World-class education at SoFA Design Institute

MANILA, Philippines - The SoFA Design Institute, the country’s premier design school, has long been established as the authority when it comes to building careers in fashion. But with the introduction of new programs in Interior Design and an integrated curriculum, the SoFA Design Institute now opens its doors to more creative enthusiasts.

In addition to its CHED-accredited Bachelor of Arts in Fashion Design and Marketing program, the school now offers the Bachelor of Science in Interior Design. Its other latest additions to its program roster are the Fast Track program, which allows students to complete short courses in a period of nine to 13 weeks; and the Saturday and Evening School, which caters to working professionals and college students who want to study design while attending to other present commitments.

“With the recent changes at SoFA, we have thought of introducing a better and improved curriculum that combines the four major components we believe are essential in building a career: Design, Technology, General Education, and Business,” explains SoFA Dean Tobias Guggenheimer.

“The SoFA Method is the principle from where our new curriculum was founded. It refers to our understanding that a successful, globally relevant designer or artist should be proficient in each of the SoFA curricular categories,” he continues.

Another unique teaching element practiced at the SoFA Design Institute is the Design Studio, which encourages students to review and critique each other’s output at the end of every semester, to train them to become observant and discerning leaders in the industry.

“First we teach our students to think of appropriate solutions to different design conflicts or challenges. Then we train them to be able to convincingly advocate their design proposals, and leverage on their hard-won skills to be efficient in the marketplace,” says founder Amina Aranaz-Alunan.

The SoFA Design Institute, she adds, is also highly regarded for its reputable faculty roster. Each member of the teaching staff has studied at a reputable fashion and design school and is very accomplished in the industry. “Our faculty expects a high level of output from them, and rightly so, as they know exactly what skills a student should have to become successful in such fields.”

She concludes: “We want to teach students to think and work independently via a system of creative action. Through our curriculum and teaching methods, we train them to develop design concepts methodically as a way to reduce the distance between teacher and learner. This is so they’ll be able to make it successfully in the industry, even after they have already graduated and completed their courses.”

The SoFA Design Institute is the Philippines’ first specialized design college committed to promoting design as a positive force in society, the economy, and in the lives of its students.

For information, call 478-4622 loc. 112 or 115 or  visit www.sofa.edu.ph.