Graphic Design Admission Information

1. Examples of Visual Work

Submit three (3) samples of your best visual work from the past two years. These can come from school projects, personal explorations, or anything creative you've made.

Accepted media types include:

• Graphic design, photography, illustration, drawing, painting, animation, time-based work, sculpture, ceramics, fiber art, fashion, tattoos, collage, installation, or any other visual media.
• Description (required):
  Include a short description (one or two sentences) in SlideRoom to give us context about your ideas and creative process.

What we’re looking for:

• Originality and experimentation
• Strong ideas and visual thinking
• A variety of approaches or techniques
• Ability to realize a finished quality

2. Original Poster Design

Design a poster that communicates a topic you feel strongly about—particularly one related to sustainability or social issues. A strong poster should use both text and image to attract attention, deliver a message, and make a lasting impact.

Required Visual Element (Updated Each Year)

Each year, we include one or more required visual elements to provide all applicants with a shared creative challenge. These elements must be clearly and thoughtfully included in your poster design.

For Fall 2026 Applicants:
Your poster must include both of the following:

• A diamond shape as a primary visual element
• Blue as the dominant color theme
• You are free to interpret these elements creatively – symbolically, compositionally, or emotionally – but they must be clearly visible and meaningfully integrated into your final design.

*Note: This required visual element changes annually. Always refer to the most up-to-date ECW guidelines when preparing your application.

Format & Tools:

You may use any medium to create your poster:

• Digital: Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign, etc.
• Traditional: Drawing, painting, collage, cutting paper, etc.

What we’re looking for:

• A creative approach to an important issue
• Clear and compelling visual communication
• Purposeful and inventive use of the required visual element

3. Problem-Solving Journey Map

This is your opportunity to show how you worked through the design of your poster. It should document your creative process visually.

Consider these guiding questions:

• What is your goal?
• What steps did you take to understand the issue?
• What challenges came up, and how did you respond?
• What ideas did you explore, and how did you choose your final direction?
• How did you evaluate your results?

What we’re looking for:

• A clear and thoughtful explanation of your process
• Evidence of problem-solving and critical thinking
• A creative and easy-to-follow presentation of your journey
• Cohesive visual design that supports and enhances the information being presented

4. Statement of Intent

Write a brief statement that explains why you are interested in graphic design as a discipline, and what you hope to do with it in the world.

Written Statement of Intent (PDF)

• 10-point font, 1.15 spacing
• Write between 700 and 1,000 words explaining:
• Why you're interested in studying graphic design
• What inspires your creativity
• What you hope to learn and do in the future as a designer

What we’re looking for:

• Clear, confident, and engaging communication
• Self-reflection and motivation
• Authenticity and creative insight
• Consideration of the reach and impact of graphic design

5. (Optional) Video Introduction

We’d love to learn more about who you are.

Optional Video Presentation (an .mp4 or .avi file, up to 2 minutes)

• Record a short video introducing yourself and sharing your creative perspective such as:
• Who you are and why you're passionate about design
• A highlight of one of your submitted works and how you created it
• What you hope to learn and experience in the program

What we’re looking for:

• Anything about yourself that you feel has not come through in the other ECW materials
• Whatever you would like to share so that we can get to know you better

Submission Guidelines

Please title your submitted files as follows for clarity and organization, this ensures consistency and easy identification of each file:

1. Examples of Visual Work
   a. YourLastName_WorkSample01
   b. YourLastName_WorkSample02
   c. YourLastName_WorkSample03
2. Original Poster Design
   a. YourLastName_Poster
3. Problem-Solving Journey Map
   a. YourLastName_JourneyMap
4. Statement of Intent
   a. YourLastName_Statement
5. (Optional) Video Introduction
   a. YourLastName_Video

File Size and Format:

1. Single Image: JPG, PNG, or PDF, Max 8.5” x 11”, under 10 MB each.
2. Multi-page: PDF, under 20 MB.
3. Animation or video presentation: Mp4 or AVI, max 2 minutes.
4. Statement of Intent: PDF
5. Ensure all files are right-side up and clearly viewable.

Important Reminders

• All work must be your own.
• AI-generated content is not allowed.
• If using collage or sampling, you must significantly transform the original content.

Submission Checklist

Once the ECW is completed,

Before uploading to SlideRoom, ask yourself:

• Did I include three strong examples of visual work?
• Did I design a poster that clearly includes this year’s required visual element?
• Did I map my problem-solving process clearly and creatively?
• Is my statement of intent properly formatted?
• Did I choose a video introduction?
• Are all my files named correctly and within the size limits?

When you're ready, submit everything through SlideRoom as part of your Penn State Graphic Design application. Note: Technical assistance is available in SlideRoom.

Upload ECW materials to Slideroom