Plymouth College of Art
We asked current students, graduates, lecturers, and key guest lecturers at Plymouth College of Art for the advice they would give to a creative starting their studies at art college this year. From sticking to your passions and staying creative, to finding your niche – we’ve got tips for new students across all disciplines...
‘Never be afraid to fail, learn from every experience.’ — Ben Wright, BA (Hons) Illustration lecturer
‘Buy a watch! Time management is really important.’ – Lan Chen BA (Hons) Fashion
‘Pick a course that allows you to practice, study, and perfect what you love, whether it fits the job title you envision or not.’ — Nadine Proost, BA (Hons) Fashion
‘I truly believe that if you want to be great at something, then you must focus on that particular thing, giving it all your time. As soon as I tried glass-blowing, I immediately fell in love with the process.’ – Renovat Moody, BA (HONS) 3D Design Crafts
‘Take every opportunity. In my first year, I did everything that was on offer, all the workshops and trips. If you’re in a position where you’re not sure what you want to do, just use the opportunity to try out everything and find your speciality.’ – Daisy Lancaster, Ed Art & Design (Fashion & Textiles)
‘The best advice anyone gave to me was be prepared for a few detours before getting to where you want to be.’ – Joe Winstone, BA (Hons) Film
‘Be yourself – agencies hire on personality, as well as portfolio. Also, go to events, talk to people! You never know who you’ll meet.’ – Charlotte Hugh, Young Creative Council & Digitas
‘Thinking of studying film? Do it! Flick through your phone right now and you can see that video is already dominating communication.’ – Lewis Rhodes, BA (Hons) Film
‘Be flexible about moving into a niche role in the industry, or if you’re going for the most competitive areas, then be prepared to specialise early and practice every day.’ – Tim Nguyen, BA (Hons) Game Arts
‘We’ve got two eyes, two ears, and one mouth, and they should be used in that proportion. So listen to people and look at what’s around you before you make your move.’ – Alex Dudson, Intern Mag
‘I would recommend Erasmus+ to every student – travelling and living abroad in general is a great experience, but the opportunity is one of a kind. It's not just about the travel itself, it's also about learning your true self.’ – Constantinos Christou, Erasmus, BA (Hons) Film
‘Never stop learning… technology is always changing, often at a very fast rate.’ – David Mattock, BA (Hons) Graphic Design
‘Reach out to a company or artist that you want to work with – it’s good to be proactive and shows you’re interested!’ – Florence Moore, BA (Hons) 3D Design Crafts
‘Don’t say no to anything, take all the opportunities that are offered to you’ – Rowena Murphy, Student Union President
‘Don’t compare yourself to other people. Since I started focusing on myself and collaborating with the people whose work I admire, my work has improved massively. Be your own person, and don’t be afraid to experiment.’ – Thyra Banks, BA (Hons) Graphic Design