Yuka
Kishi

What do you enjoy most about your course at NTU?
“Although there are several courses within the studio including knitwear design, fashion design, textile design and part-time courses, there are no boundaries, and it makes me get inspiration from other students.”

How did you secure the Paul Smith scholarship to study with us?
“I finished my Bachelor’s degree at Musashino Art University in Tokyo, and they have a special agreement with NTU, recruiting one graduate student for the Paul Smith Scholarship every year. Since I had been very eager to study my Masters abroad, I applied for this great opportunity.”

Can you tell us about your Masters project – what were your initial ideas and how have you developed it throughout the course?
“I have been focusing on the sensorial aspect of materials, particularly colours and textures in my Masters project, and investigating how people react to different ratios and combinations of colours or tactile surfaces at an instinctive level. Throughout the course, I have developed my initial idea of channelling the power of textiles into enhancing our emotional well-being through sight and touch.”

What were you doing before you came to NTU?  
“I came straight from my University, specialising in costume design. I had been involved in several theatre productions when I was in Tokyo, where I grew my interest in textile and print design.”

How do you find the course staff?
“I was truly surprised how nice and patient all staff at NTU are. Particularly the technical staff in workshops; they are very easy to talk to, or to ask a question whenever I need help for technical problems.”

What do you think about the facilities available to you?
“The facilities at NTU are amazing. There are so many machines that I have never seen before and I am so lucky to be able to immerse myself in this environment. I feel like the facilities here is one of the biggest factors that makes me excited and keeps me motivated for my project.”

As an international student, what do you like about studying and living in Nottingham?
“As I mentioned about staff at NTU, people in Nottingham are very friendly and I guess that is because the whole city is calm and relaxed. I feel much less stressed or tensed since I came to Nottingham.”

Why would you recommend your course to someone thinking of studying it?
“My Masters course which is practice-based and industry-focused will help you develop your career aspirations, particularly for those eager to pursue their career as a designer in the fashion industry.”

How do you think the course, and having a postgraduate qualification, will help you to progress your career?
“I think having a postgraduate qualification will definitely provide me with more opportunities in the future. Not only for getting employment in the industry, but also for the in-depth skills and practical knowledge that you acquire within the course which will help you develop your career.”

Where do you hope to be once you graduate from NTU?
“I am eager to start my own brand in Tokyo after finishing the course, which I could hardly imagine doing before studying on this course. I know it’s not going to be so easy, but I feel lucky and thankful to have found what I really want to do in my life.”

Visit our scholarships page to see what scholarships we currently have available.