WHAT THEY DON’T TELL YOU ABOUT PORTFOLIO PREPARATION — Tips and Tricks from Faҫade Academy of The Arts’ Portfolio Specialist

 

At Faҫade Academy we pride in our success toward portfolio preparation and acceptance into high school, post-secondary and career opportunities.  We are the only academy with a 100% success rate at having all our students admitted into the programs and academic institutions of their choice *internationally! Mina Spremulli has been a portfolio specialist for over 10 years, her reputation and success is well-acknowledged and respected within the industry.  Mina has a flawless strategy that goes unmatched amongst all schools.  These preparations require full dedication from students.  Refer to Our Programs for more details on portfolio preparation and book your consultation with Mina.

It is highly recommended you START YOUR PORTFOLIO NOW!  Proper preparation requires time.  Faҫade Academy is the only academy within Vaughan and the GTA that focuses on career development and professional results.  Students will benefit from one-on-one mentorship toward their goals.  Our portfolio programs are custom to our student’s needs.  They will complete all the work required under the supervision and guidance of Mina.  The portfolio process requires a lot of hard work and preparation.  Students will gain skills and techniques above and beyond those offered in our other programs.  Focus on professional presentations, image consulting, resume writing, essay writing, branding and design etiquette are included in these programs.  Faҫade offers students comfort, security and access to all the information and connections they need to develop an impressive competitive edge.  Our portfolio programs work hand-in-hand with our mentoring and career development programs. If your goal is to be accepted into a specialized art and design high school, college/university or career opportunity, our portfolio preparations will get you there.
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Tips for Preparing Your Portfolio:

  • Get assessed by a Portfolio Specialist as early as possible.
  • Assessments should include the following:
    -Determining if you have an artistic interest and ability
    -Having a Portfolio Specialist classify what types of artist you are based on personal strengths and weaknesses
    -How much preparation is required prior to portfolio submissions
    -What the Specialist recommends is a suitable school for you to apply to
  • Highly recommended to start your portfolio well in advance.
    (we suggest a minimum of 2 years prior to portfolio submission)
  • Your Portfolio Specialist should suggest a project schedule to assist you in completing your work on time.
    (It is your personal responsibility to stay focused and on task)
    *PROJECT MANAGEMENT IS ESSENTIAL* 
  • You must leave enough time to prepare for essays, interviews, drawing assessments, and portfolio presentations.
  • Throughout the portfolio preparation process, ALWAYS have an industry professional view and critique your work.
  • It is imperative to build your résumé to include volunteer work, job experience, and skill training related to your field of interest.
  • Attend any and all information days/ open-houses hosted by your school(s) of choice.
PLEASE NOTE — Students that are interested in pursuing the arts should be enrolled in an arts program in order to develop their skills and technique. This is because the student should have knowledge and a foundation in the arts well before they choose to apply to a portfolio preparation class/ program.

“The most successful are the most prepared!” 

 

Biggest Mistakes During Portfolio Preparation:

  • Procrastination and beginning portfolio preparation too close to date of submission.
    (Gr. 8 for High School portfolio OR Gr. 12 for University portfolio is too late!) 
  • Not adhering to the recommended project schedule provided by Portfolio Specialist.
    (These are designed for your success)
  • Not following up with your instructor in between pieces to show progress and ask for further suggestion before completion to ensure you’re on track.
    NO TIME TO WASTE!
  • Not reading over the portfolio requirements OVER AND OVER.
  • Not dedicating all of your time, energy, and talent to each and EVERY piece you produce.
    EVERY PIECE COUNTS! 
  • Not doing development sketches and practicing your skill/ technique religiously in your sketch books on a weekly basis.
    (Most often sketchbooks are required with portfolio submission) 
  • Do not let your grades drop — they’re equally as important as your portfolio.
  • Late submissions are NOT acceptable.
  • Never show up late for an interview — 5 minutes early is too late!

    “SOMEDAY IS NOT A DAY OF THE WEEK!”

BENEFITS of Portfolio Preparation Programs:

  • Continuous insight of the industry, schools, and opportunities available to you.
    -A Portfolio Specialist should always provide their student with unique opportunities to create an impressive portfolio and résumé  
  • Professional adviser available to you at all times to answer questions, review your work, and give advice.
  • Being provided with regular assessments which will help students measure their progress and keep parents informed of their child’s progress.
  • Having a professional present to interpret each school’s specific portfolio requirements.
    *They’re designed to confuse applicants*
  • Instructors should assist you by contacting the schools and requesting clarification and tips on what the professors’ expectations will be.
  • Working closely with someone who has had successful experiences prepping students in portfolio submission for many years.

    “When you know better you do better!”

What To Expect When Preparing Your Portfolio:

*Most people come to think portfolios are not as demanding on your time, effort and energy as they realistically end up being*

  • You will experience high amounts of:
    -pressure
    -fatigue
    -stress
    -anxiety
    -intimidation
    -and at times a lack of motivation/ self-confidence
This isn’t to be taken lightly, however, if prepared you will lessen the chances of experiencing any of the extreme side-effects listed above — these can easily discourage you from completing your portfolio and pursuing your career in the arts. For these reasons we provide professionals to guide you through the process and assist in relieving your stress and concerns. 

“To be prepared is half the victory!”

 

Post-Portfolio:

  • Upon acceptance you should stay practiced in the arts under the professional mentorship of an instructor who can assist you in the demanding programs at your University. These programs are highly competitive and often don’t provide detailed instructions toward your assignments.
  • Students who unorganized and inexperienced will find themselves falling behind — they will receive negative critiques from professors which usually lead to their dismissal from the program.

 “It’s hard enough to get in, but it’s even harder to stay in!”

 

TAKE IT FROM US… PORTFOLIO PREPARATION IS NOT SOMETHING TO BE LEFT TO THE LAST MINUTE

 

Façade Academy of The Arts is available for student assessments which will help to determine areas to improve on, schools to apply to and their expectations.

We also offer:

  • Portfolio preparation for students completing university and are beginning their job search/ applications. 

  • Portfolio refreshers for professionals who would like to update their portfolio.


    Visit the Portfolio Programs page or
    [CLICK HERE]
         to read more on what classes WE offer to help our students succeed!!!