The MFA Visual Narrative submission to the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal includes four parts for a maximum of 20 files.

To access the Graduate Admissions SlideRoom Portal, please click here.

Part 1 - Submit a copy of your Statement of Purpose as an individual PDF

Part 2 - Submit a copy of your Resume as an individual PDF

Part 3 - Portfolio: Upload 12-17 portfolio pieces as single or multi-page PDF (maximum 10 pages)

The portfolio should be a collection of professional-quality work that best represents the applicant’s visual storytelling skills. Applicants are encouraged to submit finished work as well as process documentation. All work should demonstrate an applicant’s abilities to visualize ideas, characters, and/or concepts clearly, make visual and narrative decisions, and present their vision and style in compelling ways.

MFAVN is open to non-fiction and fiction work with a range of aesthetics, media, formats, and concepts.

Portfolio submissions can include: photo essays, interactive media or websites; objects or industrial/packaging designs; sketchbook, character development and/or concept art; sculpture or 3D printed works; selections from full-length feature or short-form animation, documentary or live-action films, experimental animation or motion design reels; data visualization; illustration or graphic novel projects; children’s books; murals; branding/marketing packages; and/or visual memoir, community/non-profit or research-based visual projects, etc.

Process documentation submissions can include: initial concept designs, mood boards, sketches, layouts/thumbnails, failed attempts, book dummies, working prototypes, etc.

Portfolio Format Requirements

File size requirements

Still images are limited to 5MB each, and video is limited to 60MB each.If video files surpass the SlideRoom file size limit, please use the Vimeo Form available in SlideRoom to provide the link info.
All digital portfolio images and assignment files must be between 1500 and 2500 pixels in width or height at 150 dpi.
Multi-page PDF submissions should not exceed 10 pages. If full-length projects are over five minutes or ten pages, an excerpt should be submitted. The applicant may choose to submit the full length video or print projects as supplementary works to the department separately from SlideRoom. Do not submit original artwork. Supplementary submissions will not be returned. See “Supplementary materials” tab for email and physical mail instructions.
All website, social media, and portfolio sample links should be live.
Vimeo or YouTube links are acceptable (with passwords provided if needed).

Descriptive context

For each submission, applicants should utilize the “Description” window to note the title, date, medium, dimensions, or running time for each file. Descriptive context should be provided for each submission, specifying the applicant's interest/reasons for submitting the work for consideration and the role(s) if a collaborative project.

Presentation requirements

We consider one complete “story” or “project” as one, single portfolio submission piece. Each complete “story” or “project” submission should be submitted as a multipage PDF, with a maximum of 10 pages. For example, a comic or picture book project with multiple pages should be considered as one multipage PDF submission instead of separate PDF submissions uploaded to SlideRoom.

For projects with pre-production, process, and/or visual development materials please include these as one single, multipage PDF submission. Make sure to include supportive descriptions and list credits for any/all collaborators in the description box provided on SlideRoom.

Part 4: Writing Sample (Creative Writing Assignment)

Upload the creative writing assignment as one multi-page PDF in Slideroom

PART 1 - (Background) A 250 - 500 word description of a defining or seminal moment in the applicant’s life that challenged or changed them forever, highlighting the moment’s personal impact. This statement should be pure fact, with detail.
PART 2 - (Story) Using 1000-1500 words, the applicant should create a new, original short story based on this defining moment. This story can be a work of non-fiction or fiction.
There should be no overlap with the Statement of Purpose.
Your name and story title should be listed
Proofread and double-space the final work before submitting it
If these guidelines are not met, your submission will not be accepted.

Note: As a reminder, applicants can continue to edit their SlideRoom materials until they press the “submit” button. Once submitted, the application is viewable by the department and no further changes can be made.

Applicants are encouraged to contact the department directly with any questions about preparing their SlideRoom submission (mfavn@sva.edu).

MFA Visual Narrative Application Requirements