Solihull College & University Centre creative arts lecturer Phil Barber recently held a Facebook Live discussion with two students offering a unique insight to their time studying art at the College.
Hannah and Eliza had different educational experiences leading them to selecting the UAL Diploma in Art & Design – Foundation Studies course.
Hannah went to university after school and studied English and Film. She states: “After a while I felt unmotivated. My creative passion wasn’t being explored enough. Over lockdown I changed my mind and wanted to do something creatively driven. I applied for the course at Solihull after leaving university. It has really allowed me to explore my self-expression.”
Eliza studied art at GCSE but found the school teaching too rigid and structured for her liking. She studied A-Levels in film, English and Psychology but found she didn’t enjoy them. Now, studying at the College, she comments: “This is the happiest I’ve ever been in education. I’m dyslexic and theory and writing hasn’t been good for me but on this course I can work at my own pace and have the freedom to do that. I have learned so many skills towards illustration.”
Eliza hopes to work as an illustrator or in tattooing and plans to go on to study at university. Hannah is looking to work in visual media and will be doing a degree in Fine Art next year.
Tutor Phil adds: “Our courses help students to learn independent working skills. You might be 18 wanting to bridge the gap between school and university, or you could be a university level student thinking ‘I’ve finished at college I want to study at University level now’, we can offer you that route too. At the end of the courses there will be a new more creative version of you ready to make an impact in the creative industry.”
The College will be running Virtual Open Event sessions for its school leaver courses from the 16th-25th March. Register now!
