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Graphic Design students gain invaluable insights from industry during their final months of study

Students presented their portfolios to design agencies both on campus and at London’s Royal Society of Arts

    A portfolio review taking place on campus
    A portfolio review on campus

    Students in their final year of our BA (Hons) Graphic Design course have recently had the opportunity to showcase their work to industry professionals in the run up to the Degree Show. Through a combination of agencies visiting the University to deliver one to one review sessions, and a visit to the Royal Society of Arts (RSA) in London in which students pitched themselves to agencies, the students have gained confidence and advice from some of the UK’s leading graphic design agencies. This has come at a pivotal time for them as they approach their final few weeks of study.

    As professional graphic designers, the students will be required to regularly pitch their ideas, network with prospective employers and collaborators, and generally present themselves in the most engaging way they can. The organisation of these opportunities for the students to gain this experience ensures they’ll be graduating from NTU feeling as confident as possible.

    During the campus-based portfolio reviews, a number of alumni from the Graphic Design course were among those delivering the one to one sessions. Rosie McKie and Olivia Walton, both NTU graduates, thoroughly enjoyed giving something back to the course in the form of supporting final year students’ transition into the industry.

    Students at the RSA. Photo Rasha Kotaiche
    Students at the RSA

    Later in March, the students took a trip down to London for a portfolio evening, hosted at the RSA, a charity which encourages the release of human potential to address societal challenges. The students relished the chance to talk to industry professionals about their practices in such an exciting setting. The agencies represented at the portfolio evening were BulletProof, Canoe Inc., Cartil, Daiziel & Pow, DixonBaxi, FutureBrand, Harvey Voices, JKR, Kin, Kind Studio, Landor, Nomad, Otherway, Parke Studio, Rokabye, Saffron, SkinnyDip London, That They, The One Off, Turner Duckworth, Vanguard and Who Wot Why.

    Students Emily Heskins, Ashwini Patel and Anisah Rahman commented: "The portfolio evening at RSA was a really exciting opportunity for the whole year. It was a great chance to network with people from the industry as well as getting a feel early on of what’s expected of us after we graduate! We had big studios show up, and so we found the experience very useful and inspiring. It has made the prospect of getting a job less daunting."

    Kathryn Coates, course leader for Graphic Design, commented: “Our portfolio review at the RSA provides our students with a fantastic opportunity to share their projects, network with industry, and show off their talent. The contacts and connections made here lead to internships and future employment - it really is an invaluable experience for all!”

    Published on 23 April 2018
    • Category: NTU Arts; School of Art & Design