NCAD Portfolio Brief 2016

Undergraduate application and portfolio submission brief for entry into NCAD September, 2016.

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Extract from an interview with Aine Coleman, Third Year, Product Design, April 2014.

“ What we are being taught is how to observe and how to look at the world around us in a different way, in a different light. We are looking in-between things and sometimes when we look in-between we go ‘Wouldn’t it be interesting if I put that in there?’ ”

Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) + AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education + AD212 Product Design: Brief Two: AD212 Product Design:

Undergraduate application and portfolio submission brief for entry into NCAD September, 2016.

This booklet gives you the information you need to prepare your portfolio, make an application and become a student at NCAD. We hope you enjoy the challenge of putting together your portfolio submission and we look forward to welcoming you as a student to NCAD in September 2016.

NCAD is a community of 1,500 students studying Fine Art, Design, Education and Visual Culture based on Thomas Street in Dublin city centre.

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Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education

Brief One starts here – Section A Mind mapping / Research

Your first task is about thinking and making mind-maps.

Minimum requirements for Section A: 1 sheet for each chosen mind-map Total: 2 Sheets (minimum)

Choose two themes from the following six: Weather Toys

Cooking Island

Connectors Artefact

Mind-maps are a vital research component in the portfolio brief as they help you to demonstrate your capacity for finding and connecting ideas in a lively and inventive manner. This is an essential attribute of all artists/designers.

The mind-maps should show evidence of your sources and starting points.

Mind-maps are a way to show in visual form the relationships between different ideas. Mind-maps are your opportunity to totally personalise your response to the next set of tasks contained in the portfolio brief.

Do this

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Make 2 mind-maps, one for each of your chosen themes.

Identify as many unusual and interesting examples as you can think of (e.g. Is a radio an artefact? Could a ship be an island?).

The majority of each of your two mind-maps should be made of drawn images.

One entire mind map should be totally image based with no words used.

Make your mind maps as visually interesting as possible. They should be carefully considered, inventive, and thorough. They can be multi-layered; may take any shape or form and use any media.

The individual components of your mind-maps are called items in the rest of the brief.

The items in the mind-maps are also the ones you will use again in section B and section C of the Brief as your source material. In this way they inform and should make the next sections of the brief totally individual.

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Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education

Brief One continues – Section B Observation / Process

Your second task is about observing real items and recording in a context.

Minimum requirements for Section B: 2 sheets for each dismantled item Total: 4 Sheets (minimum)

We want you to show us how much you enjoy observing and inventively recording the world of objects that surround us.

Choose two items from your mind-maps and get a physical example of each of them.

These should be items that you can actually dismantle and re-arranged in some inventive way, then make a record of the results of this process.

This task is about being inventive, and showing the value of making careful direct observational studies. Use a variety of media, beginning with a drawing process that pays particular attention to line, tone, colour and surface.

Do this

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Take apart or carefully dismantle your two chosen items.

Visually record (through any medium of your choice) all of the pieces arranged in 2 new ways for each item, such as stacked, pushed in a corner, hung, floating – or according to a consistent criteria: material, colour, size, weight etc.

Consider the possibilities of also using alternative media such as needle and thread, collage, clay, moving image, stop frame digital. These are intended to supplement the careful drawing and colour studies process.

Still photography and moving images can also be used to describe, explain, record and invent within this task.

Any 3D work should be photographed, with prints included on sheets related to the task. If you include moving images, please note that work on disc should be referenced on relevant worksheets and the total viewing time must not exceed 2 minutes.

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Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education

Brief One continues – Section C Creative / Process

Your third task is about generating and recording a range of ideas through a creative process.

Minimum requirements for Section C: 2 sheets for each crossover Total: 4 Sheets (minimum)

Look again at the themes in section A of the brief, and the mind-maps you’ve made. Think about the possibilities if any two of your items (chosen from different mind-maps) were to cross-over, interact, borrow from, or influence each other.

For example: what is the visual or physical result of a Cooking item becoming a Connector item? Could a weather item become a Toy item? How? There are no ‘correct’ answers or expected responses. We want to see what you come up with.

We would like you to deliver your ideas through what we call ‘Ideas Worksheets’.

Ideas Worksheets are a way of visually ‘thinking out loud’. On a worksheet, we would like you to use drawings, diagrams and where necessary, short notes to explain your ideas visually.

Do this

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Make two crossovers between two different items taken from any two of the mind-map themes.

These are only examples – you should come up with your own ideas.

Cooking (e.g. spaghetti) Required: 2 worksheets

Connector (e.g. pylon)

Toy (e.g. camera) Required: 2 worksheets

Weather (e.g. sandal)

So what happens if a camera took on some of the characteristics or qualities of a sandal and vice versa?

Remember the arrows can work in both directions (a toy item becoming a weather item can be different to a weather item becoming a toy item!)

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Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education

Brief One continues – Section D Invention / Solutions

Your fourth task is about solving a variety of visual problems.

Do this

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Minimum requirements for Section D: 2 sheets for each task Total: 4 Sheets (minimum)

Some of these are based on direct observational tasks; others require you to come up with inventive solutions to a variety of problems.

Your work can be carried out in two or three dimensions, or it can be a combination of 2D and 3D processes and / or moving images. A degree of planning and research into the task is required and presenting this is as important as your actual solutions.

Invent/record/make at least two of the following: Draw/paint/record 4 different places where 3 colours meet Invent/make/record 4 different ways to make half legible words Draw/paint/record 4 examples of kitchen chaos Draw/paint/record/create the opposite of part of yourself Invent/make/record a wearable sound Draw/paint/record 4 different items half unwrapped Make 20 drawings of 20 different tiny balls of crumpled paper Draw/paint/record/make 4 different street lines Subtract 50% of the colour from a meal Design the packaging for a new type of smell

Produce at least two worksheets for each task.

Again, if you do include moving images on disc, please note that the total viewing time must not exceed 2 minutes and must be clearly labeled and referenced within the portfolio (see notes for formatting of digital media).

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Brief One: AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education

Brief One continues – Section E Notebooks

Minimum requirements for Section E: At least one notebook Total: 1 Notebook (minimum)

This task is about creating and maintaining a notebook(s).

In addition to completing the work of other sections you must maintain a visual notebook, which should underpin your ideas as they develop. The notebook should be essentially visual but can contain written elements where necessary as explanations. The notebook should record your incidental ideas/ thoughts / notions which arise during the period of time working on the brief.

Your notebook can also show how you might expand ideas that you don’t have time to develop fully elsewhere in your portfolio. Any small drawings, diagrams or studies that help communicate your observations, thoughts and ideas are welcome. These can be from all sections of the brief including the mind-maps.

Do this

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Obtain or create, then fill at least one visual notebook.

Your notebook(s) are a great way of showing us how you think, and react to a variety of circumstances. The notebook should not be something you create as an afterthought. It should be an integral and active component of your work on an ongoing basis.

The notebook itself can be something you create. There can be different types of notebooks, ranging from something small that you bring with you everywhere in your pocket, or a set of cards you carry around, then combine together for presentation.

This could then be supplemented by a studio based notebook which contains larger images/print-outs etc. In other words, your notebook is an additional opportunity for you to show how engaged and excited by your work you are, and to provide some insight into your thinking process. We see this as important as your finished pieces of work.

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Brief One ends here.

Brief Two: AD212 Product Design

Brief Two starts here – Do you like making? Are you interested in how things work and why things look the way that they do? Do you still secretly play with Lego? Are you doing Design and Communication Graphics (DCG) for your Leaving Certificate? If your answer is yes to any of the above then we think you should apply to Product Design!

You have two options when applying to Product Design.

Option One: Send in work you already have.

Do this

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Yes - simple as that! Often the best applicants are already doing things that could make them great Product Design students. This could be through practical hobbies, arts, crafts or work experience. Whether it’s modifying your bicycle, sketching ideas for a new product, taking your smartphone apart or making a piece of furniture for your room - these are all things that we like to see.

Does this sound like you? Then simply document your work and send it in.

Please also include relevant work from your current studies including DCG / Leaving Cert Art / A level Art / BTEC / FETAC. Any 3D work should be presented through photographs.

If you have completed the NCAD Portfolio Brief One for Common Entry/ Education and have included Product Design as one of your choices on the CAO then we will assess your portfolio for entry to Product Design you don’t need to do any thing else.

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Brief Two: AD212 Product Design

Brief Two continues – Option Two: Follow this simple design brief.

Do this

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If you feel you don’t have the material for Option 1 or perhaps you want to take on a new design challenge then this is the route for you.

The brief Design something that improves your journey to school. Whether it’s confusing bus timetables, bicycle helmet hair, tangled headphone cables or uncomfortable schoolbags - we want to hear about your design ideas for everyday problems like these.

Step 1: Do some research (3 x A3 worksheets) Find out what the main problems are on the school journey. Ask your friends, document your own journey or find examples of good and bad products. How have other designers tackled these issues? Identify the problem that you are going to try and solve or the opportunity you have uncovered.

Step 2: Brainstorm! (4 x A3 worksheets) Use your research to generate lots of ideas. Draw these in a sketchbook or make simple models to develop your thoughts. Think about how your idea might work, who would use it and what it would look like. Look at www.sketch-a-day. com for inspiration on drawing technique.

Step 3: Present your Design (2 x A3 worksheets This is where you present your finished idea. Show us what’s great about your design - how does it solve the problem you identified? This is also your opportunity to show what your design looks like, how and where it should be used and how it’s made. You can use drawings, physical models or even a computer model to show your idea.

Step 4: Show us who or what inspires you (1 x A3 worksheet) Present a range of images of designs or designers that inspire you. These can be drawn, scanned images or online prints. Explain why each image means something to you. Check out www.core77.com for examples of some great product design work.

Have a look online to see an example of a successful Product Design brief at: www.ncad.ie/undergraduate/school-of-design/ba-hons-ma-product-design

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Brief Two ends here.

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Study at NCAD What can I study at NCAD? NCAD has a wide range of undergraduate honours degrees in Fine Art, Design, Education and Visual Culture: AD101 – First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) With degree options in: Design Fashion Design, Jewellery & Metalwork, Textile Surface Design, Visual Communication.

Fine Art Fine Print, Media, Painting, Sculpture, Ceramics & Glass, Textile Art & Artefact.

Design or Fine Art & Visual Culture A BA degree with one of the degree options in either Design or Fine Art and Visual Culture.

AD202 – Design or Fine Art & Education (Second Level Teaching) A Joint honours degree in Education and one of the degree options in either Design or Fine Art, leading to a qualification to teach art or design at second level.

AD212 – Product Design Product Design at NCAD is a studio based degree that addresses all the stages and activities involved in the creation of a new product – from concept AD215 – Visual Culture design to manufacture, to The BA Visual Culture at NCAD prototyping and marketing. is the study of the history and theory of art and design in a creative art school setting.

This course offers a route that is not studio based for students who aspire to careers in the numerous professional sectors which reside around the arts and design, including arts management, critical and popular writing and interactive and digital curation. There is a work placement in Year 3.

Modules studied include Contemporary Theories, Professional Practice, Digital Cultures, Curating Art & Design, Culture and the Market.

This programme does not require a portfolio submission.

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The Application

Do all programmes at NCAD require a portfolio submission?

You will need to submit a portfolio as part of the application process for the following programmes:

How Do I Apply To NCAD? There are two parts to the application process for NCAD. 1. CAO Application All applications for full-time, first year undergraduate study must be made through the CAO (Central Applications Office, www.cao.ie) using the NCAD Course Code (AD). This application should be made by the normal closing date of 1st February each year.

2. Portfolio Submission A portfolio submission is required for all studio degrees at NCAD (AD101/AD202/AD212).

The portfolio submission deadline is the end of the first week in February.

CAO CLOSING DATE: 5.15pm Monday 1st February 2016 PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION DEADLINE: 4.30pm Friday 5th February 2016

AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) AD202 Design or Fine Art & Education (Second Level Teaching) Can I make a late application for NCAD? NCAD Studio based programmes are restricted, which means it is not possible to make a late application.

AD215 BA Visual Culture does not require a portfolio submission and is not restricted. It is possible to make a late application for this programme.

Can I get an Extension on the deadline for Portfolio Submission?

It is not possible to get an extension on the submission deadline – all portfolios must be presented by the published closing date.

AD212 Product Design AD215 Visual Culture You do not need to submit a portfolio as part of the application process for AD215 Visual Culture. Places in Visual Culture are offered based on CAO points calculated from final school leaving exams ( www.cao.ie).

The minimum points for entry in 2014 were 355, the median points were 405.

Important Note: It is important to include all courses that you wish to be considered for on your CAO Application.

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The Portfolio

When can I collect my portfolio?

Portfolios can be collected from NCAD for up to 3 weeks after the end of the portfolio assessment.

You will be given information on collection dates and times. If you need to collect your portfolio early please let us know and we will arrange to have your portfolio assessed and ready for collection.

What should I include in my portfolio for NCAD? An entrance portfolio is a collection of visual work that shows your potential to study art and design at third level.

We have provided guidelines that set out clearly what is required in terms of the volume and scope of the work you should submit as your portfolio.

The NCAD portfolio requirements are designed to reflect the kind of projects students are expected to do in First Year.

When should I bring my portfolio to NCAD? The deadline for submitting your portfolio is 4.30 PM Friday 5th February 2016. We will accept portfolios any time in the two weeks up to that date. If you need to submit your portfolio earlier please contact the Admissions Office: admissions@ncad.ie Please note it is your responsibility to submit your portfolio on time, we do not send reminders about this date.

The address for portfolio submission is: The Admissions Office, NCAD, 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.

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How will my portfolio be assessed?

Criteria for Assessment for all portfolio submissions: Critical observation You should demonstrate an ability to visually record, describe, explain and analyse your subject in response to a range of source material.

Visual research – Inventiveness and curiosity in research You should demonstrate an awareness and curiosity for visual material that is of interest to you: finding, collecting and organising source material. These can be documented in any visual format.

Creative Thinking You should provide evidence of a creative process in your work.

Where and how you have challenged yourself to look at things differently? How were decisions made and why? Your work should show evidence of a lively and engaged creative process.

Course Offers

When will I be told the outcome of my portfolio assessment?

We will write to you by the end of March with the result of your portfolio assessment. This letter will tell you if you have achieved the necessary score for a condiCapacity to sustain work tional offer. A conditional offer is commitment an offer that is dependent on you You should demonstrate ability meeting the minimum academic to sustain the development of entry requirements through ideas through experimentation / your Leaving Certificate, FETAC exploration of subject /sources in Award or other. If you do not get a variety of circumstances. a conditional offer we will tell you if you are on a waiting list In order to achieve a balanced for an offer. Each year we make measurement of the your general a number of offers to applicants overall ability, all sections from the waiting list. of the portfolio submission are assessed under the above criteria.

Being able to demonstrate some ability for observation, research, ideas development, use of media and capacity to sustain work applies to all sections of the portfolio submission.

How are offers made?

Offers are made in August through the CAO. All applicants are placed on a ranked list based on portfolio score. Offers are made in descending order from this list to applicants who have met the minimum academic entry requirements.

What are the minimum academic entry requirements?

Information on minimum entry requirements can be found at www.ncad.ie/study-at-ncad Interviews NCAD reserves the right to call any applicant to interview.

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How can I find out more about NCAD? Web Site www.ncad.ie

Portfolio presentation guidelines – For all portfolio submissions: Your portfolio should be presented flat within one portfolio cover or folder. Items submitted separately will not be accepted.

Your portfolio should weigh less than 10 kilos. (This is to make handling easier for staff.)

If including sound or moving images please ensure that all video or audio files play on NCAD College open day Windows Media Player or Apple Wednesday 25th November 2015 Quick Time Player. It is best to Portfolio information sessions Your portfolio should be securely check the discs on a computer November 7th, 10th, 11th packaged but also easily opened other than the one on which they were prepared. Digital work must Further information will be to be examined. be submitted on DVD or CD only. posted on the NCAD web site.

A maximum of two discs can be Place your name, address and submitted. Total running time of Careers fairs / CAO number on the top left each digital file must not exceed Information events hand corner of your portfolio two minutes. Digital work must NCAD Staff attend all the main cover. You should also label/ be clearly labelled and referenced national and local careers fairs mark your individual sheets and information events that are and note books in the same way. in the body of the portfolio. Do not write in pencil or put stickers held throughout the year. or labels on discs. Use only Present your work on A1/A2 permanent marker on the disc white sheets or similar light surface. weight material. Avoid using heavy boards, sugar paper or Finally mounting work on both sides Your portfolio should be auof the sheet. thenticated as your own work by a third party such as a school It is not necessary to put your work in plastic portfolio pockets. principal, art teacher / tutor or Any 3D work should be carefully another responsible person (not a relative). Use the form at the back photographed in a way that of this booklet and remember to clearly shows its scale, range of include it with your portfolio. materials and making process.

Remember to photograph your made pieces from a variety of angles to allow us to fully appreciate your making skills and use of materials.

Do not include any material that is framed in glass.

Do not include any material that could leak, burst open or be hazardous in any way.

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Design by Red&Grey Design Photography by Matthew Thompson

Check list for applicants:

AD101 First Year Art & Design (Common Entry) / AD202 Design of Fine Art & Education / AD212 Product Design

Each section of my portfolio is clearly labelled including any notebooks

I have included this number of notebooks informing and supporting my work on the portfolio brief.

I have attended one of the NCAD information evenings

Number of notebooks

I have attended the NCAD open day

Important: You must complete this section and attach it to the inside front cover of your portfolio.

Yes

No

Yes

I have included a computer disc(s) Yes

No

Number of discs

Work authenticated by:

Yes

No

I have completed

Brief One AD 101/202 Position (ie principal, teacher, tutor, other)

Brief Two AD 212

If yes, the disc(s) is for

Mac

PC Organisation

Do not include any material that could leak out, burst open or be hazardous in any way.

Do not include any blades, or medical items such as syringes, condoms or tablets.

The college reserves the right to visually document work from applicant portfolios.

NCAD 100 Thomas Street, Dublin 8, Ireland.

T: + 353 1 636 4200 F: + 353 1 636 4207 E: fios@ncad.ie www.ncad.ie

Undergraduate application and portfolio submission guidelines.

Important dates for entry September 2016: CAO Closing date: 5.15pm, Monday, 1st February 2016 Portfolio submission deadline: 4.30pm, Friday 5th February 2016

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