Graphic Design portfolio

On this page

Applying to the Graphic Design 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.

The form and content of your portfolio is important. Successful applicants typically show concrete evidence of visual communication skills, including attention to details like spelling, grammar and the technical quality of images. The originality, aesthetic, effectiveness and variety demonstrated through your portfolio are highly valued in the successful candidate.

Portfolio contents

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

A logo design assignment consisting of:
- 8 idea generation sketches
- 1 final logo design
8 examples of your original visual design work

Below, you’ll find details about each of these items and instructions on how to submit them.

Logo design assignment

Graphic Designers solve communication problems. In this assignment, you’ll be tasked with designing an original logo that addresses a communication problem faced by 1 of the following fictitious clients. You must choose only 1 client from the options below and submit the assigned items for that client.

Part 1 - Choose a client

WindFarm Incorporated
This large corporation wants to become a recognizable energy option for communities and businesses in Nova Scotia. They need a logo design that represents movement, growth, energy and environmental responsibility. They would like the colour and form to reflect a natural setting (windmills are often placed where the wind is best caught) and would also like to appear professional and reliable.

InnerTech
This medium‐sized computer repair company needs a logo design that represents technology, professionalism, friendliness and dependability. They would like the colour and form to reflect cutting-edge technology, approachability and reliability.

Dragon Fruit Café
This small, local business specializes in Fair Trade Coffee, organic fare and baked goods. The Café also provides local artists with a place to display and sell their work. They need a logo design that represents local flavour and aesthetic. They would like the colour and form to reflect an organic, grassroots, artistic business.

Part 2 – Create 8 idea generation sketches for your client’s logo

Create 8 thumbnail sketches showing your different ideas for the company logo. These should be completed on paper by hand, then scanned or digitized to include in your digital submission. You can use any media you wish including pencil, ink, paint, coloured pencil, etc.

Your 8 thumbnail sketches should include the name of the company, and they must be copies of your own original designs. Note that all sketches must be in support of only 1 of the clients listed above: WindFarm Incorporated, InnerTech or Dragon Fruit Café.

Part 3 – Create 1 final logo design for your client

Based on your research and thumbnail sketches, choose the best concept to represent the client’s new company and create a finished logo design. A finished logo design should consider presentation, attention to detail and technical execution. When you are designing your logo, you should ensure that it is scalable (possible to enlarge or reduce in size) and does not lose definition when reduced.

With this in mind, you can produce your logo any size up to 8.5x11 letter paper. You may complete this final logo design by hand using traditional drawing and painting materials or by using any software program. If your final piece is completed by hand, it must be either scanned or digitized to include in your digital submission.

Visual design work

You must select and submit digital versions of 8 pieces of original visual design work that you have created and consider appropriate to support your application to this program. Examples of this should include a selection of a variety of common graphic design products such as: brochures, logos, newsletters, posters, magazine pages, packaging, advertisements, drawing, painting, web design, digital imaging or photography.

How to submit your portfolio

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

Completed	Portfolio components
	Logo design assignment – idea generation sketches (8 total)
	Logo design assignment – final logo design (maximum of 1)
	Visual design work (8 total)

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 hasn’t 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] Graphic Design portfolio”, e.g., John Smith Graphic Design portfolio
Create a folder for each portfolio section within the main folder. Name these folders “Logo assignment” and “Visual design work”.
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 won't expire.
Send us the link to the main folder by email to . Add “Graphic Design portfolio” as 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 (your logo design assignment and visual design work).
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 “Graphic Design portfolio” as the subject line. Include your name, "W" number, the program you're 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 (logo assignment and visual design work).
Ensure all the necessary files are included in your slideshow before you submit it.
Ensure share settings are set so that anyone with the link can view.
Email the link to your slideshow to . Add "Graphic Design portfolio" to 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 “Logo assignment” and “Visual design work”.
Your assignments must be added under their respective titles.
Send your PDF as an attachment to . Add “Graphic Design portfolio” as the subject line. Include your name, "W" number and the program you are applying to in the body of the email.

Assessment

Your portfolio will be evaluated with this rubric. Your total score must add up to a minimum of 6 out of 9 points. If you score 1 in more than a single category, you are encouraged to apply to the Applied Media and Communication Arts (AMCA) program to develop the skills needed for entry to the Graphic Design program.

	3 points	2 points	1 point	0 points
Logo design assignment - idea generation sketches Concept Design development	8 ideas demonstrated within the given guidelines, several of which are suitable for further development.	8 ideas demonstrated within the given parameters.	Inappropriate or insufficient ideas submitted; guidelines not adhered to.	No evidence provided/submission not suitable for entry to program.
Logo design assignment - final logo design Adherence to specs Design Technical ability Presentation	Adhered to all given instructions. Appropriate final choice for development. Well executed in appropriate medium. Clearly and carefully presented.	Adhered to most given instructions. Appropriate final choice for development. Sufficiently executed in appropriate medium. Adequately presented.	Not enough of the requirements met.	No evidence provided/submission not suitable for entry to program.
Selection of portfolio pieces Typography, originality, presentation, layout, composition technical ability, visual rhythm balance, format	Easily demonstrates ability for entry level.	Some work is sufficient for entry level.	Work is of an insufficient standard for entry to this program.	No evidence provided/submission not suitable for entry to program.
Total /9

Contact us

For inquiries and assistance, contact