Ignite Your Creative Passion @ The Cut Design Academy (Win!)

As back-to-school season approaches, students across Canada are searching for ways to rekindle their passion for learning and creativity. With financial pressures mounting—according to a recent Embark study, 1 in 4 Canadians are dropping out of post-secondary programs due to financial stress—it’s clear that new opportunities are needed to inspire and support budding talent.

Enter The Cut Design Academy, one of Canada’s leading institutions for fashion and design education. Together, we’re offering one lucky reader a chance to win a coveted spot in The Cut’s 2-week intensive program. Whether you’re dreaming of a career in Fashion Design, Interior Design, or Makeup Artistry, this is your moment to jumpstart a creative journey.

With over 16.2K followers on Instagram, The Cut is not just about education—it’s about building a community of aspiring creatives. We sat down with The Cut’s founder, Liza Deyrmenjian, to uncover the secrets to breaking into the industry and explore their groundbreaking $260,000 scholarship program. Check out our revealing chat below, and then enter to win! —Vita Daily

Can you share the inspiration behind The Cut Design Academy’s focus on intensive, skill-driven courses, and how they cater to students eager to break into the fashion and design industry?

Thank you so much for this opportunity to speak with your readers! The inspiration behind our approach is to deliver education in a way that encourages students to love learning by allowing them to focus on one topic per term. Each term provides a deep dive into a specific area of the design industry. Over the last seven years, I’ve seen the benefits of delivering our diplomas and stand-alone certificates this way.

For students interested in Fashion Design or Graphic Design, being able to start with a single certificate is compelling for many reasons. Most importantly, the financial commitment is manageable, and it gives them the chance to determine if they want to pursue further studies in design before committing to a longer, more expensive diploma.

This approach also allows professionals who already have a design diploma and industry experience to return and take one or two certificates to enhance their skills. We offer many advanced courses that help improve resumes and increase salaries. Several mature students have taken our advanced 3D Integration or Gerber certificates and seen salary increases of over $20,000 annually.

No other school offers this kind of short-term, in-depth skill building. The best part? We provide all our programs both in person and live online.

With financial constraints being a significant barrier for many students, how does The Cut’s new $260,000 scholarship program aim to make creative education more accessible, and what impact do you hope it will have on aspiring designers across Canada?

I hope students take advantage of the scholarships we’re offering, especially if they’re passionate about entering the industry. The design industry is vast, and the earning potential is excellent once you get your foot in the door or start your own business.

I believe these scholarships will be a great help to students, particularly during these times when the pressure and stress of debt are very real. We’re in a position to offer some assistance, and we’re happy to do so.

In light of the recent Embark study highlighting the financial and stress-related challenges faced by students, what advice would you give to those struggling to balance their creative passions with the pressures of education and finances?

Debt isn’t necessarily bad if it’s helping you finance something that will support your future. While debt can be harmful if misused, when you’re using student aid or taking on debt to pursue studies in a field you’re passionate about, it’s an investment in yourself. I know the anxiety around debt can be real, but if you love the design industry, you’ll earn back your education costs many times over. If it’s just to pass the time, that’s a different story.

Our dropout rate is less than 0.08%, which is incredibly rare. I credit this to our intentionally small class sizes—just eight students per instructor. This allows for personalized attention and regular check-ins. My campus director, Talia Cohen, and I make sure to address any challenges students face so they can move forward and succeed. It’s hard to provide this kind of support with larger classes, but our 1:8 ratio makes it possible.

At our school, it’s harder to fail than to succeed with flying colors.

As The Cut Design Academy prepares to collaborate with VITA for a social media giveaway, what excites you most about this partnership, and how do you see it benefiting young creatives who may not be familiar with VITA or The Cut?

It is always fun to gain exposure and to give exposure to projects and people you believe in. I am excited to share VITA with our network and I am super excited to meet VITA’s network!

For someone who wins the spot in one of your 2-week intensive programs, what can they expect in terms of hands-on experience, industry connections, and potential career opportunities after completing the course?

They’ll have a great time in class—our teachers are skilled, fun, and passionate about teaching. However, I want to set realistic expectations: no one lands their dream design job after a two-week intensive. These programs are more suited for serious hobbyists or those considering a future in design but not yet ready to commit to a diploma or certificate.

Winners can expect to learn a lot, enjoy themselves, and be in a cool, fun environment with a great vibe.

You’ve built The Cut into one of Canada’s top institutions for fashion and design education. What key trends or shifts are you seeing in the industry that current and future students should be aware of as they embark on their creative careers?

Opportunity is everywhere. The advances in 3D technology are incredible, and the younger generations have a real advantage, having grown up with tech. Companies value proficiency in tools like Browzwear and Gerber (digital pattern making)—these are huge assets.

For those inclined toward design, aiming for a creative director role is a fantastic goal, as the industry is constantly evolving. On the marketing and sales side, with the vast reach of the internet and countless channels to connect with customers, the possibilities are endless.

Discovering all of this should be fun, exciting, and empowering—these are the emotions we aim to ignite in our students at The Cut.

Can you share a success story of a student or graduate from The Cut who has gone on to achieve remarkable things in the fashion or design industry, and how the Academy played a role in their journey?

Clarissa came to us after purchasing five part-time classes. At her first class, I asked, “Are you doing this as a serious hobby, or are you aiming for a career?” She wanted a career but couldn’t afford a diploma or certificate.

Clarissa had an amazing attitude, incredible work ethic, and unmatched determination. After completing her courses, she applied to various jobs and landed one with an independent brand for $36K a year. She asked if she should take it. I told her to go for it and suggested that after a year, she ask the company to pay for two certificates—pattern making and Gerber digital pattern making.

That’s exactly what she did. The company paid for her certificates in exchange for a two-year commitment. After completing them, I introduced her to some colleagues, and six months later, she was offered more than double her salary. She paid out her contract, joined the new company, and has now been there for five years as a senior designer, earning six figures and traveling the world for tradeshows.

She’s my favorite success story! Attitude truly is magic.

Win! 1 of 2 Coveted Spots @ The Cut Design Academy!

Congrats Brendan S. and Alex B., both of Vancouver, BC, who will receive one of the following of their choice:

• 1 x Part-time Sewing Level 1 Class (Value: $525+)
• 1 x Makeup Artistry Intensive + Makeup Kit (Value: $400+)

Please note: if you are the winner, you will receive a DM (direct message) in Instagram directly from @vitadailymedia. Please be wary of fake accounts, which often use similar handles with an extra or missing letter, number or symbol. We will never ask for a payment or for your credit card number, and we will never ask you to click through a link. If you are unsure whether you have been contacted, via Instagram, by us or a fake account, email us before responding.