What is a portfolio?

A portfolio of creative work is a requirement for admission to the majors in Architecture or Interior Design at Miami University. A portfolio is a collection of work that demonstrates something about you that your quantitative ratings (grade point average, rank in class, test scores) cannot reveal: your potential for creative studio work. We believe that we can make a better judgment about your talent and your ability to work productively in a studio setting by looking at art projects and other evidence in a portfolio than by relying on your academic record alone.

What should be in a portfolio?

A portfolio may be comprised of many kinds of work. It should include reproductions of drawings, prints, traditional or electronic graphic design, painting, sculpture, ceramics, or photography. It may also include examples of architectural designs and models, stage design, fashion or costume design, or anything else that you have made in an art class, summer exploration program, or on your own. One or two samples of mechanical or digital drawing may also be included, but this kind of work is less important to us than open-ended creative work.

We suggest that you consult with an art teacher whom you trust in order to decide which works to reproduce for inclusion in your portfolio. Although we are interested in students with experience in a variety of media and creative problem-solving situations, it is better to submit a few works of high quality than many works of varying qualities. If, for instance, your freehand drawing and watercolor painting are excellent but your graphic design work is mediocre or poor, we suggest that you submit only the drawing and the watercolor items. The portfolio committee is interested in reviewing your highest quality work.

What is the portfolio format?

All work must be reproduced in a digital print format. These pages should be 8 1/2" x 11" printed at the highest resolution possible. Please provide a short description of the work, including title, medium, size and any comments you may wish to make about the work. Images may be organized using Adobe Photoshop or similar page layout software. You may also include a sample of good expository or creative writing in your portfolio, and /or letters of reference supporting your aptitude in the visual arts.

The portfolio should be flat, neatly organized, and compact for convenient storage. Due to the number of applicants, portfolio reviews will not be scheduled during informational sessions with the department. We ask that you send portfolios to the department or drop them off. However, we strongly recommend that you also schedule an informational session and departmental tour in advance of the application deadline.

When is the portfolio deadline?

Please send your portfolio directly to the Department of Architecture + Interior Design so that it can be reviewed during the normal admissions process.  The address is:

Miami University
Department of Architecture + Interior Design
101 Alumni Hall
Oxford, OH 45056

The postmark deadline for the submission of portfolios is the same as the postmark deadline for other admission materials:

            Early Decision: November 14
            Early Action: December 1
            Regular Decision: February 1

• Your application for admission to a major in Architecture or Interior Design is incomplete until your portfolio arrives.
• Late portfolios will only be considered on an as-needed basis.
• Portfolios of original works are unacceptable.
• Portfolios submitted in non-conforming formats may not be considered.
• Please include return postage and a mailer, if you wish your portfolio to be returned.

Please Note:  If you are interested in but undecided about majoring in Architecture or Interior Design, you should submit a portfolio by the appropriate deadline anyway.  You can choose a different major later, if you so desire; but you will always have a limited opportunity or possibly no chance of declaring the major if your portfolio is submitted late.  Students who do not submit a portfolio will be given the status of Undecided in the College of Arts and Sciences, NOT the School of Creative Arts.  The status of Undecided in the College of Arts and Sciences will not give you access to studio courses in the School of Creative Arts.

What about portfolio scholarships?

The Department of Architecture + Interior Design currently offers several scholarship awards based on the merit of portfolio submissions. Portfolios of all students admitted to majors in architecture or interior design and submitted prior to the January 31, deadline are considered for the portfolio scholarships. 

If you have questions about the portfolio requirement, please feel free to call the Department of Architecture + Interior Design at (513) 529-7210, or email the department at arcid@muohio.edu.