Alumni Feedback
Maria Giannakopoulou 2012 BTEC Graduate currently studying BA Fashion, at the London College of Fashion
When I started the Art & Design Foundation course at Doukas school I was completely lost in the "art world", not knowing where to start, how to develop a project and basically how to express myself as an artist. Through my little journey in the foundation not only did I achieved the above but a lot more than I could ever imagine when I first walked in the art room. Experimenting with all the materials : glass, ceramics, metal, textiles, life -drawing and many more, it was a unique experience that broadened my horizons as an artist and made me understand the properties and abilities of each material. I am now studying at the London College of Fashion and thanks to all the previous techniques that I have experimented during my foundation course I find myself capable of coping with such a competitive and demanding course.
Nicole Kapakian 2011 BTEC Graduate currently studying BA Art, Media and Design at London Metropolitan University
In the Foundation program at Doukas we had the opportunity to explore so many different media. To be able to complete an idea we had in many different ways, then analyze our trials, and choose which were successful and which were not by giving reasons and ideas for improvement was a great experience. Also, the ability to cooperate with all these specialists makes you understand the areas that interest you and in which area you would like to focus and specialise. We learned many techniques which each student used differently, with different results. Meeting the deadlines was very stressful but at the same time we were able to learn how to manage our time and find the best way to complete a project within a specific time frame. The Foundation was a great experience not only for discovering what interests you have but also how far can you go in one year’s time and what you are aiming for in the future. The teachers are always there to help you, but are careful not to influence your own way of thinking and your ideas. By the end of the program you feel stronger, more independent, with more experience in art and design!
Nefeli Sotiraki – Black 2010 BTEC Graduate currently studying BA in Design for Stage at Central School of Speech and Drama
Doing the FAD alongside the art A-level meant that the one course supplemented the other. As a consequence the level of my work was brought up so as to meet both the strict FAD criteria and also the requirements for a higher grade in the art A-level. In addition l saved time and money since otherwise I would have needed an extra year in the U.K. doing a similar foundation course.
Working on a one-to-one basis with eight professionals in different fields, (such as glass, ceramics, metal, fine arts, fashion, etc.) has been a fortunate experience! Then, the atmosphere of the art room has made both me as well as others on my course not want to leave at night! Seeing as we are a rather small group, compared to most universities in the UK, we felt like a family. This helped us care and assist each other rather than being in rigid competition with each other.
In addition, doing the FAD course over two years really allowed me to gain maturity both as a person and an artist and to become familiar with different materials and techniques and to discover possible directions within the art field. It also gave me the necessary background to be able to choose carefully the specialist area that was most appropriate for me. This is very important since art is such a broad subject. I have missed my tutors who were constantly thinking of us and cared about our work! I would gladly continue the FAD classes as well, however, I was fortunate though in having been accepted at the Central School of Speech and Drama to do a BA in Design for Stage (costume and sets) and had to say goodbye to all the people who held my hand along the way and helped me find my true love.
Natassa Stamouli 2011 BTEC Graduate currently studying BA in Fashion Illustration at London College of Fashion
Η εμπειρία μου στο foundation course των Εκπαιδευτηρίων Δούκα ήταν η πιο σημαντική διαδρομή της ζωής μου, η διαδρομή η οποία όρισε το άτομο το οποίο είμαι σήμερα. Ξεκίνησα χωρίς καμία απολύτως εμπιρεία στο πεδίο του art. Παρόλ’αυτά δεν με έκαναν να νιώσω ούτε μία στιγμή ανέμπειρη. Ένιωσα από το πρώτο λεπτό πως βρισκόμουν στο σωστό μέρος και είχα γύρω μου τους πιο σωστούς ανθρώπους. Καθώς έκανα το foundation παράλληλα με το ΙΒ, η πίεση ήταν μεγάλη, και οι ώρες πολλές, αλλά για κάποιο παράξενο λόγο πάντα ανυπομονούσα να πάω στο artroom, και αυτό μου το προκαλούσαν καθαρά οι καθηγητές αυτού του course. Όλοι αγαπάνε τόσο πολύ αυτό που κάνουν που πραγματικά δεν ξέρω αν θα είχα καταλήξει να είμαι τόσο αφιερωμένη σε αυτό αν δεν ήταν εκείνοι. Αφού μου δόθηκε η ευκαιρία να δοκιμάσω σχεδόν τα πάντα, τεχνικές και θεωρίες κατέληξα να βρίσκομαι στο London College of Fashion και να σπουδάζω Fashion Illustration. Τώρα πια, μπορώ να μιλήσω με σιγουρια και να αξιολογήσω την μόρφωση που μου χάρισε αυτό το Foudation course. Βρισκομαι σε ένα πραγματικά –και ίσως τραγικά- ανταγωνιστικό περιβάλλον, ανάμεσα σε πολύ μεγαλύτερους απο εμένα «συμμαθητές» τόσο σε ηλικία όσο και σε επαγγελματική εμπειρία, και λέω με σιγουριά και περηφάνια οτι νιώθω αυτοπεποίθιση, γνωρίζοντας και έχοντας κάνει πράγματα στον χωρό αυτό τα οποία απόφοιτοι μεγάλων courses του εξωτερικού δεν έχουν. Έχω καταλήξει να δουλεύω μόνη μου, ανεξάρτητα, να δουλέυω πολύ, να ξέρω τι μου ζητείται, να νιώθω σιγουριά για το προσωπικό μου στιλ, να μην περιορίζομαι και να κάνω πάντα αυτό που θέλω. Στέκομαι γερά στα πόδια μου, και όλα αυτά τα έμαθα αυτά τα δύο χρόνια στο foundation. Μιλώντας με απόλυτη ειλικρίνεια λέω πως δεν θα ήμουν τίποτα αν δεν ήταν αυτοί οι καθηγητές οι οποίοι μου άνοιξαν το μυαλό, με έμαθαν να πιστεύω στη δουλειά μου και πάντοτε με κατανόηση με οδηγησαν να είμαι ανεξάρτητη ξέροντας πάντα πως είναι εκεί για εμένα. Ήταν η πιο σωστή επιλογή μου, και αυτό μου το αποδεικνύει η κάθε ημέρα που πάω στο πανεπιστήμιο και μου ζητείται να κάνω κάτι διαφορετικό και να συνεργαστώ με διάφορετικά άτομα, κάθε φορά που νιώθω πως μου λείπει αυτή η παράξενη οικογένεια και κάθε φορά που ακούω καλά λόγια για τον τρόπο που έχω μάθει να δουλεύω, κάτι το οποίο αποδίδω αποκλειστικά στο foundation μου. Δεν θα σταματήσω ποτέ να το προτείνω ως την καλύτερη δυνατή επιλογή για οποιοδήποτε θέλει να κάνει art και να είναι –και κυρίως να νιώθει- καλός σε αυτό που κάνει.
Christina Talamangka 2011 BTEC Graduate currently studying BA in Graphic Design and Illustration at University of Lincoln
Τα δύο τελευταία χρόνια που πέρασα στο Foundation του Δούκα ήταν μια μεγάλη εμπειρία για μένα. Περάσαμε πολλές ώρες σκληρής δουλειάς αλλά ανταμειφθήκαμε για τον κόπο μας, αφού τώρα όλοι σπουδάζουμε αυτό που θέλαμε, στο Πανεπιστήμιο που θέλαμε. Η ατμόσφαιρα στο artroom ήταν πάντα πολύ φιλική. Πολλές φορές παίζαμε μουσική στο ραδιόφωνο και οι σχέσεις μας με τους καθηγητές ήταν πολύ κοντινές και έτσι η ώρα πέρναγε γρήγορα και ευχάριστα, ενώ παράλληλα μαθαίναμε.Τώρα που είμαι στο University of Lincoln στην Αγγλία βρίσκω όλα όσα εμάθα πάρα πολύ χρήσιμα. Μάλιστα πήρα και τα workbooks μου μαζί μου γιατί θεωρώ πως η δουλειά που έγινε μέσα στα δύο αυτά χρόνια θα με βοηθήσει πολύ και στα τρια επόμενα του πανεπιστημίου. Ευχαριστώ τους καθηγητές μου και τους φίλους μου στο Foundation για όσα έμαθα και τις εμπειρίες που περάσαμε μαζί και θα έχω να θυμάμαι. Να είστε σίγουροι ότι θα περάσω απο το artroom να σας δω όλους με το που γυρίσω Ελλάδα!!
Effie Efthimiadi 2011 BTEC Graduate currently studying Fine Art and Creative Writing at Bath Spa University
Quite often people have a vague idea of what an art subject consists of and, therefore, they tend to undermine its purpose and process. Doing an Art Foundation diploma is similar to opening up a window to a whole new world that thrives in creativity and inspiration. As a student you get closer to grasping the elusive meaning of art through constant experimentation with a wide variety of media and research into artists and influential movements. One not only develops practical skills but also expands intellectual horizons making room for ideas to flow in abundance.
When I first started the Art & Design Foundation course at Doukas I had no previous experience in art-making and so getting involved in such an activity rendered me insecure and quite unsure of what might follow. As I slowly delved into the world of art I discovered a newfound confidence not only in my talent and skills but also in myself as a person. I got to meet inspiring teachers who helped me express all the ideas that were chaotically crammed inside my head and who also contributed in my growing as a critically thinking artist. I was encouraged to challenge my beliefs on art through thematic group discussions and allow my point of view to alter and evolve as the course went on. I experimented with ceramics, glass, textiles, model-making, metal and drawing which essentially led to my technical improvement in different areas. The Foundation was like an artistic coming of age, an intellectual transformation of one’s self in less than a year’s time. By the end of the course I truly realized the qualities and knowledge I’ve gained throughout this journey. I started off as an insecure person that could barely get a Pass grade and transformed into a blossoming artist; decisive and driven.
Currently, I’m studying Fine Art and Creative Writing at Bath Spa University, which was my first choice, and I must admit that my knowledge and experience as far as art is concerned is considerably more developed than my fellow students’. The Art & Design Foundation at Doukas was certainly an exciting odyssey for me that rewarded my efforts in the best possible ways