As part of the application process for our BA Graphic Communication course, eligible candidates will need to provide a digital portfolio of their work.

Application


Once you have submitted your application through UCAS, it will be reviewed by our Admissions Team, who will consider your overall academic performance alongside your personal statement and reference. If your application meets our initial selection criteria, you will receive an email inviting you to submit a digital portfolio of your work.

Digital portfolio guidance

You will be asked to submit your digital portfolio by email within two weeks of receiving your portfolio submission invitation. The invitation will include the email address for submission.

Technical guidelines


  • Please submit your digital portfolio as a single PDF file, either as an email attachment or by including a link in your email that can be accessed without signing in.
  • If needed, you can reduce the file size by saving images at a resolution suitable for on-screen viewing rather than for print.
  • Alternatively, if you have a website showcasing your work, you are welcome to send us the link.

Content guidelines


  • We are particularly interested in seeing your most recent work, including work in progress.
  • We would like to see photos of your sketchbook pages, worksheets, and preparatory drawings.
  • Rather than including everything you have done, choose a strong, well-considered selection that demonstrates your abilities. Quality is more important than quantity.
  • There is no limit to the number of pieces you include in your portfolio. However, you should choose your work carefully, avoid unnecessary repetition, and focus on your more recent work to keep your portfolio up to date.
  • Include work that reflects your personal interests and demonstrates your technical skills, exploration of materials and processes, and ability to learn through experimentation.
  • Demonstrate your understanding of contemporary practice through meaningful research and investigation. This could include exploring the work of other artists and designers, contemporary work, wider cultural influences such as film and texts, and other areas of interest.
  • Where possible, include at least one piece of work developed in response to a brief or constraint. This will help us understand how you approach problems and adapt your thinking.
  • An interest in letterforms, typography, and the relationship between type and image is central to what we do. If you have any work that explores lettering, text, layout, or visual communication, we would love to see it. This does not need to be formally produced and could include hand lettering, experimental type, or observations of signage and print in your sketchbook.
  • If you have written work that explores design, type, or visual culture, you are welcome to include it in your portfolio. This might be an essay, blog, or personal project with a written rationale. We value students who can communicate their ideas through both written and creative work.
  • If you are applying for our BA Art and Graphic Design course: Your portfolio can include artwork, design work, or a combination of both. We understand that you may have had more opportunities to explore one area than the other, and we are interested in seeing your creativity, potential, and enthusiasm to develop your skills. Before preparing your portfolio, please read our Art portfolio guidance for further advice.

Assessment criteria

We look for evidence of the following in your portfolio and/or written statement:

  • a willingness to learn and experiment
  • evolving technical skills in some media
  • an interest in graphic design, particularly letterforms and typography.

Frequently asked questions

How should I prepare my portfolio if I haven’t studied graphic design or graphic communication at A level or post-16?


If you have studied other creative subjects such as art, film, media, photography, product design or textiles, include a selection of work you have produced in these areas, as well as any independent graphic design projects.

If you studied design at GCSE level, you might include a few pieces from this, but it is essential to include examples of your more recent work.

To develop your portfolio you could also produce work independently.

Ideas for creating independent work


  • Create your own work using skills developed through InDesign, Illustrator, or Photoshop tutorials.
  • Enter design competitions and include the work you develop for them in your portfolio.
  • Combine images and text to create your own zine.
  • Redesign the cover of a favourite book or album.
  • Create a new logo for a business.

You could also use your portfolio or personal statement to explain why you are interested in studying graphic design. You might talk about exhibitions you have visited, books you have read, or designers whose work has inspired you.

Is there a minimum number of pieces I should include in my portfolio?


There is no set number of pieces to include, and your portfolio can include work in progress.

Questions?

If you have any questions or particular circumstances you would like us to consider when reviewing your digital portfolio, please email admissionssupport@reading.ac.uk.