Fresh start: Tami’s all-new portfolio

What made you choose the Berghs Advanced portfolio course?

Well, I chose to study at Berghs because it offers what I was looking for. I wanted a short and intense course to help me to create a new portfolio that could open me the doors to the Scandinavian market.

How does the course compare to other design courses you've studied?

I'd say that it's very different. Because you're studying in a different country, with a different language, and with a different methodology.

Also because you're really studying in a creative school, from the very beginning you start to learn through the briefs to come up with great ideas really quick in a natural way.

The coaches are very talented professionals who give you a lot of tools while you're producing, classes are easy, funny and so creative.

Caption: From rscued x h&m, a new collection made by fruit waste

What was the best thing about the course?

The best thing about the course was having the opportunity to enhance my English skills, connect with people from other countries and cultures, and get to know my talented coaches. But above all, to realise that I'm still being a creative person, no matter what.

What was the hardest thing about the course?

At the beginning, I struggled a lot to find my place at Berghs because I wasn't sure if it was gonna help me to find my purpose. I had a big disappointment in another school recently. But my first coach, Adam, helped me find what I really was looking for - and since that moment, my self-esteem got a boost.

What was the most surprising thing about the course?

The most surprising thing was to make a bunch of briefs every week and how I got accustomed to coming up quickly with new ideas and presenting them in a short period.

CAPTION: Donald Judd MoMa Exhibition Poster from Typographic Posters

What was your favourite project in the course?

I think I couldn't say just one! One of my favourites so far was to make a poster for an art exhibition, and that's something that I really enjoyed because I am a nerd about art, museums, exhibitions, etc. The challenge was that I could only use typography to make it, no pictures or patterns just typography. In the beginning, I was overwhelmed, but I came up with some nice ideas quickly, and it is one of the projects that I'm most proud of.

How was moving from classes at Berghs to working online?

To me it was great, I'm a bit introverted, so I need some space to make and think on my projects, so it was easy to adapt the same routine we used to have at the beginning of the course. Besides, everything was well organised, even when things moved to online classes after the corona outbreak.

How do you compare your portfolio before and after doing Berghs Advanced?

I can't compare it at all. I'm a completely different person after studying at Berghs - so my new portfolio is new too. I think it's much more creative both visually and creatively, and more professional and mature. I never thought I was gonna be able to execute so many great projects.

CAPTION: Stockholm Bränneri conquers England by Writing to the Queen.

What things did you learn from others in your group?

What I took away from them, it's a new wave of fresh ideas and other different ways to come up with them. All of us came from different backgrounds and countries, so that made it really cool. We could share our different experiences and cultures and learn from each other.

Do you have any advice for people who want to update their portfolio?

My advice would be that don't be afraid to keep learning. Even if you're a professional, you can still learn more and enhance your creative skills and Berghs is a good place to make that happen.

Check out Tami's portfolio here.

Berghs Advanced is the perfect place to develop a portfolio that's perfect for you. It's an intense full-time communication course for international students, designed at bridging the gap between studies and career by developing a portfolio that reflects you and your strengths. It's designed for international students with previous education in communication, art, business, or technology. All courses are taught by active industry professionals and take a pragmatic approach to theory so that we can maximise our focus on making new things for your portfolio. At the end of the semester, you'll walk away with the practical communication skills needed to kick-start your career. And a killer portfolio. It all starts here!