MBI Graduate Program ADMISSIONS

Sample Portfolio

Admissions Portfolios Include:

20 Samples of Artwork
Portfolio Categories:
- General Drawing – 4 minimum
- Figures Drawing – 5 minimum
- Graphic Design – 2 minimum
- Color Media – 2 minimum
- Digital Media – 2 minimum
- Sketchbook Pages – 2 minimum
A maximum of 2 examples of art outside the above Portfolio Categories might include: Sculpture, Photography, Multimedia Presentation, Fine Art, or similar
Illustrations of Anatomy, Dissections, or Medical Illustration should NOT be included
For more information on the Science Prerequisites and the full Admissions Process, go to our Admissions Page.

Submit your Portfolio & Applicant Profile

This sample portfolio below is compiled from artwork of candidates who have been accepted into the program in the past. It is not designed to show the best work possible or a certain style, but rather to illustrate key points that are important to consider when submitting a portfolio for review by the department. Commentaries explain some of the key features being reviewed in each of the categories.

The Sample Portfolio is divided into the following categories: General Drawing, Figure Drawing, Color Media, Graphic Design, Digital Media, and Sketchbook Pages.

Also check out the: Portfolio Guidelines Blog Post

General drawing is a category that demonstrates a wide variety of technique and styles. The main aspects are the understanding of light on form and the skill of direct observation from nature. This may range from landscape studies to still life, animal or plant subjects, and hand or foot studies.

Portfolio minimum – 4

General Drawing Blog Post

17Trueblood

15BonaKim

51101417953 Media 14 NichReback

amaryllis Slattery

18Smith

16WIH.jpg

08Pantyukhina

02WIH.jpg

41111233450 Media 12

3121938428 Media 09

3121886879 Media 13

3111860012 Media 07

19Pantyukhina

figures09

general05

general04

general03

general02

general01

51101417953 Media 07

Figure drawings are shown here as short poses or long poses. Short poses are demonstrations of quick gestural sketches from models ranging from 1 minute to 30 minute poses, to capture the essence of the figure mass and body gesture. The long pose is a demonstration of drawing skills that highlight more rendered and detailed figure drawings including faces, hands and feet. The average time being, 2-3 hours. The main aspects are the understanding of light on form and the skill of direct observation from the figure.

Portfolio minimum – 5

Figure Drawing Blog Post

Contrast

02Samson1

08McKenna1

11Smith1

Pellerite2 Lighter

01Siegel

3121894275 Media 011

09Silver

08Silver

07Pellerite lighter

12jmeyer

figures15

figures16

3111860012 Media 07

3121894275 Media 01

41101000416 Media 05

41111233450 Media 02

41111233450 Media 03

51101417953 Media 01

11Pantyukhina

07WIH.jpg

01Dixon

Figure long pose crystal

figures14

figures13

figures17

trose 11

figures12

figures11

figures09

figures08

figures07

figures06

figures21

figures20

figures19

figures18

An accomplished use of transparent watercolor, opaque paint media, and colored pencil should be included. Landscape and still-life subject matter rendered in a representational manner should demonstrate accurately matched colors creating form and depth. The main aspects are the understanding of light on form and the skill of direct observation from nature. Medical subject matter should not be included.

Portfolio minimum – 2

Color Media Blog Post

41211293280 Media 19

41211293280 Media 16

cutting board

15Smith

13WIH.jpg

13Schumacher

08jmeyer d

51101417953 Media 18

color24

color25

color26

color27

color28

color29

color30

figures10

19WIH.jpg

3111860012 Media 04

41101000416 Media 17

41211364389 Media 19

color23

color22

Layouts that integrate image and typography for a pre-selected format and audience. Client-oriented visual communication projects.

Portfolio minimum – 2

Graphic Design Blog Post

61101868065 Media 02

17Welker

3111860012 Media 19

19choi

18Welker

design32

design31

CookGraphic

17Bona

15Chapman

14Chapman

12Pellerite

Demonstrates competency in use of digital media. Examples might include raster, vector, 2D or 3D. Subject matter for pieces in this category may overlap with all other categories.

Portfolio minimum – 2

Digital Media Blog Post

51101404788 Media 05

13Perry

16Dixon

14jmeyer

18Choi1

17Choi

16Choi

41211294900 Media 20

Sketchbook Pages Blog Post

Woodin Chloe Sketchbook Teapot Construction cpd scaled

Talia Pixelation Storyboard cpd

Talia Deer Watching cpd scaled

Sketchbook3 LArmstrongDavies cpd scaled

Woodin Chloe Sketchbook Teapot Construction

Sketchbook3 LArmstrongDavies

NKP 08 concept sketchbook crop

NKP 04 observational sketchbook crop

Dannhardt Alexandria Sketchbook 1 scaled

additional34

additional33

41211364389 Media 07 JuliaLerner

hsinsel 09

The health and wellness of students are of utmost importance to us here at Johns Hopkins. If you are struggling with anxiety, stress, depression, or other wellbeing-related concerns, please consider contacting the Johns Hopkins Student Assistance Program (JHSAP). If you are concerned about a friend, please encourage that person to seek out counseling. JHSAP can be reached at 443-287-7000 or jhsap.org. Additional resources are available at https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/getting-help. If you have a disability or any health issue and may require accommodations in this course, please contact the Disabilities Services Coordinator for graduate students in the School of Medicine (Kristina Nance, [email protected], 667-208-8058) to discuss your specific needs.