posted 11-04-2003 07:53 PM              

; yet, a view of images that will be included in my portfolio eventually. I am submitting a portfolio to Carnegie Mellon University this upcoming January for their Early Admissions Program in Industrial Design (where students skip their senior year of H.S. to go to college). In the interim of the application process I will be submitting a new design approximately one per week. I am asking for review of the images posted so that I may submit the best portfolio possible--worth 50% of my acceptance criterion--I would also like to hear from those enrolled in CMU who after completing the application process, have been accepted in the Industrial Design program.

Thank You,

posted 11-05-2003 11:29 AM              

I'm a freshman designer at CMU. If you're applying for the regular undergrad program, you aren't making the decision of industrial or communication design yet. That doesn't happen until the end of freshman year.

Make sure you include tons of PROCESS work in your portfolio. CMU design is a bit obsessed with the stuff.

Good luck, and please email me if you have questions (sendmoney@cmu.edu)

posted 11-05-2003 03:25 PM              

To FlyingToaster: I am aware that one, upon acceptance into CMU, is not officially determined as an Industrial Design student; yet enrolled in the Design School of the College of Fine Arts. You've stated that "process" is a major component of the portfolio requirements...would you elaborate. Would it be sufficient to submit a sketchbook with "Work in Progress" images of the computer representation. Through what approach did you specifically undertake on your application.

posted 11-05-2003 10:48 PM              

However to do so you need a couple must haves: you must show two additional things, not just final computer renderings. They are:

1. Sketches: how well can this individual quickly and effectively communicate their ideas visually

2. Process: Why was the electronics device or the chair designed the way it was. Show variations of those projects to show how they evolved.

posted 11-06-2003 04:24 AM              

I appreciate any and all feedback.

posted 11-06-2003 01:44 PM              

As far as the undergrad application, I might not be the best one to ask. My portfolio consisted only of finished pieces. I got in anyway, but at my CMU portfolio review AND at the CMU booth at a portfolio day I was told I needed more process work to show my thinking. Now that I'm here I see what they mean; they don't want to see your finished idea only, but where it came from. If you have a process/sketchbook where you develop an idea, include that with the finished product.

So... I'd take out individual process work for pieces and include them rather than throw in a whole sketchbook.

Also... come here for a portfolio review rather than send in or submit online. They claim you get preference that way. Sign up for a bagger weekend and you can do your interview/portfolio review with design while you're here. Or, if you live in the area, set up an appointment.

Hope that helps.... let me know if it doesn't.

posted 11-23-2003 02:09 PM              

Awesome that you're visiting campus! Email me when you come - we'll show you a good time.

posted 12-04-2003 01:05 AM              

Go do something you've never done before, paint, take photographs whatever. You will probably suck at it since you're so new to it. But then keep working on it for a while until you get a little better. Now, I don't know if I'd put this along with the other slides without an explanation but definitely bring it into the review. It will never look like portfolio material, because since you're so new at it, it'll look like crap. What you should do is not just bring the final piece in but bring in the first thing you painted, and you bring every other painting you've done since then. This shows your willingness to fail but keep working at something and never giving up. It'll also show that you're open to trying out new and different things. (These are good traits to have in general anyway, but especially good for a student.) And so something like this can't be understood with just a bunch of 3d models that you've done and already good at.

Oh and if you do get in and you choose to come here take advantage of the fact that it's not an art school and dive into other fields while you're here like mechanical engineering, computer science, psychology, business, biology, or anything else. It'll open your eyes and blow your mind!

feel free to stop by senior studio, I'll probably be here since I pretty much live here.

damn, look a the time! I gotta get back to finishing up my final projects now....

posted 12-04-2003 03:57 AM              

Of course if you have other skills like photography and computer, it's no harm to show. It will just be a plus, but won't get you that far.

posted 12-04-2003 09:15 AM              

The watch and chair both look very nice. Very impressed by the watch, as they are sometimes difficult to model. Something I would suggest while you are progressing through school is to pick a certain industry that you really want to be in (like watches, shoes, etc.) and try to work on a few of those projects on the side. Helps build your portfolio up a little more and will be beneficial when searching for that first job bout of school.
I think all of your work is fine to show in your portfolio review. I mean, if they don't let someone like you in (who has cetainly showed that they have the initiative and passion to learn), then I'm lost as to what they are searching for.

posted 12-30-2003 02:55 PM              

The next four pages will have some concept images of the Chaise lounge...the layout for the portfolio is concept sketches, initial renderings, final rendering, and then information on the project. At the end of the portfolio there will be a CD with a multimedia presentation I did for my IB ITGS class. Once again, thank you all for the feedback.