Whatsapp Text Call
DESIGN YOUR FASHION FUTURE
Teaching Methods
Teaching Methods
Teaching Methods
Teaching Methods
DESIGN YOUR FASHION FUTURE
Teaching Methods
Teaching Methods

The “My Atelier Experience” program at The Miami School of Fashion & Design provides students with a holistic understanding of the fashion industry through innovative teaching methods. Students engage in a practical approach to grasp essential concepts and techniques with an emphasis placed on upcycling, working with various fabrics, utilizing precise pattern cutting techniques, and employing sewing and patchwork skills to create their final pieces. The program integrates digital design platforms with traditional craftsmanship to enhance students’ skills in design development and garment construction. Additionally, students delve into visual storytelling in fashion, mastering digital tools to create captivating narrative through clothing. Istituto Marangoni Miami offers two levels of courses for students seeking to expand their expertise. Sustainability is a fundamental value at our school, and we integrate it across our curriculum. Our program equips students with an understanding of sustainable fashion concepts and how to integrate them into their creative planning through hands-on projects and discussions. Upon completion, students will present a final fashion garment, highlighting their design initiatives to use as part of their college applications.

Learning Outcomes
Learning Outcomes

Throughout the program, students will achieve a diverse range of learning outcomes. Initially, they will gain expertise in fundamental fashion methods, comprising draping, design, stitching, and embellishment, which are fundamental to fashion design. They will also cultivate a strong understanding of sustainability rejuvenating clothing through upcycling and comprehending the transformative potential of fabrics and textiles. In addition, students will foster their creativity in interactive sessions, such as draping fabric on mannequins and exploring different textiles, encouraging innovation and experimentation. They will also acquire vital craftsmanship skills, gaining familiarity with sewing machines and discovering design features like pockets, zippers, and buttons. Moreover, students will explore digital design methods, mastering software like Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator, imperative tools for the contemporary fashion industry. Finally, they will master the art of visual storytelling, perfecting the ability to craft and convey compelling narratives through images, an essential skill for developing unified fashion collections.

Facilities and Resources
Facilities and Resources

Located in the vibrant Design District, our Istituto Marangoni Miami Campus boasts a cutting-edge, 7-floor building. Each level is carefully designed to meet the diverse needs of our students and foster an atmosphere that promotes learning and innovation. Our facilities include theory rooms, a fully-equipped photography studio, a hands-on design atelier, and computer labs featuring industry-standard software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop, InDesign, and Clo3D for digital design. Additionally, we offer an array of resources to support students in their professional and academic development, including an extensive physical and virtual library stocked with essential research materials and references.

How To Apply
How To Apply

To enroll in Istituto Marangoni Miami pre-college programs, you should be 15 years or older or still in high school. If you meet the criteria, fill out the online registration form. Following this, students need to provide a copy of their ID and Resume to finalize their student profile. Once your registration is completed, you will receive further details about enrollment, schedules, and accommodation options ahead of your class commencement.
If you need more details or help, feel free to explore our Pre-College Application page or schedule a call with one of our admissions representatives. We are committed to guiding you through every step of the process.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS
Pattern Cutting & Garment Construction

Gain knowledge of basic pattern cutting and garment construction methods. Students will acquire the ability to create patterns, manage fabric, and craft clothing, cultivating pivotal skills for the fashion industry.

Sustainability & Upcycling

Focusing on the significance of sustainable practices in the fashion industry, students delve into topics like eco-friendly sourcing, repurposing materials, and waste reduction, promoting a mindset of environmentally conscious design and manufacturing.

Digital Design Techniques

Explore digital design tools and techniques used in creative professions, gaining expertise in graphic design, 3D modeling, and digital illustration software.

Visual Storytelling

Highlight the craft of visual storytelling in various forms, effectively conveying narratives using images, graphics, and multimedia presentations, refining the ability to communicate messages and evoke emotions through visual means.

College Readiness

Discover the essentials for a college portfolio and develop the necessary skill set to create a compelling one, setting the stage for success in both your educational and career pursuits.

PRE-COLLEGE
OPPORTUNITIES
Skill Development

In addition to academic growth, our pre-college programs provide a comprehensive foundation for skill enhancement and progress. Alongside mastering design development and garment construction, students gain insight into the workings of the fashion industry, aiding in the exploration of their genuine interests. The immersive assignments mirror real-world situations in fashion, mentored by industry experts, equipping students with vital knowledge for success academically and professionally. These fundamental competencies offer students a competitive advantage and instill assurance in their future goals in the fashion realm.

Building A Fashion Portfolio

The primary goal of the program is to prepare fashion students for college by helping them develop their fashion portfolio. This is a crucial part of our Pre-College Opportunities, allowing students to apply their fashion design, garment construction, and other skills to real-world projects especially during their time at the atelier. With guidance from industry experts, students receive constructive feedback to refine their portfolios, showcasing their best work and readiness for college and future careers. This personalized approach helps students gain the skills and confidence necessary for academic and professional success.

College Admissions Advantage

Upon completing our Pre-College Courses, students seeking entry into undergraduate programs receive instant college credit hours and a partial scholarship. This distinct benefit offers students a competitive edge during the rigorous admissions process, positioning them for academic success. Additionally, our dedicated faculty mentors provide invaluable support in refining students’ abilities and enhancing their portfolios, ensuring a lasting impact on college admissions departments.

Honors Certificate

Excellence is acknowledged at Istituto Marangoni Miami through our Pre-College Fashion Programs, allowing students to obtain a respected honors diploma. This diploma acknowledges their outstanding performance and dedication during the course, serving as a tangible symbol of their merit and effort. It validates their accomplishments and enhances their college applications by demonstrating their commitment to excellence in education and preparation for higher studies.

TUITION AND COST

MY ATELIER EXPERIENCE

LEVEL 1 $500.00 USD
LEVEL 2 $750.00 USD

At Istituto Marangoni Miami, we recognize the unique financial circumstances of each student. In response, we offer various payment options tailored to the specific program you are interested in. We encourage you to schedule a meeting with our financial advisors to learn more about the available payment plans for our programs. They are dedicated to assisting you in selecting the payment option that aligns with your academic and financial goals.

*additional school fees not included 
MEET OUR
FACULTY
All faculty
Mario Braghieri has been involved in fashion production for over thirty years. At a young age, his parents owned a manufacturing company that created high-quality samples and prototypes for countless well-known brands in Italy. He attended Istituto Marangoni Milan with the desire to leave his mark in the fashion market as a pattern maker. Upon graduating, he developed samples and worked in fashion production for the Nadini Group, an Italian designer label manufacturer based in Modena-Italy, including designer houses such as Gianfranco Ferrè and Fendi. Subsequently, he worked as a fashion production consultant and started his career at Marangoni as an assistant teacher. Mario has always pursued his career with determination, focusing on deepening his knowledge and skills in garment construction and pattern making. He has worked for renowned fashion names such as Emporio Armani, Maska, Cerruti, Mariella Burani, and Karl Lagerfeld. For the past 27 years, Mario has been a major player in guiding Istituto Marangoni through its international growth, bringing his technical knowledge, industry expertise, and garment-making finesse to the School. Teaching Areas: Construction Resale & Development, Digital Pattern Cutting II, Pattern Cutting Fundamentals III, Atelier & Studio Time and Final Collection  
read more
Mario Braghieri
Fashion Design Program Director
Amy Berkowitz obtained her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978. Subsequently, she ventured into the Film & Television Industry, contributing to the special effects for the inaugural Star Wars movie. She established Artgear, a renowned fashion label favored by global celebrities. In 1994, she achieved a Master of Art in Teaching and imparted her art and design knowledge for over 25 years. Amy's proficiency encompasses drawing, painting, textile design, and fashion. She presently serves as Fashion Program Leader for Events & Competitions in Fashion Design at Marangoni Istituto Miami. Teaching Areas: Fashion Illustration Fundamentals, Fashion Drawing I and Collection Sketching
read more
Amy Berkowitz
Fashion Design Program Leader
Saul Kapilivsky, originating from a background in garment production, earned a Fashion Design MFA from the Academy of Art University. His career spans over 34 years, during which he created Mother of the Bride dresses, introduced wholesale evening wear lines, and styled renowned personalities like Aretha Franklin and Deidre Hall. He has also provided attire for participants in competitions like Miss America and Miss Universe while representing the US in the 1988 Air France Concours International Des Jeunes Créateurs De Mode. Teaching Areas: Pattern Cutting, Digital Pattern 2 - CLO 3D, and Collection
read more
Saul Kapilivsky
Fashion Design Professor
Candela is a creative, enthusiastic, and responsible fashion business graduate who has demonstrated a love for tackling new challenges and seizing opportunities for growth within the program. Candela is a dedicated and multi-tasking individual with a passion for the dynamic world of fashion. She is known for her hard work and commitment to excellence. Her journey at Istituto Marangoni Miami has been marked by invaluable support and countless enriching experiences since her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Business began. From the outset, Candela has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, immersing herself fully in the business world.
read more
Candela Ledesma
Fashion Business Pre-College Professor
Nicole Leave is a Venezuelan-French Fashion Stylist with a background in sustainability, innovation, and sociology. Nicole has a BFA in Fashion Styling from Istituto Marangoni Miami. She is known for her vibrant and daring approach to aesthetics. Her signature style embraces a colorful, experimental, bold, and surreal sensibility, pushing boundaries and creating captivating visual narratives through fashion. Nicole began her career as a professional stylist early in college and developed a love for meaningful storytelling in editorials. She now covers every arena in styling, from personal to commercials, runways, videos, lifestyle, and editorials. The stylist’s illustrious career encompasses productions with prestigious brands such as Chanel, Diesel, and Louis Vuitton, along with runway styling for esteemed events like Miami Swim Week and Dominican Republic Fashion Week, and editorials for fashion magazines, Lifestyles South Florida, Regia, and Acontece. Complementing her professional achievements, Nicole passionately imparts her fashion knowledge by teaching fashion courses for Istituto Marangoni Miami youth programs. Teaching Areas: Pre-College Fashion Trends and Fashion Styling
read more
Nicole Leave
Fashion Styling Pre-College Professor
Taryn Hipwell is a global speaker and passionate, healthy fashion consultant. She aligns brands and future designers with best practices in transparency, circularity, and sourcing cleaner fabrics and raw materials. She is the author of How to Shop for Shift, an instructor at Istituto Marangoni Miami, the NEW Remake co-Community Organizer for Florida, and the founder of Beyond the Label, which started as a partnership with TEDxLA to educate locals on the proper health, social, and environmental costs of their fashion purchases. Taryn is committed to creating fun, authentic, bold experiences that shatter stereotypes, shift perceptions, and change lives. She has launched Up Cycling Labs at the Sundance Film Festival, CSU, and UCLA. She has spoken about sustainability, transparency, circularity, diversity, and toxins in fabrics to over 10,000 students at 30 top fashion schools and universities around the world, including the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Parsons, NYU, and YOUNGA, a first-of-its-kind global youth takeover of the United Nations.
read more
Taryn Hipwell
Fashion Design Pre-College Courses Professor
Elliott Prada is an Illustrator and Textile Designer with over 30 years of experience as a freelancer and university instructor. His primary responsibilities have been designing for several major brands and textile and surface design companies in New York, LA, and Miami, teaching for over 25 years at several institutions, and currently as an instructor at Marangoni. Elliot graduated with a degree in Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and from Miami International University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts; he owns La-Isla Gallery and Gifts, which specializes in Latin American art and apparel. Teaching Areas: Graphic Design Photoshop and Digital Portfolio
read more
Elliott Prada
Fashion Design Professor
MEET OUR
FACULTY
All faculty
Mario Braghieri has been involved in fashion production for over thirty years. At a young age, his parents owned a manufacturing company that created high-quality samples and prototypes for countless well-known brands in Italy. He attended Istituto Marangoni Milan with the desire to leave his mark in the fashion market as a pattern maker. Upon graduating, he developed samples and worked in fashion production for the Nadini Group, an Italian designer label manufacturer based in Modena-Italy, including designer houses such as Gianfranco Ferrè and Fendi. Subsequently, he worked as a fashion production consultant and started his career at Marangoni as an assistant teacher. Mario has always pursued his career with determination, focusing on deepening his knowledge and skills in garment construction and pattern making. He has worked for renowned fashion names such as Emporio Armani, Maska, Cerruti, Mariella Burani, and Karl Lagerfeld. For the past 27 years, Mario has been a major player in guiding Istituto Marangoni through its international growth, bringing his technical knowledge, industry expertise, and garment-making finesse to the School. Teaching Areas: Construction Resale & Development, Digital Pattern Cutting II, Pattern Cutting Fundamentals III, Atelier & Studio Time and Final Collection  
read more
Mario Braghieri
Fashion Design Program Director
Amy Berkowitz obtained her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978. Subsequently, she ventured into the Film & Television Industry, contributing to the special effects for the inaugural Star Wars movie. She established Artgear, a renowned fashion label favored by global celebrities. In 1994, she achieved a Master of Art in Teaching and imparted her art and design knowledge for over 25 years. Amy's proficiency encompasses drawing, painting, textile design, and fashion. She presently serves as Fashion Program Leader for Events & Competitions in Fashion Design at Marangoni Istituto Miami. Teaching Areas: Fashion Illustration Fundamentals, Fashion Drawing I and Collection Sketching
read more
Amy Berkowitz
Fashion Design Program Leader
Saul Kapilivsky, originating from a background in garment production, earned a Fashion Design MFA from the Academy of Art University. His career spans over 34 years, during which he created Mother of the Bride dresses, introduced wholesale evening wear lines, and styled renowned personalities like Aretha Franklin and Deidre Hall. He has also provided attire for participants in competitions like Miss America and Miss Universe while representing the US in the 1988 Air France Concours International Des Jeunes Créateurs De Mode. Teaching Areas: Pattern Cutting, Digital Pattern 2 - CLO 3D, and Collection
read more
Saul Kapilivsky
Fashion Design Professor
Candela is a creative, enthusiastic, and responsible fashion business graduate who has demonstrated a love for tackling new challenges and seizing opportunities for growth within the program. Candela is a dedicated and multi-tasking individual with a passion for the dynamic world of fashion. She is known for her hard work and commitment to excellence. Her journey at Istituto Marangoni Miami has been marked by invaluable support and countless enriching experiences since her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Business began. From the outset, Candela has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, immersing herself fully in the business world.
read more
Candela Ledesma
Fashion Business Pre-College Professor
Nicole Leave is a Venezuelan-French Fashion Stylist with a background in sustainability, innovation, and sociology. Nicole has a BFA in Fashion Styling from Istituto Marangoni Miami. She is known for her vibrant and daring approach to aesthetics. Her signature style embraces a colorful, experimental, bold, and surreal sensibility, pushing boundaries and creating captivating visual narratives through fashion. Nicole began her career as a professional stylist early in college and developed a love for meaningful storytelling in editorials. She now covers every arena in styling, from personal to commercials, runways, videos, lifestyle, and editorials. The stylist’s illustrious career encompasses productions with prestigious brands such as Chanel, Diesel, and Louis Vuitton, along with runway styling for esteemed events like Miami Swim Week and Dominican Republic Fashion Week, and editorials for fashion magazines, Lifestyles South Florida, Regia, and Acontece. Complementing her professional achievements, Nicole passionately imparts her fashion knowledge by teaching fashion courses for Istituto Marangoni Miami youth programs. Teaching Areas: Pre-College Fashion Trends and Fashion Styling
read more
Nicole Leave
Fashion Styling Pre-College Professor
Taryn Hipwell is a global speaker and passionate, healthy fashion consultant. She aligns brands and future designers with best practices in transparency, circularity, and sourcing cleaner fabrics and raw materials. She is the author of How to Shop for Shift, an instructor at Istituto Marangoni Miami, the NEW Remake co-Community Organizer for Florida, and the founder of Beyond the Label, which started as a partnership with TEDxLA to educate locals on the proper health, social, and environmental costs of their fashion purchases. Taryn is committed to creating fun, authentic, bold experiences that shatter stereotypes, shift perceptions, and change lives. She has launched Up Cycling Labs at the Sundance Film Festival, CSU, and UCLA. She has spoken about sustainability, transparency, circularity, diversity, and toxins in fabrics to over 10,000 students at 30 top fashion schools and universities around the world, including the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Parsons, NYU, and YOUNGA, a first-of-its-kind global youth takeover of the United Nations.
read more
Taryn Hipwell
Fashion Design Pre-College Courses Professor
Elliott Prada is an Illustrator and Textile Designer with over 30 years of experience as a freelancer and university instructor. His primary responsibilities have been designing for several major brands and textile and surface design companies in New York, LA, and Miami, teaching for over 25 years at several institutions, and currently as an instructor at Marangoni. Elliot graduated with a degree in Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and from Miami International University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts; he owns La-Isla Gallery and Gifts, which specializes in Latin American art and apparel. Teaching Areas: Graphic Design Photoshop and Digital Portfolio
read more
Elliott Prada
Fashion Design Professor
MEET OUR
FACULTY
All faculty
Mario Braghieri has been involved in fashion production for over thirty years. At a young age, his parents owned a manufacturing company that created high-quality samples and prototypes for countless well-known brands in Italy. He attended Istituto Marangoni Milan with the desire to leave his mark in the fashion market as a pattern maker. Upon graduating, he developed samples and worked in fashion production for the Nadini Group, an Italian designer label manufacturer based in Modena-Italy, including designer houses such as Gianfranco Ferrè and Fendi. Subsequently, he worked as a fashion production consultant and started his career at Marangoni as an assistant teacher. Mario has always pursued his career with determination, focusing on deepening his knowledge and skills in garment construction and pattern making. He has worked for renowned fashion names such as Emporio Armani, Maska, Cerruti, Mariella Burani, and Karl Lagerfeld. For the past 27 years, Mario has been a major player in guiding Istituto Marangoni through its international growth, bringing his technical knowledge, industry expertise, and garment-making finesse to the School. Teaching Areas: Construction Resale & Development, Digital Pattern Cutting II, Pattern Cutting Fundamentals III, Atelier & Studio Time and Final Collection  
read more
Mario Braghieri
Fashion Design Program Director
Amy Berkowitz obtained her BFA from the California Institute of the Arts in 1978. Subsequently, she ventured into the Film & Television Industry, contributing to the special effects for the inaugural Star Wars movie. She established Artgear, a renowned fashion label favored by global celebrities. In 1994, she achieved a Master of Art in Teaching and imparted her art and design knowledge for over 25 years. Amy's proficiency encompasses drawing, painting, textile design, and fashion. She presently serves as Fashion Program Leader for Events & Competitions in Fashion Design at Marangoni Istituto Miami. Teaching Areas: Fashion Illustration Fundamentals, Fashion Drawing I and Collection Sketching
read more
Amy Berkowitz
Fashion Design Program Leader
Saul Kapilivsky, originating from a background in garment production, earned a Fashion Design MFA from the Academy of Art University. His career spans over 34 years, during which he created Mother of the Bride dresses, introduced wholesale evening wear lines, and styled renowned personalities like Aretha Franklin and Deidre Hall. He has also provided attire for participants in competitions like Miss America and Miss Universe while representing the US in the 1988 Air France Concours International Des Jeunes Créateurs De Mode. Teaching Areas: Pattern Cutting, Digital Pattern 2 - CLO 3D, and Collection
read more
Saul Kapilivsky
Fashion Design Professor
Candela is a creative, enthusiastic, and responsible fashion business graduate who has demonstrated a love for tackling new challenges and seizing opportunities for growth within the program. Candela is a dedicated and multi-tasking individual with a passion for the dynamic world of fashion. She is known for her hard work and commitment to excellence. Her journey at Istituto Marangoni Miami has been marked by invaluable support and countless enriching experiences since her Bachelor of Fine Arts in Fashion Business began. From the outset, Candela has embraced every opportunity to expand her knowledge and skills, immersing herself fully in the business world.
read more
Candela Ledesma
Fashion Business Pre-College Professor
Nicole Leave is a Venezuelan-French Fashion Stylist with a background in sustainability, innovation, and sociology. Nicole has a BFA in Fashion Styling from Istituto Marangoni Miami. She is known for her vibrant and daring approach to aesthetics. Her signature style embraces a colorful, experimental, bold, and surreal sensibility, pushing boundaries and creating captivating visual narratives through fashion. Nicole began her career as a professional stylist early in college and developed a love for meaningful storytelling in editorials. She now covers every arena in styling, from personal to commercials, runways, videos, lifestyle, and editorials. The stylist’s illustrious career encompasses productions with prestigious brands such as Chanel, Diesel, and Louis Vuitton, along with runway styling for esteemed events like Miami Swim Week and Dominican Republic Fashion Week, and editorials for fashion magazines, Lifestyles South Florida, Regia, and Acontece. Complementing her professional achievements, Nicole passionately imparts her fashion knowledge by teaching fashion courses for Istituto Marangoni Miami youth programs. Teaching Areas: Pre-College Fashion Trends and Fashion Styling
read more
Nicole Leave
Fashion Styling Pre-College Professor
Taryn Hipwell is a global speaker and passionate, healthy fashion consultant. She aligns brands and future designers with best practices in transparency, circularity, and sourcing cleaner fabrics and raw materials. She is the author of How to Shop for Shift, an instructor at Istituto Marangoni Miami, the NEW Remake co-Community Organizer for Florida, and the founder of Beyond the Label, which started as a partnership with TEDxLA to educate locals on the proper health, social, and environmental costs of their fashion purchases. Taryn is committed to creating fun, authentic, bold experiences that shatter stereotypes, shift perceptions, and change lives. She has launched Up Cycling Labs at the Sundance Film Festival, CSU, and UCLA. She has spoken about sustainability, transparency, circularity, diversity, and toxins in fabrics to over 10,000 students at 30 top fashion schools and universities around the world, including the Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), Parsons, NYU, and YOUNGA, a first-of-its-kind global youth takeover of the United Nations.
read more
Taryn Hipwell
Fashion Design Pre-College Courses Professor
Elliott Prada is an Illustrator and Textile Designer with over 30 years of experience as a freelancer and university instructor. His primary responsibilities have been designing for several major brands and textile and surface design companies in New York, LA, and Miami, teaching for over 25 years at several institutions, and currently as an instructor at Marangoni. Elliot graduated with a degree in Visual Arts (SVA) in New York and from Miami International University with a Bachelor in Fine Arts; he owns La-Isla Gallery and Gifts, which specializes in Latin American art and apparel. Teaching Areas: Graphic Design Photoshop and Digital Portfolio
read more
Elliott Prada
Fashion Design Professor
FAQ
What are Pre-College Courses?
Pre-college courses are educational opportunities designed for high school students to explore academic subjects, gain valuable skills, and experience college-level learning before officially enrolling. Our fashion school portfolio courses are educational opportunities designed for high school students to explore academic subjects, gain valuable skills, and experience college-level learning before they officially enroll in a college.
Who is the Atelier Experience program designed for?
This fashion atelier program is tailored for high school students seeking a college-level fashion course to gain insights into the skills and dynamics of the fashion industry.
What is an atelier?
An atelier is a private studio where a professional artist in the fine or decorative arts or an architect creates art alongside other peers under the master's guidance, in our case, under the guidance of our experienced faculty.
What other Pre-College Courses does Istituto Marangoni Miami offer?
The Miami School of Fashion and Design offers these Fashion Pre-College Courses: Fashion Summer Camp, My Portfolio Experience in Fashion Business and Styling, and My Atelier Experience.
Are there any prerequisites for enrolling in Pre-College Courses?
The prerequisites to enroll in a Pre-College course at Istituto Marangoni Miami are: ID and a resume. The student must be 15 years old and above and still in high school.
How can I apply for My Atelier Experience Courses?
We advise initiating your application process by scheduling a meeting to ensure a clear understanding of the program and its prerequisites. Following your discussion with an admissions representative, you may complete your online application. Subsequently, you will receive an email containing details for registration.
Can this Atelier Experience Course help me prepare for college?
The My Atelier Experience Course has been designed to help students prepare for their fashion college application. By acquiring college-level skills and building a professional portfolio, the Pre-College Courses at Istituto Marangoni Miami aim to elevate your application to new heights.
CONTACT
3704 NE 2nd Ave, Miami, FL 33137
Weekdays 9 AM - 5 PM

Outside of office hours we currently offer appointments virtually. Please click on the link below and schedules an appointment with our team through the Calendly system.

download catalog Book a virtual appointment