Ana
Silva

What made you choose to study at NTU?
“Living in London for so long I wanted to get away from such a busy city. Also, when I searched for the best places to study accessory design, NTU kept coming up. I heard great things about the University from people who worked in the industry, so it was my only choice when applying.”

What do you enjoy most about your course?
“I’ve enjoyed how much I’ve learned about a craft. All the projects so far have been very interesting but what I enjoy the most is how much space I am given to create and experiment. Being able to experiment with whatever I want has given me so much confidence in myself when presenting my work.”

Has the course included any live projects?
“We had a live brief with River Island; it was a group project and was very valuable. Even though it was a high street project, and I see myself more as a contemporary high-end designer, I found it very eye opening. It allowed me to see what it’s like to work in a company as a designer and how to create a collection in a group. Having to present my work professionally, having ideas taken out or praised, really gave me an insight into what a junior designer goes through. It really helped me grow and be more critical in my thought process.”

What do you enjoy most about studying and living in Nottingham?
“I find that there’s a really big student spirit here, with so much to see and do. It’s also so easy to get to London, Manchester and Birmingham, making research much easier.”

Why would you recommend studying Fashion Accessory Design at NTU?
“You have enough space to grow and to learn here. It’s an amazing course, I don't think I would be able to learn so much if I went anywhere else. All of the tools to turn yourself into a great designer are here, with all of the support you will need. NTU doesn’t make you feel like a little fish in a big pond, it really nurtures you to learn who you are and there is always someone there whenever you need help.”