What Should I Include in My Art School Portfolio? A Complete Guide for Students in Asia & beyond.

When applying to top art, design, or architecture schools, your portfolio is more than just a collection of work — it’s your voice, your vision, and your chance to stand out. For students across Asia aiming for world-class universities like RISD, Parsons, UAL, or Cambridge, the question comes up again and again:

What should I actually include in my portfolio?

This guide will break it down step by step.

1. Show a Range of Skills (But Stay Focused)

Admissions teams want to see technical ability, but also creativity and flexibility. Include:

• Drawing and observational work: sketches, figure drawing, still life, architecture studies.
  
  

• Design and experimentation: photography, printmaking, sculpture, or digital art.
  
  

• Final pieces: resolved artworks that demonstrate control of media.
  
  

Tip: You don’t need 20 perfect works. A smaller, well-curated selection with range and depth is far stronger.

2. Highlight Your Process

In Asia, many students focus only on polished outcomes — but leading schools want to see how you think. Include:

• Research pages, mood boards, and sketches.
  
  

• Material tests and failed experiments (yes, even the ones that didn’t “work”).
  
  

• Notes and reflection: Why did you make those choices?
  
  

Universities like RISD or Cambridge love seeing adaptability, problem-solving, and risk-taking.

3. Connect to Your Ideas and Context

Top schools want more than technical skill. They’re looking for your thinking. Show projects that explore:

• Personal identity (culture, language, memory, place).
  
  

• Global themes (community, environment, technology, architecture).
  
  

• Critical voice: opinions or perspectives on contemporary issues.
  
  

As one of my students, Dabinn (accepted to Cambridge Architecture), said: “Use your portfolio not just to show what you’ve made, but to communicate how you think.”

4. Tailor for Your Pathway

• Art and Design Portfolios: focus on experimentation, material play, and developing a strong creative voice.
  
  

• Architecture Portfolios: include architectural drawing, model-making, photography of buildings/spaces, and works that demonstrate spatial awareness.
  
  

• Specialized Programs (e.g., Graphic Design, Fashion): balance core skills with targeted projects that show passion for that field.
  
  

One size does not fit all. The best portfolios are tailored to your intended discipline.

5. Keep Presentation Clean and Clear

No matter how good the work, presentation matters.

• Avoid clutter and over-designed layouts.
  
  

• Sequence your portfolio to tell a story.
  
  

• Add short captions: what, why, how.
  
  

As Dabinn reflected after her applications: “Sometimes less really is more. Let your ideas and skills take centre stage.”

Final Thoughts

Building a portfolio isn’t just about showing talent — it’s about showing who you are, how you think, and how you create.

At Dan Studios, we specialize in guiding students across Asia and worldwide to develop portfolios that balance creativity, strategy, and individuality. Whether you’re just starting or preparing to submit, the right guidance can make all the difference.

Ready to Take the Next Step?

• Start with our Free 5-Module Portfolio Course to learn the fundamentals.
  
  

• Explore our Mentor Program for 1-to-1 guidance tailored to your goals.
  
  

Read our Case Studies to see how students like Mark, Cherry, and Dabinn earned places at RISD, Parsons, and Cambridge.