Foundation Review Instructions

When: Fri Apr 28, 2023
Where: School of Design, A+DS building

Please do not sign up for an interview until you have read through all the info on this page.

First, thoroughly read everything below at least once, then review the specific instructions for each degree in the menu to the right.

For everyone, there are two parts to the Foundation Review:

PART 1: PORTFOLIO and WRITTEN STATEMENT
Students must upload the required portfolio and written statement to Box before the review day.

  • You will receive a link to your personal folder via email on Mon Apr 24.

  • The deadline for submitting these materials is Wed Apr 26 at 5 pm.

  • If you fail to upload your materials before the deadline, you forfeit your ability to participate in the review.

  • There is no need to submit multiple copies of your portfolio for each desired degree. Based on which degree(s) you are applying to, faculty from each program will access your materials within your personal folder. However, you must upload a separate written statement for each degree you apply to based on their program's prompt (please refer to the links on the right for additional information).

  • All course book covers and templates are provided by your section faculty. Be sure to update each cover with your information with the provided font (Helvetica Neue LT Std). Please email the Foundation Studio Coordinator if you do not have these materials:
    DES120 / Alex Sommerville (kaplan20@uic.edu) 
    DES130 / Mike Seskauskas (mseska2@uic.edu) 
    DES140 / Rotimi Solola (solola1@uic.edu) 
    DES150 / Linda Bracamontes Roeger (lindabr@uic.edu) 
    DES160 / Lauren Manning Nichols (laurenmn@uic.edu) 
    DES170 / Jennifer Wandro (jwandr3@uic.edu)

  • Please do not create sub-folders within your main upload folder.

PART 2: THE LIVE INTERVIEW
Interviews occur in the A+DS building on Fri Apr 28; times vary based on degree. The interview check-in will in Room 3304, also the designated waiting room. There will be no congregating in the hallways or atrium to reduce overall noise during the reviews.

  • You will receive a link via email to sign up for interviews on Mon Apr 17. The window for signing up closes on Fri April 21 at 5 pm. You must be logged into your UIC account to access this form.

  • BA in Design Studies and BS in CS + Design have limited interview spots. If interested in these degrees, please sign up ASAP and choose these slots first. Both BDes Graphic Design and Industrial Design have a much larger window of interview time and will take longer to fill up—plan accordingly.

  • When you select your time, please be careful not to delete another student's information from the sign-up sheet accidentally.

  • You may not change your interview appointment once selected.

  • You may sign up to interview with more than one degree, but only one interview slot per degree is allowed. Please be mindful not to select conflicting interview times.

  • On the day, there is no need to bring your computer, as the faculty interviewing you will display your work on a classroom monitor. However, please feel free to bring any physical items with you to contribute to the discussion.

INTERVIEW ATTIRE + PRESENTATION
Wear what you feel would best represent you in an interview setting. 

QUESTIONS/ASSISTANCE
Design peer mentors will be holding info sessions during the week of Apr 17–21.  These sessions will allow one to ask questions and view/participate in a mock portfolio review. Additionally, the mentors will make themselves available on the School of Design Discord Server during the weeks leading up to the reviews if anyone has a last-minute interview/portfolio-related question or needs technical assistance.

If you need access to the School of Design Discord Server, don't hesitate to contact Kevin Strickland.

FOUNDATION REVIEW RESULTS
The School will email results and information about registering for second-year classes two to four weeks after the review. You may not register for any second-year design classes until you have received your results.

STUDENTS WHO DO NOT PLAN TO PARTICIPATE IN THE FOUNDATION REVIEW
Please make an appointment with Carson Teixeira using iAdvise to discuss your future academic plans. 

You may want to consider the BA in Interdisciplinary Education in the Arts (IDEAS) program. Students can complete this degree in 4 years and take courses in all the areas of CADA: Design, Art, Art History, Architecture, Theater, and Music. If you are interested in the IDEAS major, please email your full name, UIN, and availability to Liv Jordan, the academic advisor for Art + Art History.

LINKS TO FOUNDATION REVIEW HANDOUTS