Meet Dabinn, former student accepted to top UK Architecture schools.

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“Dan’s belief in me, his passion for art, and his constant support gave me the confidence to try new things and take on ambitious projects that truly shaped me as an artist.”


- Dabinn

Silhouettes of people sitting on benches inside a modern building, with large windows showing an outdoor plaza with trees and modern architecture. Artistic investigation into the tension between historic and modern architecture in contemporary Seoul.

“Fieldtrip Photography” Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

Hand-built ceramic skyscraper sculpture by Dabinn Kim exploring Seoul’s architectural history and urban change. Mixed-media architecture sculpture rebuilt from kiln-damaged ceramics, demonstrating creative resilience and innovation.

“Slum Skyscraper” Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

Dabinn’s
Vision.

Her project began with a deeply personal response to the changing architectural landscape of Seoul.

Visual research by Dabinn showing contrast between old neighbourhoods and modern glass towers in Seoul. University portfolio page combining visual research, architectural thinking, and conceptual clarity.

Monoprint, coffee stains on newspaper, Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

Her process shows detailed sketches, material tests, architectural studies, and critical reflections on urban development.
Her iterative ideation demonstrated maturity, she wasn’t just making artwork, she was investigating a system, questioning values, and developing a visual language that felt entirely her own.

Cluttered yard with old bicycles, a rusty cart, a satellite dish, a sign reading 'Garage Sale,' and wooden scraps, all against weathered wooden structures and a cloudy blue sky.

“Fieldtrip Photography”, Dabinn Kim.

Dabinn translated her observations into sustained exploration.

Early research included photographing neighbourhoods, documenting disappearing facades, and gathering stories.
This connection to her city set a foundation of authenticity: a project rooted in lived experience, cultural context, and emotional relevance.

Dabinn’s
Journey.

Turning failure into breakthrough

A kiln explosion. A rebuilt artwork. A clear artistic voice, and offers from leading architecture schools.

Broken pieces of red clay bricks and small brick structures on a wooden surface, some bricks have holes and ridges.

Ceramic Development Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

She repaired, rebuild and enhanced her artwork.
Impressing top schools with her ingenuity, positivity and resilience

A tall stack of six red bricks placed on a plastic bag on a worktable in a classroom or workshop.

Leaning into her fascination with Seoul’s older buildings she saw opportunity in failure and rebuild her ‘skyscraper’.

Dabinn used this setback as an opportunity.

Hand-built ceramic skyscraper sculpture by Dabinn Kim exploring Seoul’s architectural history and urban change. University portfolio combining visual research, architectural thinking, and conceptual clarity.

Ceramic Development Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

Resulting in offers from outstanding UK schools

University of Manchester logo with purple and black background, white and yellow text reading "Manchester 1824" and "The University of Manchester."
University of Cambridge crest with shield featuring lions, crowns, and a white cross, below which is the text 'University of Cambridge'.
Logo of the University of Sheffield featuring a shield with a crown, open book with the words "Disce Doce," and a flower, alongside the university name in purple.
The logo of the University of Bath featuring a circular emblem with a profile of a bearded man’s face and the text 'University of Bath'.

“Dan’s belief in me, his passion for art, and his constant support gave me the confidence to try new things and take on ambitious projects that truly shaped me as an artist.”

-Dabinn

Portfolio Highlights

Strategic fine art piece tailored for top art school admissions criteria.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice
Successful student artwork from Dan Studios accepted to RISD and Parsons.
Standout art portfolio example demonstrating strong conceptual depth.
Standout art portfolio example demonstrating strong conceptual depth.
Successful student artwork from Dan Studios accepted to RISD and Parsons.
Successful student artwork from Dan Studios accepted to RISD and Parsons.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice. Art Student Case Study. Future architect focusing on model making and 3D conceptual problem-solving.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice. Art Student Case Study
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice. Art Student Case Study. Future architect focusing on model making and 3D conceptual problem-solving.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistBlack and white illustration of a traditional Asian-style room with decorative hanging lanterns, wooden doors, and a tiled wall. The ceiling and walls are intricately detailed.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice. Art Student Case Study. Future architect focusing on model making and 3D conceptual problem-solving.
Creative design project showing material experimentation and unique artistic voice. Art Student Case Study. Future architect focusing on model making and 3D conceptual problem-solving.
Silhouettes of people sitting on benches inside a modern building with large glass windows, viewing outdoor trees and buildings.
Successful student artwork from Dan Studios accepted to RISD and Parsons.

Monoprint on Newspaper, Dabinn Kim, Accepted to Cambridge, Sheffield Uni., Bath Uni.

Working closely with Dabinn, I saw her transform challenges into opportunities through creativity, reflection, and resilience. Her story shows how the right strategy and mentorship can help students stand out to the world’s top universities.

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“Use your portfolio not just to show what you’ve made, but to communicate how you think.”


- Dabinn

A black and white illustration of an ornate traditional Asian building interior, featuring hanging lanterns with intricate characters, open wooden doors with detailed lattice work, and a dark arched doorway, with a starry night sky visible outside.

Interview with Dabinn

Q: What was the biggest challenge in developing your portfolio?
 A: Deciding the hierarchy of works and creating a flow. Balancing quality with clarity was difficult — overcrowding weakens impact.

Q: What was the most valuable part of the process?
 A: The reflection. Writing about my work helped me articulate not just what I made, but why I made it. That confidence made all the difference in interviews.

“Failure can actually lead to stronger outcomes if you’re willing to embrace it and stay adaptable.”

Q: Which project shaped your development most?
 A: My Slum Skyscraper project. It shattered in the kiln, but I reconstructed it into something stronger. That failure turned into a story of resilience and adaptability that interviewers loved.

Q: What advice would you give your past self?
 A: Sometimes less really is more. Let your ideas and skills take centre stage. And always include process work — it often sparks the most meaningful conversations.

Q: What made your portfolio stand out?
A: I consistently linked my work back to architecture, even when it wasn’t obvious. I also wasn’t afraid to share clear opinions about contemporary issues, which interviewers picked up on.

“Sometimes less really is more. Let your ideas and skills take centre stage.”

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Frequently Asked Questions

  • Fewer than you think — clarity and narrative matter more than volume.

  • Absolutely. It shows problem-solving, experimentation, and adaptability.

  • No. But frame them in ways that connect to architecture (space, society, memory, people).

  • Very. Clean, simple layouts let your work shine — avoid clutter or overly decorative designs.