Nathaniel
Powell

Why NTU…

Why did you choose NTU and your course?

I wanted to go to a university that would be able to help me make the most of my creative side. I also heard that the university had great industry connections and overall had a good reputation with the design industry.

What do you think about the course staff? How do they support your learning and university experience?

They are all very friendly and are willing to help with anything, I think most people forget to take advantage of this.

If there are any questions that need answering, the tutors usually have the answer for it. Each week new content is uploaded to NOW which allows us to work to the best of our abilities. If a tutor is free, they Will try their hardest to help.

Have you been involved in any live projects of briefs on your course and if so, can you talk a bit about one you really enjoyed?

I haven’t had any live projects at uni however I managed to see a good amount of projects during my year of placement.

Does the “real” NTU match what you’d imagined? How does it compare with your friends’ experience at other universities?

I think first year ruined due to the pandemic, there wasn’t really much to do and it was quite difficult to talk to people however the experience got better as the year progressed. I feel like there is a setting for all kinds of people that attend here, its all about fitting into the right crowd. I thought the university was smaller though.

How would you promote NTU to potential students in 10 words or fewer?

An adventure that bridges the gap between childhood and adulthood.

On Placement…

Have you completed any work placements on your course? If so, tell us about your experience – where did you go, what did you do, what skills have you gained and what have you enjoyed the most?

I completed a year of placement at IA interior architects down in London.  Through the placement I was exposed to the real working world and gathered a range of skills within revit and pitch presentation. The placement also allowed me to open up more and build more social bonds both in the workplace and outside of it. The parts I enjoyed the most were the socials, site visits and concept generation within projects.

How did you source your placement? Did you get support from NTU?

I managed too gain two placement offers from inplace. Each week during studio sessions, a member of employability would come in and assist us with any issues we might be having on our search.

What is your favourite project that you’ve worked on during your placement and why?

My favourite project was a commercial project based in the strand. The space was in a historic building which was just very pleasing to look at and stand in. Unfortunately, the project wasn’t completed by the time I had left but I know it was a good one from the visuals produced and site visits.

What advice would you give to an NTU student about to begin a placement?

Make as a any friends and connections as you can. Go into work everyday. And don’t be afraid to ask questions.

Outside of the Lecture Theatre…

Did you find it easy to make friends and settle in at NTU?

I managed to make a few friends through societies and people I knew from home. Sometimes you just have to come out of your shell to do so.

The Next Steps…

What’s next for you after NTU?

I haven’t got a solid plan but I do plan to move back to London then possibly New York depending on where the wind takes me I also want to set up a creative practice that bridges the gap between many of the creative industries.

Has the employability team helped you plan for life beyond NTU?

I haven’t really asked for the help so far but I am sure there would be willing to help of I asked for it.

How is NTU helping you to achieve your career goals?

Through the teaching which allowed me to produce my work, which then landed me a placement. This placement has given me a year of experience making it easier to gain employment when I need it.

Advice...

What top tips would you give anyone thinking about studying your course at NTU?

Just express your creativity, it will make it easier to produce work. And no ideas are bad ideas, just get it all out on paper or something physical. And if all fails an all night session in the library will sort things out.