What is NABA?
Nuova Accademia di Belle Arti (NABA) is one of Italy's most prestigious private art and design universities. With campuses in Milan and Rome, NABA offers world-class education in various fields such as Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Fashion Design, Media Design, and Interior Architecture. Known for its high international student ratio, NABA is becoming increasingly popular among students applying from Turkey.
What is Required for NABA Application?
The most important element of the NABA application is your portfolio. In addition, the following are required:
- Portfolio (digital or physical)
- Motivation letter
- High school diploma or transcript
- English or Italian language proficiency certificate
- Identification document
What Should the NABA Portfolio Look Like?
While the NABA portfolio varies by department, the following is generally expected:
- 10 to 20 original works
- Sketches and process works showing the creative thought process
- Technical skills and mastery
- An original artistic perspective
- Digital works are also accepted
Portfolio requirements vary by department as follows:
Fine Arts:Painting, sculpture, printmaking, and mixed media works are expected. Experimental and conceptual works stand out.
Graphic Design:A portfolio that includes typography, brand identity, illustration, and digital design work is required.
Fashion Design:Work that includes fashion sketches, fabric studies, collages, and trend analysis is expected.
Interior Architecture:Drawings, models, and 3D representations that showcase spatial thinking are expected.
Media Design:A portfolio that includes video, animation, photography, and digital media work is required.
NABA Scholarship Opportunities
NABA offers various scholarship opportunities for international students. More than one student from Da Vinci Academy has received a scholarship from NABA. A strong portfolio and motivation letter are critical for scholarship applications.
Timeline for NABA Application
- October — December:Portfolio preparation
- January — February:Application and portfolio submission
- March — April:Admission decisions
- May:Registration and scholarship results
Applying to NABA from Turkey
Applying to NABA from Turkey is a quite accessible process. Since NABA offers programs in both English and Italian, there is flexibility regarding language. Our students have been accepted into NABA's Fine Arts, Graphic Design, Interior Architecture, and Fashion Design programs. Some of our students have also received scholarships.
Common Mistakes in Portfolio Preparation
1. Underestimating the motivation letter:NABA places great importance on the motivation letter. Clearly explain why you chose NABA and what you want to do in your career.
2. Not preparing specifically for the program:Graphic design and fashion design portfolios are very different from each other. Customize your portfolio according to the program you are applying to.
3. Only presenting digital works:Hand drawing and process works are still very important for NABA.
4. Forgetting the scholarship application:NABA's scholarship opportunities are quite extensive — don't miss out on applying.
NABA Preparation with Da Vinci Academy
At Da Vinci Academy, we have worked with many students who were accepted to NABA and received scholarships. What we offer to our students:
- Personalized portfolio preparation tailored to NABA's expectations
- Motivation letter writing support
- Scholarship application guidance
- Online and studio training options