How to Apply

Download the Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.


Imagine you are an entrepreneur who has set out to develop a new line of clothing. First, create a company name and then determine the type of apparel that you would develop.

Choose a category and then select one of the choices (A, B, or C) within the category. Describe this clothing line and identify the customer who would buy your line. You can do this through illustrations, photographs, or magazine-clippings. Include such information as age, income, education, and lifestyle (jobs, leisure activities, family life). This should be a word and a picture essay.

Sportswear
A. Swimwear
B. Ski/Snowboard wear
C. Exercise wear

Women's
A. Career
B. Evening
C. Leisure

Men's
A. Career
B. Evening
C. Leisure

Children's
A. Play
B. Party
C. School

Specialty
A. Maternity
B. Large sizes
C. Petites or your own choice

Important Notes
Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous. Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation.

Download the Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.


Imagine you are a Product Representative for a well-known cosmetic company and your job is to develop and launch a new cosmetic or fragrance.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE:
Describe the average customer for whom you are developing the product. Include the following information:

• Age range
• Gender
• Environment (urban, suburban, country, etc.)
• Income range
• Lifestyle (job, leisure activities, family lives, etc.)
• Values and viewpoints
• Marital status
• Education

PART TWO:
Describe the characteristics of the product and the packaging and WHY it will appeal to your customer. Include the following information:

• Name of the Company
• Function of the product
• Color
• Size
• Shape
• Price point

Important Notes
Use 8.5" x 11" paper and any medium you feel comfortable with, including colored pencils, felt tip pens, watercolors, etc. (but no pastels, chalk, or charcoal).

Be prepared to discuss the types of customers targeted and the types of merchandise shown in your project.

Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Create a video self-portrait using digital technology.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE: Inspiration & Preparation
Start a script for your video. Write a brief paragraph that describes who you are, your interests, and why you make a great candidate for the Digital Media Program.

Your paragraph should be 500 words or less and include the following information about you:

• Background
• Hobbies
• Talents
• Interests
• Goals
• Any prior Digital Media experience

PART TWO: Creative Expression
Create a video that depicts what you have written in your paragraph. For example, if you listed one of your talents as the ability to play piano, you can record yourself playing. You may recruit the help of a friend to shoot the video, if necessary.

Important Notes
• The self-portrait must be submitted as a DVD with a minimum time of 3–5 minutes, but no longer than 10 minutes.
• Your work will be judged on creativity and your ability to tell the story.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Submit all three parts of the project.

PART ONE:
Create an Inspiration Page. An Inspiration Page is a collage of images that one puts together that represents the colors, themes, styles, etc., that inspire one's creative vision.

You may use images from magazines, websites, newspapers, postcards, or books about costume or the history of art.

PART TWO:
Sketch six (6) individual fashion illustrations that represent the theme of the Inspiration Page. If you choose, you may trace the attached croquis (unclothed figure sketch) or sketch your own figures.

PART THREE:
Attach a fabric swatch or yarn swatch to each illustration. The fabric and/or yarn swatch may come from many different sources, including your own resources, fabric stores, or vintage stores. Use your imagination.

Interpret what is happening with fashion and what direction fashion will take in the future. Think about what appeals to you. We will be evaluating your fashion awareness and creative abilities through your inspiration choices and how your sketches reflect future fashion trends.

Important Notes
• Remember, a neat and professional presentation is always advantageous.
• For the Inspiration Page and six (6) individual fashion illustrations, use drawing paper that measures 8.5" x 11".
• We encourage you to color your sketches using the following: water color, markers, pastels, or color pencils.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Submit all three parts of the project.

PART ONE:
Create an Inspiration Page. An Inspiration Page is a collage of images that one puts together that represents the colors, themes, styles, etc., that inspire one's creative vision.

You may use images from magazines, websites, newspapers, postcards, or books about costume or the history of art.

PART TWO:
Sketch six (6) individual fashion illustrations that represent the theme of the Inspiration Page. If you choose, you may trace the attached croquis (unclothed figure sketch) or sketch your own figures.

PART THREE:
Attach a fabric swatch or yarn swatch to each illustration. The fabric and/or yarn swatch may come from many different sources, including your own resources, fabric stores, or vintage stores. Use your imagination.

Interpret what is happening with fashion and what direction fashion will take in the future. Think about what appeals to you. We will be evaluating your fashion awareness and creative abilities through your inspiration choices and how your sketches reflect future fashion trends.

Important Notes
• Remember, a neat and professional presentation is always advantageous.
• For the Inspiration Page and six (6) individual fashion illustrations, use drawing paper that measures 8.5" x 11".
• We encourage you to color your sketches using the following: water color, markers, pastels, or color pencils.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Imagine you are a Graphic Designer who has been hired to create a marketing program for a major company.

Submit all three parts of the project.

PART ONE:
Describe a real or imaginary store (including type of merchandise, specialty or department store, etc.) and the typical customer who would shop there.

In describing the customer, include the following information:

• Age range
• Gender
• Income range
• Lifestyle (job, leisure, family lives, etc.)
• Values and viewpoints
• Marital status
• Education

PART TWO:
Create a slogan for the store. The slogan can suggest an attitude (ex. "JUST DO IT"), describe the products (ex. "DIAMONDS ARE FOREVER"), or be a call to action (ex. "DRIVERS WANTED").

THE STORE'S SLOGAN SHOULD BE NO LONGER THAN TEN WORDS.

PART THREE:
Using any combination of computer graphics, colored pencils, watercolors, or felt tip markers, create the following:
• A cover for the store's new catalog
• A magazine ad
• A design to be printed on the store's shopping bags

Important Notes
• The description of the store's customer will determine what the store's graphics will look like.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Imagine you are an Interior Designer who has been hired to design a residential space.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE:
On the first sheet of paper, redraw a floor plan for a living room/den. Draw the plan at 1/4-inch scale, that is 1/4-inch = 1 foot. After you have finished drawing the floor plan, add furniture to the plan. You may arrange the furniture any way you like, but you MUST use:
• One sofa
• Two chairs
• One coffee table
• One or two bookcases
• One or two end tables
• One television set

SEE SAMPLE FLOOR PLAN AND FURNITURE ON PAGE 2 OF PDF FILE.

PART TWO:
Choose A or B below.

A. On the second sheet of paper, sketch an area of the room (as you have drawn it in the floor plan with furniture) in perspective.
B. On the second sheet of paper, prepare a color scheme of small samples of fabric and paint. Arrange and paste up the samples on the paper and include a title and your full name.

Important Notes
• This exercise can be done using a 12-inch ruler, a pencil, eraser, and two pieces of plain white (unruled) paper, 8.5 x 11 inches.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download or view the pdf file to see the sample floor plan.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Explore your ability to transform inspiration into an actual jewelry piece and communicate creative ideas effectively, both visually and in writing.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE: Inspiration
Create an Inspiration Journal of 10 pages that includes the following:

1. Ten (10) visual non-jewelry images that represent your interests and stimulate your thinking. Images can be a combination of photos, magazine tears, and your personal sketches.
2. Identify and record in your journal an experience that has motivated you creatively. Describe what happened and why you were motivated by it.

PART TWO: Exploration & Creative Expression
Using your journal for inspiration:

1. Sketch your design and create the piece of jewelry, utilizing any material of your choice. For example: wood, fabric, metals, paper, yarns, etc.
2. In three (3) paragraphs, explain why you chose to create this piece and describe your creative process from initial concept to finished product.

Important Notes
The total project consists of submitting your:

• Inspiration Journal
• Sketch of your jewelry piece
• Finished jewelry piece
• Written description of your creative expression

Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.


Imagine you are a Store Owner or Buyer and you must create a description of your customer according to what she or he wears.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE: Essay
Describe the typical customer who would shop in your store, being sure to include the following in your essay:

• Age range
• Gender
• Environment (urban, suburban, country, etc.)
• Lifestyle (job, leisure activities, family life, etc.)
• Income range
• Values
• Education
• Marital status

PART TWO:
Show us the clothing your store will carry. Arrange five (5) different well-coordinated ensembles on separate pages for different occasions (evening wear, career wear, casual wear, etc.), including tops, bottoms, shoes, and accessories. Each piece in the look must be a different designer/brand, and you must list the brand name and your suggested price for each item.

Important Notes
• All text must be typed. The use of computer images to assist in the presentation of your work is acceptable, but please submit your project in printed form.
• Use 8.5" x 11" paper and a medium you feel comfortable with, which may include colored pencils, felt tip pens, watercolors, etc. (please, no pastels, chalk, or charcoal). Computer graphics, magazine/catalog clippings, or photographs are also acceptable in presenting your work.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.


Imagine you are a Product Developer of private label merchandise and your new Vice President has asked you to identify your customer by what she or he wears and how you can modify the styles to make them exclusive to your company.

Submit PART ONE and PART TWO of the project.

PART ONE:
Describe the average customer who would shop at one of your favorite department stores, catalogs, websites, or specialty stores.

Include the following:

* Age
* Gender
* Environment (urban, suburban, country, etc.)
* Income Range
* Lifestyle (job, leisure activities, family life, etc.)
* Values and viewpoints
* Marital status
* Education

PART TWO:
Present five (5) related garments (all jeans, all sweaters, all t-shirts, etc.) cut out of magazines or catalogs or photographs, and next to each style draw a modified version of that style which would be exclusive to your store. Include price points for both the original and modified versions. Include the name of the company for which you are working.

Important Notes
• Use 8.5" x 11" paper and a medium you feel comfortable with, which may include colored pencils, felt tip pens, watercolors, etc. (please, no pastels, chalk or charcoal). Computer graphics, magazine/catalog clippings, or photographs are also acceptable in presenting your work.
• Be prepared to discuss the types of customers targeted and the types of merchandise shown in your project.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Imagine you are a Textile Designer who has been asked to present a three-part design portfolio for a possible design position with a major company.

Submit all three of the following projects:

PART ONE: Basic Design Project
Using a circle, square, and triangle, arrange a creative design in black and white or color. The shapes may overlap and be any size within the 8.5" x 11" format.

PART TWO: Fabric Design Project
Design a repeating pattern to be used to create junior apparel, OR women's apparel, OR men's apparel, OR children's apparel. The design must be on a piece of 8.5" x 11" paper.

PART THREE: Design Modification Project
Mount three (3) swatches of fabric (2" x 2" maximum) on an 8.5" x 11" piece of paper. Next to each swatch, draw a modified version of the pattern, showing how you would update the original pattern.

Important Notes
• Use 8.5" x 11" paper and a medium you feel comfortable with, which may include colored pencils, felt tip pens, watercolors, etc. (please, no pastels, chalk, or charcoal). Computer graphics, magazine/catalog clippings, or photographs are also acceptable in presenting your work.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.

Download the Portfolio Entrance Project described below as a printable PDF.

Imagine you are a Visual Communications Designer who has been asked to present a three-part design portfolio for a possible design position with a major company.

Submit all three projects.

PART ONE: Basic Design Project
Using circles, squares, and triangles, arrange a creative design in black and white or color. The shapes may overlap and be any size within the 8.5" x 11" format.

PART TWO: Exterior Window Design Project
1) Imagine you are a Visual Merchandiser responsible for the design and creation of your store's external window display. Design a window presentation for men's, women's, or children's fashion. Think of a creative theme and present your design on 8.5" x 11" paper. Include mannequins, props, slogans, and anything else necessary to successfully carry out your theme.

(You may create your own display framework or use the display framework included in the PDF provided above.)

2) On a separate sheet of paper, please write about your inspiration and address the following topics:
    a. The projected theme and the type of merchandise being displayed
    b. Targeted audience for this display
    c. Materials needed to create this display and the details that would make this display successful

PART THREE: Interior Display Project
1) Design an interior store display featuring women's fashion. Think of a creative theme and present your design on 8.5" x 11" paper. Include mannequins, props, slogans, and anything else necessary to successfully carry out your theme.

(You may create your own display framework or use the display framework included in the PDF provided above.)

2) On a separate sheet of paper, please write about your inspiration and address the following topics:
    a. The projected theme and the type of merchandise being displayed
    b. Targeted audience for this display
    c. Materials needed to create this display and the details that would make this display successful

Important Notes
• Use 8.5" x 11" paper and a medium you feel comfortable with, which may include colored pencils, felt tip pens, watercolors, etc. (please, no pastels, chalk or charcoal). Computer graphics, magazine/catalog clippings, or photographs are also acceptable in presenting your work.
• Three-dimensional submissions (scale models, dioramas, etc.) will not be accepted and will not be returned.
• You may use the following exterior and interior display framework guides or create your own.
• Your work will be reviewed for creativity and quality of presentation. Remember, a neat presentation is always advantageous.