Aspiring art and design students will have a chance to have their portfolios reviewed and impress instructors from prestigious North American and European schools at a Wilson School of Design-hosted event.
This will be the first time the Wilson School of Design at Kwantlen Polytechnic University has hosted National Portfolio Day and it is only one of two schools in Canada where the multi-city event will be held this year.
“The event provides emerging young artists and designers with an opportunity to get valuable one on one feedback about their portfolios from representatives of accredited international art or design colleges and universities from across North America and Europe,” says Carolyn Robertson, dean of the Wilson School of Design.
High school students in grades 10-12, teachers, parents or anyone who wants to attend design school, will be able to showcase their portfolios to 28 accredited schools. Top schools such as Parsons School of Design, School of Art Institute of Chicago, OCAD University and Paris College of Art will be in attendance.
“Attending a National Portfolio Day event is a memorable day that always draws hundreds of potential art or design students. Many make new friends while they wait in the reviewer line-ups, and have a chance to connect with so many other like-minded artists and designers. Line-ups are the inevitable part of the experience, so we always encourage guests to come with a good attitude, comfortable shoes, and snacks,” says Robertson.
National Portfolio Day hosts upwards of 40 events over the course of a year, with Paris, Toronto and Metro Vancouver the only stops outside the United States. In the past, the Vancouver event has attracted 600 to 800 students, so attendees are encouraged to select their top three or four schools they want to meet during the event. Membership in the National Portfolio Day Association (NPDA) is limited to 105-member schools globally, all of whom are accredited.
“We are thrilled that this year’s Greater Vancouver event is going to be hosted by one of our long-time Canadian members. The Vancouver event is one of our most well attended and we have confidence that the Wilson School of Design will put on an outstanding event,” says Adam Rogers, President of the National Portfolio Day Association.
Lexi Chang, a second-year fashion design and technology student at the Wilson School of Design, attended the Vancouver National Portfolio Day in 2017. She says it was a great way to get to know the schools she wanted to apply to and get constructive feedback before finalizing her portfolio.
“Going into National Portfolio Day, I had a clear vision of what I wanted to do and what schools I wanted to apply to. As a result, the review session was beneficial and helpful in terms of answering all my questions and doubts,” she says.
National Portfolio Day at the Wilson School of Design takes place December 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. The event is free and open to the public.
For more information and to register, visit http://www.kpu.ca/2018NationalPortfolioDay.