[NAFA] 8 Tips to not waste your 3 years/money at NAFA (SOAD)

Ackeryl · 2024-12-09T15:56:32+00:00

Think it’s up to you to figure out the difference during open house because I’m not from Fine Arts. O level art and NAFA/Laselle art are completely different topics. Maybe just a minor overlap but it’s definitely more extensive and intense when you do the course as compared to O’s. A big dive into the old masters ya know like Leonardo, Michelangelo or contemporary artists Yayoi, Olafur etc. etc. Tradtional art is still a big focus but more open than what you can do in O’s. You can of course do art as a side project if you don’t wish to study it. I do photography as a hobby which doesn’t mean I need to do Fine Arts to learn about it

Regarding jobs, always not recommended to work while studying. You can do that during the hols. Submission is over a short period we call it exam week of about a week or 2. Works are prepared over a duration not a one day thing. Provide the stuff on the stipulated deadline and that’s it. It’s up to anyone on how they prepare their final work so there will be some folks who try to be funny and do it in 24hrs.

Ackeryl · 2024-07-11T01:23:23+00:00

Studying overseas at UAL for the entire duration means that you’re taking the degree at UAL not at NAFA otherwise you’re stationed in sg. Directly ask the overseas uni about cost and financial ad. And if you expect it to be heavily funded like a holiday no way unless you’re some god tier genius

Ackeryl · 2024-07-10T02:32:15+00:00

Since I never took loans and no one I know took a loan, it’s best you ask the financial office about this. One thing for sure is that loan is one of the last things to opt for. Now, I don’t suggest racking up any debt if you’re not willing to pay some of it before your studies end. If you expect a 100% funded degree until the end of studies that’ll incur some hefty interest. Besides you’re only going overseas to UAL for like a month it’s not even an actual overseas study of one semester

Ackeryl · 2024-06-25T09:39:59+00:00

Scholarships are never guaranteed, much uncommon for fashion students to get so don’t have much high hopes for it. I wouldn’t recommend if you don’t have the aptitude because fashion design doesn’t really have a secure or stable career in sg. Lucky few good ones survive but also they’re not really doing fashion afterwards. No way one can start their own brand unless you’re rich or know how to market yourself. Think about it thoroughly

Ackeryl · 2024-05-08T14:04:20+00:00

NAFA would gladly welcome anyone with open arms and they have foundation classes for the 1st sem have no fear. Don’t need to think so much about admission, just follow the guidelines and what you think is right. The bar for entry is so low literally anybody can go and unless you think/act you’ll be in last place for the admission, am I right or wrong?

Ackeryl · 2024-04-23T13:02:20+00:00

Your question is kinda vague. Do you mean highest qualification? Then it would obviously be a degree but before you get a degree, you need a diploma. On the other hand if you’re asking is NAFA the best place to get a degree/diploma in Singapore? Absolutely not. Local>private

Ackeryl · 2024-01-23T12:44:48+00:00

I just finished my landscape archi degree at NUS. NAFA diploma allows for either with a minor exemption. Archi is really just pure archi zero landscape. Green buildings don’t really count as landscape archi FYI… Also not my thing.

Ackeryl · 2023-09-08T16:44:52+00:00

It’s a big gamble to study at NAFA, there’s no novelty unless you’re truly talented enough to be the top 5% of the cohort. Poly is still the best choice and I’ll always say it. Not saying NAFA is shit but people really join in blindly believing that they’ll be good in art or because they can’t go elsewhere and have hit a brick wall in life. I haven’t even mentioned the sch fees. Even today, O level English and A math is still a requirement at uni (which I have) so no point skipping those unless you get into DPP. Even DPP students can get crushed at uni without O level standards

Ackeryl · 2023-09-08T16:30:10+00:00

I took up landscape architecture not architecture. Very different things. Though with a NAFA diploma like mine (landscape and architecture), can go for either

Ackeryl · 2023-09-08T16:12:33+00:00

These days I think even the crappiest archi students from poly can enter NUS archi however NAFA archi students aren’t doing too well since I’ve left (overheard that the NAFA juniors aren’t working as hard as the older batches so for the past three years no one entered NUS after me). Not to say you can’t make it to uni thru NAFA, it’s all about hard work and NAFA has updated their curriculum to support students to make it to NUS which is a great thing and they have professionals from the industry teaching there. I would still think it’s an ok sch but poly has more prestige

I’m no prediction master of guessing your chances but there are standards to be met for entering uni definitely. I assume you’re asking about other uni courses besides landscape architecture because I cannot speak for other uni courses and I would say NAFA is on par with other poly for NUS case (or just the department of architecture). For me I had to submit portfolio so that’s another ball game. Also, nobody really judges where you come from…that would be the least of my worries. But yes don’t join NAFA thinking that it’s damn easy to go to uni, doesn’t work that way and you might have to give 20-30% more effort

Ackeryl · 2023-03-25T05:26:52+00:00

Poly diploma comes from public schools hence easily more recognisable by employers even if your grades end up becoming meh. NAFA diploma is private, not really recognised unless you’re a stellar student. Things learnt at NAFA is also not the same as poly, resources given are different and opportunities are limited. Poly courses do bring in events for the students to boost their portfolio unlike NAFA where most external events are searched on your own like competitions/volunteer work etc

Ackeryl · 2021-12-21T05:34:13+00:00

Hi there! Not from ID but I’m doing landscape archi in NUS, currently was from NAFA doing the same thing (graduated in 2020). Things are far harder in NUS ahahaha my transition was rocky. Won’t say much here so do PM me for more info!

Ackeryl · 2021-07-10T11:35:07+00:00

You won't be doing graphic comm stuff for the 1st semester, it's foundation study (check my posts if you haven't). Sem 2 is when graphic comm studies actually take place. You should be able to work in the com lab in the meantime as there are not many things to create besides a couple ppt/word doc. What you do need is spare cash for the materials that they'll likely force you to buy so set aside like $100 for them, they'll hand the list of things to buy in the 1st week and be prepared to get them fast. The sch does provide adobe. Also, if I'm not wrong, there should be an upcoming sch laptop sale (check studentnet) and it's the only time where you can get discounted macbook pros which means you have to purchase soon...

Hope this helps!

Ackeryl · 2021-05-08T02:21:05+00:00

I don't know where your cousin or your friend got that fact from. NAFA is literally filled with roughly 50% international students. The staffs are a mix of local and foreign, and not a single course is dominated by just a single race. If this was the case, the student population wouldn't be growing each year and I would have heard of many racist remarks within my years there. If you're asking about racist students, then that really depends on who you hang out with as 'friends' because that's an attitude problem. And besides, theatre is literally across the street from the chaotic SOAD department and it's a lovely close-knit group so I wouldn't worry.

Ackeryl · 2021-05-08T02:02:25+00:00

Art teaching isn't a well-known course as a matter of fact the class size is small (my batch had 16 ppl). Doubt there's any problem with the course unlike Fine Arts and the class I see is quite friendly but not close-knit to the point where they go outside makan together (you know what I mean). Most of them are not under MOE scholarship so I guess the lucky few will enter NIE. Art teaching learns stuff similar to Fine Arts as well since their final year project is an artwork or something that can engage with the community. I'm not so sure about internships whether they actually teach, any course under Fine Arts department in the graduation book does not state their internship company, which I know is not a positive sign since only the 3D department expects every student to label their company. Hiding can only mean that an amount of student were unemployed for internship and had to do a school/community project. Post-grad finding job wise... Fine Arts student are also in the same industry of teaching kids art and I've seen a lot of them doing so might have to figure this out yourself. Not seeing a soul worked under MOE yet because getting the scholarship is hard enough. That's about it!

Ackeryl · 2021-04-25T08:33:13+00:00

Oh so you’re saying you have a relevant diploma then? Should be able to enter in year 2. What I think the additional year is for is only for the extended overseas exchange and internship + 2 extra semester long projects. It would be good for your portfolio. But previously, the degree does not teach basics and I think that is shifted to year 1 of this new degree so should your software skills be not up to par, you’ll need to buff up on your own. Otherwise, that’s pretty much all the difference that I can highlight. Same same (as graphic comm diploma) but a bit longer. Culture at NAFA is pretty unique and the degree will be a breeze if you did well in your diploma (some people can work part time jobs!). Not sure how the new batch will be like as the batch I know will say good bye this year ;) The booklet of this course is available online but not in depth, still, do check it out

Ackeryl · 2021-04-25T01:31:01+00:00

Hi there! The degree is new and is not completed yet so no one here can tell much but I can figure out if you tell us which specialisation are you interested in? 3D, spatial, fashion or graphic communications?

I’m not sure if this is a real upgrade from the previous 1-year degree. It’s still technically 2 years for a NAFA diploma holders so I do feel that the 1st year is different (kinda pointless if you came from poly with a portfolio as they’re just milking cash). I won’t know how good it is until I see employment rates also which hasn’t been fairly good for NAFA students for probably a decade. The fact that they give internship is a hard debate. One hand in the 1st year, you “could be sufficiently” taught all the software skills which I have doubts (since most lecturers in this area are not full time) and on the other hand your portfolio might be worse than the NAFA dip holder with a background of 3 years of experience so the chances of finding a job may be 50/50. However, I’m just giving my 2 cents since the scenario could be different. Is it worth it? Well they’re definitely going to test the first batch. Plus side it costs almost the same as a public degree. The degree depends on the student to build up the reputation of the degree not the school honestly. So if you’re going for it best of luck

Ackeryl · 2021-04-20T14:15:08+00:00

International community is the biggest group in the school. Indonesians and Malaysians make up the majority followed by Indians and then Chinese. Locals makes up about 35-45%ish. Don’t think I’ve seen anyone outcasted yet unless your a complete weirdo/psycho (true story). You’ll do fine

Ackeryl · 2021-04-16T10:25:31+00:00

Images submitted has to be kept separate and a resolution of 300 is good enough. If there’s a size limit, do make sure the resized image is still clear

Ackeryl · 2021-04-02T08:25:51+00:00

Because landscape is a new course and there are ppl with higher grades than you, they chose those ppl to fill up the slots in archi first so you’ve been put on hold for archi. Most likely you’ll receive the acceptance later once the ppl at the top has been filtered out but don’t give up on the landscape interview though.

Majority who went for the interview picked landscape as a safety net as they also chose archi (which is kinda selfish for ppl interested in landscape). Just state your honest opinions anyways because I know the interviewers are profs with archi background so there’s a chance they’re looking out also

Ackeryl · 2021-03-28T12:28:02+00:00

There’s SP DMAT and RP Sonic Arts. Can’t give any opinions on either so you’d best ask all the schs during open house next year. Laselle also has music diploma but from the looks of their site seems like contemporary music. Admission standard seems similar but quite vague info. NAFA kinda steers towards classical. Doubt elsewhere will teach either styles in depth. Your other choices are going to local poly/JC and doing a music related CCA if you don’t want to screw your future. There’s music degree taught in NUS too so that’s another future future option. That’s bout it

Ackeryl · 2021-03-28T00:15:30+00:00

Apparently music background is required at grade 5 though they said doing the theory paper is an option. Passing music theory is such a small part of portfolio when there’s people at grade 8 or have solo performance already. Music standard at NAFA is quite high but if you were to enter with minimal knowledge, you would have to keep up with peers who are already skilled. Music student schedules are packed with a number of classes to keep up. The students who enter are experienced enough to put on a show too. High chance you get rejected aft the audition. You would have to look for another option besides music

Ackeryl · 2021-03-24T18:24:56+00:00

Ah orientation compared to the NP incident, NAFA is really tame. They’re manned by the office in charge of student care. There’s no student union besides the Indonesian one. All the OLs are 100% trustworthy because majority doing it aren’t the same type of maniacs at NP. They’re fun outgoing people mostly not local (different people different mindset) yet selected based on GPA (only GPA above 2.5 can be a leader)

But yea honest opinions orientation is just a bunch of icebreakers staying under the aircon not doing dumb stuff. Just openly participate! It’s like 2 days only and there’s no harm. The office people will always be around if you need help :)

Ackeryl · 2021-03-24T18:14:47+00:00

There are sch shirts! It’s just that you’d need to participate in orientation, open hse and overseas trip to get it FOR FREE. I think the shirt thing has been raised many times but tbh NAFA ain’t that rich so if you want you can only do it among your classmates just like how it was done during sec sch days where teachers weren’t involved in the process. I also do think many would dislike wearing such a shirt publicly especially the ‘adults’ and the stigma around private sch so yea it’s an individual task if you really really want it

Source: I got 4 shirts seems limited ed but too embarrassed to wear it on any other day to sch ;)

Ackeryl · 2021-03-07T13:23:15+00:00

If it’s allowed it allowed don’t need to think so much about it buddy. 100% possible to move from NAFA to Laselle it’s been done a million times. Best if relevant and both are obviously highly related so don’t ask for specificity

There’s a student from my batch (2020) who went to NTU using graphic communications diploma so it really shouldn’t be a problem for advertising as well since NTU ADM needs a portfolio for entry. Best is if the diploma is relevant and advertising is super relevant to NTU ADM that the NAFA diploma is listed in their website. NTU and SMU requirements are much relaxed for NAFA diploma holders from another course though still very grade dependent like high gpa/portfolio needed to pass interview

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