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Creating your portfolio

Applicants invited to interview for animation, graphic design, and any architecture / landscape architecture / urban design courses will need to prepare a portfolio to bring to the interview day.

What is a portfolio?

A portfolio is a body of work that conveys your creativity, imagination, skills, ideas and intelligence. This might be shown through sketches, drawings, photography, animation, craft, 3D work or text. Generally, your portfolio can contain physical, digital, interactive, or screen-based work (see below for details).

Bring your portfolio with you on your interview day

You will need to bring your portfolio with you on your interview day.

If you are based outside of England and have been asked to send a digital portfolio please do so at least three days before your interview date. You will need to email your portfolio to design_admissions@greenwich.ac.uk. Note: online interviews are only available for those who do not live in the England.

Name your files using the following naming convention: [YOUR_NAME_Programme_Name_Portfolio].

For example, John_Smith_Architecture_JohnSmith_Portfolio

In your email include your name, your UCAS / Applicant ID, and the course you are applying for.

You’ll have the opportunity to discuss your portfolio with us during the interview.

What to include in a portfolio

At Greenwich, our definition of a portfolio is wide-ranging, so don’t worry about the 'right' sort of portfolio or the 'right' type of work to include. We are looking for evidence of your artistic, design, creative, craft and technical interests as well as your reflective skills and thought process.

Generally, a portfolio will include the evolution of a piece of work and its resolution, whilst some pieces of work may be unfinished.

Things you might include in your portfolio include (but are not limited to):

  • Drawings: show sketches and other drawings. Make sure you include hand-drawn and/or painted work.
  • Photography: the mechanical eye is an important tool in architecture.
  • Making: 3D-made artefacts such as models, metalwork, woodwork, books/zines or even clothing.
  • Design Technology / 3D Design: your portfolio should not consist solely of this kind of work. Your aptitude for freehand and observational drawings is an important component of your studies.
  • Disciplinary Skills: this depends on the specific course you are applying for. Include work that shows some potential for developing your chosen area, even if this is purely in sketch or conceptual form. See specific guidance below.

Specific guidance for your course

Please prepare your portfolio according to the instructions set out for your course.