Elle
Bellwood

Current employer and role: Creative at Hope & Glory PR

I chose NTU because people only had good things to say about it. It had a real feel of ‘it was the place to be’ with its fantastic facilities and course options. I picked FCP because it gave the perfect balance of being creative but understanding the ‘why’ behind it – especially when it comes to working on real life consumer projects. It also offered amazing course trips and exciting live projects with some top brands.

I loved the Barnes Wallis building. It really felt like I had a safe place to go and spread my sketchbooks out and work in peace. Especially when I was writing my dissertation I spent hours in BW, printing things out, talking to other girls on the course, using the mac suite and Adobe software and if I was hungry could pop over to Bonington for a coffee and sandwich. The set up to allow someone to learn was perfect for me.

There are a lot of parallels between the course and the real world. The key thing FCP taught me was the creative process. From insight to big idea and how to execute that idea. I still use that process every single day.

We entered numerous live projects, one being a VM competition for COW in Nottingham. Another was for my final grade in the third year for Lecture in Progress. It was an amazing experience pitching to a client, taking feedback and then pitching again. Again, another thing that I am using in the real world everyday.

I went on numerous study trips. My favourite being to New York in the first year. Not only did it embed my friendships with the girls on my course but it was amazing being able to travel and learn from different cultures.

What job are you currently doing and what does it involve?

I am just about to start a role at Hope and Glory PR as a PR Creative. My role is very creative based, working on coming up with creative solutions to briefs and then bringing these to life with photo shoots, influencer work and asset production. I have been doing this as freelance over the past year but I am now very excited to join an agency and building my career up from there.

How has your experience at NTU helped you in your current role?

As I’ve explained before the creative process is something I use everyday. Also the fact that at FCP we were asked to pitch a lot and talk allowed. This has definitely helped prepare me and build my confidence for client presentations.

What would your advice be to current Art & Design students?

Just take every single opportunity you can. You only learn from failure so just do it. Make mistakes because it will only make you more prepared for the real world. I also took an extra course in Brixton called the School of Communication Arts after my degree so don’t be afraid to keep learning. It only makes you and your work stronger and specialised.

What was the process of getting to where you are today?

So I went to NTU and studied FCP and left with a first in 2019. I then went on to study Advertising at the School of Communication Arts 2.0 but steered my portfolio to be more PR based with my copywriter Gigi. We have then done numerous freelance placements at agencies such as Talker Tailor Troublemaker, Taylor Herring, Rise at 7, The Academy and so on and so on. Working on big brands such as Amazon, Deliveroo, Sky, o2, PLT and McDonalds. We entered the PRCA Young Lions 2021 and ended up winning it and off the back of that been offered a Creative role at Hope and Glory which I start in April 2021.