Tracy is a twenty-something red-headed photographer & designer from Manila, Philippines. She is one of the co-founders of Tender Blender Food Design, and takes pictures of (and designs things for) food for a living, but is open to other freelance work involving a camera.

This blog is a mix of her work and bits of her personal life (though the two often occur simultaneously).

She finds it a bit odd speaking in third person about herself.







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TDT advICE;

[Disclaimer: All this is based on my own experiences when I was applying for a degree in Visual Communication. All this may not apply if you’re aiming for other majors such as Industrial Design or Painting.]

I seem to be getting a lot of questions about my college’s TDT, or Talent Determination Test, or some of which a lot of us simply call the talent test.

To those who aren’t familiar with it, here’s a brief description of what the TDT is:

To get into the UP College of Fine Arts, you must take the TDT, whether or not you pass the UPCAT (University of the Philippines College Admission Test). The test’s name is self-explanatory. It sort of gives the college an idea of how good you are not only in terms of skill in handling your medium, but it also sort of reflects your creativity. This test has a time limit.

A lot of people have been asking me what medium they should bring - colored pencils? Oil pastels? Paint? Charcoal? I cannot answer that, because you are supposed to know what your forte is. I also cannot tell you what to bring, because I don’t know how you all work. For instance, a good friend of mine told me she was better with a brush because it was easier for her to spread paint around that scratching at the paper with pencils, so she brought paint. I absolutely had no control over paint, so I made use of oil pastels instead.

I think deciding what to bring is also sort of part of your test - at FA, you are constantly dependent on your tools, and you have to know the right ones to use for certain projects, and how to use them.

Another thing to remember about the TDT is that you are pressured by time. If I remember right, our TDT had a time limit of 4 hours. It seems long, but when you’re taking the test, you’ll wish you had more time. You have to spend your time wisely.

Bear in mind that whether you pass or not is not solely dependent on the TDT. You have your interview and your mental ability exam as well. While the TDT plays a very important role in determining whether or not you are accepted, do no take too lightly these other factors.

Regarding the interview, this is where you will need your portfolio. My advice is not to put too many things in your portfolio — around 10 to 15 of your best works should do.

So you want tips?

  • Know your forte medium - only you can decide what to bring with you to this test, because you know your own style best.
  • Manage your time wisely - you have a time limit, so make sure you finish the test on time!
  • Be well-rested - get a good night’s sleep the night before! The TDT usually starts at 8:30 in the morning, and you cannot afford to be late. You also cannot afford to lose time for your test.
  • PRACTICE, PRACTICE, PRACTICE - if you’re not feeling confident, practice! You don’t have to be Michelangelo to get in, but you have to show that you have what it takes, that you have the potential. You will constantly learn and hone your skills once you get in but for now, give it your best!

Unfortunately, I cannot tell you what to expect in the TDT this year because frankly, it would be unfair to the others who don’t know. You just have to be prepared for anything. And besides, the test this year might be totally different from what I had to do back when I took it.

So, yeah. That’s really all I can share. Good luck, everybody!