Visual Communication Portfolio Application

Application Checklist

The Spring 2026 Entry Review portfolio will consist of the following items in the order listed below. All portfolio elements should be contained in a single, multi-page PDF. The ability to follow and execute instructions is an element of the review.

Cover Page

Should contain your name, CWID and area of emphasis. If you haven't decided, please choose your top choice. Choices: art direction, design, and motion design.

Application Form

The completed Application form for Portfolio Entry Review

Transcript

A current copy of your unofficial university transcript with art foundation courses highlighted should be scanned or incorporated from a digital file and entered after your application.

This information can be found in MyLeo—DegreeWorks

• ART 1311 Two-Dimensional Design and Color Theory
• PHO 209 Intro to Video
• ART 2323 Figure Drawing
• ART 1316 Drawing I
• ART 2313 Introduction to Visual Communication
• PHO 2357 Basic Photography I

Creative Pieces

1. Visual Narrative

Write a narrative describing one of the three choices: A-motion, B-poster, or C-ad located on the entry review page of the website or the program blog. You may download the information. If choosing the motion design or ad, use the link provided to view the entire piece. The narrative should be at least 250 words and no more than 300 words. Students answer the narrative by writing a descriptive perspective, who the piece was addressing and what their chosen piece is trying to convey to the audience with the purpose of incorporating visual vocabulary into their writing. Artificial Intelligence may not be used to write this response. All narratives will be checked with AI detection software. Detection will affect the entry outcome.

The page should be titled with your name and student id centered at the top of the page with Visual Narrative of A, B or C, (depending on your selection) directly underneath it. Using spell-check is not only encouraged but required.

A.

B.

C.

2. Perspective Drawing

Choose or produce a drawing that exhibits an understanding of one or two point perspective. This drawing can be from a course or created for the portfolio.

3. Photograph

This black and white or color photo should show an understanding of composition.

4. Self-Portrait with Container

Produce a self-portrait with container. The definition of container is visually defined by you. You may use the medium of your choice. This piece is an opportunity to exhibit conceptual thinking, craft and originality.

5. Field Trip

Go to a paint or hardware store and pick out five paint color chips. You may use individual colors from different strips, but you must use five colors. Scan your chips. Apply one color chip to represent the purpose of a room in your college home; you must use five rooms. Rename the colors to describe your room choices. A room can be defined as anything with a door, for example, a closet or a porch. Write two complete sentences about why you applied that color to the room. You can only use a color once. On one page, lay out all color scans, including their original and new names with a two sentence rationale.

6. Software Application

Please provide a piece showing your understanding and application of computer software. For example: a poster design, a character, your final project in Visual Communication 1 or an illustration produced on the computer.

7a. and 7b. Free Choices

Please provide two pieces that show areas of personal visual and /or conceptual strength that may not be recognized in the previous pieces. If the chosen piece is 3-dimensional, please provide a photograph. Up to 4 different views of a 3-dimensional piece may be provided.

Submission Instructions

• All items listed should be organized in the order shown above and included in a single, multi-page PDF.
• Each of the six creative pieces should have the number it's fulfilling and at least one sentence about the piece in the lower right-hand corner of each page, .5” from the bottom and .5” from the right side of the PDF in a readable font, no larger than 10 pt.
• This large document uploaded to google drive using the following link.: https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1-mumLXTIVKvuz_NcnwXwiVcGBNfKOHZt?usp=share_link
• Make a folder on the drive titled with your name and 2026, for example: Janie Doe 2026
• The folder should contain two PDF files
• Application
• Portfolio
• Please email the program director upon completion of your upload. Lee Hackett

Evaluation

The Visual Communication faculty will use your eight creative pieces to evaluate:

• Ability to communicate through writing
• Drawing ability
• Understanding of positive and negative space
• Design
• Concept
• Composition/Layout
• Understanding of color
• Basic software skills
• Ability to follow instructions
• Craftsmanship
• Basic photographic skills
• Unique Individual skill set

Faculty Recommendations

Each student is required to have two faculty recommendations. The faculty members can be current or former University or Community College instructors you have had a course with. If you are from East Texas A&M, one recommendation has to come from your 2313 Intro to VisCom class instructor. If you are a transfer student, choose one teacher who taught your software application course. The second recommendation can come from the instructor of your choice but must be from the art/design department.

The VisCom Recommendation PDF should be emailed to faculty for their response. Their file should be named with your first and last name, followed by VisCom Rec as the title. Example: JohnDoeVisComRec.pdf

Selected instructors will email their recommendations directly to Lee Hackett.

Recommendations received from students from their instructors will not be accepted.

The recommendation email must be received by Sunday, October 26, at noon for the student portfolio to be considered complete.

Portfolio Due Date

Sunday, October 26, at midnight.

Notification of Outcome

Notification and acceptance are a two-part process.

1. All students will be notified of the review outcome via the applicant's e-mail address. Notification will happen as soon as possible after the review.
2. Students invited into the program must reply by e-mail with an acceptance/decline for their seat in the VisCom program for the Spring of 2026 within three days of the notification.

Notes:

• No faculty member may help a student build their portfolio through critique or piece selection.
• Part of the portfolio evaluation is based on the choices made by the student.