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Game and Interactive Art portfolio

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This page offers detailed information about what's required in your portfolio as part of your application to the Game and Interactive Art program. Information on the program itself can be found on the Game and Interactive Art program page.

Applying to the Game and Interactive Art program? The program’s admission requirements include a portfolio submission. Your portfolio helps NSCC evaluate your abilities to ensure you have a reasonable probability of success in this program.

Portfolio contents

Your portfolio consists of the following items, to be submitted digitally:

  • 2 object drawings
  • 2 perspective drawings
  • 3 life drawings

Object drawings

Create 2 observational line drawings of objects from everyday life in such a way that demonstrates an accurate understanding of the 3 dimensions (height, width and depth) and the objects’ basic underlying forms of the sphere, the cube, the cylinder and the cone (e.g., a hammer, a wagon, a chair, a camera). Draw the images on plain paper, then scan or digitize for submission.

The images below are examples of student work from the program:

A sketch of a pair of boots by Qi Liu.   
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.                                      

A sketch of an iron for pressing clothes by Qi Liu.
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.

Perspective drawings

Create 2 perspective drawings:

Drawing 1

Draw the interior of a room and all the furniture and objects located in that space in correct proportion. Use perspective and well-defined vanishing points to make your image look as realistic as possible and to give the illusion of depth. Get as far back as you can to draw the whole room (don’t draw close-up). Draw the images on plain paper, then scan or digitize for submission.

View examples of student work from the program:

A sketch of a living room by Abby Jones.
Pictured here: A sketch by Abby Jones.

A sketch of an open-concept living room and kitchen by Qi Liu.
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.

A sketch of the interior of a library by Lucas Sharkey-Chouinard.
Pictured here: A sketch by Lucas Sharkey-Chouinard.

Drawing 2

Draw a street scene with a number of buildings in correct proportion. Use perspective and well-defined vanishing points to make your image look as realistic as possible and to give the illusion of depth. Don’t draw a natural landscape.

View examples of student work from the program:

A sketch of a city street scene by Colton Snook.   
Pictured here: A sketch by Colton Snook.               

A sketch of a building with a parked parked in front of it by Qi Liu.

Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.

Life drawings

Create 3 life drawings. These should demonstrate your ability to draw the full body human form (not portraits) with the same sense of 3-dimensionality and structure as the other drawings you're submitting. Have a variety of poses from quick- to long-sustained poses.

View examples of student work from the program:

A sketch of a man standing on his left leg with his right leg raised and arms behind his back by Qi Liu.   
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.                                  

A sketch of a woman standing with her right leg ahead of her left and her hands behind her back by Qi Liu.
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.

A sketch of a man posed to throw a spear with his right hand by Abby Jones.   
Pictured here: A sketch by Abby Jones.       

A rough sketch of 3 figures by Qi Liu. Two figures stand and one figure sits.         
Pictured here: A sketch by Qi Liu.

How to submit your portfolio

Before your submit your portfolio, review this checklist to ensure your submission is complete:

Completed Portfolio components
2 object drawings
2 perspective drawings
3 life drawings

Submit your portfolio using 1 of the following 4 methods. Note that you may not alter your portfolio once it has been submitted (it will be screen captured to ensure it has not been modified in any way).

File-sharing service

You may use a file-sharing service like Google Drive, Dropbox, etc. to submit your portfolio for assessment. If using this method:

  • Create a main folder using the following name structure: “[Your first and last name] Game and Interactive Art portfolio”, e.g., John Smith Game and Interactive Art portfolio
  • Create a folder for each portfolio section within the main folder. Name these folders:
    • 2 object drawings
    • 2 perspective drawings
    • 3 life drawings
  • Add your assignments to their respective folders.
  • Ensure permissions of your folders are set up to allow anybody with the link to view and download the folder contents, and that access to the link will not expire.
  • Send us the link to the main folder by email to . Add “Game and Interactive Art portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you're applying to and the link to the main folder in the body of your email.

Learn how to upload files and folders to Google Drive.
Learn how to add files and folders to your Dropbox account.

Portfolio website

You may create a portfolio website to be shared for assessment. Paid hosting and custom URL aren't necessary. If using free website providers like Wix or Wordpress, your site must be published for the link to be viewable. Note that social media pages are not acceptable portfolio websites. 

If using this method:

  • Your website must contain separate sections that are clearly labelled to correspond with each portfolio section:
    • 2 object drawings
    • 2 perspective drawings
    • 3 life drawings
  • Uploaded images should be in a file format supported on the web - either JPEG or PNG.
  • Ensure all the necessary files are uploaded to your site before you submit it.
  • Email your portfolio website to . Add “Game and Interactive Art portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you are applying to and the link to your portfolio website in the body of the email. 
  • Ensure you've included the published link in your email, not a link to the web editor version of your site. 

Portfolio slideshow

You may create a portfolio slideshow using an online slide creation tool like Google Slides or Canva. If using this method:

  • Your slideshow must contain separate sections that are clearly labelled to correspond with each portfolio section:
    • 2 object drawings
    • 2 perspective drawings
    • 3 life drawings
  • Ensure all the necessary files are included in your slideshow before you submit it.
  • Ensure your share settings are set so that anyone with the link can view.
  • Email the link to your slideshow to . Add "Game and Interactive Art portfolio" in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you're applying to and the link to your portfolio slideshow in the body of the email.

PDF document

You may save all images into 1 PDF file as long as your file doesn't exceed 25MB. If it exceeds the size limit, you'll need to compress it. If it continues to exceed the size limit after compressing it, use 1 of the methods listed above instead.

If using this method:

  • Collect all images and merge them into 1 PDF document.
  • Each portfolio section must be clearly labelled using the titles:
    • 2 object drawings
    • 2 perspective drawings
    • 3 life drawings
  • Your assignments must be added under their respective titles.
  • Send your PDF as an attachment to . Add “Game and Interactive Art portfolio” in the subject line. Include your name, "W" number and the program you're applying to in the body of the email.

Assessment

Learners in the Game and Interactive Art program devote many hours to sketching, sculpting, texturing and rendering. The development of these essential art skills enables them to draw any character, object, building, room or landscape from any point of view, and makes it faster to sculpt, texture and/or render in 3-dimensional intended for game development.

The admissions committee will look at your portfolio for evidence of your potential to reach this goal and to be successful. Your combined total score for the portfolio must add up to a minimum of 24 out of 40 points (60%) to gain acceptance into the program.

Object drawings

The object drawings component of your portfolio will be evaluated with this rubric.
Developing:
0 to 1 point		 Competent:
1.5 points		 Exemplary:
2.5 points
Use of lines The artwork appears unfinished or of thumbnail-sketch quality and not of final quality. Good variations in line quality to define the object. Using thick and thin lines to denote hard/soft edges. Excellent variations in line quality to define the object. Clear attention to details using thick and thin lines to denote hard/soft edges and weight. /2.5
Effort Artwork submission illustrates a simple object that does not completely explore the shape or variations possible even with a simple object. Artwork submission illustrates an object of moderate complexity. Good exploration of the details and shape of the object. Artwork submission illustrates a moderate to complex object. Thorough exploration of the details and shape of the object evident. /2.5
0 to 2 points 3 to 4 points 5 points
Structure Artwork feels unfinished, more dimension and details needed to better define the shape of the object. Artwork demonstrates a clear understanding of 3-dimensional structure. Good level of detail used to define the shape of the object. Artwork demonstrates an excellent understanding of 3-dimensional structure. High level of detail used to define the shape of objects so they appear solid and realistic. /5
Total points /10

Perspective drawings

The perspective drawings component of your portfolio will be evaluated with this rubric. 
Developing:
2 to 3 points		 Competent:
4 points		 Exemplary:
5 points
Vanishing point Artwork appears incomplete, missing too many details, lack of vanishing point and horizon line. Artwork demonstrates an understanding of perspective, clear application of vanishing point and horizon line. Artwork demonstrates an exceptional understanding of perspective, application of vanishing point and horizon line, high level of detail in drawing. /5
1 to 1.5 points 2 points 2.5 points
Solid structures Artwork feels unfinished. More dimension and details needed to better define the shape of objects. Artwork demonstrates a clear understanding of 3-dimensional structure. Good level of detail used to define the shape of objects. Artwork demonstrates an excellent understanding of 3-dimensional structure. High level of detail used to define the shape of objects so they appear solid and realistic. /2.5
Use of lines/amount of details Artwork feels unfinished, line quality is choppy and makes some objects look unclear. More details needed. Artwork demonstrates a good level of detail applied to give the objects character and style. Good line quality, clean line work evident. Artwork demonstrates outstanding line quality. Finished with a great deal of patience evident by the high level of detail present. /2.5
Total points /10

Life drawings

The life drawings component of your portfolio will be evaluated with this rubric. 
Developing:
6 to 10 points		 Competent:
11 to 15 points		 Exemplary:
16 to 20 points
Accuracy drawing the human figure The human figure is not drawn to the correct proportions or structure. Drawing is missing a significant amount of detail. Most of the human figures are drawn to the correct proportions and structure. Demonstrates a moderate understanding of 3-dimensional form. The human figure is drawn to the correct proportions and structure and demonstrates an excellent understanding of 3-dimensional form.
Total points /20

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