dmu.ac.

uk/portfolio

Portfolio Advice

For UK and European Union applicants

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

Submissions

Submitting your portfolio

In some circumstances you may be asked to submit a digital portfolio. If the Admissions Team requests this, your portfolio should contain digital images
of approximately 10 pages of work that meet our criteria and best represents you and your creative skills.
Send your CD/DVD or USB by recorded post
You can submit your portfolio by sending us digital files on a CD, DVD or USB memory device. Please label the disc/memory device clearly with your
name, UCAS or student reference number and the name of the course you are applying for. Your portfolio could contain written work such as
essays, artwork and moving images. Ideally we would like you to present your artwork as either a PowerPoint presentation or one PDF. However, if you
present seperate images they should be on the top level of the CD, not in folders, and be in JPEG, PNG, TIFF or PDF file formats at 300dpi resolution.
If you submit moving images such as video, please use .MOV, .AVI or Quicktime format. Please ensure your CD, DVD or USB works on both a Mac and
PC.
Please send this by recorded post to ensure safe arrival. The address to post to is:
Art, Design and Humanities Admissions Team
De Montfort University
The Gateway
Leicester
LE1 9BH
United Kingdom

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

Your portfolio should be around 20-30 pieces. You will need to send images from sketchbooks, drawings, projects and a piece of written
work.
Our main interest is you indicating your ability as a potential creative designer. Your portfolio should show an initiation of design ideas, how
you experiment with materials and how you develop finished items from a concept or theme.
In your work demonstrate your interest in fashion design through your knowledge and inspiration about contemporary fashion. In your
personal statement it would be useful to explain which fashion magazines you read, websites or fashion blogs you visit and about any other
cultural interests you have, i.e. film, music, architecture, dance, travel, sports etc. We advise you to look at contemporary magazines not just
fashion editorials for up to date articles.

What are we looking for?

We are looking for:

A passion for the subject demonstrating knowledge of fashion design

Drawing skills be able to demonstrate a range of approaches
How you generate and develop ideas
Experimental approach to handling and developing materials and textiles
Basic awareness and knowledge of 3D construction
Good fashion illustration skills
If relevant appropriate skills and knowledge for the broader context of subject such as textiles, photography and graphics
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Fashion Design BA (Hons)

What should a portfolio contain?

Drawing
In your sketchbook and portfolio you need to demonstrate a good level of fashion drawing through use of different
media. Show general evidence of drawing ability through relevant still life, life drawing, initial fashion design
sketches and sketch work relevant for textiles for fashion.
Where appropriate (not necessity) the use of CAD for illustration, technical elements and general presentation
can be used.

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

What should a portfolio contain?

Sketchbooks
Sketchbooks reveal how you utilise imagery and a concept to develop ideas through experimentation. They reveal a great deal about how
you approach a project, as well as evidence of the subject matter that inspire you. You should include primary and secondary research
source material, such as exhibition visits, study trips abroad, artists inspiration and own interests. Also include visual references to contemporary
brands/designers and show your interests in the wider issues of fashion design. Include textile development (if applicable) through the use
of colour and fabric exploration for fashion ideas.

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

What should a portfolio contain?

Projects
We are looking to see how you develop an idea and how you research and respond to a project brief. Show evidence of a project in your
portfolio that demonstrates creativity, a deep involvement in your work and your conclusion or final idea. This could be any art or design
project (either as part of your course or an independent project). Idea generation could also be demonstrated through toile documentation
and final ideas can be shown through a photoshoot and/or sketch illustration work.

Fashion Design BA (Hons)

What should a portfolio contain?

Written work
Please bring an essay or a recent example of writing as we require evidence of your writing ability. Even though this is a practice-based
degree, there are elements of written work required as part of the curriculum. For example, you will be asked to compile a technical file,
document lecture notes, and enter into dialogue through wikis and blogs as well as produce written essays or journalistic pieces of writing.