Build a Portfolio That Reflects Who You Are.
Personalised art, design and architecture portfolio mentorship for students applying to leading creative universities worldwide.
Led by Dan Hickey, international art educator and experienced IB Visual Arts Examiner, Dan Studios helps students develop original ideas, strengthen their creative skills and build thoughtful, individual portfolios.
From discovering your artistic voice to developing projects, curating your work and preparing university applications, receive expert guidance at every stage.
“Loving art, being enthusiastic and passionate came from Dan.”
- Cherry - Former Student
For high-school students (age 14–19) preparing portfolios for top art, design, and architecture schools worldwide.
10 +
Years of Experience
IB
Visual Art Examiner
Head of Art
UWCSEA East
Portfolio Consultant
Founder Dan Studios
A Strong Portfolio Is More Than a Collection of Artwork.
Leading art, design and architecture universities want to understand how students think, explore ideas, experiment and develop their own creative voice.
At Dan Studios, I help students move beyond individual artworks to create thoughtful, cohesive portfolios that demonstrate:
Creative identity: A distinctive personal voice and sense of direction.
Technical development: Confidence, experimentation and refinement across creative disciplines.
Critical thinking: Meaningful research, original ideas and sustained creative investigation.
Purposeful presentation: A carefully curated portfolio that communicates each student's strengths and ambitions.
The goal is to develop both the student and their portfolio.
Student Case Study
Henry K.
Henry - "At the heart of it all, there was Dan. He listens more than he talks, and that made all the difference. He taught me not just art, but how to create art with honesty and humility. "
For more Case Studies & Portfolio tips
Why work with Dan
I'm Dan Hickey, founder of Dan Studios, an international art educator and portfolio mentor with over a decade of experience supporting young artists and designers.
As Head of Art at UWCSEA East in Singapore and an experienced IB Visual Arts Examiner, I bring a deep understanding of creative education, portfolio assessment and the skills students need to succeed. Throughout my career, I've guided students in developing their artistic abilities and preparing portfolios for leading art, design and architecture universities around the world.
My approach goes beyond simply preparing students for university admission. I work closely with each student to develop their creative confidence, strengthen their technical skills and establish an individual artistic voice. From initial ideas and experimentation to resolved outcomes, portfolio curation and applications, I provide personalised guidance at every stage of their creative journey.
My goal is not simply to help students gain admission to leading universities, but to help them become confident, independent and thoughtful creative practitioners.
Students mentored by Dan have received offers from:
How it Works
Book your session
Choose a time that suits you and complete a short intake form.Portfolio review & discussion
We review current work, goals, and application context together.Clear guidance & next steps
You leave with practical direction and a clearer path forward.
No sales pressure. No generic advice. Just expert, honest feedback.
Choose the right portfolio support, based on you
Free Review
Then choose either Online Course or Mentorship
Work toward top school offers
Online Course
Best if you want structure + independence.
Guidance & Mentorship
Best if you want accountability and high-stakes feedback.
Trusted by students admitted to RISD, Parsons, UAL, CCA and more.
The Dan Studios Framework
Every Dan Studios programme follows a structured approach to developing creative confidence, individual projects and exceptional portfolios.
Define
Discover your creative interests, research potential pathways and establish a clear portfolio direction
Design
Build technical skills, explore ideas, experiment and develop meaningful personal projects.
Deliver
Refine and curate your portfolio, articulate your ideas and prepare confidently for applications.
Ready for honest, expert portfolio guidance?
If you would like to book a consultation, ask a question about our services or talk to Dan, then fill in this form and we will attend to your request promptly.