Portfolio Oomph

Specialties

Portfolio Oomph is an online hub specialising in guiding students through the process of applying to art college.

This covers:

eBooks and eCourses on topics like ‘Writing your personal statement’, Creating a sensational portfolio’, ‘How to blow them away at interview’, ‘How to mount and present your work’ and many more.

Mentoring — one to one advice on your portfolio

Classes

Careers advice and videos

FAQ

History

Established in 2012.

Portfolio Oomph was established following 6 years of being on the interview panel at ECA and realising that in my opinion there is a real gap between the education curriculum particularly in Scotland between the Higher qualification (standard entrance qualification for degree courses in Scotland) and what the art colleges’ expect from an applicant.

There seemed to be very little accurate advice online that would help students who just needed that bit extra to improve their portfolio. Advice currently our there tells you what you need however it doesn’t go into details about how you might do it. For example, an original portfolio that shows a number of techniques. How might one do this? We provide examples and ideas.

Small bite sized pieces of advice where the student can download only what they need, when they need it is our aim. Personal 1:1 advice is available where more support is required.

Meet the Business Owner

Julie R.

Business Owner

Portfolio Oomph was created in 2012 by artist and lecturer Julie Read (BA Hons, PGCE), who has worked for 17 years in further education and art college. She has exhibited her own art extensively, both nationally and internationally. Her passion and mission is assisting students in creating an art portfolio for university.

Julie has been at both ends of the system; helping students creating an art portfolio for university as well as interviewing applicants for entry to Edinburgh College of Art for 9 years. She led the student recruitment activity at Edinburgh College of Art (2006 — 9) which involved advising many prospective students and their parents about applying to art college and creating an art portfolio for university.

Julie has extensive experience of supporting students in creating an art portfolio for university and interviewing students at entrance level. Also creating course materials and tutoring students in an online environment.