Illustration BA Hons – 2023
Throughout the course, we had several workshops run by alumni from the course. The workshops allowed us to explore different areas of specialty such as Concept Art, Children’s Illustration, Animation, plus many more within a professional context. This improved my understanding of how to take my practice further and what skills I would need to develop to pursue my desired area of specialty.
Why did you choose the University of Westminster?
I remember that when I was looking for universities that offered an illustration course I was focused on a few things; studio facilities, employment opportunities, resources, and an experimental course that would allow me to explore the different areas of illustration. The University of Westminster met all of these criteria. Seeing the facilities and the campus, as well as hearing the experiences of students was what helped me decide to come here. Learning how the students have the opportunity to experiment with different areas of illustration and techniques through their first year was amazing, as well as how from year two, you can start to focus on the area that interests you. Hearing about the different employability resources and support that the university offers was also great.
How has your experience been studying in London?
Studying in London has been an amazing experience, the city offers a wide range of work opportunities, it also has a great social environment for your downtime. Another thing that I love about London is the cultural and rich diversity that the city has.
What have you particularly enjoyed about your course?
I really enjoyed the wide range of opportunities that the course offers, it has allowed me to experiment and explore a wide range of techniques and projects, helping me learn and understand which specialist area I want to continue exploring and pursuing. Throughout the course, we had several workshops run by alumni from the course. The workshops allowed us to explore different areas of specialty such as Concept Art, Children’s Illustration, Animation, plus many more within a professional context. This improved my understanding of how to take my practice further and what skills I would need to develop to pursue my desired area of specialty.
How have you found academic support as part of your studies?
The academic support on my course has been excellent. The tutors and lecturers offer individual and group tutorials throughout the semesters, which allows the students to receive feedback and see how their work is progressing. My personal tutor has also been great; she has helped with any doubts and uncertainties that I have encountered. Overall, the academic staff have always been helpful and resourceful.
Are there any stand-out facilities associated with your course?
The studio facilities are great, there is a nice working environment and the studios are really spacious. We also have access to different workshop studio areas, such as the printmaking studio, where we are able to learn and experiment with a range of different printmaking techniques.
Have you used the University Careers and Employability Service? If yes tell us about your experience
I joined ‘Westminster Working Cultures, UK’, it was a great networking event and it was also really insightful. Hearing the experiences of a wide range of people from different careers has helped me understand the importance of transferable skills and the different approaches I can take to start searching for jobs. I have also attended several events that they offer, like the ‘Freelance Essentials’ talks, which has also been helpful in understanding the steps I need to take to have a successful freelance career.
Tell us about any activities that you have undertaken outside of your course
I recently became a Student Ambassador. This has been an experience that has brought so many new opportunities, allowing me to understand more about the university and to tell others about my experience as a Westminster student. During my first year, I was also able to participate in the ‘Penguin Random House Cover Design’ competition, which was a great opportunity. Our tutors are constantly letting us know about different competitions that are happening and encourage us to participate. I am looking forward to participating in this again and other competitions.
What would your advice be to someone considering studying at Westminster?
My advice to anyone that is considering studying at Westminster is to make the most of it. Once you become a student, the university offers a wider range of opportunities and resources, such as the Careers and Employability services and the Academic services. Don't forget to have fun and enjoy your time as a student, there are several social activities that you can attend, and there are also a lot of societies and clubs that you can join to meet people with similar interests.
What's the best aspect of being a University of Westminster student?
I think one of the best aspects of being a University of Westminster student is all the opportunities that we have access to, such as the different events that the Careers and Employability Services run, as well as the social activities that the Student Union do. The latter brings a really nice sense of community to the university.