School of Communication and Creative Arts

Portfolio applications

The School of Communication and Creative Arts offers several courses that require online portfolio submissions as part of their entry requirements. This helps prove you'll be able to complete coursework to the required standard. If you're applying for courses from Trimester 1 2022 onwards, submitting a portfolio as part of your application will be optional. Deakin University uses a range of selection criteria for course entry.

Showcase your creative abilities

Deakin recognises creative potential and we're excited to see what drives and inspires your work when considering your application to study at Deakin. If applicants are concerned about meeting the ATAR or entry requirements for a course, we encourage you to submit a portfolio of your best work to be assessed as part of your application by Deakin's selection committee. Your portfolio may contribute towards improving your admissions rank and eligibility to receive an offer from Deakin.

Applicants applying for courses for Trimester 3 2021 must submit a portfolio as part of their application.

We advise you to read the general submission instructions carefully, then find your course below and submit your portfolio via the link provided.

Important dates

Trimester and year of commencementApplicants Last day to submit portfolio
Trimester 3 2021Direct or InternationalSunday 24 October 2021
Trimester 1 2022VTAC Applicants (November round for non-Year 12)Friday 5 November 2021, 5pm
Trimester 1 2022VTAC Applicants (December round for Year 12)Tuesday 14 December 2021, 4pm
Trimester 1 2022VTAC Applicants (February round 1)Friday 21 January 2022, 12pm
Trimester 1 2022Direct or InternationalTBA

General submission instructions

Before selecting your course from the list below, please read the following instructions carefully:

  • You are not able to submit the portfolio before it is complete. You cannot save or return to the online form at a later time after your submission.
  • You should prepare all items required (such as images/URL) before commencing the pre-selection kit.
  • Only one portfolio submission per person will be accepted. If you are applying for more than one course, you will need to submit a separate portfolio of work and submission statement for each course.
  • Please note: all digital copies of your submission are retained as official Deakin records.
  • Please retain your own copy of all work submitted. Do not send original artworks.

All applicants must also meet the other entrance requirements listed in the course page for admission to Deakin University.

Find out more in the folio guide

Folio requirements for creative arts and design

Do you need help submitting your folio? Get some helpful advice from our academics to make sure you meet the entry requirements before submitting your folio.

2021 courses

Bachelor of Design (3D Animation)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, character generation, digital illustration, general drawing, motion design, 3D form.
  • Any moving imagery, including sound, can be included as a YouTube or Vimeo link.
  • If you wish to supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of design practice and 3D Animation (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies), and/or Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2021

Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, digital technology product design, application design, user interface design, user experience design, mobile app design, interactive experience design, VR/AR/game design, digital illustration, web design, motion design, 3D form.
  • Any moving imagery, including sound, can be included as a YouTube or Vimeo link.
  • If you wish to supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of design practice and digital technologies (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (3D Animation), and/or Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2021

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, logo design, text, layout, illustration, photography, 3D form.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of visual communication design practices (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (3D Animation), and/or Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2021

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Photography)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please select between six and eight images that best represent you as a creative image maker. They can be a series concentrating on a particular theme or concept, or individual images. These works can be in-progress as well, and should reveal a process that reflects your imagination, curiosity and passion.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of photography practices (maximum 250 words).

Submit your portfolio for 2021

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please provide a selection of six to eight images that best showcase you as a creative image maker. The images can be a series or separate works. They can be images of paintings, drawings, installations, video, 2D and/or 3D work.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of visual art practices (maximum 250 words).

Submit your portfolio for 2021

2022 courses

Bachelor of Design (3D Animation)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, character generation, digital illustration, general drawing, motion design, 3D form.
  • Any moving imagery, including sound, can be included as a YouTube or Vimeo link.
  • If you wish to supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of design practice and 3D Animation (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies), and/or Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2022

Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, digital technology product design, application design, user interface design, user experience design, mobile app design, interactive experience design, VR/AR/game design, digital illustration, web design, motion design, 3D form.
  • Any moving imagery, including sound, can be included as a YouTube or Vimeo link.
  • If you wish to supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of design practice and digital technologies (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (3D Animation), and/or Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2022

Bachelor of Design (Visual Communication)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload between six and eight examples of design work you have completed. Examples may include, but are not limited to, logo design, text, layout, illustration, photography, 3D form.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of visual communication design practices (maximum 250 words).

NOTE: If you are also interested in applying for the Bachelor of Design (3D Animation), and/or Bachelor of Design (Digital Technologies) a separate submission will be required. You can either submit the same content for each course or tailor each submission to align with the course focus.

Submit your portfolio for 2022

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Dance)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please upload any visual material you may have demonstrating any form of movement. The visual material may be in the form of video (for example a 30 second video) or photographs (still images).
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience, motivation to study and an explanation of your understanding of dance practices (maximum 250 words).

Submit your portfolio for 2022

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Photography)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please select between six and eight images that best represent you as a creative image maker. They can be a series concentrating on a particular theme or concept, or individual images. These works can be in-progress as well, and should reveal a process that reflects your imagination, curiosity and passion.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience and motivation to study photography (maximum 250 words).

Submit your portfolio for 2022

Bachelor of Creative Arts (Visual Arts)

All applicants must submit both Part A and Part B of the submission.

PART A

  • Please provide a selection of six to eight images that best showcase you as a creative image maker. The images can be a series or separate works. They can be images of paintings, drawings, installations, video, 2D and/or 3D work.
  • You can supply a link to your existing web-based portfolio, however please ensure the assessor has sufficient permissions to view your materials.
  • The total size of your submission cannot exceed 25MB.

PART B

Please write a personal statement detailing you, your influences, experience and motivation to study visual arts (maximum 250 words).

Submit your portfolio for 2022

What's next?

Once you’ve submitted your portfolio, please also apply for your chosen course through Deakin’s applicant portal.

Learn more about applying 

Apply now

Please note: a portfolio submission in itself does not constitute an application for a Deakin University program. Applications for Deakin programs must be made via VTAC or Deakin's applicant portal depending on your circumstances. For international applicants, applications can be made through Deakin International. For more information on the Admission Criteria and Selection Policy please refer to The Guide.