Admissions
Portfolio Requirements
The Digital Production Arts program requires students to become proficient in both computer science and art. While few students initially possess equal skills in both areas, you should be able to provide evidence of ability, or at least potential, in each field. Additionally, the program requires every student to complete a master's thesis; therefore, you must submit a writing sample so that your writing skills can be assessed.
In addition to the standard application required by the graduate school (http://www.grad.clemson.edu), the DPA program requires a portfolio containing three parts:
- computer science coding sample
- art samples
- writing samples
Additional information on each part of the portfolio is given on the right.
Submission Dates
For full review, the portfolio should be submitted no later than January 10. Portfolios submitted after that date may still be reviewed at the option of the review committee.
Early Acceptance
Exceptional students wanting early acceptance should submit their portfolio by November 19, for a decision on or about December 15. If a student submits for Early Acceptance and is successful, it is expected that the student will attend the Digital Production Arts program the following fall term.
Submission Methods
If you are submitting electronically, please follow these guidelines:
- create a website that contains all of your portfolio materials
- provide links for coding samples, which should be text only so that they can be compiled (if necessary) and executed
- format one or more webpages that categorize your artwork, as indicated on the right; provide both small and large samples of scanned work
- include the writing sample in pdf format
- send the link to dpa@clemson.edu
If you are submitting by mail, please follow these guidelines:
- submit any electronic work by CD or DVD with protective sleeve; write your name on all media and sleeves
- any video should be Quicktime format with H264 or mpeg2 video data.
- for print portfolios, submit a bound document (8.5" x 11", 300 DPI) with a cover page and contact information on every page; each page should be enclosed in a plastic sleeve
- send all materials to
Digital Production Arts
100 McAdams Hall
Clemson University
Clemson, SC 29634
Portfolio Content
Computer Programming Samples
In addition to possessing basic computer skills, you must be able to understand and produce computer code. This code can take the form of high-level programming languages (e.g., C, C++, and Java), or scripting languages (e.g., Python, MEL, and Perl). If your strengths lie mostly on the art side, you need not be an expert coder; however, you must be able to show that you understand basic coding logic (i.e., conditionals and unary/binary operators), control flow (i.e., loops and functions), data structures, and problem decomposition.
Please submit two coding samples in any language, each containing at least 200 lines of code. Provide comments in the code header or within the code explaining what your code does and how it works. Also, include directions on how to compile (if necessary) and execute your code.
Art Samples
An important part of your application to the DPA program is the art portion of the portfolio. We are primarily interested in fine arts skills (drawing, painting, sculpture, and photography), which should be reflected in your portfolio work. If you are strong in technical (computer science) skills, you need not be an expert artist; however, some artistic promise should be evident. We encourage you to do the best you can in the areas listed and submit your best work.
The following guidelines will help you in preparing and submitting your work. If all were completed, they would represent an ideal art portfolio; however, we allow you to choose two for your application materials. Whichever you select, create a submission that showcases your talent and potential.
The art portfolio should consist of AT LEAST TWO of the following components:
- Gesture (2 pages)
- Interior/Exterior Design (2 pages)
- Narrative Storyboard (2 pages - 5 panels each, template provided)
- Figure Drawing (2 pages)
- Personal (3 pages): pick up to 3 from these categories: photography, drawing, painting, sculpture, 3D modeling, short film (2-5 minutes maximum), demo reel (1 minute maximum)
What we are looking for in all art work is good narrative or story potential. Does your personal work reflect the potential for a good story? Can we imagine what will happen next?
Additional information for each component:
- Gesture: Produce sketches of people and animals from life. Drawings can originate from everyday places (the mall, the park, coffee shop, etc.). Observe people walking, running, and talking; observe animals, such as dogs, cats, horses, and birds, in motion. Include one page of 8-10 sketches of people in active poses (walking, running, playing), and one page of 8-10 sketches of various animals moving and playing.
- Perspective Design: Provide sketches of both exterior and interior scenes. Exterior Perspective: 3-4 designs of city and landscape. Interior Design 3-4 designs of an interior space. Try to design the space to evoke the idea that a story is behind it.
- Narrative: Create storyboards that depict a narrative sequence of what you hope to achieve after graduating from the DPA program. Your sequence must have a beginning (introduction), middle (conflict), and end (happy or sad resolution). Use the provided storyboard template for your work.
- Figure Drawing: Include drawings of human figures, including a male page (3 gestures and 2 detailed drawings), and a female page (3 gestures and 2 detailed drawings). Drawings must be as realistic as possible, i.e, no design (anime, caricature, or cartoon-based works), and rendered with emphases on muscle, skin, and light and shadow.
- Personal: Provide 3 samples of personal art work, selected from the following categories: photography, drawing (character design), painting, sculpture, 3D modeling, or DVD short film/demo reel.
Writing Sample
Please write a short report (two to three pages, single-spaced) that critiques your own art work. Select a limited number of works and explain how you created them and how they could be improved. Include both aesthetic and technical considerations concerning your work, how this work is new and/or challenging, and what the work, individually or as a body, means to you. This critique should be written with formal style and language.