San Diego Portfolio Studio

Choosing to attend San Diego Portfolio Studio was the best decision I’ve made in my young career so far! When I first began working with instructors from SDPS, I knew that I wanted to be a designer but I wasn’t sure if I had what it takes. The instructors worked with me to develop my idea-​creation and design skills, and eventually I started to become more confident in my abilities.
The instructors truly cared about my success as a student, and they were dedicated to matching the amount of effort and dedication that I committed to the program. Upon finishing up my time with SDPS, I had four internships under my belt and the full-​time
jr. art director position of my dreams lined up. All of that success can be attributed to the my time at SDPS.
I would highly recommend taking a tour and meeting with the faculty to anyone who is interested in pursuing a creative career. You will not find a better place to build your portfolio in a better location or for a better price!

Where do I begin to express my appreciation and accomplishments from this amazing small room of a workshop and the TREMENDOUS amount of success that is just coming out of it…
When I started
I was working on my second degree at The Art Institute of CA — SD in Advertising with a burning passion to reach out and learn from the best. meaning I wasn’t completely satisfied with the education I was getting. At the time, the workshop was at a downstairs garage and I sat with my instructor on my first day looking through my book and realized how shitty it was, and that I was ready to make this improvement… Planning it from the start, how many campaigns I’ll work on, not just that. but what kind! and by when I should be ready to go out and kick ass. That evening of planning with my instructor was definitely the kind of attention/​guidance any student should have and thats one reason why this school is just great.
The Process
After discussing with your instructor what your career goals are (whether freelance, go to the big shops, etc) They then break down what kind of projects would be suitable for your book to help you land that dream job.
The projects are ALWAYS fun by the way. So much positivity and great atmosphere! But let me get to that a little later, getting excited…
The process as how it goes, is you get a project, you bring in sketches (and a lot of them too!) You present with your peers and the instructor to provide feedback. Everyone helps everyone w good constructive feedback. Depending on the project, after concepting and sketching, you go into digital and start crafting your work. Still with feedback with peers and instructors. There are no egos, no negativity, none of that. It’s very productive.
The Group /​Environment
There are 9 – 10 peeps in a class. And there’s a reason for that. Each student gets that valuable attention and guidance to help you succeed. And not only that, but instructors are smart enough to not bring in a lazy condescending student, so if and when you are in, the more open, humble, hardworking, the better the result you get form this school. Appreciate it! This is the perfect place to learn and grow as a creative.
Internships/​getting that job
I am proud to say San Diego Portfolio Studio helped me get not only 3 internships but my foot in the door at the largest ad agency in San Diego and I cannot express enough how thankful and appreciative I am for all those opportunities.
And this comes a very very very long way. Instructors don’t just put you in a place. They valuate you and your progress in the workshop, they observe your attitude, your skills and whether or not you are ready to take on an internship. For me as an example, I wanted to see different atmospheres of an ad agency. Instructors and students sit and talk about it. My process was I interned from the smallest shop, to the biggest one in town to see if I am comfortable in each. This is perfect practice for the real world and instructors still check up on you. They just care. That’s the difference.
My first job I landed thanks to SDPS was at ViTRO Agency and became their first Junior Art Director they had. Because I busted my ass and showing that I am a hard worker and care for my projects, my peers, my priorities, That was my end result, not only a badass job but a badass book and a lot of awards to put the cherry on top. I wouldn’t even think twice if you’re debating to attend here.
Competitions
Two words. Nailed it.
Last year, SDPS swiped clean with awards locally and nationally because of all the hard work, talent, and positive vibes from that small room. Thanks to SDPS I brought home the biggest student ad award in the nation.
Every student gets a shot at entering something. Whether its the american advertising awards, applied arts, CMYK, Comm Arts, Applied Arts… The more crafted and well thought out your projects are, the more likely you’ll win something. and if not, you still have great projects awards or not, people WILL recognize your work.
Now I am working in LA. I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for SDPS. The great work, motivation, and guidance I had and still have is what led me to leave my nest. my friends, my family, my hometown to spread my wings and show what a SDPS formal student has up their sleeve ready to tackle any campaign in the world.

If you want to learn from the best and work with the best, then you should start taking classes here. One of the best decisions I have ever made for my career as an Art Director was dedicating my time to building my portfolio with the amazing instructors at SDPS.