Frequently Asked Questions (F.A.Q.)
Who is this course suitable for?
This course is designed as a training program for Professional Image Consultants, and there is a strong focus throughout the course on applying your knowledge practically to produce real results and benefits for your clients. This is not a “hobby course”, although some students in the past have enrolled out of a desire to make the best of themselves. Whether you are serious about making your mark in the industry, or if you simply want to learn from the best, then enrolling on this course will be your first steps towards a brighter future.
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What previous knowledge or experience must I have?
If you already had these skills then you wouldn’t need to learn them from us, so there is no pre-requisite for this course except a genuine interest in the subject and obviously an ability to read and write clearly. All of our course materials are prepared to the highest standards and are written in language that is easy to understand and free from unnecessary jargon; if you have a genuine interest and desire to learn, then we will provide you with the best means to achieve that goal. We don’t believe in excluding people, and we offer excellent training and qualifications to anyone who is willing to make the commitment that a course of this nature requires.
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What career options are available?
Image Consultancy is a relatively young industry, and there are many opportunities for work. Many Image Consultants work freelance (self-employed), offering their services to individual or corporate clients. You may also seek employment with some of the larger department stores, fashion houses or boutiques, helping their customers to find the clothes that suit them best, and ultimately increasing sales in a way that benefits everyone! Here are just some of the services that you might offer...
- Personal analysis featuring style and colour recommendations
- Developing an individual style for your client to suit their lifestyle
- Hair and make-up advice, including make-up lessons
- Advice on wardrobe planning and maintenance (including wardrobe “weeding”!)
- Personal shopping services
- Helping clients prepare for special occasions or events, including travelling
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Will this course sufficiently prepare me to work as a Professional Image Consultant?
This course is designed to train you as a professional Image Consultant, and meets the standards and requirements of the industry itself. The course assignments will ensure that you learn the necessary skills to be successful in the industry, and even more importantly, that you understand how to apply those skills in practical ways with your clients. From the very beginning of the course you will physically see the effects of the choices you make, so you will know from first-hand experience what works and what doesn’t. There is no better way for you to learn the course material, and to build your confidence at the same time. Furthermore, the feedback you receive from your tutor throughout the course will confirm your strengths and weaknesses, encouraging you to achieve your best work and to continually improve your ability so that you can pursue your new career with confidence and vigour!
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Will my qualification be recognised?
Limperts Academy of Design is an Awarding Body, and all of our courses have been carefully structured to meet both national and international standards in education and the design industry. All of our courses have been developed by a dedicated team of Professional Designers/ Consultants, Industry Experts and Training Consultants, so you can be sure that your course is both up to date and relevant. The high standard of work that our students produce is earning us a strong reputation in this industry. The most important tool for any Image Consultant is their portfolio, as that shows clients exactly what you can do and will help you to secure work. By the time you have completed this course, you will have built up a portfolio of work and business tools to help you get started in the industry, which will also act as a clear testament to your ability and your professionalism.
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Is there an exam?
This subject is not like traditional academic subjects, and examinations of the conventional kind are not appropriate for testing these types of skills and knowledge. On completion of all course assignments, you will be given a Final Project that incorporates everything you will have learned throughout the course into one complete assignment. The project question will be a typical job requirement or client brief, and this should give you the confidence to actually begin working in the industry afterwards and it will be an important part of your portfolio work. You will be asked to complete the project within a set time frame, which is usually about 1 month, and you must pass both the coursework AND the Final Project in order to receive the Certificate in Image Consultancy. Certificates are graded Pass, Merit or Distinction as appropriate, and the final grade awarded will be based on the results of your coursework and your Final Project.
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What happens if I fail?
Each course assignment is returned to you with detailed feedback to tell you exactly what you what your strengths and weaknesses are so that you can continually improve your work to meet the standards required by the industry. If any of your course assignments are below standard, they will be returned to you by your tutor and you will be asked to re-do the assignment, taking on board the tutor’s comments and feedback. This doesn’t happen to most students, but regardless, it’s all part of the learning process and after all that is what this course is all about!
By the time you have completed the coursework, you should know what is expected in the Final Project, and the grades you have been receiving on your coursework will give you a strong indication of the final grade you are likely to receive. Having got to this point successfully, it is very unlikely that you will fail to achieve the standard required on the Final Project. In the event that your project does fail, you will be given the opportunity to re-submit once for a nominal fee.
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How long does it take to complete an assignment?
The “average” time spent on each assignment is between 10 and 12 hours. This is a professional qualification and clearly it requires commitment to achieve what is required. However, this is a creative and enjoyable subject, and “study” in the conventional sense does not apply to these assignments. All the coursework is very practical and while students will admit that it takes commitment, they all stress the enjoyment factor and sense of pride and achievement in their work
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Are there any additional costs not included within the course fee?
Our course fees represent excellent value for money, and everything is included in the price, we stress that there are no hidden costs. All of our course manuals have been specifically written for each program, they are very thorough and contain all the information needed to complete the course. Additional reading lists are provided to students who wish to conduct further research but it should be re-iterated that the course materials have been specifically created to be the best guide available and the manuals provided take the place of any “essential reading” list.
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Who will be my tutor?
All our tutors are practising consultants and professionals who are actively working in the industry, who teach on a part-time basis. When you send in your first assignment, you will receive details of the tutor who has been assigned to you.
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How do I contact my tutor?
Anytime you want to contact your tutor directly, just contact us at Limperts Academy of Design by phone, fax or e-mail, and we will forward the request to them immediately. Because all our tutors are actively working in the industry, they spend a limited amount of time in our offices and may not be here when you call. Your tutor will always get back to you within 24 hours, and 90% of the time you will probably receive a response within one hour.
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Why should I choose Home Study?
Work at your own pace - busy working lives and personal commitments often mean that you have limited free time. However, with home study, you can set the pace to suit your lifestyle. You may work at a leisurely pace, or you may be so keen to get into the industry, that you prefer to complete the course in the minimum time possible. Either way, you set the pace that suits you, at the times that best fit your schedule.
Never miss a class or lecture - even with the best intentions, there are times when you just can’t make a class due to sickness or other unavoidable circumstances. The beauty of home study is that you need never worry about missing a class, so you are guaranteed never to miss any vital information.
Save time, energy and money - with home study you can learn in the comfort of your own home, saving you unnecessary costs and travel time. What’s more, listening to our CD’s can make good use of otherwise wasted time in cars or public transport.
An equal opportunity for you to achieve your goals – if you have ever felt restricted by access or mobility problems, discrimination issues or low financial resources, then you’ll appreciate how home study can provide a genuinely equal opportunity to everyone. As a student of Limperts Academy of Design you will be encouraged and guided to achieve your utmost potential and the cost of your education can be paid for in easy installments while you continue to work and earn a full-time income. (Please see the enrolment form for details of our installment options).
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