Ms Val Palmer from Central Saint Martins, University of the Arts London, delivered an expert presentation on Design Portfolio Management on 22nd January, 2025, at the School of Design, SGT University, with help from the Office of International Relations.

Ms Palmer discussed how telling your story through your work can help people understand who you are as a designer. She encouraged students to show their design's final product, but also include the process of creating it (conceptual development) and doing the research (methodology) that went into developing the design. In addition to learning how to present themselves, she encouraged students to think critically about their own projects and to explain their intent when designing.

The students gained insight into trends in global fashion, interdisciplinary fashion work, and what leading international institutions are looking for now that the global fashion industry is changing so rapidly. In addition to trends, Ms Palmer discussed how fundamental originality, experimentation, and relevance to the context will help them create a strong and competitive portfolio for applying to graduate schools.

She advised students on how to tailor their portfolios to fit the requirements of different programs and emphasized the importance of visual communication, research, and expressing one’s identity as a designer in order to stand out from other applicants.

Furthermore, the session inspired students to think about the interdisciplinary nature of fashion and how their personal strengths can be tied to future possibilities in the fashion industry. Finally, this session provided the students with great advice about how to develop a well-thought-out plan for their individual design journeys that encompasses all areas of fashion.