What I studied at school
In Year Nine we had terms in different areas of technology, the term of graphic design was my favourite. I remember doing a project designing packaging for a product, I spent ages on it because I enjoyed it so much. I remember getting really good feedback and thinking it was a lot of fun, it didn’t feel so much like work. Year Nine saw some career advice sessions and choosing options for GCSE. This made me start thinking about what I wanted to do with my life, which was daunting. In the end I picked the subjects I enjoyed the most, I decided to go with what made me happy.
GCSE options: Geography, Short Course in Graphic Design, Art, Drama
A Level options: AS Drama, AS General Studies, A2 Product Design A2 English Literature, A2 Art
What I studied after school
After A-levels I went to Cumbria Institute of the Arts in Carlisle to undertake an Arts Foundation Course. I arrived assuming I would then go on to study graphic design however the great plus of the Foundation Course is that you get an entire year to explore, experiment and try many different areas of art and design. For me this included the constructed textile department and there began an instant love of weaving. It was similar to my time studying graphics in year nine that I realised I really enjoyed what I was doing, I hadn’t had the opportunity to study weave until that point. I stayed at Cumbria Institute of the Arts and went on to study for my BA in Contemporary Applied Arts, where in my final year I specialised in weave and ceramics.
I am still training now, although not currently linked to any course or institution I am still continuing to learn every day whether that is to overcome a problem or learn a new skill/ technique. My initial formal training was for 4 years, 1 year on the Arts Foundation course and then 3 years to complete my degree, graduating in 2009. I then decided in 2014 to continue my studies and went to Goldsmiths to study for my MA part time in Artist Teachers and Contemporary Practices, graduating in 2017
My career path
In my experience careers are a journey, you might have an idea where you want to head, where you want to aim for taking the steps to get there. Most people don’t just walk into a dream job instantly, it is through hard work and perseverance.You have to be open to different possibilities that present themselves.
I don’t believe any experience to be wasted.