Check with each college you will be applying for to see if they have portfolio requirements. The criteria might cover maximum number of items, type of art or genres to include, or the format the portfolio must be in. Some colleges will accept a digital portfolio created on CD or DVD while others require a printed one.
Choose 10 of your best drawings, paintings, photos or designs. Arrange your choices by placing the absolute best piece first, the weakest in the middle and your second best last. This ensures your portfolio starts strong and ends strong.
Include a cover page containing your name and the current year along with any other criteria your college requires. If you are presenting a print portfolio containing photographs or original works, write your name and Social Security number on the back of each item before attaching them to the portfolio.
Size each example consistently to present a fluid and professional look. Avoid spreading a single example across multiple pages. It is recommended each example have its own page in order to maintain focus on each work.
Accompany each example with its creation date, name and short description. Use non-decorative fonts that are easy to read.
Package your portfolio in a minimal and professional fashion. Traditional portfolios are housed in a black cover or binder containing white pages. You can deviate from this format with dark backgrounds or using complimentary colors, but avoid over-designing your portfolio as it will take away from the examples presented within.