Immersive, collaborative and designed to unlock your creativity—for over 130 years Cogswell has been helping people turn their passion into their professions. Today, it’s your turn. Explore our program offerings to help you develop the skills you need for the job you’ll love.
Pairing business, technology and creativity, our students come to the heart of Silicon Valley to deepen and grow their passions. The result? A skilled and dynamic community with a social life that is surprisingly robust.
A portfolio of your best work must accompany your Cogswell Digital Art & Animation or Game Design Art admission application. Please send the best possible quality digital media, photos or copies/reproductions. Portfolios that do not conform to the instructions below will not be reviewed. You cannot be accepted into the program without an approved portfolio.
The portfolio must contain digital images or copies of at least seven original drawings, paintings, sculptures, concept art and/or screenshots of game art that you have created. All portfolio material must be contained in a hardcover 1" or 1.5" three-ring binder.
Print your name on the spine of the binder with a permanent marking pen. Include a cover sheet with your name, address and phone number. This sheet should also list the contents of the portfolio by title, date, and medium, in correct chronological sequence.
Photographs and copies/prints must be affixed to heavy paper using "photo corners", available online or at photo supply shops, and the sheets should be secured by the rings in your binder. Please do not tape photos to printer paper. Include a title sheet or label each photo with title, medium, and date. If you are using a regular camera, shoot in daylight without a flash. If possible, enlist the help of a friend or professional.
Tips for creating your portfolio
A portfolio will be returned if it is accompanied by a self-addressed, stamped envelope. A portfolio without return postage and SASE will be discarded after one semester. Portfolios must be submitted with all application materials.