Clear Portfolio Guidance.
A Confident Application Plan.
Preparing a portfolio for art, design or architecture university applications can feel overwhelming. Understanding what universities expect, identifying your strengths and knowing where to focus your efforts are important first steps.
At Dan Studios, I offer a free, personalised consultation to help students and parents make sense of the portfolio and application process.
Whether you're just beginning your creative journey or preparing for upcoming applications, we'll discuss your ambitions, explore your current work and identify practical next steps to help you move forward with confidence.
No obligation. Just honest, experienced guidance.
Identify your creative strengths and opportunities for development.
Understand what leading art, design and architecture universities look for
Gain clarity on your university options and the next steps in your portfolio journey.
Expert Guidance for Aspiring Artists and Designers
Students beginning their portfolio journey
Explore creative interests, potential university pathways and how to start building a meaningful body of work.
Students developing an existing portfolio
Receive initial feedback on your current work, identify areas for improvement and discuss how to develop stronger, more personal projects.
Students preparing for university applications
Discuss portfolio expectations, presentation, deadlines and how to approach applications to competitive art, design and architecture programmes.
Parents seeking professional guidance
Gain a clearer understanding of the application process, university expectations and how best to support your child's creative development.
Who is this Consultation for?
Every student's creative journey is different. This consultation is designed for students and families looking for experienced guidance, wherever they are in the process.
What Will You Gain From Your Consultation?
The aim is simple: to give you greater clarity, confidence and a sense of direction.
1. Personalised Portfolio Feedback
We'll look at your current artwork, creative interests and experience, identifying strengths and areas that would benefit from further development.
2. University and Course Guidance
Discuss potential art, design and architecture pathways, the expectations of different institutions and how your interests might align with particular courses.
3. A Clearer Creative Direction
Consider how your ideas, technical skills, research and creative voice can develop into a more thoughtful and individual portfolio.
4. Practical Next Steps
Leave with initial recommendations on what to prioritise next, whether that's developing new work, refining existing projects, researching universities or exploring further mentorship.
You don't need a completed portfolio to benefit from a consultation.
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 teaching and supporting young artists and designers.
As Head of Art at UWCSEA East and an experienced IB Visual Arts Examiner, I understand the importance of technical skill, critical thinking, creative independence and thoughtful presentation.
Throughout my career, I've guided students in developing their artistic abilities and preparing portfolios for leading universities around the world.
I believe the strongest portfolios are more than collections of impressive artwork. They communicate how a student thinks, investigates ideas, experiments, solves problems and develops their own creative voice.
My approach combines creative development with practical advice on university pathways, portfolio expectations and applications.
My goal is not simply to help students create stronger portfolios, but to help them become more confident, independent and thoughtful creative practitioners.
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.
Ready for Clear, Expert Portfolio Guidance?
Free portfolio review & guidance call. No obligation, honest insights tailored to you.
You don’t need a finished portfolio, Dan helps you build it.
Student Success Stories .
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. "
Mark - "My time with Dan was unforgettable. He pushed me to lean into my fascination with humor and the absurd, and helped me develop a strong creative voice. His guidance enriched my work conceptually and gave me the confidence to scale up."
Cherry - "Loving art, being enthusiastic and passionate came from Dan. His support and encouragement gave me freedom to explore, and his honest advice helped me hold onto my belief that my work had value. That kept me from giving up."
