Welcome to one of the most exciting colleges for art, design and the crafts in the country, based in one of its most exciting cities! We’re small and friendly enough to offer a uniquely focused learning experience, and big enough to offer you all the opportunities, resources and support you need.
Anna-Lena Hallqvist
only a few weeks later. Anna-Lena said, “Although I sometimes had to juggle Anna-Lena Hallqvist completed the Nation- my daytime job and my course work, I al Certificate Interior Design and Decorathoroughly enjoyed the course and if I tion course this past June. had the chance to do it all again, I most certainly would.” Originally from Sweden, she was training to be a nurse before she started studying She went on to say, “It's been full-on two evenings a week at Leeds College since I got the job. I even went with Chris Our strongly vocational approach means of Art. In the meantime, Chris Shaw who to meet a client on my very first day, owns Overview Photography and speciabut I’m loving every minute of it. During your creativity will be channelled towards lises in room set work, needed a permathe course I tried a number of different future success. Students benefit from opnent in-house stylist as they had previspecialities within interior decoration and portunities and challenges like live briefs, work placements, competitions, exhibitions ously only employed stylists on a freelance enjoyed them all. I was not sure which basis. job to focus on afterwards, but this seems and awards - a fantastic springboard for like the best mix for me.” your career. He approached Pauline Keenoy, who is the course leader for the Interior Design and Decoration course, and asked if she had anyone whom she thought may fit the bill. Pauline recomended some students from the course who Chris then interviewed. As part of the interview process, Chris gave them a photograph of a basic kitchen and asked them to come up with recomendations for colours and styles for the kitchen. Although impressed by all the candidates from Leeds College of Art, after a second interview, he asked Anna-Lena to join his company. She had made a great impression with her recomendations and started work there
Summer 2011
ADDRESS Leeds College of Art, Blenheim Walk, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9AQ
WEBSITE www.leeds-art.ac.uk
TELEPHONE 0113 202 8000
NEWS LETTER Welcome to one of the most exciting colleges for art, design and the crafts in the country, based in one of its most exciting cities! We’re small and friendly enough to offer a uniquely focused learning experience, and big enough to offer you all the opportunities, resources and support you need.
Welcome to one of the most exciting colleges for art, design and the crafts in the country, based in one of its most exciting cities! We’re small and friendly enough to offer a uniquely focused learning experience, and big enough to offer you all the opportunities, resources and support you need.
Welcome to one of the most exciting colleges for art, design and the crafts in the country, based in one of its most exciting cities! We’re small and friendly enough to offer a uniquely focused learning experience, and big enough to offer you all the opportunities, resources and support you need.
Our strongly vocational approach means your creativity will be channelled towards
Our strongly vocational approach means your creativity will be channelled towards future success. Students benefit from opportunities and challenges like live briefs, work placements, competitions, exhibitions and awards - a fantastic springboard for your career.
SUCCESS STORIES
Anna-Lena Hallqvist Hazel
Anna-Lena Hallqvist Anna-Lena Hallqvist Anna-Lena Hallqvist completed the National Certificate Interior Design and Decoration course this past June. Originally from Sweden, she was training to be a nurse before she started studying two evenings a week at Leeds College of Art. In the meantime, Chris Shaw who owns Overview Photography and specialises in room set work, needed a permanent in-house stylist as they had previously only employed stylists on a freelance basis. He approached Pauline Keenoy, who is the course leader for the Interior Design and Decoration course, and asked if she had anyone whom she thought may fit the bill. Pauline recomended some students from the course who Chris then interviewed. As part of the interview process, Chris gave them a photograph of a basic kitchen and asked them to come up with recomendations for colours and styles for the kitchen. Although impressed by all the candidates from Leeds College of Art, after a second interview, he asked Anna-Lena to join his company. She had made a great impression with her recomendations and started work there only a few weeks later. Anna-Lena said, “Although I sometimes had to juggle my daytime job and my course work, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and if I had the chance to do it all again, I most certainly would.” She went on to say, “It's been full-on since I got the job. I even went with Chris to meet a client on my very first day, but I’m loving every minute of it. During the course I tried a number of different specialities within interior decoration and enjoyed them all. I was not sure which job to focus on afterwards, but this seems like the best mix for me.”
Hazel took the Foundation Diploma at Leeds College of Art & Design before going on to study a BA and an MA in Manchester. In between all this studying she spent four months on an Erasmus exchange at the University of Lapland in Finland and volunteered at a number of Galleries in Manchester. These included the Manchester Art Gallery Exhibitions Team, Castlefield Art Gallery, a community knitting project at Tameside Museums and the Development Department at The Whitworth Art Gallery. Hazel exhibited in the Liverpool Biennial Independents in 2004, and is a founding member of The Doorstep Collective based in Manchester. Since graduating she spent six months freelancing as a creative practitioner at The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester before being offered her current position as the Visual Arts Education Officer at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery. “I have such fond memories of the College from both a social and academic side. I feel it was my best year in education. My foundation course was the year that gave me the most freedom during my studies to whilst also having the support and guidance I felt I needed.”
Ross "My time at Leeds College of Art really gave me the ability to stand out from the scores of other young creatives trying to get into the industry." After completing a National Diploma in Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, Ross went on to a BA (Hons) Visual Communication at the College. After graduation he worked as a marketing designer and an art director within Leeds before taking his current position as an art director at the London based agency Ignito. "What I found most valuable was the way I was encouraged to question everything and not be complacent with the norm. I also learnt how valuable an idea is, and how everything should gravitate around a core thought. Getting into the creative industry is as much about the way you think than simply skills you learn. Leeds College of Art allowed me to get into a certain way of thinking that has been invaluable to my career."
SUCCESS STORIES Anna-Lena Hallqvist
Foundation student exhibits nationally Hazel took the Foundation Diploma at Leeds College of Art & Design before going on to study a BA and an MA in Manchester. In between all this studying she spent four months on an Erasmus exchange at the University of Lapland in Finland and volunteered at a number of Galleries in Manchester. These included the Manchester Art Gallery Exhibitions Team, Castlefield Art Gallery, a community knitting project at Tameside Museums and the Development Department at The Whitworth Art Gallery. Hazel exhibited in the Liverpool Biennial Independents in 2004, and is a founding member of The Doorstep Collective based in Manchester.
After completing a National Diploma in Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, Ross went on to a BA (Hons) Visual Communication at the College. After graduation he worked as a marketing designer and an art director within Leeds before taking his current position as an art director at the London based agency Ignito.
Claire graduated the BA (Hons) Interior Design course at the Leeds College of Art & Design. As part of their final year the students showcase their work at the New Designers exhibition in London. This is where Claire was approached by Molton Brown. After an interview she was offered the position as their in-house designer for retail stores and spas worldwide. “I have very fond memories of Leeds College of Art & Design. The course required a lot of hard work and dedication but now I am working in the industry I appreciate the brilliant foundation it has given for my career in design.”
Two friends from college ended up as a creative team (copywriter & art director) with a leading Northern advertising agency, and have recently been nominated for Best Junior Creative Team at the Roses Advertising Awards 2008. Click the play button on the video opposite to find out more.
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ISSUE Summer 2011
He approached Pauline Keenoy, who is the course leader for the Interior Design and Decoration course, and asked if she had anyone whom she thought may fit the bill. Pauline recomended some students from the course who Chris then interviewed. As part of the interview process, Chris gave them a photograph of a basic kitchen and asked them to come up with recomendations for colours and styles for the kitchen. Although impressed by all the candidates from Leeds College of Art, after a second interview, he asked Anna-Lena to join his company. She had made a great impression with her recomendations and started work there only a few weeks later. Anna-Lena said, “Although I sometimes had to juggle my daytime job and my course work, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and if I had the chance to do it all again, I most certainly would.” She went on to say, “It's been full-on since I got the job. I even went with Chris to meet a client on my very first day, but I’m loving every minute of it. During the course I tried a number of different specialities within interior decoration and enjoyed them all. I was not sure which job to focus on afterwards, but this seems like the best mix for me.”
"My time at Leeds College of Art really gave me the ability to stand out from the scores of other young creatives trying to get into the industry."
"What I found most valuable was the way I was encouraged to question everything and not be complacent with the norm. I also learnt how valuable an idea is, and how everything should gravitate around a core thought. Getting into the creative industry is as much about the way you think than simply skills you learn. Leeds College of Art allowed me to get into a certain way of thinking that has been invaluable to my career."
Originally from Sweden, she was training to be a nurse before she started studying two evenings a week at Leeds College of Art. In the meantime, Chris Shaw who owns Overview Photography and specialises in room set work, needed a permanent in-house stylist as they had previously only employed stylists on a freelance basis.
Anna-Lena Hallqvist Anna-Lena Hallqvist completed the National Certificate Interior Design and Decoration course this past June.
During the summer of her third year she applied for a four week internship at Alexander McQueen. She was offered a position in the menswear design studio. This was a diverse role where she did CAD work, illustration, embroidery and dyeing for the whole collection. This was part of the collection for the Milan Fashion Show. She was flown out about a week before the event to help put the final touches to the Charles Dickens inspired catwalk collection. The days were long. Sometimes she worked until 4am and started again the following morning at 8am, but the experience was really valuable. She says she met many celebrities and it was a huge contrast to real life.
When Sarah tells the story of what’s been happening in her life recently, you begin to understand how she landed her job at Next. She was a student on the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design course and started out in her second year by working on a collaborative brief for Tigerprint who are a subsidiary of Hallmark and provide giftware, cards and stationery for Marks & Spencer. She won a work placement based on the work that she produced and whilst she was there, they bought one of her designs which was sold in stores. Subsequently, she went on to be selected for an international competition called Unitex, which is held in Paris. The top 50 students were selected to exhibit, and she sold another five pieces of her work.
Student awarded New Designer of the year
Each year the top textiles students are nominated for the Texprints competition which is sponsored by companies such as Burberry, The Design Society and New Look. She was interviewed along with 200 other students, by a panel of five judges. The winners, who were all textiles graduates, were given their own stand at the largest trade fair in the world, which is held in Paris and called Indigo. The aim of the event was for designers to sell their designs to visiting buyers. Sarah said, “It wasn’t just about selling your designs, it was about raising your profile in the industry too. Although visitor numbers were much lower than in previous years because of companies cutting back, I still managed to sell designs, and receive great feedback from high profile designers.”
When winding up the interview, Sarah’s final comment was, “I feel like I haven’t stopped for two years, it’s been really hard work and I haven’t had a holiday, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.” She went onto say, “I haven’t really stopped to think about what I’ve actually achieved, it’s all happened so fast, and I’m always looking ahead so I can be ready for the next challenge”.
In addition he is also working on a project called ExtInked which is working to help raise money and awareness for wildlife conservation charities. They wanted to update conservation’s image and have launched a new exhibition of drawings, individually illustrating one hundred of the most endangered species in the British Isles. It reaches its conclusion with the live tattooing of the drawings onto 100 willing ambassadors. Species include the humble red squirrel and the cornflower. The hope is that these ambassadors will then go and spread the word about their chosen tattooed species. Tom is currently working hard to build up his portfolio and network within these particular areas. The ExtInked wildlife exhibition is due to take place in Manchester from 12 November to the 1 December. For more details go to www.uhc.org.uk
Straight after the event she was thrown back into her final year to catch up on all the work that she had missed. Her final major project was very illustrative, based and inspired by Art Nouveau and what she termed – Modern Madonnas (inspired by some of her favourite designers, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gautier).
Sarah is now working for Next. She said, “I looked on the Next website, and saw a job for Assistant Fabric Sourcer and Developer and decided to apply.” She was invited for interview and offered a job during her second interview. But then I suppose with all that detail on her CV it can’t have been a difficult decision for them to make. Part of her role is to make appointments with fabric mills and liaise with designers and buyers, as well as feeding back key trend information. It involves lots of travel worldwide including Hong Kong, Shang Hai, Florence, New York and Paris. Ironically, this year she will be visiting exhibitors at Premier Vision where she had been displaying her work over the last few years.
Since graduating she spent six months freelancing as a creative practitioner at The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester before being offered her current position as the Visual Arts Education Officer at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery. “I have such fond memories of the College from both a social and academic side. I feel it was my best year in education. My foundation course was the year that gave me the most freedom during my studies to whilst also having the support and guidance I felt I needed.”
SUCCESS PROJECTS
Abigail Borg who is 22 and from Redditch near Birmingham is currently studying on BA (Hons) Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art & Design and has this year has been awarded The Business Design Centre (BDC) New Designer of the Year. Abigail, who gained a 1st class honours degree. She delighted the judging panel with her ‘Exquisite drawing skills and sensitivity to colour. The collection is an accomplished and consistent body of work which is both professional and has strong commercial potential.’ Janet Martin, Head of Monsoon Home; Suzanne Imre, Editor of Living etc; Rosie Greenlees, Executive Director of the Crafts Council and Damian Barr, Journalist and Writer had reviewed the work of nearly 2000 graduates from 200 UK design courses who launched their professional creative talents at the New Designers Event in Islington. The judges looked for work that was innovative, inspirational, engaging and forward thinking – reflecting the core values of the BDC. Still taking in the news of the award, Abigail Borg commented, ‘It gives me a fantastic opportunity to launch my designs into the commercial world, equipping me with both financial and business advice and support which is so crucial at the start of my career. All my hard work has been recognised by the industry; I am very excited.’ Julie Bland, who is Abi’s course leader said, ‘the textiles tribe here at Leeds College of Art & Design are all over the moon with Abi’s well deserved success’ The £2,000 prize and £2,500 for help towards set up costs and PR, was presented by Dominic Jones, the Chief Executive of the Business Design Centre as the culmination of the New Designers awards, which are highly prestigious and give the winning graduate the highest adulation at the event.
Photography student Tom Bing Sarah explains how she got her dream job Tom Bing is a photographer, but with a difference. His interests lie in documenting what you wouldn’t normally see and bringing things to light. Such as refugees and asylum seekers currently living in Leeds.
He was originally drawn towards Graphic Design, so he started his A Levels in product design, art and photography, but found the academic teaching style hard to engage with. Having almost given up on education, he decided to try the BTEC National Certificate in Graphic Design. His tutor, and the more hands-on teaching style helped him to develop his ideas and political views so when he came to see what the BA (Hons)Visual Communications course was about at Leeds College of Art, he knew it was the perfect choice for him.
When Sarah tells the story of what’s been happening in her life recently, you begin to understand how she landed her job at Next.
He said,” The course teaches you from a different perspective. Students arrive with a particular area of specialism in mind, but they spend time exploring the message and much later in the course find the medium in which to work. “It’s much more about the awareness of your surroundings, and finding a message you want to convey.”
Subsequently, she went on to be selected for an international competition called Unitex, which is held in Paris. The top 50 students were selected to exhibit, and she sold another five pieces of her work.
Tom has a strong interest in politics, his main areas of interest being human rights and globalisation. He says, “I know this sounds a bit idealistic, but I want to work for companies that are ethical, and have integrity.” Slowly but surely it’s starting to come together. He’s currently the resident photographer for The Ultimate Holding Company who are a collective design agency and list clients such as Greenpeace, The Environmental Investigation Agency and Climate Camp. He is currently working on a project entitled “Far From Home?” which is a collaboration with graphic design graduate Kyle Bibby, and charity worker Sally McGee. It is an exhibition and awareness raising campaign, which uses six refugees and asylum seekers to explore the issues they encounter. It was commissioned by a charity called the Manuel Bravo Project, and is currently being displayed at The Light in Leeds until the 22nd of November. (www.farfromhome.org.uk).
She was a student on the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design course and started out in her second year by working on a collaborative brief for Tigerprint who are a subsidiary of Hallmark and provide giftware, cards and stationery for Marks & Spencer. She won a work placement based on the work that she produced and whilst she was there, they bought one of her designs which was sold in stores.
Each year the top textiles students are nominated for the Texprints competition which is sponsored by companies such as Burberry, The Design Society and New Look. She was interviewed along with 200 other students, by a panel of five judges. The winners, who were all textiles graduates, were given their own stand at the largest trade fair in the world, which is held in Paris and called Indigo. The aim of the event was for designers to sell their designs to visiting buyers. Sarah said, “It wasn’t just about selling your designs, it was about raising your profile in the industry too. Although visitor numbers were much lower than in previous years because of companies cutting back, I still managed to sell designs, and receive great feedback from high profile designers.” Sarah is now working for Next. She said, “I looked on the Next website, and saw a job for Assistant Fabric Sourcer and Developer and decided to apply.” She was invited for interview and offered a job during her second interview. But then I suppose with all that detail on her CV it can’t have been a difficult decision for them to make. Part of her role is to make appointments with fabric mills and liaise with designers and buyers, as well as feeding back key trend information. It involves lots of travel worldwide including Hong Kong, Shang Hai, Florence, New York and Paris. Ironically, this year she will be visiting exhibitors at Premier Vision where she had been displaying her work over the last few years. When winding up the interview, Sarah’s final comment was, “I feel like I haven’t stopped for two years, it’s been really hard work and I haven’t had a holiday, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.” She went onto say, “I haven’t really stopped to think about what I’ve actually achieved, it’s all happened so fast, and I’m always looking ahead so I can be ready for the next challenge”.
During the summer of her third year she applied for a four week internship at Alexander McQueen. She was offered a position in the menswear design studio. This was a diverse role where she did CAD work, illustration, embroidery and dyeing for the whole collection. This was part of the collection for the Milan Fashion Show. She was flown out about a week before the event to help put the final touches to the Charles Dickens inspired catwalk collection. The days were long. Sometimes she worked until 4am and started again the following morning at 8am, but the experience was really valuable. She says she met many celebrities and it was a huge contrast to real life. Straight after the event she was thrown back into her final year to catch up on all the work that she had missed. Her final major project was very illustrative, based and inspired by Art Nouveau and what she termed – Modern Madonnas (inspired by some of her favourite designers, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gautier).
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ISSUE Summer 2011
First Floor Project The second year BA (Hons) Interior Design students have recently completed a competition organised in partnership with the West Yorkshire Playhouse to design the First Floor creative arts space http:// wyplayhouse.com/content/creativity/creative_ communities/FirstFloor-Introduction.asp.
Student awarded New Designer of the year
Two friends from college ended up as a creative team (copywriter & art director) with a leading Northern advertising agency, and have recently been nominated for Best Junior Creative Team at the Roses Advertising Awards 2008. Click the play button on the video opposite to find out more.
His prize included a £500 bursary and the opportunity to work with the three other winner from institutions whithin Leeds, in a series of seminars and masterclasses with Hans Peter Kuhn, Arup Associates’ SoundLab in London, the Sonic Arts Network, and others involved in ‘A Sound and Light Transit’.
The second year BA (Hons) Interior Design students have recently completed a competition organised in partnership with the West Yorkshire Playhouse to design the First Floor creative arts space http:// wyplayhouse.com/content/creativity/creative_ communities/FirstFloor-Introduction.asp. The project was exhibited at the theatre with the best two pieces being awarded prizes. These were selected by special judging panel consisting of Sam Perkins (Director of Arts Development), Ian Brown (Artistic Director), Henrietta Duckworth (Producer), Andrew Gaunt (BWA), David Bye and Mark Bourne (Brewster Bye), Dickon Harold (WYP Draughtsman) and most importantly, a young person from the First Floor project! The prizes are two work placements - one with Brewster Bye - a local architect’s practice which is designing the ‘real’ project and one with BWA (Bernard Williams Associates) - chartered surveyors
Tom hadn’t initially planned to enter the competition, but after the lecture by internationally renowned sound and light artist Hans Peter Kuhn he was inspired to try his hand with a variety of mediums. His proposal comprised a sound piece, with two parts comparing childhood innocence to a more worldly view of corruption.
Our strongly vocational approach means your creativity will be channelled towards future success. Students benefit from opportunities and challenges like live briefs, work placements, competitions, exhibitions and awards a fantastic springboard for your career.
Tom’s sound installation, “Urban Birdsong”, commented on how wildlife in urban environments competes with noise pollution to make its songs and mating calls heard. Through the manipulation of found sounds, from bus brakes to passing traffic noise, Tom created a piece that subtly emanates from bird boxes perched in the branches of a canal side tree, emulating the twittering and chirping of birdsong. The exhibition opened in conjunction with Leeds Light Night, October 10th 2008.
WEBSITE
ADDRESS
TELEPHONE
www.leeds-art.ac.uk
Leeds College of Art,
0113 202 8000
West Yorkshire LS2 9AQ ISSUE Summer 2011
10
Welcome to one of the most exciting colleges for art, design and the crafts in the country, based in one of its most exciting cities! We’re small and friendly enough to offer a uniquely focused learning experience, and big enough to offer you all the opportunities, resources and support you need.
The project was developed by Sue Ball of MAAP as part of the Neville St Interpretive Programme in collaboration with ‘A Sound and Light Transit’, a major public art commission for Leeds with artist Hans Peter Kuhn and Bauman Lyons Architects.
Blenheim Walk, Leeds,
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TELEPHONE 0113 202 8000
Asking the question ‘Is ignorance bliss?’ 20-year-old Tom Cookson from Huddersfield, currently on the first year of a BA (Hons) Fine Art degree course at the College, won the 2007 Neville Street Light and Sound Project in Leeds.
"What I found most valuable was the way I was encouraged to question everything and not be complacent with the norm. I also learnt how valuable an idea is, and how everything should gravitate around a core thought. Getting into the creative industry is as much about the way you think than simply skills you learn. Leeds College of Art allowed me to get into a certain way of thinking that has been invaluable to my career."
“I have very fond memories of Leeds College of Art & Design. The course required a lot of hard work and dedication but now I am working in the industry I appreciate the brilliant foundation it has given for my career in design.”
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The prizes are two work placements - one with Brewster Bye - a local architect’s practice which is designing the ‘real’ project and one with BWA (Bernard Williams Associates) - chartered surveyors for the scheme.
After completing a National Diploma in Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, Ross went on to a BA (Hons) Visual Communication at the College. After graduation he worked as a marketing designer and an art director within Leeds before taking his current position as an art director at the London based agency Ignito.
Claire graduated the BA (Hons) Interior Design course at the Leeds College of Art & Design. As part of their final year the students showcase their work at the New Designers exhibition in London. This is where Claire was approached by Molton Brown. After an interview she was offered the position as their in-house designer for retail stores and spas worldwide.
ADDRESS Leeds College of Art, Blenheim Walk, Leeds, West Yorkshire LS2 9AQ
Joint winner, Neville Street Light & Sound Project
The project was exhibited at the theatre with the best two pieces being awarded prizes. These were selected by special judging panel consisting of Sam Perkins (Director of Arts Development), Ian Brown (Artistic Director), Henrietta Duckworth (Producer), Andrew Gaunt (BWA), David Bye and Mark Bourne (Brewster Bye), Dickon Harold (WYP Draughtsman) and most importantly, a young person from the First Floor project!
"My time at Leeds College of Art really gave me the ability to stand out from the scores of other young creatives trying to get into the industry."
WEBSITE www.leeds-art.ac.uk
Fine Art Fashion Design Visual Communication
Graphic Design Printed Textiles Photography
Furniture Making Art & Design Creative Advertising
Interior Design -
SUCCESS PROJECTS
SUCCESS STORIES Anna-Lena Hallqvist
Foundation student exhibits nationally Hazel took the Foundation Diploma at Leeds College of Art & Design before going on to study a BA and an MA in Manchester. In between all this studying she spent four months on an Erasmus exchange at the University of Lapland in Finland and volunteered at a number of Galleries in Manchester. These included the Manchester Art Gallery Exhibitions Team, Castlefield Art Gallery, a community knitting project at Tameside Museums and the Development Department at The Whitworth Art Gallery. Hazel exhibited in the Liverpool Biennial Independents in 2004, and is a founding member of The Doorstep Collective based in Manchester.
After completing a National Diploma in Graphic Design at Leeds College of Art, Ross went on to a BA (Hons) Visual Communication at the College. After graduation he worked as a marketing designer and an art director within Leeds before taking his current position as an art director at the London based agency Ignito.
Claire graduated the BA (Hons) Interior Design course at the Leeds College of Art & Design. As part of their final year the students showcase their work at the New Designers exhibition in London. This is where Claire was approached by Molton Brown. After an interview she was offered the position as their in-house designer for retail stores and spas worldwide. “I have very fond memories of Leeds College of Art & Design. The course required a lot of hard work and dedication but now I am working in the industry I appreciate the brilliant foundation it has given for my career in design.”
Two friends from college ended up as a creative team (copywriter & art director) with a leading Northern advertising agency, and have recently been nominated for Best Junior Creative Team at the Roses Advertising Awards 2008. Click the play button on the video opposite to find out more.
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ISSUE Summer 2011
He approached Pauline Keenoy, who is the course leader for the Interior Design and Decoration course, and asked if she had anyone whom she thought may fit the bill. Pauline recomended some students from the course who Chris then interviewed. As part of the interview process, Chris gave them a photograph of a basic kitchen and asked them to come up with recomendations for colours and styles for the kitchen. Although impressed by all the candidates from Leeds College of Art, after a second interview, he asked Anna-Lena to join his company. She had made a great impression with her recomendations and started work there only a few weeks later. Anna-Lena said, “Although I sometimes had to juggle my daytime job and my course work, I thoroughly enjoyed the course and if I had the chance to do it all again, I most certainly would.” She went on to say, “It's been full-on since I got the job. I even went with Chris to meet a client on my very first day, but I’m loving every minute of it. During the course I tried a number of different specialities within interior decoration and enjoyed them all. I was not sure which job to focus on afterwards, but this seems like the best mix for me.”
"My time at Leeds College of Art really gave me the ability to stand out from the scores of other young creatives trying to get into the industry."
"What I found most valuable was the way I was encouraged to question everything and not be complacent with the norm. I also learnt how valuable an idea is, and how everything should gravitate around a core thought. Getting into the creative industry is as much about the way you think than simply skills you learn. Leeds College of Art allowed me to get into a certain way of thinking that has been invaluable to my career."
Originally from Sweden, she was training to be a nurse before she started studying two evenings a week at Leeds College of Art. In the meantime, Chris Shaw who owns Overview Photography and specialises in room set work, needed a permanent in-house stylist as they had previously only employed stylists on a freelance basis.
Anna-Lena Hallqvist Anna-Lena Hallqvist completed the National Certificate Interior Design and Decoration course this past June.
When Sarah tells the story of what’s been happening in her life recently, you begin to understand how she landed her job at Next. She was a student on the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design course and started out in her second year by working on a collaborative brief for Tigerprint who are a subsidiary of Hallmark and provide giftware, cards and stationery for Marks & Spencer. She won a work placement based on the work that she produced and whilst she was there, they bought one of her designs which was sold in stores. Subsequently, she went on to be selected for an international competition called Unitex, which is held in Paris. The top 50 students were selected to exhibit, and she sold another five pieces of her work.
Student awarded New Designer of the year
Each year the top textiles students are nominated for the Texprints competition which is sponsored by companies such as Burberry, The Design Society and New Look. She was interviewed along with 200 other students, by a panel of five judges. The winners, who were all textiles graduates, were given their own stand at the largest trade fair in the world, which is held in Paris and called Indigo. The aim of the event was for designers to sell their designs to visiting buyers. Sarah said, “It wasn’t just about selling your designs, it was about raising your profile in the industry too. Although visitor numbers were much lower than in previous years because of companies cutting back, I still managed to sell designs, and receive great feedback from high profile designers.”
When winding up the interview, Sarah’s final comment was, “I feel like I haven’t stopped for two years, it’s been really hard work and I haven’t had a holiday, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.” She went onto say, “I haven’t really stopped to think about what I’ve actually achieved, it’s all happened so fast, and I’m always looking ahead so I can be ready for the next challenge”.
In addition he is also working on a project called ExtInked which is working to help raise money and awareness for wildlife conservation charities. They wanted to update conservation’s image and have launched a new exhibition of drawings, individually illustrating one hundred of the most endangered species in the British Isles. It reaches its conclusion with the live tattooing of the drawings onto 100 willing ambassadors. Species include the humble red squirrel and the cornflower. The hope is that these ambassadors will then go and spread the word about their chosen tattooed species. Tom is currently working hard to build up his portfolio and network within these particular areas. The ExtInked wildlife exhibition is due to take place in Manchester from 12 November to the 1 December. For more details go to www.uhc.org.uk
Straight after the event she was thrown back into her final year to catch up on all the work that she had missed. Her final major project was very illustrative, based and inspired by Art Nouveau and what she termed – Modern Madonnas (inspired by some of her favourite designers, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gautier).
Sarah is now working for Next. She said, “I looked on the Next website, and saw a job for Assistant Fabric Sourcer and Developer and decided to apply.” She was invited for interview and offered a job during her second interview. But then I suppose with all that detail on her CV it can’t have been a difficult decision for them to make. Part of her role is to make appointments with fabric mills and liaise with designers and buyers, as well as feeding back key trend information. It involves lots of travel worldwide including Hong Kong, Shang Hai, Florence, New York and Paris. Ironically, this year she will be visiting exhibitors at Premier Vision where she had been displaying her work over the last few years.
Since graduating she spent six months freelancing as a creative practitioner at The Whitworth Art Gallery in Manchester before being offered her current position as the Visual Arts Education Officer at Tullie House Museum & Art Gallery. “I have such fond memories of the College from both a social and academic side. I feel it was my best year in education. My foundation course was the year that gave me the most freedom during my studies to whilst also having the support and guidance I felt I needed.”
During the summer of her third year she applied for a four week internship at Alexander McQueen. She was offered a position in the menswear design studio. This was a diverse role where she did CAD work, illustration, embroidery and dyeing for the whole collection. This was part of the collection for the Milan Fashion Show. She was flown out about a week before the event to help put the final touches to the Charles Dickens inspired catwalk collection. The days were long. Sometimes she worked until 4am and started again the following morning at 8am, but the experience was really valuable. She says she met many celebrities and it was a huge contrast to real life.
Abigail Borg who is 22 and from Redditch near Birmingham is currently studying on BA (Hons) Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design at Leeds College of Art & Design and has this year has been awarded The Business Design Centre (BDC) New Designer of the Year. Abigail, who gained a 1st class honours degree. She delighted the judging panel with her ‘Exquisite drawing skills and sensitivity to colour. The collection is an accomplished and consistent body of work which is both professional and has strong commercial potential.’ Janet Martin, Head of Monsoon Home; Suzanne Imre, Editor of Living etc; Rosie Greenlees, Executive Director of the Crafts Council and Damian Barr, Journalist and Writer had reviewed the work of nearly 2000 graduates from 200 UK design courses who launched their professional creative talents at the New Designers Event in Islington. The judges looked for work that was innovative, inspirational, engaging and forward thinking – reflecting the core values of the BDC. Still taking in the news of the award, Abigail Borg commented, ‘It gives me a fantastic opportunity to launch my designs into the commercial world, equipping me with both financial and business advice and support which is so crucial at the start of my career. All my hard work has been recognised by the industry; I am very excited.’ Julie Bland, who is Abi’s course leader said, ‘the textiles tribe here at Leeds College of Art & Design are all over the moon with Abi’s well deserved success’ The £2,000 prize and £2,500 for help towards set up costs and PR, was presented by Dominic Jones, the Chief Executive of the Business Design Centre as the culmination of the New Designers awards, which are highly prestigious and give the winning graduate the highest adulation at the event.
Photography student Tom Bing Sarah explains how she got her dream job Tom Bing is a photographer, but with a difference. His interests lie in documenting what you wouldn’t normally see and bringing things to light. Such as refugees and asylum seekers currently living in Leeds.
He was originally drawn towards Graphic Design, so he started his A Levels in product design, art and photography, but found the academic teaching style hard to engage with. Having almost given up on education, he decided to try the BTEC National Certificate in Graphic Design. His tutor, and the more hands-on teaching style helped him to develop his ideas and political views so when he came to see what the BA (Hons)Visual Communications course was about at Leeds College of Art, he knew it was the perfect choice for him.
When Sarah tells the story of what’s been happening in her life recently, you begin to understand how she landed her job at Next.
He said,” The course teaches you from a different perspective. Students arrive with a particular area of specialism in mind, but they spend time exploring the message and much later in the course find the medium in which to work. “It’s much more about the awareness of your surroundings, and finding a message you want to convey.”
Subsequently, she went on to be selected for an international competition called Unitex, which is held in Paris. The top 50 students were selected to exhibit, and she sold another five pieces of her work.
Tom has a strong interest in politics, his main areas of interest being human rights and globalisation. He says, “I know this sounds a bit idealistic, but I want to work for companies that are ethical, and have integrity.” Slowly but surely it’s starting to come together. He’s currently the resident photographer for The Ultimate Holding Company who are a collective design agency and list clients such as Greenpeace, The Environmental Investigation Agency and Climate Camp. He is currently working on a project entitled “Far From Home?” which is a collaboration with graphic design graduate Kyle Bibby, and charity worker Sally McGee. It is an exhibition and awareness raising campaign, which uses six refugees and asylum seekers to explore the issues they encounter. It was commissioned by a charity called the Manuel Bravo Project, and is currently being displayed at The Light in Leeds until the 22nd of November. (www.farfromhome.org.uk).
She was a student on the BA (Hons) Printed Textiles & Surface Pattern Design course and started out in her second year by working on a collaborative brief for Tigerprint who are a subsidiary of Hallmark and provide giftware, cards and stationery for Marks & Spencer. She won a work placement based on the work that she produced and whilst she was there, they bought one of her designs which was sold in stores.
Each year the top textiles students are nominated for the Texprints competition which is sponsored by companies such as Burberry, The Design Society and New Look. She was interviewed along with 200 other students, by a panel of five judges. The winners, who were all textiles graduates, were given their own stand at the largest trade fair in the world, which is held in Paris and called Indigo. The aim of the event was for designers to sell their designs to visiting buyers. Sarah said, “It wasn’t just about selling your designs, it was about raising your profile in the industry too. Although visitor numbers were much lower than in previous years because of companies cutting back, I still managed to sell designs, and receive great feedback from high profile designers.” Sarah is now working for Next. She said, “I looked on the Next website, and saw a job for Assistant Fabric Sourcer and Developer and decided to apply.” She was invited for interview and offered a job during her second interview. But then I suppose with all that detail on her CV it can’t have been a difficult decision for them to make. Part of her role is to make appointments with fabric mills and liaise with designers and buyers, as well as feeding back key trend information. It involves lots of travel worldwide including Hong Kong, Shang Hai, Florence, New York and Paris. Ironically, this year she will be visiting exhibitors at Premier Vision where she had been displaying her work over the last few years. When winding up the interview, Sarah’s final comment was, “I feel like I haven’t stopped for two years, it’s been really hard work and I haven’t had a holiday, but I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it.” She went onto say, “I haven’t really stopped to think about what I’ve actually achieved, it’s all happened so fast, and I’m always looking ahead so I can be ready for the next challenge”.
During the summer of her third year she applied for a four week internship at Alexander McQueen. She was offered a position in the menswear design studio. This was a diverse role where she did CAD work, illustration, embroidery and dyeing for the whole collection. This was part of the collection for the Milan Fashion Show. She was flown out about a week before the event to help put the final touches to the Charles Dickens inspired catwalk collection. The days were long. Sometimes she worked until 4am and started again the following morning at 8am, but the experience was really valuable. She says she met many celebrities and it was a huge contrast to real life. Straight after the event she was thrown back into her final year to catch up on all the work that she had missed. Her final major project was very illustrative, based and inspired by Art Nouveau and what she termed – Modern Madonnas (inspired by some of her favourite designers, John Galliano and Jean Paul Gautier).
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ISSUE Summer 2011
OPEN DAYS