Bachelor of Industrial Design

A portfolio is a collection of work which tells us about your creative and problem solving abilities, your drawing skills and how you present yourself as an artist and designer.  Your portfolio is reviewed by Industrial Design faculty to determine your suitability for the program.

Applicants must submit a portfolio that includes five creative pieces. Be sure to title each submission and briefly describe it (maximum 50 words each piece).

The requirements for these submissions are as follows:

Submission #1 – Perspective line drawing of a chair (two-point perspective).  You are encouraged to work in black line for the chair and to use construction lines to show proper perspective methods.

Include a small photograph of the chair you have drawn as part of the submission page.  You may use your choice of medium for this piece. 

The sketch is to be drawn freehand (i.e. tracing is not allowed). 

Submission #2 – Perspective line drawing of one of the following three kitchen appliances:

a) Kettle
b) Coffee maker
c) Kitchen stand mixer

This piece should be drawn from an appliance or device and not from your imagination or an abstract method. Use construction lines to show proper perspective methods.

Include a small photograph of the appliance or device you have drawn as part of the submission page.  You may use your choice of medium for this piece.

The sketch is to be drawn freehand (i.e. tracing is not allowed). 

Submission #3 – Colour still life study that demonstrates your use of colour and composition. You are encouraged to group everyday objects such as fruit, pottery or shoes. We will assess your representation of realistic details: shade and shadow, depth, tonal value and texture.

Include a small photograph of the object(s) you have drawn as part of the submission page.

The drawing is to be drawn freehand (i.e. tracing is not allowed). 

Submission #4 – Three-dimensional work that demonstrates your manual construction skills.  Examples include sculpture, furniture construction, home construction, craft work (e.g. jewelry that you have designed), and costume design (e.g. Comicon).

Submission #5– Your choice

Submit one example of projects/pieces of your choice that further demonstrates your skills and design sense.

Possible examples include:

a) Something you designed and fabricated including the conceptual sketches and the finished piece;
b) Images from a sketchbook you keep of products, figures or objects that inspire you;
c) CAD drawings or digital graphics that show your talent as a designer (e.g. SolidWorks, Keyshot, or Illustrator, respectively);
d)   A sketch, drawing or painting that illustrates your artistry.

Not acceptable is photography and abstract art.

For assistance with your drawing skills, we recommend:

‘Sketching: The Basics’ by Roselien Steur and Koos Eissen, Amsterdam BIS Publishers, 2016.

Part #1
Describe your knowledge of industrial design, referring to products and designers, as well as styles that you find appealing.  (200 words)

Part #2
Describe the skills and talents you bring to the Industrial Design program. List your extracurricular activities (e.g. hobbies, passions, volunteer work) as well as previous work experience.  How do you think these experiences will contribute to your perspective of design, as well as help you as a student of design?  (250 words)

Submission Instructions