CalArts’ portfolio requirements differ significantly by program — the Character Animation portfolio looks nothing like the Fine Arts portfolio, and the Film/Video portfolio is different again. Understanding what each program actually wants, and what the faculty reviewers are specifically looking for, is the most important preparation knowledge for Korean CalArts applicants.
The Core Principle: Program-Specific Evaluation
Unlike RISD’s more generalized portfolio evaluation (strong observational drawing valued across programs), CalArts evaluates portfolios through the lens of the specific program’s faculty. What the Character Animation faculty value is genuinely different from what the School of Art faculty value — and preparing a portfolio without this distinction leads to misaligned submissions.
Character Animation Portfolio: What Reviewers Want
Character Animation is the most specifically prescribed CalArts portfolio. Faculty reviewers are looking for:
1. Life Drawing and Gesture Drawing (essential) Strong observational life drawing — drawing the human figure from observation, with attention to weight, gesture, and movement — is the most important component of a Character Animation portfolio. CalArts explicitly and consistently emphasizes this. Students without developed life drawing ability are at a significant disadvantage.
- Include gesture drawings (quick observational drawings of figures in motion, typically 1–5 minutes each)
- Include longer observational studies (10–30 minute drawings of figures at rest or in activity)
- Show range across different body types, ages, and poses
2. Character Design Character design sheets showing original characters — drawn consistently from multiple angles (front, side, three-quarter, back) with expression sheets showing different emotional states. These demonstrate the ability to maintain character consistency while conveying personality and narrative potential.
3. Storyboarding or Animatics Sequence drawings that tell a story — demonstrating visual storytelling ability, the understanding of how images in sequence create narrative, and timing. Even simple storyboards (one page, 6–12 panels) that tell a clear short narrative demonstrate this ability.
4. Animation Work (if available) Completed animation — even simple, short clips of 10–30 seconds — that shows the student’s understanding of movement, timing, and the mechanical and artistic dimensions of animation. Not required if the student is at an early level, but extremely valuable for competitive applications.
5. Additional Creative Work Other drawings, illustrations, comics, or visual work that demonstrates the student’s broader creative interests and personality. CalArts faculty want to understand who you are as a creative person, not just whether you can draw the technically correct things.
School of Art Portfolio: What Reviewers Want
The School of Art (Fine Arts, Graphic Design, etc.) evaluates portfolios very differently from Character Animation:
Conceptual ambition: What is the student exploring? What questions are they asking through their work? The artwork should be evidence of genuine creative thinking — not technical skill demonstration.
Experimental willingness: Work that shows the student has taken creative risks — tried things that might not have worked, explored unconventional materials or approaches — is more valued than technically polished but conventionally conceived work.
Range and development: Evidence that the student’s practice is developing, not static. Include early work and recent work that show how thinking has evolved.
Artist statement alignment: The school of art portfolio is evaluated alongside the artist statement — the statement should genuinely illuminate the work, not just describe it.
The Artist Statement: Critical Across All Programs
CalArts specifically emphasizes the artist statement as a critical component. The statement should discuss:
- The issues and concerns that inform your art-making practice
- Your reasons for applying to CalArts specifically
- Your artistic goals
A generic, vague artist statement — “I am passionate about art and want to develop my skills” — is a significant weakness. A specific, honest statement that reveals genuine creative thinking and specific reasons for CalArts specifically is a significant strength.
What NOT to Include
Do not include work you are not proud of simply to fill space. Fewer strong pieces are more competitive than many mixed-quality pieces.
Do not include copied or highly derivative work. CalArts values originality and genuine creative development.
For Character Animation: Do not include only finished illustrations. The gesture drawings and process work are more important than polished finished illustrations.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many pieces should a CalArts portfolio include? CalArts’ portfolio size requirements vary by program. Check the specific program page on calarts.edu for current requirements. Generally, 15–30 pieces for Character Animation is typical; the School of Art may have different requirements.
Can a Korean student without formal animation training apply to CalArts Character Animation? Yes — but the life drawing and storytelling fundamentals must be developed regardless of formal training background. Students who begin preparation specifically for CalArts Character Animation without prior life drawing development need 18–24 months of focused preparation.
Does CalArts accept digital artwork in portfolios? Yes. Both traditional and digital work are accepted. For Character Animation, traditional life drawing is specifically valued — even if the student’s primary practice has been digital.
Royal Blue Art & Design는 압구정에 위치한 유학미술학원으로, 19년간 한국 학생들의 RISD, Parsons, CalArts 등 미국 최상위 미술대학 입시를 도와왔습니다. [상담 문의하기 →]