My Journey After Graduation

Categories: Fashion and Textiles, Postgraduate

01/04/2021

My Journey After Graduation

My Journey After Graduation

After graduating with a First-Class BA (Hons) back in 2019, I decided to go onto study on a postgraduate programme, enrolling on the Universities PGCE (M) 14+ Art, Creative Practice and Performance programme. I really enjoyed this course as it allowed me to develop my teaching skills as well as getting hands on experience through a placement.

After graduating as teacher in spring 2020, I decided to set up as a freelance designer as well as look for a part time teaching job to run alongside this. Since setting up as freelancer I have had the opportunity to work on freelance design projects within industry, including some heritage projects, most recently with Touchstones Museum in Rochdale. I have also explored creating and selling my own product line, which I am now beginning to increase selling wholesale. I also have begun teaching in the 19+ sector which has been really great experience and allows me to share my knowledge and skills with learners wanting to develop their creative and knowledge of creative subjects such as Art and Textiles, which is something I am really passionate about.

Techniques and Processes explored whilst on the Programme

The Programme itself has a large range of facilities ranging from a wet textiles lab, embroidery lab and also a state-of-the-art computer suit with access to industry leading software and memberships including WGSN, Abode Suite and AVA CAD CAM. When applying to join the programme, this was a real selling point as I saw that it would allow me not only to create a portfolio that was to a professional quality but also develop my knowledge of a wide range of industry led / textile techniques and processes. The University also has a large library with a range of subject specific books and subscriptions to textile specific magazines, literature and online content. I found this to be extremely helpful when building my theoretical knowledge and understanding for the industry whilst studying on the programme.

Skills and experience

Within the programme I got to explore a range of techniques and processes including both traditional and contemporary processes of designing. Naturally I am quite experimental in my practice, however the course encouraged me to explore this more, allowing me to grow and build my creative skillset to develop my style and creative abilities. The close links with industry such as using WGSN and attending guest lecture talks, ensured that all work produce throughout the course was of a good standard, suitable for a range of industry markets.

Advice to future students looking to join the programme

Be organised, work hard and be committed. Doing a degree can be challenging at times but what you can achieve at the end can provide you with the skills and knowledge to help navigate where you aspire to be in your future. Don’t be afraid to explore and always remember to be true to yourself, one of your best qualities is being original.

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