Michael
Macharia

Tell us about yourself. What made you choose to study in the UK?

Before I came to NTU I was studying my A-Levels in Nairobi, Kenya at St Andrews School Turi. I chose to study in the UK because the creative industry back home in Kenya isn’t as robust so I decided to come here because it’s much better to study a creative subject. I also studied in a British system school so it was an easy stepping stone.

How and why did you choose to study at NTU?

I came to Nottingham during a University tour with St Andrews and I liked the city. I did some research and saw that NTU is heavily invested in the art and design facilities. I really liked that and thought it would be a great place to express myself as a graphic designer and meet like minded people.

What do you enjoy most about your course?

I enjoy the freedom. There aren’t any limitations so you can take creative liberty and do what you want. The tutors are really supportive and they are there to guide you and give advice. It is also relaxed and informal so you are able to be yourself whilst still learning from the tutors. One really good thing about graphic design here at NTU is that the live briefs we do can lead to opportunities such as internships. They really prepare you for the industry and some of the tutors are from the industry so they give you their perspective.

What do you think of the facilities?

I really like the MAC suite and use it a lot – it is available 24 hours and I really like that. At first I was overwhelmed that there was so much to use but now it is great. There are 3D printers, laser printers, screen print among other things.

Would you recommend your course?

I would recommend anyone to study graphic design. It’s really broad so you can venture into a range of fields like advertising and marketing. I’m thinking of going into advertising but if not then I can consider taking the photography and film route. You can focus on many areas so it broadens your horizons. Nottingham is a really creative city which is also why I chose to study at Nottingham Trent. There are places like Nottingham contemporary close by and also lots of vintage shops and independent galleries.

Do you have any plans for the future?

I will be doing an internship at Red House in Kenya doing advertising at a graphic design agency. I also plan to do a second internship in a media agency to focus on film and photography. Once I graduate I would like to work in the UK for a few years but then I want to go back home.

What advice would you give future international students?

Come and be open minded. You meet a lot of people from different cultures who become your friends and offer a different perspective to your own.