Be the early bird who gets the study place – design edition

Are you dreaming about a career in the field of design? Have you already found a study place? And what about the application?! Are you preparing? The new study year has started, so soon, it will be time to apply to universities. However, first, you must decide on your interests. What do you like about the design?

When I was applying, my main focus was on Aalto University, but at the same time, I was looking for other options in case I didn’t get in. However, it is tough to find suitable alternatives. Although you have all the resources somehow, the process is very long. Besides, my advice would be, BE PATIENT!

After finding the possible options, it’s time to analyze (take a closer look). You must consider application dates, documents you submit (CV/motivation letter etc.), language tests, and other submission requirements (entrance assignments/portfolio/entrance exams/etc.) Finding and analyzing your target universities is only the first step. After that, it is time for practice. Early practice can help you prepare and make you feel more confident and secure when the application process starts. Successful practice needs to have a purpose because practising for practising doesn’t work. In addition, my suggestion is don’t practice alone. Find a teacher or course to make your practice more efficient daily.

“Practice does not make perfect. Only perfect practice makes perfect.”

Vince Lombardi

Scandinavian Design School

SDS is here for you! We offer various courses, and our study approach is individual. SDS teachers are here to help you. They will evaluate your skills and find suitable exercises for you so you would get the maximum out of your studies. To support you, we did a little research on design-related BA programs (taught in English) and provided a list of all SDS courses that will bring your application to a new level. Remember that early bird gets the worm!

BA programs

A portfolio is one of the main application requirements for all these programs. Because of that, we would like to suggest the SDS portfolio course. Anyone is welcome to join, no matter your experience, work, or knowledge. The course offers three study levels from which you can choose the best one for you:

• Portfolio Independent

• Portfolio Interactive

• Portfolio Personal tutoring

Plus, it also has a lesson on how to write a motivation letter!

Eindhoven Design Academy

EDA (Netherlands) has a BA program in Design. Therefore for this application, you must submit a portfolio and home assignment. By analyzing the EDA home assignments, we recommend to chose one of these courses:

• Design degree prep-course offers tasks for practising and different helpful tips & tricks.

• Design foundation course for practising & learning essential design techniques.

University of Europe (Berlin)

To apply BA Communication Design, you need to submit a portfolio. As a support to portfolio course, we also recommend taking:

• Graphic design foundation course – will give new insights into visual communication and graphic design.

University of Gothenburg (Sweden)

Wood-oriented furniture design evolves around the materials, techniques and design. Based on their application requirements, we would suggest you take:

• Design Foundation course because it has different material lessons with video lectures and assignments.

Umea University (Sweden)

BA program in Architecture is the borderline between art and science. For this program, practical skills matter, and because of that, we advise you to take:

• Architecture degree prep course has tasks for practising and different helpful tips & tricks.