If you are considering Royal Blue Art & Design for US art school preparation, you likely have one important question: what actually happens during a Royal Blue consultation? This guide walks you through every step so you can arrive informed and ready.
Why the First Consultation Matters
A Royal Blue consultation is not a sales pitch. It is a structured assessment designed to help both the student and our team understand the right path forward. Over 19 years, we have refined this process to give every family an honest, data-informed picture of where the student stands and what it will take to reach their target school.
Whether your child is aiming for RISD, Parsons, CalArts, or a similarly competitive program, the consultation is where we establish a realistic foundation — before any commitments are made.
What to Expect: Step by Step
Step 1: Pre-Consultation Intake
Before you arrive, we ask families to complete a brief intake form covering the student’s current grade level, academic background, art experience, target schools, and application timeline. This allows our director to prepare a personalized agenda rather than starting from scratch on the day.
Step 2: Portfolio Review
If the student has existing artwork — sketchbooks, digital files, photography, design projects — we review it together during the Royal Blue consultation. We are not looking for technical perfection. We are looking for evidence of creative thinking, personal voice, and the capacity to develop a coherent body of work.
Students with no prior work are equally welcome. Many of our most successful applicants began with us from zero.
Step 3: School and Major Matching
Based on the student’s interests, academic profile, and portfolio potential, we discuss which schools and departments are realistic targets and which represent reach, match, and safety options. We use 19 years of acceptance data — including 67 RISD placements — to ground these recommendations in reality.
Step 4: Timeline and Curriculum Planning
A Royal Blue consultation includes a draft preparation timeline tailored to the student’s application deadline. We map out how many months of studio work are needed, which technical skills require development, and how the PID System (Process, Individual, Data) will be applied to shape a distinctive portfolio.
Step 5: Q&A and Next Steps
The final portion of the consultation is open for questions from both students and parents. We discuss program structure, scheduling, fees, and what to expect during the preparation period. There is no pressure to enroll on the day.
Who Should Attend the Consultation?
We encourage both the student and at least one parent to attend the Royal Blue consultation together. The student’s voice is central — this is their application, their vision, and their future. Parents provide important context about scheduling and family expectations. When both are present, the planning conversation is far more productive.
How Long Does a Consultation Take?
A standard Royal Blue Art & Design consultation runs approximately 60 to 90 minutes. For students with complex situations — multiple target schools, late timelines, or specific learning needs — we sometimes schedule a follow-up session at no additional cost.
Do I Need to Prepare Anything?
Bring whatever artwork the student currently has, even if it feels incomplete or rough. A photograph on a phone is fine. If your child has no art yet, simply come ready to talk about their interests and aspirations. The Royal Blue consultation is designed to meet students exactly where they are.
Is the Consultation Free?
Yes. Initial consultations at Royal Blue Art & Design are offered at no charge. We believe every family deserves an honest assessment before making any financial or scheduling commitment.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I attend the consultation online?
We offer both in-person consultations at our Apgujeong studio and online sessions via video call for families based outside Seoul. Contact us to arrange the format that works best for your schedule.
What if my child is in middle school — is it too early?
Not at all. Early consultations help us build a longer, less pressured preparation timeline. Many students who achieve the strongest portfolios began their Royal Blue consultation in 8th or 9th grade.
What happens after the consultation?
We send a written summary of our recommendations within a few days. You are under no obligation to enroll, and we are happy to answer follow-up questions by email or phone at any time.
How do I schedule a Royal Blue consultation?
You can book directly through royalblue-art.com or call our Apgujeong studio at 02-3446-5929. We accommodate evenings and weekends for working families.
Will the same teacher who consults with us teach my child?
In most cases, yes. Royal Blue uses a small, senior faculty model. The instructor who meets you during the consultation is typically the same person who guides the student’s portfolio development.
Royal Blue Art & Design is a US art school admissions academy in Apgujeong, Seoul, with 19 years of experience helping Korean students gain acceptance to RISD, Parsons, CalArts, and other top programs. Contact us to schedule a consultation →