A couple of weeks ago, Raffles Design Institute Manila had an open house where bloggers had the chance to attend Convesations of Fashion and Design: a mini talk series. Unfortunately, something came up that morning and I wasn’t able to attend. They did however tell me to let them know if ever I wanna drop by some other time. I was really excited coz I’ve actually researched about RDI in Singapore before and now there’s one open in Manila and I just had to see it for myself. 🙂
Raffles Design Institute, Inc. is part of Raffles Education Corporation Limited. Raffles Education Corp is the largest private education group in the Asia-Pacific region. It was established in 1990 and it currently operates 38 colleges in 34 cities across 14 countries in the Asia-Pacific region. It’s latest campus is located in trendy Bonifacio Global City in Taguig, Metro Manila. The school rolled out four programs this July specifically: Fashion Design, Fashion Marketing and Management, Interior Design, and Visual Communication. These courses are all 2-Year Full-Time Advance Diploma courses with optional 1-Year Full-Time Top-Up Bachelor of Design Degree at their Australia, China, India, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, and Thailand campuses.
Here I am with 3 out of the 4 lecturers at RDIM- for Fashion Design (also the Academic Director of RDIM): Dr. Janet Emmanuel, PhD, Technology, Textiles & Sculpture – Liverpool John Moores University, UK; MA, Textiles – Manchester Metropolitan University, UK; BA (Hons), 1st Class, Fashion Design – Liverpool John Moores University, UK; for Fashion Marketing & Management: Nela San Jose, Professional Designation Degree in Fashion Merchandise Marketing with Major in Product Development, Magna Cum Laude – Fashion Institute of Design and Merchandising, USA; BSc, Major in Business Management – De La Salle University, Philippines; for Interior Design: Lee Miles, MA Environment Design (Distinction) – Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, UK; BA (Hons) 1st Class, Interior Design Environment Architectures – Ravensbourne College of Design and Communication, UK. whew. it only goes to show how well-trained RDIM’s academic team is 😉

I didn’t get to meet the lecturer for Visual Communication Buz Walker-Teach, BA Fine Art (Graphic Design) – American Academy of Art, USA. But here’s one of his works posted on the studio (the sketch way below is also one of his works)
I love how the signage of the rooms offer a brief description
a PC Lab can only mean one thing: a Mac lab is nearby 😉

I love how the school’s set up is far from the traditional classrooms we’re so used to. Their studios have specialized equipment and furnishing depending on the subject matter. This wall art is supposed to inspire the students according to Dr. Janet. BTW, random anecdote, when we were introduced she told me I didn’t look like a “Reg” and I was more of a “Regina”, walalang
I got the chance to chat with Janet, Nela, and Lee about RDIM too. They shared their experience about the first week of classes and how they find Manila so far. They have nothing but praises for their students who are all industrious and eager to learn.
I also asked about RDIM’s work load and they said it was quite heavy since RDIM takes pride in their intensive training. They already have projects as early as the first week but like Janet said, the real fashion world can be even more demanding and pressuring and that students need to get ready for this. 🙂
I also asked if you need to have background (like in sketching) before you apply and they said no coz the premise of RDIM is that they’re going to teach you the subjects you enrolled in. Coolio. So for those who’re intimidated of all the sketching: FEAR NOT. 🙂
I’d like to thank RDIM for opening their doors to me. 🙂 Much thanks to Education Consultant Meg Aguirre and PR Blooey Singson for giving me a tour and telling me all about Raffles. 🙂
for more info:
Raffles Design Institute, Inc
#18-01 Accralaw Tower
2nd Avenue and 30th Street, Crescent Park West
Bonifacio Global City, Taguig City 1634, Metro Manila, Philippines
tel: +63 2 846 2888

xx
Reg
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4 thoughts on “A DAY IN RAFFLES DESIGN INSTITUTE MANILA”

  1. Woow, that place seems to be a great place for future designers!
    I would love to study in a place like that here in Spain but unfortunately they are very expensive.

    I love your look in these photos, you look beautiful <3

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