Graphic Design students from Stratford-upon-Avon College are getting excited about taking their next steps after receiving offers from universities for degree courses in subjects such as Graphic Design, Game Art and Animation.
Students have been offered places at a range of universities including Coventry, Falmouth, Birmingham City, Oxford Brooks, Liverpool Media Academy, London LMA and Cardiff Met. Some students have even been offered unconditional offers, meaning they have been given a place on their dream course without having to wait for their exam results. Some of those students include Gabrielle Holt, James Paice and Will Faulkner.
Gabrielle, 17, started her Graphic Design journey as a hobby at aged 11; creating a YouTube Channel all about her work. She realised that this was the profession for her and began searching for how to progress in the profession.
She chose to study Stratford-upon-Avon College due to its hands-on learning approach: “I have never been ‘academic’ and don’t like taking exams, so this course offered me a practical route.”
She has enjoyed the Graphic Design course: “I’ve enjoyed the freedom of creating projects, generating my own ideas and using inspirations. I have developed more skills in printing and working with different materials as I had more of a digital focus before.”
Gabrielle had never considered going to university as she hadn’t enjoyed school, but after a year at college her mindset changed: “I realised I do enjoy learning, I just hadn’t been in the right environment before. College has allowed me to see that university was a good option for me and prepared me for taking the steps to get me there.”
She has received offers from three universities, with one offer being unconditional.
James, 18, has been offered places at 5 universities, also with an unconditional offer to one of them, to study Game Art. He began at the college after studying Digital Art at GCSE and wanting to expand those skills. He came to a trial session on campus and loved it.
Not only has the Graphic Design course helped develop his technical skills but also allowed him to build confidence: “Before coming to college I was an introvert, but being on the course, talking to others, showing my work, it all built my confidence. I wouldn’t be in the position of considering universities if not for this course.”
Will Faulkner, 20, is ecstatic to be going to his first-choice university, Cardiff Met, to study Animation.
He was inspired to follow a career in this direction at aged 14 when he watched an animated film called Silent Voice which covers themes including disability. Since Will is blind in his right eye, that type of empowerment in film inspired him to consider a career in animation.
At school, Will deliberated between following that passion or following a Maths route and becoming an accountant. However, after much consideration, Will realised that following a creative route was for him. His sister recommended the college as she had studied on a different course and after a visit, he was convinced to try it out.
He is pleased with his progression on the course: “This course has made me a lot more confident in my work and helped develop my portfolio and it has led to me getting an unconditional offer from my first-choice university.”
Graphic Design Lecturer, Helen Wright, is so pleased with all the student’s progression: “It’s brilliant, I am so happy for everyone. It’s been a great confidence boost for all of my students, and it opens up potential and the reality that everyone has the opportunity to pursue a career in graphic design, illustration and animation. Students received really positive feedback during their university interviews which was lovely to hear.”
She also details the success of her students across the board in securing further education opportunities: “We have the majority of students going on to study at university, whilst the remaining students will be studying on the UAL Level 4 Diploma in Art & Design Foundation Studies here at the College.”
Congratulations to all students celebrating exciting university and further study offers.
