Tiana Esparon Unit 10: July 2014

Monday, 21 July 2014

Questions for Universities

A few weeks ago I emailed some universities about the courses they offer, portfolio and interview advice.
Hi my name is Tiana Esparon and I'm a Visual Arts and Design student in Year 12 at the Brit school. I'm looking to study Womenswear fashion design at Central Saint Martins in 2015 and I was wondering, if it's not to much trouble, if you could answer these questions?
1. I'm doing a BTEC course in Art, what grades would I need to go straight to an undergraduate course without doing foundation?
2. How many students apply for this course and how many get in?
3. How can I increase my chances of being accepted?
4. If I'm not accepted to the course that I want to do, do I have any other options with your school?
5. Is financial aid available?
6. Is residence guaranteed?
7. What are you looking for in a personal statement?
8. Is it an advantage to get your application in early?
9. Roughly how much should I budget for coat of materials?
10. What are your tips for putting together a portfolio?
11. What do you look for from potential students during an interview?
12. As a university, what can you do for me?

Tuesday, 1 July 2014

Notes for my personal statement

- industry experience

Working at African fashion week for Adebayo jones

Working with Palmer Harding at London fashion week

- hobbies

Drawing

Blogging

Design clothes

Sewing clothes

Knitting

-interests

Fashion

Art

Journalism

Travelling

History

-studies

BTEC in art and design

French alevel

-character traits

Hardworking

Team player

Good listener

Creative

Passionate

Optimistic

Good communicator

-why you want to do that particular course

I want to work in the fashion industry, preferably a designer. A course in fashion will give me the skills I need for my future career. I want to develop my skills in pattern cutting, sewing, designing and pushi my creativity and research skills. I can't imagine doing anything else. I have a strong desire to design and make clothes that people want to wear which this coursework will give me the building blocks to do.

- volunteering

Same as industry experience

Charity shop

-ambition for progression

Hopefully do a sandwich year and work at a clothing brand. After graduating I would like to be offered a job there or maybe try to start my own clothing line.

- what makes you different to other students

I'm determined to succeed in my chosen career path. I'm hardworking and a fast learner. I'm good at being independent in my work and do a lot outside of school e.g. Work experience and my fashion blog.

-why you want to be in the chosen industry

Clothes are one of the first things that you noticed about a person. Without them even opening their mouths we immediately judge someone on what they wear. I like how clothes can change your personality and how people perceive you. I love dressing myself and I think dressing other people would be incredible.

-what inspires you

Everything can inspire me. Films, art, music, nature, other designers,fashion bloggers.

-external influences

Designers such as Alexander McQueen and Alexander wang, Hedi Slimane, raf Simons. My mum.

-subject specific skills

Sewing, pattern cutting, drawing skills, life drawing, organisation, creative

-projects and work that you've done that is appropriate for the course

Fad, personal work.

-other all around qualities

Same a personality traits

-independent work and qualities aside from school, extra curricular

Fad course

-additional studies

French

-work experience

-employment

- good grammar and spelling

Whilst doing research about personal statements I found this:

Willie Walters, programme director for fashion at Central St Martins, said the personal statement is "secondary" to portfolio work.

Walters advises applicants to make their portfolio work as clear as possible, and to include research and sketchbook work, as well as photographs of design pieces. "We look for originality and something fresh."

When it comes to the written statement, saying you have a "passion for fashion" is an immediate no-no, says Josephine Collins, course leader for fashion journalism at the London College of Fashion.

"It's easy to do and sounds great but we've seen it so many times before," she warns. Similarly, admissions tutors cringe when confronted with yet another tired quote from a fashion icon

."We always have the same designers quoted. Every now and then someone says they are interested in a more conceptual designer and it makes them stand out. You can tell they are engaging more deeply."

"I steer clear of students who talk mainly about celebrity fashion and TV programmes in their personal statements because it makes me think that they see fashion as something rather fluffy," she says.

Outside interests show an engagement with general society that is important for a fashion student, and key to fashion admissions tutors.

Writing a Personal statement

Personal statement

Purpose

-to sell yourself to universities

- useful for applying to jobs, apprenticeships, internships

- helps to solidify in you pr mind the things that you are good at

- helps you to focus on why you want to do a certain course

It is important because it's your first impression to the university. They see this before an interview and portfolio.

You put in-