Your Portfolio Journey Starts Here.

Watch a free six-minute lesson with Dan Hickey, international art educator and portfolio mentor. Discover what leading art and design universities look for and how to begin developing a more personal, purposeful portfolio.

Enjoyed the lesson? Continue learning with my free introductory portfolio course, including further lessons and a real student case study.

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Free Course

Free

An introduction to building a strong creative portfolio.

5 introductory lessons

1 student case study

Define, Design & Deliver

Learn at your own pace

Best for students beginning their portfolio journey.

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COMPREHENSIVE LEARNING

Full Course

$495 USD

Structured, self-paced support from ideas to application.

  • 7 comprehensive modules

  • 31 lessons

  • 5 student case studies

  • Worksheets and activities

  • Curation and interview preparation

Best for students ready for sustained independent development.

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What Students Will Gain

Through the Dan Studios Online Course, students develop the creative understanding, structure and confidence needed to build a stronger portfolio.

Creative Direction

Technical Development

Stronger Projects

Clearer Process

Portfolio Confidence

University Preparation

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Learn with Dan Hickey

Founder of Dan Studios | International Art Educator | IB Visual Arts Examiner | Head of Art, UWCSEA East

10+

Years of Experience

IB

Visual Art Examiner

Head of Art

UWCSEA East

Portfolio Consultant

Founder Dan Studios

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.

Supporting Your Child's Creative Development

The Dan Studios Online Course provides a structured, self-paced learning experience designed by an experienced international art educator.

Through practical lessons, creative exercises and real student case studies, students develop their independence, explore personal ideas and gain a clearer understanding of university portfolio expectations.

Logo with text 'The New School Parsons' in black and red on a white background.
Logo with text: Maryland Institute College of Art and MICA, separated by vertical lines.
The logo of Rhode Island School of Design featuring a stylized monogram and circular text.
Logo of the University of the Arts London (UAL).
Royal College of Art logo with a heraldic crest and text 'Royal College of Art Postgraduate Art & Design'
The University of Cambridge crest with a shield divided into four sections featuring lions and other symbols, above the text 'University of Cambridge'.
California College of the Arts logo with the letters CCA and the full name beneath.
ArtCenter logo with a red circle and black text.
Logo of the School of the Art Institute of Chicago with black square and white text.
Pratt logo with white text on a yellow background
School of Visual Arts logo, featuring an abstract red flower-like design.
The logo of the University of Edinburgh featuring a shield with open books and a Latin motto.

“His belief in me and his constant support gave me the confidence to try ambitious projects that shaped me as an artist. No idea ever felt too big, and he always found a way to make it happen.”

Dabinn Kim - Accepted to University of Cambridge (Architecture)

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A mixed-media artwork combining a detailed black ink sketch of an urban street scene with buildings, signage, and an alleyway, overlaid on a background of Korean newspaper text.

“Portfolio Entry” by Dabinn Kim - Accepted to University of Cambridge (Architecture), Bath Uni., Sheffield University.

Frequently Asked Questions

  • The course has 7 modules, 31 lessons, and 5 case studies covering portfolio strategy, technical skills, artist research, project development, and presentation.

  • High school students across Asia and worldwide preparing portfolios for art, design, and architecture programs. Suitable for beginners and advanced students.

  • It’s fully self-paced. Students can complete it in a few weeks or spread it out over several months depending on application timelines.

  • The online course is self-guided. Students who want personalized critique can add 1-to-1 mentorship sessions.

  • Yes. The course is entirely online, accessible to students anywhere in Asia and around the world.

  • It blends creative development with strategic alignment, helping portfolios meet the standards of top global universities.

Contact Dan.

If you would like to book a consultation, ask a question about our services or talk to Dan, then fill in this form and I’ll respond to your enquiry personally.