asked to submit a portfolio & written statement. The portfolio should demonstrate your artistic perspective, skills, and interests to help us better understand how to assist you in reaching your academic and professional goals.
Animation + VFX has additional requirements outlined below.
We recognize that students enter Woodbury with diverse backgrounds, so each portfolio is thoughtfully evaluated on an individual basis, and we will weigh your written statement into our review process.
Parts of Your Submission
1. Portfolio
The portfolio should include eight (8) examples of what you consider to be your best work including any combination of the following. Applicants should include a short description of the work, along with any project specifications or requirements if applicable (i.e. if it is an assigned project from a class):
- drawings, sketches, paintings, photographs
- collages, color studies, design layouts
- sculpted or 3D printed work
- computer-coded work
- short videos (not to exceed 3 mins.)
- script or screenplay, story synopsis or treatment
- game prototype, design document or high game concept
2. Written Statement
Applicants are required to submit a written statement of a minimum of 250 words but no more than 500 words. This statement should describe a thing or experience that has affected you in some extraordinary way. Choose from one of the following:
- work of art or design
- building / architecture
- product
- clothing line
- film or TV series (animated or live action)
Your statement should describe the thing or experience, why you believe it is important that it exists, and how it is influencing you to major in media and design. Tell is specifically what about it is affecting you?
3. Transfer Credits
Transfer credits for courses that are not part of an articulation agreement with a previous institution will be awarded based on this portfolio evaluation. Required for evaluation of non-articulation agreement courses:
- All major projects from each course you wish to transfer (2-3 minimum)
- Description of each project, including any project specifications
- Course title and number
- Name of institution where course was taken
- Semester and year when course was completed
Submit Your Portfolio
For more information and questions, please visit our How to Apply page.
Portfolios can be uploaded within the application portal for students applying through the Woodbury Website.
For students who submitted their application via the Common App, a link will be emailed to the email address provided on the Common App to upload their portfolio materials. Please allow 72 hours from submission to receive your link.
For further questions about your portfolio and our admissions process, contact our Assistant Director of Undergraduate Admissions, Lilian Castellanos at [email protected].
Note: be sure to check your spam and junk folders for any of our communication.
Animation + VFX Supplemental Portfolio
In addition to the portfolio and written statement required of all applicants, incoming freshman and transfers applying to the Animation + VFX program are required to submit an additional portfolio of at least four (4) examples of art (you may submit more than 4) showing: observational artwork and life drawing.
Observational Artwork
- drawings of indoor spaces
- drawings of the plant world
- drawings of objects
Life Drawing
- drawings of humans
- drawings of animals
Rough sketches with visible construction lines, and sketchbook work may be included if it demonstrates how you’re thinking and approaching image making.
Please consider the following when creating your Animation + VFX supplemental portfolio:
Is this my best work? What’s my passion within animation—is it creating extraordinary characters or environments, telling a joke visually, or telling a story? Is my work original? Please avoid including “fan art”—we want to see your individual style & creativity.
Portfolio Mentorship Program
School of Media Culture & Design Portfolio Mentor Initiative
Are you looking to develop your design and drawing skills and create work for your college entrance portfolio? Get friendly advice on improving your portfolio from an art professional at Woodbury University. Take a look at our portfolio requirements, review our mentor bios, and sign up to be connected with one of our mentors.