portfolio-footwear-design

dmu.ac.uk/portfolio
Portfolio Advice
For UK and European Union applicants
Footwear Design BA (Hons)

Footwear Design BA (Hons)
Footwear Design BA (Hons)
Your Portfolio
We believe that the quality of work in a portfolio is more important than the quantity, so we would only expect to see the work that you are most
pleased with and most proud of. Try to include about 15 – 20 pieces of work.
Your work should be laid out clearly so that it takes us through a visual journey and provides us with clear evidence of the logical progression
of your ideas and creative ability. The development stage of a project is just as important as the final idea. Exploring ideas and design development
can be shown through sheets in your portfolio, sketchbook or as models.
Our course focuses on footwear and accessory design so we’ll be looking for the following:
• Innovative thinking - evidence of unusual approaches to solving a problem
• Drawing skills demonstrating a range of techniques and styles
• Idea generation - quick initial doodles, sketches and thought processes
• Development of ideas - evidence of how you think
• An interest in footwear, fashion and product design
• Experimental approach in your 3D work to handling materials in unusual combinations
Most importantly we are looking for evidence of a passionate and inquisitive mind - feel free to bring us something unusual, something we’re
not expecting - something that’s not on the list.

What should a portfolio contain?
Footwear Design BA (Hons)
Making
Footwear Design involves modelling so it is important to demonstrate in your portfolio that you are interested in working in this way. This does
not have to be highly finished models; it could be customised sculpture or fashion projects etc. However we are looking for people who show
an interest in footwear and materials, so this is a very important aspect of the portfolio.

Footwear Design BA (Hons)
What should a portfolio contain?
Digital work
Include the best of any computer-aided design (CAD) or artwork that you have produced, as well as photography, if you’ve had experience.
Whilst much of this is developed on the course, it would be useful to demonstrate an interest in design software whether that is Google
Sketchup, Photoshop or more advanced 3D modelling software.

What should a portfolio contain?
Footwear Design BA (Hons)
Project work
We would like to see how you investigate and analyse a project brief and how you have explored, experimented and documented your thought
process. We need to see that you are able to demonstrate where ideas come from and how they might transform through a proccess of either
thorough research or extended sketching around your project.

Footwear Design BA (Hons)
What should a portfolio contain?
Contextual Research
You need to show that you are aware, and interested, in professionals or brands working within the footwear design field, as well as contemporary
artists and designers, to ensure that there is a breadth to your knowledge. It is also important to demonstrate you have explored what footwear
is about, so do some research.
Personal Work
We really like to see personal work that you’ve done just because you enjoy being creative; not driven by any brief or deadline. We don’t mind
what you bring, but please do bring some personal work as you need to demonstrate that you are able to work independently.