University Art & Design Portfolio Preparation for Fine Art, Graphic Design, Fashion & Architecture

From 102 £ /h

Online University Art and Design Portfolio Preparation.

Are you applying to university for a creative subject?

I offer personalised one-to-one online portfolio mentoring for students applying to art and design courses in the UK and internationally.

I am an experienced art educator, graphic designer and researcher with more than 30 years of teaching experience. Most recently, I taught international students at EF Academy Oxford, supporting learners from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.

I am based in Oxford and can support students in university portfolio preparation to study Art, Graphic Design, Graphic Communication Design, Fashion Design, Architecture, Interior Design, Illustration, Photography, Textile Design, Product Design, Animation, Foundation Art and Design, and other creative programmes.

My guidance may include:

1- Developing original ideas and personal themes.
2- Strengthening sketchbooks and creative processes.
3- Developing creative ideas and experimenting with materials and techniques.
4- Strengthening drawing, painting, design and visual communication skills.
5- Selecting, refining and presenting work for university portfolios.
6- Personal-statement and interview preparation.
7- Understanding the expectations of UK art and design courses.

My approach is supportive, honest and individually tailored. I help students recognise what is already strong in their work and understand how to develop it further.

Portfolio preparation requires regular effort, so I work best with motivated students who are prepared to engage seriously with the creative process.

Online lessons are available internationally.

Extra information

Lessons are personalised to each student's needs.

Location

Online from United Kingdom

About Me

About Me
I am an art educator, graphic designer and researcher with over 30 years of professional experience in teaching and creative practice.
I hold a BA in Graphic Design and an MA in Art Research. Most recently, I taught GCSE, A-Level and IB Visual Arts at EF Academy Oxford, supporting students from a wide range of cultural and educational backgrounds.
I specialise in helping students prepare portfolios for university applications in Fine Art, Graphic Design, Graphic Communication Design, Fashion Design, Architecture, Illustration, Photography and other creative disciplines. My teaching focuses on developing original ideas, creative thinking, technical skills and confident presentation of work.
I believe every student has individual strengths. My role is to help students recognise their potential, develop their creative voice and produce a portfolio that reflects their abilities and ambitions.
I work with motivated students from around the world, helping them build creative confidence and prepare successful portfolios for UK and international universities.

Education

BA in Graphic Design and MA in Art Research. My education combined creative practice with research, visual communication and critical thinking. This foundation enables me to guide students in developing original ideas, strong portfolios and successful applications for art and design courses.

Experience / Qualifications

30+ years teaching experience
Former Visual Arts Teacher, EF Academy Oxford
BA Graphic Design
MA Art Research
University Portfolio Preparation Specialist

Age

Teenagers (13-17 years old)

Adults (18-64 years old)

Student level

Beginner

Intermediate

Advanced

Duration

60 minutes

The class is taught in

English

Skills

Art

Architecture

Graphic design

Availability of a typical week

(GMT -04:00)

New York

Online via webcam

Mon

Tue

Wed

Thu

Fri

Sat

Sun

00-04

04-08

08-12

12-16

16-20

20-24

Gaëlle

5.0

(3)

Most kids think coding is for "smart kids" or "future programmers."
It's not. Coding is how real people solve real problems.
In this class, we skip the theory. Your child creates real things.

What they'll do:
✓ Build real projects in Scratch: a working game, an interactive animation, a story they coded
✓ Program virtual robots: solve real-world challenges (navigate a maze, automate a task, build a system)
✓ Create in Minecraft Education: design worlds, automate constructions, solve logic problems
✓ Experiment with different languages: not just learn "the right way," but understand that there are many ways to think about a problem
✓ Collaborate and share: work with other kids, get feedback, improve their work
✓ Develop logical thinking: not just for coding, but for anything: solving math problems, science challenges, real-world situations

Why this is different:
We don't teach syntax. We teach how programmers think.
Most children's coding courses say "here's the code, copy it." We teach "what problem are we trying to solve? How could we break it into steps? What options do we have?"
When your child learns to think like a programmer, they can learn any language afterward.

What they take home:
A portfolio of 3–4 completed, working projects. The ability to say "I built this." And the deep understanding that code is a tool to make real things happen.

Format: Online or Barcelona | 60–90 min sessions | Flexible pace, no prior experience needed
For curious 8-12 year olds who want to build.

Marquez

5.0

(3)

I specialise in teaching AutoCAD, Rhino, 3Ds Max, Illustrator, InDesign and Photoshop to students of various levels.

My style of teaching is focused on practice. All classes have their goal - to expand the theory and practice to create something complete at the end. I think practice, whether or not you are a beginner or more advanced, is important for learning. Each class is personalized to the needs and interests of the students.

I can also realise personal 2D, 3D design projects.

Jaume

5.0

(3)

I am a visual artist born in Barcelona, settled in Belgium since 2017. As an artist I have accumulated experience for the last 25 years. I am graduated with an Academic Bachelor in Fine Arts in the University of Barcelona and graduated as a Master in Visual Arts at Sint Lucas School of Arts in Antwerpen.

I am specialised in painting, drawing, experimental films, installations, language, sound and curating. In other words, I am a multidisciplinary artist.

I understand the artistic practice as a way to understand ourselves and the situations which surrounds us. In my classes I don't teach how to do Art, but as how to say something through your artistic work. With me you can work independently, with a coach who will challenge you with some assignments and giving feedback to your personal concerns.

In addition, you will learn how to work with several mediums, preparing your own material: paintings, canvases, and so on.

You will not only receive individual coaching but as encourage you to look other artists or take into account other references connected with your concerns.

Finding, discussing and retaking solutions together are the core of my classes.

Xingying

5.0

(3)

Painting and drawing are not just techniques—they are also powerful tools for presentation, mediation, and self-expression. This class will guide you through the essentials of painting and drawing, covering foundational skills such as perspective, anatomy, and color theory, as well as techniques for analyzing and critiquing artwork.

From still life and portraiture to landscapes, abstract painting, and multimedia art, this course will support you in developing your unique visual language. Based on your individual goals and interests, I will create a tailored plan to help you achieve the best possible outcomes in your artistic journey.

Peter

5.0

(3)

Almost every musician can play some piano, but that does not mean they are pianists or piano teachers.
I offer piano lessons at your place for an affordable price.
I have a diploma in piano pedagogy. I studied didactics and methodology for teaching piano. I use modern methods and piano books. I have a big collection of music sheets available for my students. I am also interested in discovering historical methods of piano pedagogy that were used by the biggest composers such as W. A. Mozart and J. S. Bach.
My experiences: I've been teaching for 12 years and have taught almost 40 students, among them around 5 adults. I have an individual approach that will fit your needs, for instance, we can strictly follow the piano books, or we can improvise and play songs without music score or without talking about music theory. It is up to you. I'm looking forward to becoming your teacher!

Katarzyna

5.0

(3)

Egg tempera is one of the most ancient historical art painting technique. It preserved as a main technique to paint orthodox religious icons. It is possible to learn it and paint your own icon. I have 12 years of practice teaching people how to do it. We work together step by step to understand the technique, the way to prepare wooden panel to paint an icon and the techniques of making a good project to make the icon fit to the board. We also learn how to make gold leaf layer on the halos. Your icon will be a real, crafted icon.

Samaa

5.0

(3)

I am a highly skilled and experienced Architect with a great experience in Architecture software. Photoshop is an important software, not only for Architects. I'm Strongly knowledgeable about all approaches of Photoshop. More than anything else, a Creative designer with a will for improving learners` productivity levels as well as improving learning experiences. I work with Adobe Photoshop, Autocad, and Revit in addition I can train you to use most graphic design applications.

Amine

5.0

(3)

🌟 Course for Beginners - Discover the Secrets of Adobe Photoshop! 🌟

Have you always wanted to master Adobe Photoshop, but the features seem intimidating? Do not worry anymore! I offer courses specially designed for beginners, to guide you step by step into the fascinating world of Photoshop.

🖌️ What you will learn:

The essential basics of the Photoshop interface.
Image editing tools to improve your photos.
Creating simple and impactful designs.
🗓️ Flexible hours:
Choose sessions that fit your busy schedule.

🎓 Experienced Trainer:
Benefit from the expertise of an experienced trainer who will guide you through each step, allowing you to unleash your creativity.

Idris

5.0

(3)

I am an artist and philosopher from Amsterdam currently living in Antwerp. I studied in London where I acquired a BA from Art Academy London and a BA in philosophy from St Mary's University London.

Artistic development starts by identifying your artistic interest. As artists, we don’t always know why we draw and paint the things that we do. Yet they are not random. What captivates us or draws us towards certain artworks? This might be the tonal way in which light reflects, structural forms or mathematical division. The point being, is that we all have such aesthetic interests and step 1 is finding out what interests you!

Step 2 is helping you express your interests through painting techniques, styles and materiality. But it all starts with you. What do you want to say? And how? I will help you do this through discussion, looking at your previous work (if you have any), introducing you to a LARGE variety of artists, potentially copying their styles. I adjust my classes according to your needs.

The goal is simple: to come to understand your artistic interest, help you find techniques to express them and develop your artistic language.

(Please note that just because you have found an artistic interest and a way to express it, it does not mean that you must do only one thing for the rest of your life. It is the downfall of creativity to repeat and paint the same way over and over again. Instead, allow your interests to drive your creativity. Let it be the starting point, venture out and discover it from various angles and ways of expressing it. But also be mindful that as we grow our interests can change and as they change, we must remain honest and respond accordingly such that our artistic language can also grow.)

Have questions? Don’t hesitate to message me! I can tailor a class to your needs :)

Emer

5.0

(3)

Remember the goal - you want to make good art.
A good critique will give you new insight, new direction, career advice and energy to do this!

Where am I going with this? Too much or not enough?
Learn to define your position, your place and your market.

I will offer perspective on your strengths and constructive feedback on what needs to be improved. There are ways to inspire what is working and how to improve your weaker points that builds confidence, technique and style.

Editing is key - colour, form, aesthetic, emotion, influence and pace. I can help you understand exciting trends in Contemporary Art and that relevance to Art History. I will provide you with the resources to dig deeper and show you your next steps. At the end of the critique you will feel equipped and excited to get to work.

Recommended booking - 3 classes including introduction, follow up and final presentation.

Razan

5.0

(3)

Ready to make some music? Whether you are picking up an acoustic or electric guitar for the very first time, I will teach you the fundamentals while keeping things fun and practical. We will cover proper technique, chord transitions, rhythm, and learn how to play your favorite songs step-by-step. No prior experience is needed—just bring your enthusiasm!

Daniele

5.0

(3)

Drawing is an essential practice for whomever wants to explore themselves through visualizing and recording the cognitive, perceptive, emotive, associative and intellective processes of the person.

In this class we do all of that, drawing in and out of ourselves. Conversation, feedback and critique based.
Possible to provide notions on different drawing materials, tools and surfaces as well as art historical and contemporary references. But most of the work is done in the process and through exchange.

The student will develop an open approach and critical position towards drawing and its deeper relation to the self and communication.

Fernanda

5.0

(3)

How do you move from making individual artworks to developing a practice that feels genuinely your own?

I am a professional visual artist with more than 30 years of international experience. In these individual mentoring sessions, I work with artists and creative people who want to develop a more personal artistic language, deepen their ideas, or reconnect with a practice that has become stuck or uncertain.

Rather than teaching a particular style or giving you formulas to follow, we look closely at what already interests you: recurring images, materials, questions, experiences, contradictions and ways of thinking. From there, we explore how these elements can become part of a stronger and more individual body of work.

Our sessions may involve discussion of your current work, experimentation, sketchbooks, writing, research, contemporary art and art history, as well as artists, writers and thinkers relevant to the questions emerging from your practice.

We can work on questions such as: What makes your work yours? Which ideas are worth pursuing? How can you develop a concept without simply illustrating it? How can research become part of the work? How do you recognise and move beyond habits, imitation or creative blocks?

This mentoring is suitable for people who want more than technical instruction and are interested in developing an independent, thoughtful and sustainable creative practice.

Sessions are available in English or Portuguese and are shaped around each person's interests, work and creative process.

Aliya

5.0

(3)

Class description

Architecture drawing & portfolio preparation — one-on-one online

Learn to draw like an architect. Whether you're preparing for an entrance exam, building an application portfolio, or simply want your sketches to look like they belong in a studio, I'll get you there.

I'm Aliya. I have an architecture degree and nine years of teaching experience — over 1,385 lessons with students in more than 20 countries, from complete beginners to applicants who went on to get accepted.

What we cover:

Freehand drawing — the foundation every admissions committee looks for
Linear and one-, two- and three-point perspective
Constructing buildings and interiors from imagination, not just from reference
Light, shadow and tonal work that gives drawings depth
Rendering in pencil, ink, marker and watercolour
Entourage — trees, figures, cars, the details that make a sketch feel alive
Composition and page layout for portfolio presentation
Fast sketching under exam conditions

Xzen

5.0

(3)

Are you studying Interior Design, Interior Architecture or Architecture and feeling stuck with your project, concept or portfolio? Sometimes you don’t need someone to give you the answer — you need another designer to look at your work, ask the right questions and help you discover where it could go next.

I am a practising Interior Designer with a RIBA Part 2 architectural background and previous university-level teaching experience. My tutorials combine academic design thinking with experience gained from working within leading UK architecture and interior design practices.

My sessions are tailored around you and your project. We can work together on concept development, spatial planning, design thinking, portfolio layouts, graphic communication, technical drawings, materials and finishes, sustainability, Revit, AutoCAD, InDesign and Photoshop.

I am particularly passionate about creative thinking, graphics and portfolio storytelling. I love helping students take complicated ideas and communicate them through clear, beautiful drawings, diagrams and layouts.

I am also very interested in sustainability, materiality and the relationship between buildings and people. I encourage students to think beyond how a space looks and consider why materials are selected, how they perform, how people experience the space and how design decisions affect the environment.

You can bring a project at any stage, from an early idea or university brief to a nearly completed portfolio. We can review it together, identify what is working, explore what could be improved and develop a clear direction for your next steps.

I won’t design your project for you. My aim is to help you become a stronger and more confident designer by developing your own ideas, challenging your thinking and helping you understand the reasoning behind your design decisions.

Sessions can also focus specifically on portfolio reviews, university applications, design crit preparation, Revit/AutoCAD guidance or graphic presentation.