Syn Studio Concept Art Diploma

Application Guide

Hello,

Thank you for your interest in the ​Concept Art Diploma Program at Syn
Studio​. Please use this guide to prepare your application for the ​Fall
2021​ intake.

Advance Portfolio/Application Review​ : October 29th , 2020

General Portfolio/Application Review : ​February 3rd, 2021

To participate in the portfolio/application review, you simply

need to do the following:

Step 1: Send us your application

Send your ​A​) ​Portfolio​ and ​Descriptive List​, B) ​Resumé,​ and C) ​Letter
of Motivation​ ​in an email to ​admissions@synstudio.ca​ . Write “​Fall
2021 Application​” as the subject line of your email. Please see below
for more detailed instructions.

A)​ ​The portfolio​ must be a collection of your original artwork in the

realistic (stylized is acceptable for a few pieces. Limited fan art is also
acceptable,​ but no celebrity portraits or manga)​. All the pieces in
the portfolio must have been created by you in the last year and must
demonstrate that you:

1) Can draw with reasonably good proportions, perspective and

anatomy

2) Can use light and value to convincingly show form

3) Can use colour and understand the basics of colour theory

4) Are comfortable painting digitally in Photoshop

5) Can create original concepts that show some potential for

interesting design

(Please note, if you have applied to the program before, please ​do not
submit the same artwork​)

B) Your CV​ must list: your educational and professional experience and
any relevant training in art. ​It must be attached to the email as a
.pdf.

C) Your letter of motivation​ should answer the following questions:

i) Why do you want to be a concept artist?

ii) Why did you choose this particular program at Syn Studio?
 iii) Why do you think you have what it takes to be successful as a
concept artist?

iv) Tell us a little about your tastes in art, culture, movies, video
games and television

Your letter of motivation must be written by you, and must be

attached to the email as a .pdf​.

WHAT TO INCLUDE IN YOUR PORTFOLIO

​(portfolio completeness checklist):
☐ 12-25 pieces*

☐ At least 5 pieces in colour

☐ 3 pieces that are studies from life (1 page of model/anatomy studies,

1 page of still life object study, 1 page of outdoor sketches)
☐ At least 2 pieces that include objects or buildings in perspective

☐ At least 2 photographed or scanned pages from your sketchbook**

☐ At least 2 digital paintings of environment concepts

☐ At least 2 digital paintings of character concepts
☐ At least 1 digital paintings of a prop or vehicle concept
☐ Optionally, include some 3D work. (For example, work done in
Zbrush, Maya, Blender etc.)

☐ Descriptive List (see below)

*Please note that one image can check off more than one of these requirements. For
example, if you have a digital painting of a still life, you can count this image as one
digital painting, one piece in colour, and a piece that is a study from life.

**Note, a photographed or scanned page from your sketchbook will be counted as 1

piece even if there are multiple drawings/paintings on the page.
How to submit your portfolio and supporting documents

Please follow these instructions carefully. ​Applications that

do not follow our guidelines may not be processed.

1. Email all applications to: ​admissions@synstudio.ca

2. IMPORTANT: ​Use the subject line: ​Fall 2021 Application
3. All images must be attache​d to your application email as .JPGs.
We recommend pixel dimensions of ​1024 x 768 @ 72 dpi. Do
not submit images larger than 72dpi.
4. DO NOT​ ​send your images as .rar files, .zip files or .pdfs. ​DO
NOT​ send a link to a blog, website, Behance or Artstation. ​DO
NOT​ use WeTransfer or other file-sharing services.
5. Attach your CV and letter of motivation as .pdfs
6. Name all files as follows:
1_firstname_lastname_nameofpiece.jpg,
2_firstname_lastname_nameofpiece.jpg

7. Create a numbered descriptive list and attach it to the email as a

.pdf. The list should include the filename for each piece, the
reference used, and a brief description of the piece. For example:

File# File name Reference used Brief

Description

1 1_Firstname_lastname (ex: live model, Give us insight

_title.jpg photograph, 3D into your
model, Old Master process or ideas
(1-2 sentences)
painting, etc.)

Step 2: You get an automated response

After you’ve submitted your application, you’ll receive an automated
email response confirming that we’ve received your application. If for
some reason you do not receive this automated response, please do the
following before contacting us:

1. Check your spam folder

2. Make sure you used the correct subject line, with no spelling
mistakes. If you made a mistake on the subject line, please
re-submit your application using the correct subject line.

Step 3: We check that everything looks OK

One of our admissions advisors will look over your application to make
sure that you included everything required and that your application is
appropriate and ready for a formal review.

If your application is incomplete or if there are any other issues, we will

notify you and ask you to re-submit if applicable (and if there is
sufficient time remaining before the deadline). If your portfolio is
clearly much lower or higher level than what we are expecting (ex: you
show stick figures or senior-level professional concept art), we will let
you know and you won’t be asked for the $50 Fall 2021 application fee.

Step 4: You pay the $50 application fee*

If we determine that your application is complete and appropriate for
review, we will send you a Paypal payment request for $50 CAD with
instructions on how to complete the payment.

Once we receive your payment, you will receive an automated

confirmation email from Paypal.

Step 5: You get the results

After the application deadline(s), your application will be reviewed by a
professional, senior-level concept artist and we will send you the
feedback.
If you have any questions, feel free to contact an admissions
advisor at ​admissions@synstudio.ca

We look forward to receiving your application and we hope you are

accepted to join our elite concept art diploma program starting next
Fall!

Sincerely,

The Syn Studio Team