We Guide your Art Portfolio to Success.

Every student is unique.

Parents and students overwhelmed by the art portfolio and application process will find clear guidance and expert navigation at Dan Studios, equipping students with the tools to create outstanding portfolios and gain acceptance into their dream art schools.

Free Online Course
Guidance & Mentorship
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Young woman with paint-stained hands creating abstract art on a large canvas in a bright, busy art studio with other people working on similar projects.
A black and white graphic logo featuring a pencil and the letter 'D' with a large white curved element.
Logo for The New School Parsons with black and red text on a white background
Logo of Maryland Institute College of Art with the acronym MICA in bold black letters.
Logo of the Rhode Island School of Design featuring the initials RISD enclosed in decorative flourishes, with the school's name and founding year 1877 written in a circular pattern around it.
Logo of University of the Arts London with the text 'ual: university of the arts london' in black on a white background.
Logo for the Royal College of Art featuring a coat of arms with lions, a unicorn, and a crest, along with the text "Royal College of Art" and "Postgraduate Art & Design."
The University of Cambridge crest with a shield featuring lions and a crown, below which is the text 'University of Cambridge'.
Logo of California College of the Arts with the initials 'CCA' and the full name written below.
ArtCenter logo with a red circle and the text 'ArtCenter' in black.
School of the Art Institute of Chicago logo with black square and white text.
The Pratt logo on a yellow background.
Logo of the School of Visual Arts with a red abstract floral design above the text.
The logo of the University of Edinburgh with the university's name.

The Dan Studios Process

Define.

Clarity & Strategy

Defining Your Path – Helping students uncover their strengths, artistic voice, and aspirations to build a strategic, intentional portfolio.

Research & Planning – Understanding what top art schools look for and aligning each student’s work with their goals.

Critical Thinking & Concept Development – Encouraging depth, originality, and intellectual engagement in their artistic practice.

Design.

Creativity & Craft

Developing Technical Excellence – Strengthening foundational and advanced artistic skills across diverse media.

Storytelling Through Art – Teaching students how to craft visually compelling and conceptually rich portfolios.

Personalized Portfolio Development – Guiding students to create a body of work that is both authentic and competitive.

Deliver.

Execution & Success

Finalizing a Standout Portfolio – Ensuring every portfolio is polished, curated, and strategically assembled for maximum impact.

Presentation & Articulation – Training students to confidently discuss their work in interviews, artist statements, and applications.

Pathway to Top Schools – Providing expert mentorship to help students secure admission to leading art and design institutions.

Our Services

Online.

Our online portfolio development course is available to access and do at your own pace.

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Mentor.

Work with Daniel in a mentorship capacity for a completely focused and custom experience.

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Consult.

Arrange a consultation to talk through the approach that is best suited to you.

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Book A Consultation

Meet Dabinn Kim.

One of my students whose portfolio journey led to offers from the University of Cambridge (Architecture), Bath University, The University of Manchester, and the University of Sheffield

University of Manchester logo with purple and black background, white and yellow text reading "Manchester 1824" and "The University of Manchester."
University of Cambridge crest with shield featuring lions, crowns, and a white cross, below which is the text 'University of Cambridge'.
Logo of the University of Sheffield featuring a shield with a crown, open book with the words "Disce Doce," and a flower, alongside the university name in purple.
The logo of the University of Bath featuring a circular emblem with a profile of a bearded man’s face and the text 'University of Bath'.
Read About Her Success

Our Success Stories.

Art installation of two human faces made from crumpled and torn cardboard boxes against a plain white wall.

Mark Wong

Accepted to RISD, UAL, and Parsons

“Loving art, being enthusiastic and passionate was something I learned from Mr. Hickey. His support, honest advice, and deep understanding of his students gave me the freedom to explore my own voice. That made all the difference.”

Pixelated mosaic image of a woman with dark hair, wearing a dark top, and smiling. Background appears to be outdoors with greenery.

Cherry

Accepted to Pratt, Parsons, CalArts, SVA, Otis, and Syracuse

“Mr. Hickey helped me lean into my fascination with humor and the absurd. His mentoring gave clarity to my creative voice and shaped a portfolio that truly reflected who I am as an artist.”

Portfolios that art schools like to see.

Daniel’s mentorship approach to portfolio development comes with a track record of getting students into top tier art, desing and architecture schools.

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A person wrapped in a red cloth, sitting against a dark background, with only part of their face and body visible.

“Sorrow’s Echo” by Cherry Last Name - University Name

About Dan.

Our focus is on your potential to create lasting impact.

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Dan, Founder of Dan Studios, providing expert art portfolio mentorship.

Contact Us.

If you would like to book a consultation, ask a question about our services or talk to Daniel, then fill in this form and we will sttend to your requested promptly.