DEADLINE: 11:59 PM CST, SUNDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2026
Students may begin drafting their application and uploading the required files on Wednesday, September 16th and continue to make changes until the deadline.
For more information, visit Graphic Design Portfolio Review.
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What is the Graphic Design Portfolio Review (GDPR)?
It is a closed-door evaluation of your artwork after completion of the following courses in the Department of Art BFA Program (or their transferred equivalent): Design I & II, Drawing I & II, 3D Design, and Digital Design I.*
*Students who are currently enrolled in 3D Design and/or Digital Design I are eligible to apply.
The Graphic Design Portfolio Review takes place every Fall semester — it only occurs once per year.
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What is the purpose of the Graphic Design Portfolio Review?
The enrollment demand for the graphic design concentration is very high and resources/classroom spaces are limited. Only the top students will be selected for entry into the concentration.
Passing the GDPR is a requirement to enter the graphic design concentration.
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APPLICATION ELEMENTS
*GENERAL INFORMATION
i. STATEMENT OF INTENT
ii. ACADEMIC RECORD FORM
1–9 REQUIRED PORTFOLIO PIECES:
- DRAWING: black & white (Drawing I)
- DRAWING: color (Drawing II)
- DRAWING: student's choice (Drawing I or II)
- DESIGN: black & white (Design I)
- DESIGN: color (Design II)
- DESIGN: student's choice (Design I or II)
- 3D DESIGN PIECE (3D Design)
- DIGITAL PIECE #1 (Digital Design I)
- DIGITAL PIECE #2 (Digital Design I)
10–12 OPTIONAL PORTFOLIO PIECES:
10. OPTIONAL PIECE #1 (any art studio class)
11. OPTIONAL PIECE #2 (any art studio class)
12. OPTIONAL PIECE #3 (any art studio class)
**MSU Student Honor Code (Check the box to acknowledge the Student Honor Code.)
FILE FORMATTING: Visit the Graphic Design Portfolio Review page to view/download the workshop handout. This PDF contains a comprehensive overview of the GDPR and detailed instructions.
As part of the Articulation Agreement between Mississippi Junior and Community Colleges and the state’s four-year universities, the following courses will automatically transfer. A grade of “C” or better is required in each course in order for it to be accepted by the Department of Art:
- ART 1213 Drawing I
- ART 1223 Drawing II
- ART 1123 Design I (2-D)
- ART 1133 Design II (Color)
- ART 1013 Art History I
- ART 1023 Art History II
- ART 1153 3D Design.
A Foundations Professor or Academic Records Assistant may advise the student to retake one or more courses, if doing so will improve the student’s technique and/or skill level and increase their chances of a successful Concentration Portfolio Review.
To receive transfer credit for art classes not covered by the articulation agreement between Mississippi junior and community colleges, students must:
1. Attach a PDF document that includes syllabi or catalog descriptions for each of the courses that you wish to transfer.
2. Upload high quality images of the work that was created in each course; you must have a minimum of 75% of the coursework from each course.
3. Label your artwork files according to this example: lastname_course_piece#.jpg, ex. jones_painting_piece3.jpg
- Images in your transfer portfolio should show your artwork in the best possible light.
- Photograph your artwork on a neutral background under even light - no dark shadows or extreme highlights.
- Images should be a minimum file size of 72dpi.
Each class not covered by the articulation agreement must be approved by the coordinator of the area in which the course falls under: Foundations, Drawing, Photography, Sculpture, Printmaking, Painting, Ceramics, Graphic Design or Art History. If the transfer credit is not approved, the student must enroll in the MSU art course in order to receive required credits.
To view MSU student work from each course click here: http://www.caad.msstate.edu/art/studentwork.php
If you have any questions or concerns about the process please contact:
Shannon Bacot
Academic Advisor
sbacot@caad.msstate.edu
662.325.8590