Professional Bio
Kat graduated from The University for the Creative Arts (Farnham) in 2006 with a BA Hons in 3D Design - Metal work and Jewellery. She has worked in the field of Further Education (F.E) for over 10 years and in 2013 received a level 5 teaching diploma.
Kat has experienced a wide range of roles both in teaching and mentoring, facilitating students to progress into higher education and the creative industries. Please click below to find out more about Kat's private tuition sessions.
Guidance for Design Students.
Whether you are applying for further or higher education, below are some basic guidelines to help you assemble a portfolio, organise your sketchbooks and prepare for interviews.
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Portfolio
Potential not perfection.
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Start early. Don't wait until you have an invitation to attend an interview.
Take good quality photographs of your work and consider your backgrounds.
Present the story of your design process not just your outcomes.
Aim to present multiple disciplines to demonstrate the full range your abilities.
Avoid unnecessary decoration: it detracts from your work.
Label projects and give short explanations of each page.
Customise your content to the course you are applying for.
Be creative with your format. If your portfolio stands out you are more likely to win a place on a prestigious course.
Be selective, interviewers don't have much time. You need to make a good impression quickly.
Sketchbooks
Your creative journey.
Take no more than 2 of your best sketchbooks to interview.
Interviewers will want to see that you understand the fundamentals of the design process.
Projects should show wide ranging research, development of ideas, technical exploration and evaluation of outcomes.
Project outcomes should be clearly linked to your research and development.
Design choices should be justified by your technical exploration.
Avoid unsophiticated presentation such as felt tip pen and bubble writing.
Avoid pages of unexplained web research.
Great sketchbook pages tend to have a combination of visual elements such as drawing, photographs, design sketches and annotation.
Interview
Know your value.
Research the college and course. You will be asked why you have chosen it.
Be ready to talk about your influences, particularly other Designers in the field.
For extra points include a designer who is an ex student of the college.
Asks questions about course content and resources. It shows you are serious about attending the college.
Sell yourself. Talk about your achievements both in and out of school.
Smile, be enthusiastic, proactive and engaged.
Remember, without students like you universities couldn't operate. Know your value.
