Portfolio Preparation Program

Portfolio preparation for Artistic College and University Admissions

for High School Students, ages 15-18

COURSE OVERVIEW

PDA’s Portfolio Preparation set of courses is designed for students aspiring to apply to artistic colleges or universities, including programs such as interior design, graphic design, architecture, and more.

The program is designed to deliver 10 groups of distinct 4 week projects. Each project is given on 4 consecutive Saturdays, after which time a professional portfolio piece will be developed. 

Each portfolio project is aligned with the specific requirements and skills needed for admission portfolios, required as part of many college and university application packages for artistic programs.  

Students may choose the full 10-month program, or may choose only the projects they are most interested in. Course fee is $595 for each 4-week project.

Examples of previous students' portfolio work in this program. Tap image for full-sized view.

COURSE OBJECTIVES
  • Develop a strong and diverse portfolio showcasing artistic skills and creativity.
  • Understand and apply essential techniques and concepts in various art disciplines.
  • Gain proficiency in both traditional and digital art mediums.
  • Develop a critical eye for evaluating and improving artwork.
  • Prepare a competitive portfolio tailored to specific college/university requirements.

SPECIFICS
  • Full Program Duration: 10 Months (One session per week: Saturdays, 3 hours per session)
  • Individual Project duration: 4 weeks (one session per week: Saturdays, 3 hours per session)
  • Time: 9:00-12:00
  • Course Fee: $595.00 per four-week project
  • Instructor: Hala Qasqas

MONTH-BY-MONTH COURSE PROJECTS OUTLINE

Month 1: Still Life Drawings (Project 1)(January 13-February 03)
  • Introduction to still-life composition and setup.
  • Study of lighting, shadow, and perspective in still life.
  • Various drawing techniques and mediums (pencil, charcoal, ink).
  • Creating a compelling still-life portfolio piece.
Month 2: Portraits (Project 2)(February 10-March 02)
  • Portrait anatomy and proportions.
  • Study of facial features, expressions, and emotions.
  • Techniques for realistic portrait drawing and shading.
  • Developing a portrait portfolio piece.
Month 3: Perspective (Project 3)(March 09- March 30)
  • Understanding one-point and two-point perspectives.
  • Creating depth and spatial relationships in artwork.
  • Perspective in architectural and interior design contexts.
  • Perspective drawing for the portfolio.
Month 4: Interior Design (Project 4)(April 06- April 27)
  • Introduction to interior design principles.
  • Furniture and space planning.
  • Mood boards and color schemes.
  • Designing and presenting an interior design concept.
 Month 5: Urban Drawing (Project 5)(May 04- May 25)
  • Urban sketching techniques and on-site drawing.
  • Capturing architectural details and cityscapes.
  • Incorporating perspective into urban drawings.
  • Building a portfolio featuring urban sketches.

Month 6: Modeling (Project 6)(June 01- June 22)

  • Introduction to 3D modeling software.
  • Creating 3D models of objects and spaces.
  • Learn how to employ the materials in your project.
  • Building a modeling portfolio piece.

Month 7: Digital Art (Project 7)(July 06-July 27, No class on June 29)

  • Digital painting techniques using software like Photoshop.
  • Creating digital illustrations and concept art.
  • Developing a digital art portfolio piece.

Month 8: Creative Projects (Project 8)(August 03 -August 24, No class on August 31)

  • Exploring mixed media and unconventional art techniques.
  • Emphasis on creativity and originality.
  • Building unique creative portfolio pieces.

Month 9: Collage (Project 9)(September 07 – September 28)

  • Collage as an art form and its applications.
  • Techniques for creating visually compelling collages.
  • Building a collage portfolio piece.

Month 10: Photography (Project 10)(October 05-October 26)

  • Photography composition and lighting.
  • Post-processing and editing using software like Photoshop.
  • Developing a photography portfolio piece.

ASSESSMENT

  • Regular feedback and critiques on student work.
  • Final portfolio review to ensure it meets college/university admission requirements.

By the end of the full Portfolio Preparation Program, students will have a well-rounded portfolio showcasing their skills and versatility, making them competitive candidates for admission to artistic colleges or universities.

EASY APPLICATION PROCESS

Please fill out the online application and submit to info@pacificdesignacademy.com

Pacific Design Academy is registered by the Private Training Institutions Branch (PTIB).
The high school student workshop programs do not require approval and were not reviewed by the PTIB.

 
PDA reserves the right to merge or cancel any class or program in the event of insufficient enrolment.