All students applying to the High School of Fashion Industries must complete and submit a portfolio that meets the requirements of the program desired. 

It is most important to get and include the clearest pictures possible of your unique artistic abilities and talents.

Remember, we are looking for your potential, which means your present skills will grow and develop over the four years you will invest in our school.

​The portfolio must be attached to the Common Audition Components for Potential Virtual Auditions (2024-25) when applying through your My Schools Account

Call Backs:

We may invite you to “call backs” for other school specific requirements. We may also invite students for live on-demand tasks.

Do not be concerned if you are not invited for a call back. A call back does not mean acceptance or rejection.

These are GENERAL requirements - we do not offer SPECIFICS because we want to see the RANGE of CREATIVITY of the applicant

I. Portfolio Upload - 

Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original fashion related artwork

Pieces 1-4 Fashion Illustrations ​​

• Illustrations of garments are to show front and back of look.

• Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet.

• Draw your figure with realistic proportions.

• Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes. 

• Include any observed details and draw the facial features.

• Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.

Pieces 5-8 Fashion Related Pieces ​​

• You may include additional fashion designs or select tangible pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional.

OR

• You are welcome to follow the NYC DOE Common Audition component suggestions

II. Student Introduction

Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio. Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable).

I. Portfolio Upload -

Photographs of 4 to 8 pieces of original artwork that include the following: 

• Piece 1: A self-portrait, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw yourself by looking in a mirror).

• Piece 2: A still life of at least 3 items, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper done from observation (from observation means you draw objects placed before you on a surface in front of you). 

• Piece 3: A figure drawing, using a graphite drawing pencil and paper. You may pose a friend or a family member in front of you. Draw the human figure from observation (from observation means you draw a live person). If you do not have access to a friend or family member, see the tutorial on figure drawing on this visual arts portfolio resources(Open external link).

  • Make sure you draw the entire figure and fill the page: do not cut off parts of the head or feet.

  • Draw your figure with realistic proportions.

  • Try to use value or lines to draw the folds on the clothes.

  • Include any observed details and draw the facial features.

  • Include some background elements placing the figure in a simple setting to make sure your figure does not look like it is floating in space.

• Pieces 4-7: Add 1 to 4 additional pieces to your portfolio. You may select pieces that were created using any material in any form. They may be two-dimensional or three-dimensional. You may consider the following suggestions:

  • Re-design 5 characters from your favorite live action TV show or movie.

  • Create a poster design promoting an upcoming event or advertising a new product. Include imagery and text.

  • Create a book cover design of your favorite book: Include title and author.

  • Redesign a logo from one of your favorite companies.

• Piece 8: Submit this creative drawing based on the program to which you are applying.

  • Animation: Fantastical Sandwich. Using pencil and paper, stage an interesting scene of a character eating a sandwich in 3 phases.

    • Ask yourself:

      • Who is my character, and what are they like?

      • What type of sandwich is the character eating?

      • Why and where are they eating this sandwich?

    • Show us your wildest ideas. Be as creative as possible while pushing the story forward...and have fun with it!

  • Graphic Design: MTA Subway Poster Advertisement.  A new restaurant opened in your neighborhood. You must design an NYC subway poster promoting their special sandwich...the most (fill in the blank) sandwich in NYC! Your design must include: 

    • Image and brief description of the sandwich

    • Name of the restaurant

    • Name of the sandwich

    • Slogan for the sandwich stating why it is so special

II. Student Introduction 

Select three pieces of artwork from your portfolio (Piece 1 and Piece 2 must be included). Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. If you cannot create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable).

I. Portfolio Upload -

Photographs of up to 5 photographs of original photographs. You could complete these in any media, including digital.

You may include any photographs you wish - potential suggestions include:

• A self portrait

• A still life with one light source

• A moment with your family using natural light

• A landscape scene with items in the foreground, middle ground and background using natural light

​II. Student Introduction 

Select three photographs from your portfolio. Upload a short video about the three uploaded pieces of original artwork. Discuss your choice of subject and materials, motivation, and influences. Your video should be no longer than three (3) minutes. If you are unable to create a video, you may upload a written explanation of up to 500 words (either is equally acceptable).

The Software Development Program falls under M68M

These are GENERAL requirements - we do not offer SPECIFICS because we want to see the RANGE of CREATIVITY of the applicant. All WORK submitted must be ORIGINAL and attached to their online audition.

Portfolio Upload

Option 1: 

Create a slideshow that includes the following:

• A brand you've selected (either a brick-and-mortar or e-commerce)

• A description of the brand's history and how it began

• An overview of the products the brand offers

• An explanation of the ideal customer for this brand

• An advertisement for this brand in one slide

  • The ad must promote the brand, a product, or a promotion.

  • Keep in mind the customer that you are trying to target. 

Option 2:

Write a well-constructed essay of at least three well-developed paragraphs describing your favorite store to shop at. 

• If your favorite place to shop is an online store, make sure to explain why you prefer it to a brick-and-mortar store.

• Explain why people should shop there and describe how you feel when shopping at this store.

• Keep in mind the customer that you are trying to target. 

Create an advertisement for your favorite store. This can be digital or physical.

• Customize your advertisement for the location it will be placed, such as on the train, Instagram, website, magazine, or billboard.

• The ad must promote the brand, a product, or a promotion.

• Keep in mind the customer that you are trying to target.

1. Use different medium such as colored pencils, watercolor or tempera paints, charcoal and oil pastels.

2. VARIETY is an important characteristic of a well developed portfolio.

3. RESEARCH different famous artists and their works to gather ideas to create your own original pieces. The NYC public library has a vast collection of art history.

4. For additional support with your portfolio, you may view these visual arts portfolio resources provided by the NYC DOE- Link 1 & Link 2