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Graphic Design Portfolio Requirements

Do not copy work from other sources for your portfolio and do not use generative AI in any capacity for your portfolio. We want to see YOUR creative interpretation of these projects as an indicator of YOUR creativity, problem solving, and artistic ability. Your portfolio will be scored out of 100 points. To be approved, you must score at least 70 points.

Logo (hand-drawn) Value: 15 points


Create an original logo for “Invincible Gaming”. Your solution must include the company name and a logomark (a symbolic image or icon). Black ink only, no colour. The company can be any sort of business you choose, but you must provide context in your description. Existing icons may not be used.

Expressive Typography (hand-drawn) Value: 15 points


Hand-letter your name in full colour in a way that says something about you using styles that reflect your personality or qualities. Your full name, first name, or nickname are all acceptable. The style of the letters you create should communicate the message about you, instead of additional illustrated elements.

Poster Design (digital or hand-drawn) Value:15 points


Design a full-colour 12” x 18” poster promoting an event in your area. Pick something of interest to you. You can use event information from a real event or make up the details (dates, time, location, contact information, URL).

T-Shirt Design (digital or hand-drawn) Value: 15 points


Create a T-shirt design for the Holland College Graphic Design program. Required text: “Holland College Graphic Design”, “Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island”. Use two colours in your design, solid colours only, no gradients. To show context and scale, display your design on a T-Shirt. The colour of the shirt is up to you.

Original Work Value: 15 points


Submit three original works you have created in the past year. Your original work could include, but is not limited to:

Essay Value: 10 points


Write a 400- to 500-word statement describing what you would like to gain from this program and what you would like to do in this field or industry once you graduate. Please format for 8.5” x 11” paper. An online tool like Grammarly is recommended to help you with punctuation, grammar, etc. Using ‘AI’ tools to write the essay for you is to be avoided. It is imperative that the essay be written in your own ‘voice’.

Presentation Value: 10 points


Your portfolio will be rated based on the presentation of your work. To achieve the highest mark, your portfolio should be well organized and easy to access.

How to Submit your Portfolio

When you have completed the required projects, take clear, well-lit images or scans of your hand-drawn work and create a digital portfolio of all your digital work. Make sure your portfolio is well organized and that you include descriptions of each piece.

Free online portfolio websites (wix, adobe portfolio, etc) can serve as the home for your portfolio images and descriptions. Alternatively, feel free to send a multiple-page PDF. Do not send hard copies of your portfolio. 

Please send your completed portfolio to the Admissions department using this email address: info@hollandcollege.com. Use “Graphic Design Portfolio” as your subject line.

If you have any additional questions regarding the portfolio, please contact Graphic Design learning manager Michael Thomas: mcthomas@hollandcollege.com