What to include in a portfolio to apply to CSM Fashion
Вставка
- Опубліковано 1 лип 2024
- My video showing my portfolio to apply to Graduate Diploma Fashion CSM had 2 serious issues:
- it was boring AF;
- didn't offer any real advice to the most frequently asked question about applying to CSM Fashion
If you're curious about it, here's the link: • Fashion Portfolio over...
But if you're serious about applying and wanna get real advice, stick around.
*
- Blog posts about CSM Fashion:
Fashion Folio: oliviasuguri.com/blogs/fashio...
Grad Dip:oliviasuguri.com/blogs/fashio...
- Follow-up video: • Tutorials at CSM Fashi...
- Mentorship session: oliviasuguri.com/pages/fashio...
- Templates + other resources when you subscribe to my newsletter: eepurl.com/gk3psH
Wow you explained complicated things in a simple way which makes it more clear now. Thank you so much for sharing!
Aww thanks! Making this portfolio took me a really long time, because I had zero experience before, so I'm happy I managed to be concise :)
Thanks for the video. Very honest and candid perspectives!!
Thanks, Haylee! So glad you found it helpful :)
Thank you so much for the video !!! it's really helpful :)
Happy you liked it
thank you so much it was very informative! I'm going to apply to the graduate diploma in fashion design after my final year of BA fashion styling at LCF and I'm a bit clueless about starting my portfolio, so that was very helpful :) Not gonna lie though, it does look a bit daunting haha
You're welcome Louise! Happy you liked it :D
I know the feeling before starting a new project, but you're in good time so remember to take it one step at a time (check out my Creative Process playlist for more tips).
Also, I worked on this portfolio full time over the course of 9 months - that's why it looks HUGE! Don't take it as the standard for a portfolio to apply to Grad Dip.
Wow at Parsons we are always told to brand ourselves and make the coffee table books. Most kids fake the research after because the proffesor only care about producing not so much process. It's weird cause I felt my undergrad I didn't really fully explore my thesis, so it feels abit unfinished.
Hey Alex! This is what they'd call "over-editing" at CSM: you don't have a lot of research and development to back up your work, so you create ways to stuff your portfolio.
Wasn't expecting it from Parsons... but also remember chatting with Michael Halpern and he told me how different he felt about both schools (he did 4 more years at CSM, after all)
Hope you get the chance to explore your thesis further on your own :)
@@OliviaSuguri What crazy is that both my thesis proffesor taught masters program at CSM and Parsons. But they really didn't care about concept, it was all about aesthetics and making a finished product. Now that I am out of school I am exploring on my own, its just an unfortunate miss opportunity that alot of people in my year felt with their thesis. This makes me interested in CSM MA course because its much cheaper and I could develop a better understanding of myself and my work.
Alex Yarally yeah that’s just the beginning of your career as a designer, and it’s great you’re aware of what’s missing on your work. I wish you the best whether you decide to apply to MA Fashion CSM or develop your portfolio on your own 🙏🏼
This video was super insightful, so thank you! I was wondering, how flexible is the process if you are more material/process oriented? Can you start with a material and 3D development, and then use that to inform collages? Or if you wanted to start by exploring a certain cutting technique like subtraction cutting? Thanks again!
Hey Lars! The great thing about CSM is that you get to develop your own creative process, instead of following a formula.
My advice for people who are "makers" (myself included): even if you start by making a fabulous sample or draping, don't forget to back it up with research. It'll also give you more ideas and a clearer direction, and therefore make your work stronger.
Hope that made sense, and good luck (assuming you're applying)
Olivia Suguri Yea, that helped a lot! Thank you! I will be doing my foundation at CSM starting in the fall (the Diagnostic pathway) and am hoping for BA Fashion ‘21/‘22
Hi Olivia! I was wondering, if I'm applying for BA fashion, should I only include fashion projects in my portfolio? Or should I create some variety of other forms of art (paintings, installations etc)? Also, how many projects do you recommend to be put into the portfolio? Or is it quality over quantity?
Hey man! You can use paintings to show your illustrations skills, and installation/ dance/ performance etc as part of your design development, for example. But ultimately, you have to show a strong interest in Fashion and you only get a minimal amount of slides to capture the course leaders' attention so: be creative, be unique, be you... but be strategic!
Amount of projects: check the guidelines on each courses web page.
Personally, I'd say at least 3. The reason being (and here I think I'm repeating myself but it's important point to repeat): maybe the course leader will see your 1st project and be intrigued; then the second project... mehhh still don't know; then the third project will help them see the whole story of how you made progress (or not, god forbid) and they'll decide to call you for an interview.
Quality over quantity: quality comes from quantity. But on a portfolio you don't need to show everything. Don't over-edit to make it look like you're so profesh, but no need to include work that's just okay.
How to make digital fashion portfolio ? I’m really confused which software to use !! Thank you so much your video is very helpful 😍❤️
hey nandini, thanks for your comment!
and don't stress about softwares, keep it simple and use whatever is easier for you.
My advice: create tons of slides on PowerPoint/ Keynote if you have a Mac/ Google slides and edit later.
Thank you for this very informative video! I was wondering what should be the dimensions of a physical and digital portfolio?
Hey Victoria! Sorry for the late reply.
Have a look at my comments for Ana Margarida and Katherine Yu below, and always check the guidelines on CSM (or other uni/course you're applying to) website.
Physical portfolio: I wouldn't recommend larger than A3 for course applications, or larger than A4 for job interviews.
Big portfolios can be very clumsy, and also you might not get a lot of space to lay out your work during an interview.
@@OliviaSuguri Thank you so much! :))
Dear Olivia, Thank you so much for sharing ! Very helpful. I will be trying my chances at CSM in the coming year / years. I am interested in fashion design womenswear program and I wonder if students actually sew their collections so if expert mastering of sewing is needed to be admitted?
Hi Victoria, so happy you liked it :)
They do sew their own garments, and get help from other students for their final collection.
There aren't many cutting and sewing classes in the BA, so it's better if you know a bit before starting your course; and for the MA, you should definitely have a good knowledge already.
@@OliviaSuguri That's a very clear feedback, thanks a million !
Hi Olivia, I'm applying for the BA fashion womenswear at CSM this year, and I'm only allowed to submit 15 pages. It says to include 3 research pages, so should I keep it to just research images, photos, sketches, notes, etc or do I put my design development with it? and do u think those 3 research pages should be based on one project?
Also seeing as I only have 15 pages should I only include 1 final sewn piece from 1 of my projects or should I include more pieces from the other projects?
I'm planning to include around 3-4 projects but I don't know how to lay it all out in 15 pages
thank you x
Hey Sukaina, check out my mini-digital portfolio to see how I managed to sneak in some of my fabric samples: www.flickr.com/photos/olivia-suguri/albums/72157651147984985
And check out my replies to similar comments, as I can't give decent portfolio advice without seeing your work.
If you're interested in my portfolio advice sessions: oliviasuguri.com/collections/fashion-tech-support/products/portfolio-assessment
This video opened my mind! Thank you so much! Just have a question, your whole portfolio was only one project? I’m applying for the masters which the maximum is 30 pages.
Hey Ana! Happy you liked the video and thanks for the question, it's very useful actually:
- how many projects I included: I had just one project but I was an internal applicant (since I was doing Fashion Folio, another CSM course. the tutors know the other course leaders, and they'll gossip about the students), plus I was applying for the Graduate Diploma - a great course and also extremely hard, but with not as many applicants as the MA.
Considering the level I was at when I entered Fashion Folio vs. the level of the course I wanted to apply to, it was a valid approach to focus on developing my creative process with one good project than exploring different themes.
- how many projects to include for an MA: if you're an external applicant, follow the entry requirements on the course's website then have someone look at it (preferably an MA graduate, of course).
30 pages - or rather, 30 slides that you can present as "open portfolio pages" = 60 portfolio pages - is more than enough to grab their attention.
Nobody has the patience to flip through bad work and if you get an interview, you'll get to show more anyway - so leave them wanting more :)
Best of luck!
Olivia
@@OliviaSuguri Hello, I loved your video, it is one of the most helpful one I've seen so far. I am currently in the middle of organizing my portfolio to submit to CSM and the max is 10 pages. I've noticed you said that instead of pages, you are technically turning in slides or presentation boards (30 slides=60 portfolio pages). Would it be acceptable then for me to take spreads from my sketchbook and glue them on to a presentation board and submit it as "one" page though it would technically be 2-3 pages from my sketchbook or would they deem that as cheating? I realized the size of the papers in my sketchbook aren't as large as they could be and I fit my research photos, doodles, etc on two pages (but they are both the same concept and from the same research).
@@katherineyu5285 thank you, I'm so happy you got something out of it :)
What do you mean by glueing pages to a presentation board? Are you submitting a physical portfolio for application?
My advice is for a digital portfolio, like a PowerPoint presentation; which it's just a teaser of your work, and if they like it, they'll invite you for an interview where you can show your actual portfolio and sketchbooks.
How you're gonna organise it for the application, that's up to you to try and see the best way to present your work. I can't give you any specific advice without seeing what you've done.
@@OliviaSuguri Thank you for the fast response! And ohhhh gotcha, I was planning to take photos of my portfolio pages and upload them for submission rather then a PowerPoint type presentation, but now I understand thank you :) Also one more question, it sounds like a silly question but do the portfolio pages have to relate to one another? For instance, if they ask for your research pages and then your finalized illustrations, should the final pieces relate to the research pages? Or are they completely separate from each other and you can just submit your best research pages and your best final pieces regardless if they go together. Sorry that was really wordy. I appreciate your thoughts and advice !
Edit: I reread your response above regarding if your portfolio was one project or if you were exploring multiple themes, sorry for the repetitive question, so I would assume that focusing on one designing process leading up to its final piece is better than random pages that don't relate to each other.
@@katherineyu5285 This comment section is more helpful than any video in entire youtube! Would you mind me asking you if you got into csm?
Hi im from spain and i don’t understand more but , if i put photos this photos should make for me? Or can it from internet?
Hi Lara. The photos can be from the internet or books, but it's always better if you can take your own photos by visiting shops, vintage fairs, museums etc
Which software did you use to make the collages?
Hi Kiko! For this project, I did them all by hand using a craft knife. And I did countless versions before deciding on a final design - that I then printed on sugar paper.
I still used the same technique for other projects, and only recently started using Photoshop.
Hi, do you need a BA in Fashion to be eligible?
Hey Ella! Not necessarily: you could be a graduate of a related field; a totally different field but can demonstrate an interest in Fashion + portfolio and skills to prove you'd be able to benefit from the course; someone with enough work experience who's now looking to further their education.
In the end, portfolio + CV + personal statement are more important than your previous diploma.
I think the exception would be something like: you're 17, straight out of high school and just looking for a shortcut to the MA (I know that's not you, but just to cite an extreme example)
I’d love to talk to you I have a BA Entrepreneurship really want to study Fashion at CSM I have no idea where to begin
probably a foundation degree, or a beginner-friendly course that'll teach you the skills needed for a foundation degree
I have no idea how to capture my creative process , I’m seriously lost , I have a painting idea but how can I even research that
I have no idea of what your work is like; what course you're applying to; what's this painting idea you have in head - how can I even advise you?
@@OliviaSuguri I’m applying to fashion , it’s gonna be a part of my portfolio it’s something I got inspired by thinking about angels and etc but since it’s not something history or religion based (I mean the message is not related to religion) idk how to show or even do research on such a topic , I can capture my progress but idk about research
CAN you give the links of the sketchbooks you used for research pls ?
hey joshy, don't know if I understood your question. I didn't make any sketchbooks along with this portfolio
@@OliviaSuguri In the design development segment, you're using special papers for ur drawings and collages. Some sort of creme, light brown paper where you show ur textiles and japanese researchs ? I don't know if I made it clear mb
Both of the small research and the design design development notebooks 11:46
The same as you showed for your Boro project
@@joshy9014 it's called sugar paper, it used to be pretty common and cheap in London but I haven't found it elsewhere.
BTW grey paper was Daler-Rowney Murano coloured paper (colour Slate, I think), but that one was a lot more expensive. use newsprint instead :)
@@OliviaSuguri Thank you perfect
Pls make more videos on CSM. Is CSM REALLY WORTH ALL THE JAZZ AND WILL WE GET A JOB AFTER CSM
Hey Divya!
please read the articles I recommended on my last reply
@@OliviaSuguri thank you so much. I really appreciate the information you share on both the platforms.I look forward to seeing more of your videos wherever you decide to upload. Best wishes for your brand ❤️
Let's Draw and Croquis