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Jewelry Design

Portfolio Requirements

Print these requirements by clicking here for a .pdf version. 

NOTE: These instructions are for portfolio preparation only. Do not submit or mail any portfolio items to FIT until you have applied and received your USERNAME, PASSWORD, and LOGIN INSTRUCTIONS in an email from the FIT Admissions Office.

The Jewelry Design portfolio submission consists of a design test, original artwork, and written essays. We want to understand your creative process in both written and visual components. We ask that you put thought into your process and work to create original creative art that reflects your unique self-expression and special quirks. We want to see who you are in your design process. Because this is a test, we are unable to provide you with any additional information on how to execute the projects beyond what you receive here. Carefully follow instructions for each project, please do not submit work done for other purposes.

PART ONE: Design Test 

PROJECT ONE:  SKETCHING TEST

Take a basic geometric form or any combination of forms (i.e. squares, triangles, circles, rectangles, etc.) and create a necklace, earring, and brooch to actual scale (1” = 1”). Submit three (3) images.
NOTE: The sketches you draw must be the actual size of the item, should they ever be realized in three dimensions. 
MEDIA:  ink or pencil.  

PROJECT TWO:  INSPIRATION TEST

Choose an icon.  It can be a living or historic person, a historical or contemporary event, or a movement or cause that is political or social. Design a piece of wearable jewelry that represents the person, place, or event. Please submit an image of your initial sketch for the design as well as a final rendition. Please note the name of your selected icon on your inspiration sketch.
NOTE: You have the choice of creating an original design or researching and submitting an image of an existing appropriate jewel. If you choose an already existing jewel, please include the image of the subject you have chosen.
MEDIA: ink or pencil.

PART TWO: Your Original Artwork

PORTFOLIO SUBMISSION

Submit five (5) to seven (7) examples of two-dimensional artwork. The work should demonstrate the various techniques and media you have been exposed to. The goal here is not quantity, but quality.  Sketchbook "doodles" and cartoons are also acceptable.

Submit five (5) to seven (7) examples of three-dimensional artwork that you have created; various views of one item are acceptable if you need to explain the detail of this item. On your sketches, please include dimensions when and wherever possible. Items do not necessarily have to be jewelry items, but if you have any, please include them. Types of acceptable media are as follows, but not limited to: ceramics, wax, clay, plaster of Paris, stone, wood, paper, wire, papier-mâché, wire wrapping.

NOTE:  If you are a One-Year Full-Time Associate Degree Studio Option applicant, you must include finished jewelry or metal objects you have created by your own hand; this is in addition to any beadwork, wire wrapping, or "found materials" items you may have.

PART THREE: Written Essays

  1. In 300 words or less, explain why have you chosen jewelry as your major area of interest? What area of the jewelry industry interests you the most? 
  2. In 500 words or less, describe three contemporary jewelry designers or jewelry design "houses" you admire. Your choices may include fine or fashion jewelry.

PART FOUR: Additional Essays (for One-Year Full-Time Day Associate Degree Program Applicants Only)

FOR STUDIO OPTION APPLICANTS ONLY:

  1. Please explain your reasons for choosing our One Year (Day) Associate Degree Program. Answer each question in 250 words or less. 
  2. Are you familiar with the basic fabrication techniques of jewelry making, (i.e. soldering, sawing, filing, polishing) and are you proficient in these areas? 
  3. Are you familiar with "cold" and "hot" connections in fabricating jewelry?

FOR DESIGN OPTION APPLICANTS ONLY:

  1. Please explain your reasons for choosing our One Year (Day) Associate Degree Program. Answer each question in 250 words or less.
  2. Do you feel you have strong 2-dimensional design skills and are proficient in pencil and pen and ink sketches? 
  3. Are you familiar with the basic fabrication techniques of jewelry? 
  4. When you are sketching 2-dimensionally, are you able to visualize the object in three dimensions?

Please also refer to our general Portfolio Requirements page.

Apply now.