College & University Applicants
Why TOPS?
College and university reviewers and professors are busy. You have about 5 minutes to show your potential and fit for the creative programs you're applying for. There are many private art studios, art-based schools, and instructors who can help you develop creative pieces for your portfolio, but not many who have been in the position of a reviewer and professor to give you the inside scoop on what they look for in a portfolio submission and how to effectively present your work. This is where TOPS sessions come in.
College and university reviewers and professors are busy. You have about 5 minutes to show your potential and fit for the creative programs you're applying for. There are many private art studios, art-based schools, and instructors who can help you develop creative pieces for your portfolio, but not many who have been in the position of a reviewer and professor to give you the inside scoop on what they look for in a portfolio submission and how to effectively present your work. This is where TOPS sessions come in.
What does a 30-min session cover?
Each student's situation is unique. Together, we will review the creative college / university programs – undergraduate or graduate – you are applying for and the body of creative work you can choose from for your portfolio submission. We will cover which pieces best fit your applications and the most effective approach to take with your submission – file formats, descriptions, layout. I will also add value by providing suggestions on how projects can be further enhanced or fine-tuned to fit your program applications.
Each student's situation is unique. Together, we will review the creative college / university programs – undergraduate or graduate – you are applying for and the body of creative work you can choose from for your portfolio submission. We will cover which pieces best fit your applications and the most effective approach to take with your submission – file formats, descriptions, layout. I will also add value by providing suggestions on how projects can be further enhanced or fine-tuned to fit your program applications.
What do I need to have prepared before our session?
Gather your favourite pieces / projects and any other creative work you are considering for your application submission. These can be on a website, PDFs or other digital files such as images, videos or photographs. Have process work handy – sketches, notes, roughs. And have an open mind! Taking feedback is part of the "life of a creative" and it will not only strengthen your work, but also your ability to excel in creative college and university programs (and a creative career ahead!).
Can I book a follow-up session?
Absolutely! Just as making creative work requires process, so does piecing together your portfolio. Knowing how to present this with impact and effectiveness to post-secondary reviewers and professors will often make a significant difference in how your creative skills and potential will be received.
Absolutely! Just as making creative work requires process, so does piecing together your portfolio. Knowing how to present this with impact and effectiveness to post-secondary reviewers and professors will often make a significant difference in how your creative skills and potential will be received.
Professional Portfolio Upgrade
Why TOPS?
Creative directors and talent recruiters are busy. You have about 5 minutes to make visible your creative potential and fit for an agency, studio or in-house team. Before even booking a coffee chat with a CD or TA, I will provide one-on-one feedback as someone who has worked with and mentored many creative professionals and collaborated with a number of agencies, studios and in-house teams in Toronto.
Creative directors and talent recruiters are busy. You have about 5 minutes to make visible your creative potential and fit for an agency, studio or in-house team. Before even booking a coffee chat with a CD or TA, I will provide one-on-one feedback as someone who has worked with and mentored many creative professionals and collaborated with a number of agencies, studios and in-house teams in Toronto.
What does a 30-min session cover?
Each creative's journey is unique. Together, we will review your current portfolio site and discuss your career goals. We will look at the range of creative work that best showcases your skills, and finesse how you present and talk about each piece – equal to what you show is how you pitch your work to a CD or TA. And knowing what to keep, push or toss is part of the process in giving your portfolio a solid creative bump.
Each creative's journey is unique. Together, we will review your current portfolio site and discuss your career goals. We will look at the range of creative work that best showcases your skills, and finesse how you present and talk about each piece – equal to what you show is how you pitch your work to a CD or TA. And knowing what to keep, push or toss is part of the process in giving your portfolio a solid creative bump.
What do I need to have prepared before our session?
Have your current online portfolio and any other creative work you feel might potentially align with your career goals. Have an open mind! We can often become too close to the work we've ideated, designed or produced and steering your career in an upward trajectory requires strategy and focus behind the projects you choose to showcase or ditch.
Can I book a follow-up session?
Absolutely! Just as making creative work requires process, so does upgrading your portfolio. Knowing how to present this with impact and effectiveness to CDs and TAs will often make a significant difference in how your creative skills and potential will be received as a fit for the role in an agency, studio or in-house team.
Absolutely! Just as making creative work requires process, so does upgrading your portfolio. Knowing how to present this with impact and effectiveness to CDs and TAs will often make a significant difference in how your creative skills and potential will be received as a fit for the role in an agency, studio or in-house team.
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How if I need to cancel a booked session?
Providing 24-hour notice is much appreciated although, understandably, not always possible. Any session booking includes a non-refundable booking fee (even with a cancellation). The booking fee ensures your time slot and covers the session. There is no additional cost after a session. If you are interested in a session after a cancellation, you are more than welcome to re-book another date and time under the standard booking fee.
How if I need to cancel a booked session?
Providing 24-hour notice is much appreciated although, understandably, not always possible. Any session booking includes a non-refundable booking fee (even with a cancellation). The booking fee ensures your time slot and covers the session. There is no additional cost after a session. If you are interested in a session after a cancellation, you are more than welcome to re-book another date and time under the standard booking fee.
Any other questions? Reach out :)
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