How To Apply BFA - Kutztown University Communication Design Department

Where to Start. It is a two-part process.

Apply to Kutztown University + Apply to Communication Design =
ACCEPTED

First-year aka Freshmen Applicants

The Communication Design program at Kutztown University is where you start your career in graphic design, advertising design, interactive design or illustration. Graduating students receive a BFA in Communication Design, the preferred design degree recognized by our accrediting body, the National Association of Schools of Art and Design, as well as the American Institute of Graphic Arts.

When you graduate with a BFA in Communication Design you’ll have the practice and the portfolio essential to working in a variety of fields including branding, packaging, publishing, advertising, illustration and interactive design.

First-year students interested in pursuing Art Education, Applied Digital Arts, Communication Design, or Studio Art requires both an application to the University and the successful completion of a Portfolio Review.

Applicants may submit a portfolio online through SlideRoom. or by attending any of our in-person Portfolio Reviews. See a list of our upcoming Portfolio Reviews below.

Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot offer feedback on the portfolios submitted on SlideRoom. If you wish to receive feedback on your portfolio you must attend one of the in-person Portfolio Review dates.

Portfolio Review

First-year students interested in pursuing Art Education, Applied Digital Arts, Communication Design, or Studio Art can submit a portfolio online through SlideRoom or by attending any of our in-person Portfolio Reviews. See a list of our upcoming Portfolio Reviews below.

IMPORTANT DEADLINES
January 1 | Portfolio deadline for undergraduate Art and Design students (Spring start)
February 15 | Scholarship consideration deadline for undergraduate portfolio reviews
June 15 | Portfolio review deadline for undergraduate Art and Design students (Fall start)

ONLINE PORTFOLIO REVIEW
Applicants may submit a portfolio online through SlideRoom. There is a fee of $10 to apply. After faculty reviews the portfolio, notification will be provided by the Kutztown University Admissions Department.

Due to the high volume of applications, we cannot offer feedback on the portfolios submitted using SlideRoom.

APPLY ONLINE NOW

PORTFOLIO REQUIREMENTS

NUMBER OF PIECES: 8-12

SUGGESTIONS OF WHAT TO INCLUDE

Two-Dimensional Design: Drawing, Painting, Photography, Printmaking, Mixed Media, Illustrations (traditional or digital), and Graphic Design. Works can range from observational to abstract and should demonstrate your understanding of composition, color, tonal value, shape, line, and texture, etc.
Three-Dimensional Design– Sculpture, Ceramics, Metals, Jewelry, Woodworking, Mixed Media, Installation Pieces, Assemblage. For three-dimensional work provide at least 2 views per piece.
Digital & Time-Based Work Animations, Motion Graphics, Creative Video, Video Games, Film, Websites, etc. Keep your submission to 10 minutes or less for all pieces combined; you may submit excerpts for longer pieces. You can upload items to Slideroom (500 mb limit per file) or supply links to public channels on YouTube, Vimeo, etc.

SUGGESTED BUT NOT REQUIRED

Observational Drawings
Sketches/Sketchbooks- Concepts, Journals, Sketches, Experimentation with Techniques

PRESENTATION
Select: Include only your strongest, most recent work. Showcase problem solving, decision-making, and originality of ideas.

Document: For large scale or three-dimensional work, make close-up, focused, high-resolution, well-lit submissions shots showing the entire piece. Crop the image to remove distracting backgrounds or frames and make sure the shot is straight.

For three-dimensional work, photograph with a neutral background (white, black, grey) and show at least two views of the work. You may combine two views of the work in a single slide.

The simplest way to get the best lighting is to use daylight. Do not use a flash. The best type is indirect daylight; avoid photographing in direct sunlight. Indirect light can be achieved by photographing in a room with large windows or outside in the shadow of a building. Avoid photographing late in the day when the sun is low.

Organize: Develop an order to your presentation that makes sense and has a logical flow.

Helpful Contacts

Communication Design Department Office Manager: Kathy Sue Traylor, 610-683-4530, traylor@kutztown.edu
College of Visual and Performing Arts: Joselyn Wynter, 610-683-4500, wynter@kutztown.edu
University Admissions: 610-683-4060 or toll-free 1-877-628-1915, admissions@kutztown.edu

Notification of acceptance will be provided by the Kutztown University Admissions Department.

External Transfer Applicants

Transfer students are required to submit a portfolio of work using Slideroom for entry into the CD program. Transfers are accepted for fall and spring admittance. Transfer students should first apply to KU online. Please contact Admissions with questions about the process.

If you’ve already applied to KU, please download the instructions for submitting an external transfer portfolio to learn more.