About us
We build people, and the work follows.
ArtLab is an international education studio in Edinburgh, Glasgow, Xiamen, Quanzhou and online — founded on the belief that a strong application is the by-product of a well-taught student.
Our story
From one studio table.
We began in Edinburgh with three words — art, practice, philosophy — and one rule: no templates. Families came for portfolios and stayed for everything around them: the English, the reading, the long conversations about what a life in the arts actually looks like.
We still teach at a 2:1 ratio and take only three students per programme each intake. The table is still the centre of it.
Mission
To give every student the language, craft and confidence to study anywhere in the world.
Vision
An education studio where creativity and academic rigour are never in competition.
Teaching approach
Four things we never compromise on.
Process over polish
Admissions tutors read thinking, not decoration. We teach students to document how an idea moved.
One voice per student
No house style. Two students from the same cohort should never produce the same portfolio.
Honest feedback, early
Kind but direct critique, from week one. It is the fastest route to real improvement.
Language as a creative tool
A score gets you in; fluency lets you argue for your work in a critique. We teach both.
Our team
Senior tutors, small cohorts.
Avonlea Wu
Founder — Curriculum & Academic Direction
BA (Hons) Interior Design, Edinburgh. Former overseas editor at NetEase Games and the first Asian designer at UK superyacht studio MBD. Developed our 'aerial-view' teaching method, grounding art and design in history, theory and philosophy.
Judy Zhu
Founder — Concept Building & Media Strategy
BA Environmental Design, Donghua University; BA (Hons) Interior Design, Edinburgh; MA Spatial & Interior Design, UAL. Gold award winner at NCDA and in window display design; specialises in course architecture and visual narrative.
Kristy Sun
Associate Artist — Material & Spatial Practice
BA (Hons) Interior Design, Edinburgh; MA Interior Design, RCA, under department head Graeme Brooker. Worked at Tino Kwan Lighting Design on Balenciaga flagships, Banyan Tree and Ritz-Carlton projects across Asia, Europe and the Middle East.
Yao Xiao
Associate Artist — Art Theory & Presentation
BA (Hons) History of Art, Edinburgh; MA History of Art, The Courtauld. Previously at Talbot Rice Gallery, the Natural History Museum and Somerset House; now at Lisson Gallery, Shanghai.
Timeline
Step by step.
- 2021
Studio founded in Edinburgh: art, practice, philosophy.
- 2022
English language teaching added alongside studio work.
- 2023
Undergraduate Foundation Programme formalised in three tiers.
- 2024
Associate artists join from RCA and The Courtauld.
- 2025
Offers across French national art schools and UK institutions.
- 2026
Studio teaching held at 2:1 — three students per intake.
Start the conversation
Every strong application starts with one conversation.
Tell us where you are today — we will map out the portfolio, language and application path that fits you. Consultation.