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British Museum Commission / Life Behind the Lens / A Career at Full Speed
creative
/ February 14
update
University for the Creative Arts
Alumni Magazine
Issue
09
The Piano Man / Stars in her Eyes / Beyond the Blueprint
Welcome
Welcome to the ninth
edition of Creative Update,
the magazine of the UCA
Alumni Association
When preparing Creative Update, we are consistently
overwhelmed by the wonderful achievements of our alumni and
this edition is certainly no different. Over the past six months, we
have yet again been spoilt for choice when it comes to choosing
exciting alumni stories to include within this magazine, which is
testament to the talent and capability of our graduates.
news p3
features
p10
Stars in her Eyes p10
Beyond the Blueprint p14
Makimg it Big in Smalls p18
When Life Takes a Different Course p20
The Piano Man p22
Life Behind the Lens p26
A Career at Full Speed p28
A Postcard from Mexivo p32
Art Therapy p36
Night Bus p38
memories
p40
advice
p42
With the Government increasingly championing STEM subjects
in higher education, we feel that it’s vital to ensure that
students who are creatively inclined feel encouraged and
supported in their educational pursuits. With this in mind, it’s
fantastic to see that, despite the recent economic downturn
and its subsequent impact on the employment market, our
students are continuing on to great success within the creative
and associated industries.
It’s an exciting time for UCA students at present, with
considerable investment and redevelopment ensuring that the
student experience is richer than ever. A newly refurbished
library and campus spaces and the provision cutting-edge
facilities, are just a few examples of our continued investment
in our student body.
Aside from celebrating the achievements of our former
students, we would also like to take this opportunity to thank
all those alumni who have supported UCA in recent months.
The UCA alumni team
[email protected]
(above): UCA Emeritus Professor David Buss views the portfolio of Charlotte Shepherd,
the first recipient of The Invicta Creative Scholarship which David sponsors. Charlotte
will graduate from the BA Hons course in Fashion Promotion
at the Rochester Campus in Summer 2014.
2
University for the Creative Arts | Contents | Creative Update
News
Newly Refurbished Elaine Thomas Library
UCA Farnham has officially opened
its newly refurbished Elaine Thomas
Library.
news
Professor Elaine Thomas CBE,
UCA’s founder Vice-Chancellor and
a generous benefactor of UCA and
its students, was invited back to
the Farnham campus for a special
ceremony and ribbon cutting to
celebrate the opening.
Offering an extension of the studio
environment, the Elaine Thomas
Library has been designed to meet
the specialist requirements of creative
students. Rather than the usual rows
of book stacks, the library’s upper
two floors are arranged as a series of
differently sized, book lined rooms.
This maximises the building’s sense of
light and openness, uses space more
efficiently and creates places for a
variety of types of study.
The ground floor offers a new public
face for the building, with a glazed
frontage to the campus. Its character
echoes that of contemporary art
space, allowing it to host occasional
exhibitions, alongside more day-to-day
usage for informal group working and
enquiries.
The very first exhibition in the new
space, coinciding with its opening, is an
exhibition of Professor Thomas’ work,
entitled Divine Antics, which will run
until 21 March 2014. The paintings on
display use acrylic and watercolour on
paper and seek to recreate the effects
of ancient frescos.
Simon Ofield-Kerr, UCA ViceChancellor, said: “At UCA we are
keen to ensure that our campus
spaces encourage the creativity of
our students by facilitating individual
and group creative work. The new
library does just this and demonstrates
the high design values that are so
important to us.
“I am delighted that Professor Thomas
was able to formally open the library
which bears her name. It was her
vision which led to the creation of a
specialist arts university spanning the
South East. Generations of students
have already benefitted from her
commitment and these benefits will be
shared by generations to come.”
Professor Thomas said: “I am
honoured to have my name associated
with such an innovative library, which
has creativity at its heart. Students
are enabled to develop and extend
their creative practice in a dynamic
and flexible environment. I am also
proud that UCA has invited me to show
the new paintings that I have produced
since retirement in the splendid new
Gateway area of the library.”
The refurbishment of UCA’s library
was led by DRDH Architects and was
completed in 11 months. As well as
offering traditional library services,
the Elaine Thomas Library acts as a
gateway to a complete range of support
services, including counselling,
dyslexia support, disability support,
careers and financial advice.
Elaine Thomas | Library | Creative Update
3
News
Commissioned by the British Museum
Poppy Porter left behind a career in law to pursue professional
jewellery design. She was recently commissioned by the British
Museum and has created a bespoke collection, which is currently
on display as part of the ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese art’
exhibition.
An intriguing amalgamation of traditional Japanese garments and
Formula 1 racing cars, Poppy Porter’s jewellery is truly distinctive.
By fusing the strong, masculine and mechanical features of Formula
1 with the delicate, feminine characteristics of Japanese kimonos,
Poppy is able to create uniquely charming collections which have
helped her to forge a successful career as a jewellery designer since
graduating from UCA Farnham in 2007.
(above) An image of the reversible fan necklace from
the ‘Shunga Lovers’ collection (reverse)
Whilst exhibiting at the prominent ‘Treasure’ show at Somerset
House in June 2013, one of Poppy’s pieces caught the eye of the
British Museum. ‘The flowing kimono’ is an elegant neck/back piece
which takes its inspiration from 19th Century Japanese print ‘A
Woman with a Poem Card’ by Yashima Gakutei. Soon after discovering
this beautiful item, the British Museum commissioned Poppy to
create a collection for their ‘Shunga: sex and pleasure in Japanese
art’ exhibition, which runs until 2014.
On designing the collection, which comprises of three necklaces, a
cuff bracelet and a set of earrings, Poppy said: “The ‘Shunga Lovers’
pieces were created in response to a brief from the British Museum
and it was great to be able to really bring out the Japanese influences
that underpin my style. I incorporated an iconic image of a handheld
fan from ‘Lovers in an Upstairs Room’ by the late artist Kitagawa
Utamaro, into the design and ensured that the Formula 1 references
were subtle yet discernible, which was primarily evident in my
production technique. The signature process that I have developed
is closely aligned to the lay-up of carbon fibre in Formula 1 car
design and involves partly lacquering and partly inlaying a silvered
photograph into anodised sheet titanium using resin.”
(above) An image of the cuff bracelet from
She continued, “I am really proud of the finished pieces and have had
some good feedback from the British Museum who have informed
me that one of the necklaces has already been sold. I haven’t had a
chance to see the exhibition myself yet – but I am definitely planning
a visit soon!”
the ‘Shunga Lovers’ collection
Poppy Porter
BA (Hons) 3D Design
(specialisms: metalwork
& jewellery)
Farnham, 2007
4
Poppy Porter | 3D Design | Creative Update
Aside from her exhibition pieces, Poppy has a successful commercial
avenue to her jewellery business, with her website and social media
pages a lucrative platform for exposure and sales. She has also
recently become the editor for the Association for Contemporary
Jewellery’s bi-annual magazine ‘Findings’, which helps her to stay at
the forefront of developments within the industry.
News
Will Alsop Joins UCA
of life and employability. It doesn’t always have to
end in the practicing of architecture. I see fine art
and architecture as being very closely aligned and
I always use art as a starting point and inspiration
for my designs. UCA allows for this cross over in
their teaching of architecture. This is something
the Head of School Allan Atlee and I feel strongly
about.
“I also intend to encourage UCA students to
make the most of being near to London. This is
an incredible city with so much cultural activity –
every night there is something happening. I want
to make sure the students are making the most
of this and tapping in to all this creative talent. To
help strengthen the connection with London I am
going to make some desks available in my studio
for students. They should get used to hopping in
and out of London as this is where the industry is
thriving and where they can make their contacts.”
World-renowned architect Will Alsop OBE RA has
been appointed Professor of Architecture at the
University for the Creative Arts.
In a career spanning 40 years, Will Alsop’s
buildings have generated critical acclaim
internationally and are characterised by a
consistent desire to create moments of delight and
colour in the city.
His most celebrated projects include Le Grand
Bleu in Marseilles, the Cardiff Bay Visitors Centre,
the Sharp Centre for Design at the Ontario College
of Art & Design and the Peckham Library which
won the prestigious RIBA Stirling Prize in 2000.
Will said: “Architecture is a gateway to many areas
Dr Simon Ofield-Kerr, UCA Vice-Chancellor, said:
“This is an exciting appointment for UCA. Will
Alsop is one of the most interesting architects
practising today and I am thrilled that our
Architecture, Interior Design and Fine Art students
will be able to learn from him and work with him
during their studies at UCA.
“We are committed to offering our students
access to some of the world’s most important
practitioners, and Will joining our professoriate is
further proof of this commitment. I also think it’s
going to be great fun for both our students and
staff.”
You can find out more about Will Alsop and
the University’s range of architecture courses
available at both undergraduate and postgraduate
levels on the website at: www.ucreative.ac.uk/
architecture-courses
Will Alsop | Architecture | Creative Update
5
News
Solo Exhibition in Japan for MPhil/PhD Student
Textiles MPhil/PhD student Beverly Ayling-Smith
back in UK following solo exhibition in Japan.
After noticing her work at the ‘Insight into Beauty’
show at the Embassy of Japan in London’s
Piccadilly, the owner of GalleryGallery; a specialist
textiles art gallery in Kyoto, Japan offered Beverly
a solo exhibition, from which she has recently
returned.
Beverly’s work focuses on the role that fabric
plays in the emotional states of mourning and
melancholia and aims to connect people with their
unresolved feelings to help them to transition
emotionally. The exhibition was a great chance for
her to gain exposure and recognition and build her
reputation amongst fellow textiles artists.
She said: “My solo exhibition went really well. I
was in Japan for about 10 days and was able to be
actively involved in the presentation of my work
and the arrangement of the show. It was brilliant
to interact with like-minded people and I received
some really valuable feedback. Having returned
to the UK, I now feel like I am better established
within the community of textiles artists in Japan.”
Aside from exhibiting at the gallery, Beverly also
used her time in Japan to further her research
by visiting Kyoto Gedai University of Arts and the
Kawashima Textile School. After listening to a talk
by Beverly, students were asked to share their
responses to her work which, once translated, she
is hoping will be a great resource to advance her
research.
Beverly Ayling-Smith
Textiles MPhil/PhD
Farnham,
Current Student
(above) Beverly’s work on display
6
Beverly Ayling-Smith | Japan Textiles Exhibition | Creative Update
With over two years left of her MPhil/PhD, Beverly
is looking forward to continuing to develop within
her area of specialist practice. She has recently
been approached to take part in the ‘PassionArt’
trail initiative in Manchester during Lent 2014,
which will involve her work being shown in the
John Rylands Library, and she is hoping to embark
on more exciting opportunities such as this as her
research progresses.
News
UCA Partners with Turner Contemporary
September 2013 saw the first cohort of students
embarking on the MA Curatorial Practice course.
UCA has partnered with dynamic visual arts
organisation Turner Contemporary for the
new MA course; Curatorial Practice, which is
located at the UCA Canterbury. The specialist
course offers students the opportunity to engage
with art through curatorial activity and direct
professional and public engagement with local arts
organisations, biennales and public arts projects.
Vocational practice is embedded in the programme
and experience of the course, which is available
on a 1 year full-time or 2 years part-time basis.
Students not only benefit from the invaluable
collaboration with Turner Contemporary but also
a selection of other relevant organisations within
Kent and the South East including; The Creative
Foundation and Folkestone Triennial, Strange
Cargo, Stour Valley Arts, Dover Arts Development
and CRATE, to name a few. Course Leader Terry
Perk believes that the postgraduate degree
offers immense potential for students who wish
to pursue careers in curation or a wide variety of
related fields.
He said: “Although this course is in its very first
year of delivery, it has proved a popular choice
amongst postgraduate students and the feedback
so far has been really positive. It’s the first course
of its kind at UCA and partnering with the Turner
Contemporary has significantly contributed to the
richness of the student experience, course content
and vocational opportunities. Graduates from
this course will be perfectly positioned to enter
industry within this specialised sector.”
To find out more about the course, contact Terry
Perk on: 01227 817386 or [email protected].
(above) Image from a public event students developed
and led at Turner Contemporary
Curatorial Practice | New Course | Creative Update
7
News
Student Designs to Hit High Street
Current final year student Jo Hayward has designed underwear for
Gossard after winning a student competition.
During the second year of her BA (Hons) Textiles for Fashion &
Interiors course, Jo Hayward won a competition through design
studio Courtaulds to create a S/S 14 underwear range, which has
been picked up by lingerie brand Gossard. During her internship she
created a ‘japanese blossom’ pattern, which has also been chosen to
go into production; this time for the A/W 14 collection.
Jo’s creative process involves digitally manipulating images using
Photoshop, and then layering them to produce distinctive patterns.
With two of her creations hitting the high street within the next year,
she is eagerly anticipating what the future holds.
Jo Hayward
(above): Jo’s designs
Jo Hayward
BA (Hons) Fashion for
Textiles & Interiors
She said: “I can’t wait to see my designs in stores – it will be such
a surreal yet rewarding experience. Through the internship and
competition process, I have been able to broaden my skill set;
particularly my Photoshop proficiency. This has enabled me to
realise more ambitious and complex designs and has been hugely
advantageous to the work I have produced during my final year.”
Farnham, Current
Student
8
Jo Hayward | Gossard Design | Creative Update
With graduation rapidly approaching, Jo is keen to undertake an MA
and would eventually like to own her own studio.
News
Film Festival Success for Animation Lecturer
Image from Four & Five
BA (Hons) Animation lecturer and filmmaker Andy Joule
has had a short film featured in three festivals.
While visiting China as part of a UCA recruitment trip,
Andy Joule made a short film focusing on the contrasting
contemporary and traditional elements of Chinese culture
and architecture. The film; ‘Four and Five’, has recently been
screened at the Paradise Found, Cornwall and Streaming
International film festivals.
Four and Five was shot in four cities and uses a mixture
of techniques including time-lapse, live action and After
Effects post-production. The film begins and ends with
prayers and meditations in the Guangxiao Temple and takes
a journey through traditional farming and river life, which
is interweaved with shots of more modern aspects of 21st
Century China and features a score by the contemporary
experimental Chinese musician Simon Ho.
Prior to his role as a lecturer, Andy completed an MA in
Animation at UCA Farnham which followed a successful 18year commercial career as an animator and director.
His work was featured on shows such as Rotten Ralph and
Bill and Ben and he also worked on commercials both in the
UK and internationally, for brands including Apple Jacks, All
Bran and McDonalds.
Andy now devotes evenings, weekends and holidays to
furthering his research through filmmaking. His current
work is heavily departed from his role in children’s television,
which he feels allows him to offer more comprehensive
advice and guidance to his students. He said:“By producing
culturally insightful artistic films which are a world away
from my children’s animation experience, I am able to use a
variety of different filmmaking methods and techniques. This
has opened up many new avenues of creative expression and
points of reference as a lecturer.”
Aside from short films and his role at UCA, Andy has also
recently made a music video for artist William D. Drake
which has already had thousands of views. With another
video in the pipeline, he is looking forward to continuing to
evolve his showreel during 2014.
Andy Joule | Film Festivals | Creative Update
9
Feature
features
“
10
A speculative internship application on Twitter transformed UCA
alumna Jess Honey’s life and career. Now working alongside fashion
entrepreneur, style icon and ‘Made in Chelsea’ star Caggie Dunlop,
Jess tells Creative Update how life has changed since she beat
over 200 applicants to become the new intern for fashion company
ISWAI.
Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update
(right) Caggie wearing Jess’ pink orchid skirt
design for ISWAI promo’
“I
absolutely loved my Textiles for Fashion
& Interiors course and throughout my time
at UCA Farnham I was captivated by the
creativity, talent and expertise that surrounded
me. There was nothing better than being
immersed in a vibrant fashion culture on a daily
basis and throughout the course I was really in
my element creatively.
After graduating from UCA Farnham in 2012, I
found trying to establish a career after university
to be a daunting time and after taking a part-time
job at a double-glazing company to support myself
financially, I was beginning to question whether
I would ever be able to achieve my ambitions
and realise my potential as a designer.
I kept an eye open for opportunities, and one
afternoon noticed that ISWAI (It Starts With An
Idea) - Caggie Dunlop’s ground-breaking new
online fashion platform, was advertising for
an intern. I decided to apply and soon forgot
all about it, convinced that I wouldn’t hear back.
To my surprise a couple of weeks later, I received
a phone call from Caggie’s mum and ISWAI
co-owner Sarah, inviting me in for an interview.
I was offered the job shortly after.
ISWAI was created as a stage to help emerging
talent within the fashion industry gain exposure
and recognition, a business model that resonates
strongly as a designer who has struggled to get
a lucky break myself. The ISWAI team is very
small so I found myself working directly alongside
Caggie and Sarah right from the word go. Although
I was initially a bit star-struck to be working with
someone who I had watched on television just a
few years before, I soon realised that Caggie is
down-to-earth and passionate about using her
profile to help young designers be successful
in the fashion industry.
Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update
11
Feature
My role as an intern with ISWAI was interesting,
exciting and varied from the start. One of the
benefits of working for a start-up company was
that I was able to contribute to all elements of the
business, from admin and content management
to buying, social media and even designing.
Not long after beginning my internship, I was
personally approached by Caggie to design a skirt
and swimsuit for her. Creatively, I have always
been heavily inspired by Pop Art and 60’s and
70’s music and style. I digitally alter photographs
that I have taken to disguise images within a
pattern and use digital printing to transfer these
onto clothing. I strive to create striking designs
which attract attention and interest from both
the wearer and those around them. With the skirt
and swimsuit that I designed for Caggie, I used
bold colours and feminine floral imagery within
a psychedelic, eye-catching pattern. Thankfully,
Caggie really liked the designs and even wore
them to a few public events. The Daily Mail
wrote a feature on my ‘Orchid Skirt’ and I was
personally credited. Subsequently, sales of the
skirt increased dramatically – which was one
of the most rewarding but also surreal moments
of my career so far.
Jess’ turquoise orchid
swimsuit design
12
Jess Honey | ISWAI | Creative Update
Feature
After three months with ISWAI, I was promoted
from intern to designer/developer and I think this
really is testament to the integrity of the company,
as they wanted to give me an opportunity to
progress and develop as a designer. There have
been too many amazing experiences over the past
year to count, but there are a couple that really
stand out. One of these was when I accompanied
Caggie to Paris to attend a fashion trade show and
another is the pop-up event which we did on the
Kings Road, London, which was a great success
and was attended by a host of famous faces,
including some of Caggie’s ex ‘Made In Chelsea’
cast-mates. This experience was made even more
memorable by the fact that I was chased down the
street by a group of girls, who to my surprise were
fans of my designs and who wanted my autograph!
I feel lucky that I am able to do what I love every
day and work with such an amazing team in
a company that is making a real difference to
young designers. Although my career is only just
beginning, I can’t wait to continue to work with
ISWAI as it evolves.
If I could give any advice to those who may be
struggling to establish a career in fashion it would
be to persevere. It’s not the easiest industry to get
into but there are opportunities out there and if you
are proactive and committed, you will get noticed.
Also, I think it’s really vital to believe in your talent,
because even though grades and job titles are
vital, your capability as a designer is by far your
most valuable attribute.
”
Jess Honey
BA (Hons) Textiles for
(above) Jess (in dungarees) at work
What Caggie says…
ISWAI founder Caggie Dunlop exclusively tells
Creative Update about working with Jess.
Fashion & Interiors
Farnham, 2012
(left) Caggie modelling for ISWAI
“It’s been a pleasure working with Jess, she has
a great understanding of the brand and how we
want to position ourselves in the future. She is the
perfect balance of practical and creative, lending
her skills to every aspect of ISWAI as a designer
and a business woman. It is great having her as
part of the ISWAI family.”
Feature
Teodosi Nikolov
Graduate Diploma in
Architecture’ (RIBA Part 2)
Canterbury, 2008
14
Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update
Feature
Teodosi Nikolov
Beyond THE
BLUEPRINT
We follow-up with 2008 Architecture alumnus
Teodosi Nikolov to find out what he’s been up to
since we caught-up with him back in 2010…
w
hen we last spoke
with Teodosi he was
busy immersing
himself in his
fledging career with London based
Robin Partington & Partners (RPP)
and was heavily involved with some
prominent projects which were
transforming London’s skyline.
Three years on, much has changed
for Teodosi, who is now a registered
architect following the completion
of his Postgraduate Diploma in
Professional Practice & Management
in Architecture (ARB/RIBA Part 3).
Teodosi is still working for RPP, who
sponsored him throughout the latter
stages of his qualification and the
company has continued to prosper
over the last few years - now boasting
over fifty members of staff. The firm
has acquired a number of high-profile
commissions in and around London,
giving Teodosi the opportunity to
benefit from increasing responsibility
on an impressive selection of
pioneering projects.
One such project; 3 Merchant Square
- a 21-storey, mixed tenure residential
building in Paddington, which was
Teodosi’s primary focus when he last
spoke to Creative Update - is now
rapidly nearing completion. He said:
“I’ve been working on 3 Merchant
Square for around three years and it’s
incredible to see it all coming together.
It really takes my breath away seeing
the sketches coming to life.”
Teodosi ensures that he is involved
at all levels of the development of
his projects, ranging from the early
stage intricate technical drawings and
physical models to the imposing 3D
structures which are revolutionising
local landscapes. He said: “I’m a very
hands-on architect and I love being on
site and involved in the construction
process. It’s so inspiring to see the
integrity from initial planning stages
translated so well physically.”
Teodosi approaches being an architect
from a refreshing perspective. He
said: “Although architecture is a very
technical discipline, it’s the sociology
of human interaction that inspires me
the most. My points of reference start
with people and how they experience
their surroundings. Without people,
buildings are cold, inanimate objects.
It’s the people within them who breathe
life into buildings and this is always
in the back of my mind when I am
working on a project. This mentality is
particularly important as a Londoner
because whilst people often complain
about the noise, the traffic and the
overcrowding, it’s those very people
who give the city its vibrancy and
vitality.”
Aside from his distinctively personal
style of work, Teodosi credits RPP
with much of his development and
professional fulfilment. He says: “RPP
are fantastic. Every project is a real
team effort and the collaborative,
dynamic environment really motivates
me to exceed expectations and
produce my best work. I feel proud to
be part of such an esteemed team of
professionals at the forefront of the >
(left) 1 New Street Square, view from street, render
Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update
15
Feature
I’ve been working
on 3 Merchant Square
for around three years
and it’s incredible to see
it all coming together
(left) Teodosi on site at Park house on Oxford Street
16
Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update
Feature
(above) 3 Merchant Square under construction
industry and to contribute to groundbreaking projects which will transform
London’s panoramas for
many generations to come.”
With 3 Merchant Square almost
finished, 1 New Street Square is the
latest project Teodosi is working on
and a commission that RPP fought
off considerable competition to win.
The £100million office building, due
for completion in 2016, is centrally
located - based only five minutes from
St. Pauls Cathedral, and is the final
piece of the New Street Square master
plan. Teodosi is package architect in
charge of delivering the basement
box and is also working alongside
senior project architect Roda Sulaiman
to develop the building’s external
envelope. He says: “The requirements
for this building are complex as the
landscape is quite restricted, spatially.
We have responded to this by designing
innovative external ‘butterfly shaped’
fins for solar shading which respond
sensitively to both the local context and
the London skyline.”
Looking ahead, Teodosi aspires to
become a project architect in the
near future and be in a position to
design and deliver an award-winning
building, which he would consider to
be the ‘ultimate achievement’. He is
also eagerly anticipating the exciting
times ahead with Robin Partington &
Partners and in collaboration with their
clients, to designing great buildings
that will enhance both landscapes and
lives.
Visit http://www.rpplondon.com/
to find out more about Robin
Partington & Partners.
Teodosi Nikolov | Architecture | Creative Update
17
Feature
Joanna Ketterer
BA Printed Textiles
Farnham, 2004
(above) Images of Luva Huva items
(right) Images of Luva Huva items
(top right) In the Studio
18
Joanna Ketterer | Luva Huva | Creative Update
Making it
big in smalls
UCA Printed Textiles alumna Joanna Ketterer’s ethical underwear company
‘Luva Huva’ has gone from strength to strength since launching in 2008. Now
boasting a chic London studio, celebrity clientele, accolades from the Guardian and
healthy profits, Luva Huva is gaining impressive pace in the UK fashion industry.
Creative Update first profiled Luva Huva (pronounced
Lover-Huva) in May 2010 when, despite being a relatively
new business, things were looking very promising.
Joanna’s range of delicately handmade feminine
underwear created from ethically sourced, sustainable
fabrics, had already secured an order from ASOS and a
large-scale Italian buyer.
order catalogue, the official website and our shop on Etsy,
things are really moving at 100mph. We have a loyal clientbase and have even been able to expand our product range to
include some items of clothing, such as summer dresses. We
also now cater for a much more diverse range of sizes, which
is great as it means many more people are able to enjoy Luva
Huva items.”
As Joanna who graduated from
UCA Farnham in 2004 describes,
things for Luva Huva have
progressed significantly over
the last three years. She said:
“Despite the initial success from
wholesale and market trading,
we now focus heavily on mail
order sales. We produce four
catalogues per year, which
are distributed to our everexpanding client database and
produce the garments at our
studio in Brixton, London.”
Aside from mail-order
distribution, the brand achieves
online exposure through the
official website (www.luvhauva.
com) and also global online
handmade marketplace Etsy.
com, where it recently received the sought-after recognition
of being named ‘Featured Shop’.
As Joanna explains, the success
she has enjoyed has not been
without its challenges: “Building
a brand from scratch in the highly
competitive fashion industry is
not easy. You should be prepared
to focus on a small scale to start
with, as I did. Portobello and
Southbank markets were great in
Luva Huva’s early days as I made
some invaluable contacts and was
able to gain first hand exposure
to my target market. There have
been many times when I didn’t
know if I could do it and there have
certainly been lots of hurdles to
jump. Having said that, it is totally
possible to make it in the fashion
industry if you are truly passionate
and determined to succeed.”
According to Joanna, Luva Huva has witnessed a significant
increase in demand thanks to finding a home in both the
offline and online markets. She continued: “Between the mail
Now that her business is enjoying financial stability Joanna
is able to cast her thoughts to the future. As the brand
continues to grow, she would like to eventually relocate to a
bigger studio and expand her team. She also hopes to further
develop the product range.
Joanna Ketterer | Luva Huva | Creative Update
19
Feature
mary-jane evans
When Life Takes a
Different Course
Alumna Mary-Jane Evans recalls how starting a
Three Dimensional Design – Ceramics BA (Hons)
degree at UCA Farnham transformed her life.
Aged 49, Mary-Jane made the brave decision to
leave her home, job and life behind in order to
pursue her dream of becoming a professional
ceramic artist. This decision proved to be far more
life changing than she could have ever anticipated.
Here, having established a successful career in
the ceramics industry, with accolades including
being selected for the prestigious Royal Academy Summer Exhibition,
Mary-Jane reflects on her inspirational journey.
A Life-Changing Experience
On my first day at UCA, I remember anxiously questioning myself,
wondering whether I’d made the right decision by turning my whole
life upside down. Thankfully this feeling was short lived. Going to UCA
Farnham genuinely changed my life and I soon became thoroughly
absorbed in the learning culture. My tutors at UCA were all fantastic
and their invaluable advice, care and concern consistently extended
far beyond the classroom. For example, my diagnosis of severe
dyslexia, which was initially noticed by one of my tutors, was quite
life-changing and with the full support of the UCA staff, enabled me
to develop more effective learning techniques which allowed me to
really excel academically.
Mary-Jane Evans
BA (Hons) Three
Dimensional Design
– Ceramics
Farnham, 2004
If you are passionate about
what you do, it will be reflected in your
work and this is the greatest
reward you could ask for
(above) A piece from the ‘Ruins’ collection
20
Mary-Jane Evans | Ceramic Art | Creative Update
(above) A piece from the ‘Ruins’ collection
Building a Career in the Arts
After graduating from UCA in 2004, I took up a residency
in Bath where I then set up a studio and have worked hard
to forge a career in the ceramics industry. I regularly run
workshops and enjoy exhibiting all over the country. I have
received some great recognition for my work, including my
‘Ruins’ ceramics collection, which is influenced by media
portrayals of war and destruction and was selected for
the exclusive Royal Academy of Arts Summer Exhibition in
2012 and then shortlisted in 2013. Whilst the imagery that
underpins ‘Ruins’ is often horrific and shocking in nature,
I feel that it possesses a strange beauty and I wanted to
capture this in my work. I use a range of materials including
porcelain and copper to create the pieces, which are multifired and corroded; a process which pushes the materials
to the limits of their fragility. Aside from my sculpture work,
some of my canvas sketches and other porcelain works
have also recently been selected for the Royal West of
England Academy Exhibition (2012, 2013).
I still feel star-struck when attending prestigious
exhibitions. To be in the company of such distinguished
industry figures as Damien Hirst, David Hockney and
Cornelia Parker, whose work has significantly inspired my
artistic development, really brings to light how far I’ve come.
Advice to others
For those wishing to build a career in the art world, the best
advice I could give is to commit unreservedly to doing what
you love. If you’re in it for the money, it’s probably not the
right career for you. Although it’s very possible to make a
living from art, it’s not easy, especially because the galleries
take such high commission rates and the competition is
so high. If you are passionate about what you do, it will be
reflected in your work and this is the greatest reward you
could ask for. Also, being creative with your career as well
as your art can really help. Think of other ways to generate
income aside from selling your art. For example, offering
workshops and tutorials is a great way to supplement your
income.
Most importantly don’t let anything or anyone get in the way
of what you want to achieve. Every time I step into the studio,
I get an amazing feeling and that’s exactly how it should be.
Mary-Jane Evans | Ceramic Art | Creative Update
21
Feature
22
Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update
Feature
S i m o n webster
The
Piano Man
Multi-talented Illustration alumnus Simon Webster
forged a successful career in design before making
the decision to pursue his first love; music. Four
years on, the award-winning, self-taught composer
has released an EP and written scores for some of
the world’s biggest brands and most influential
directors. He was recently commissioned to
compose the soundtrack for ‘A Better Tomorrow’;
a short film sponsored by Lexus and produced
by The Weinstein Company.
Simon Webster
BA (Hons) Illustration
Maidstone, 2006
(left) Simon Webster playing an old upright piano
Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update
23
Feature
I have always had a
keen interest in animation
and Japanese culture,
and I was able to use
these points of reference
when piecing together
the soundtrack
(right)
(1) Image from ‘A Better Tomorrow’
(2) Image from the Peroni Nastro Azzurro ad
(3) Image from ‘A Better Tomorrow’
(4) Image from the Peroni Nastro Azzurro ad
24
Simon Webster | Piano Man | Creative Update
Feature
Whilst studying for a degree in
Illustration at UCA Maidstone, Simon
spent much of his spare time cultivating
his passion for music. Outside of lectures
and studying, he immersed himself in the
rich film culture on campus and regularly
composed soundtracks for student
filmmakers.
He said: “The thing I loved about UCA was the
unlimited potential for creativity it offered. Being
surrounded by highly talented people from a
range of different disciplines meant that I could
develop several different skillsets simultaneously.
Even though my course was in illustration, many
aspects were versatile and highly transferable
which meant that there were a variety of career
paths open to me after graduating.”
After initially pursuing a career in design
following his graduation from UCA in 2006, Simon
soon realised that he would need to commit
wholeheartedly to one practice and devoted
himself to establishing a career as a composer. He
describes working with ‘Seven Pounds’ and ‘The
Pursuit of Happyness’ director Gabriele Muccino
as his first ‘big break’. Commissioned to write the
music for the advertising campaign of worldfamous brewing company Peroni Nastro Azzurro,
Simon was able to draw upon his love of Italian
cinema as he crafted an elegant score which
perfectly complemented the advert’s traditional
cinematography and classic Italian style.
With a world-famous brand and director to add
to his showreel, Simon found that he had an
increased status within the industry and with
people taking notice, more amazing opportunities
soon came his way. In 2013, after several years
of continuing to further strengthen his reputation
as a composer, Simon embarked on one of his
most momentous ventures to date. To support
their ‘Creating Amazing’ brand philosophy, Lexus
enlisted the Weinstein Company to produce five
short films, each by a different innovative director.
Simon was selected to compose the soundtrack
for one of the short films, ‘A Better Tomorrow’;
a charming part live-action part animation piece
which tells the story of two children who are
magically transported on a voyage out of this world
when two captors threaten to steal a miraculous
machine that they have invented.
The opportunity to work on ‘A Better Tomorrow’
was made all the more exciting by the fact that
one of Japan’s top anime directors, Koji Morimoto
was on board, collaborating with award-winning
director Mitsuyo Miyazaki. Simon said: “I have
been lucky to work with some amazing directors
and producers during my career so far, but ‘A
Better Tomorrow’ is definitely up there as one of
the most incredible projects I have worked on. I
have always had a keen interest in animation and
Japanese culture, and I was able to use these
points of reference when piecing together the
soundtrack. Working with directors who are truly
at the forefront of their field was challenging but
they had an ambitious and elaborate concept
which really pushed me to produce some of my
best work.”
Simon has built his career in a niche area of
composition. Although he is sometimes referred
to as ‘the piano man’, he describes his style as
‘contemporary classical crossover with a primary
focus on small ensemble orchestral and piano
music’. He enjoys projects which offer scope
for input and interpretation from a composition
perspective. He admits that this can vary massively
between directors with some having a very firm
brief, whereas others are more open minded. He
said: “There are a lot of different people involved in
the production process and composers generally
have to jump through quite a lot of hoops to try and
ensure that scores fulfil the requirements, across
the board. My main aspiration for my music is for
it to resonate and connect with listeners on an
emotional level and I always try to ensure that
the final versions of my pieces retain their
integrity in this respect.”
25
E
F
I
L LENS
E
H
T
D
N
I
BEH
a highly niche
carved a career in
s
ha
e
sh
al
W
ug
2007. He is
alumnus Do
UCA Farnham in
om
fr
g
tin
Film Production
ua
ad
gr
d on a
ia industry since
ors and has worke
at
er
op
m
ca
di
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-profile productio
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multitude of high
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for smash-hit trac
Doug Walshe
BA (Hons) Film
Production,
Farnham, 2007
(above) Doug shooting the video for LaLaLa by Naughty Boy ft. Sam Smith
26
Doug Walshe | Steadicam Operation | Creative Update
Feature
Despite the undeniable glamour associated with working
alongside famous faces and household names on a daily
basis, Doug is keen to emphasise that there is a lot of hard
work and dedication that goes in being successful in the
field.
He said: “It takes several years to fully train as a steadicam
operator. I was really lucky because I began cleaning
camera equipment for a production company who in return,
let me practice with and rent their equipment for free. With
such a long duration dedicated to training, quite few people
actually manage to become an expert with this piece of
kit. In addition, steadicams are extremely heavy and you
effectively wear them as they’re secured to your body - this
places a lot of strain on your muscles which may also deter
some people from taking up the practice.
“On the other hand, those who do master the skill have
fantastic opportunities available and an edge over other
camera operators. Due to its exclusive capability to respond
intuitively to environments, actors and circumstances,
steadicams produce a smooth effect that is very desirable
and enables complex movements. This means there is a
high demand for operators.”
Doug has been enlisted by a range of famous brands and
faces in recent years and his work has primarily been
featured in commercials, music videos and television
series’. With names like Adidas, Strictly Come Dancing,
Lana Del Ray, Tinie Tempah, O2, Lacoste and Channel 4’s
‘Misfits’ embellishing his showreel, it’s not easy to pick
a favourite. Doug does however, describe working on the
recent music video ‘LaLaLa’ for artist Naughty Boy, as a
venture that was particularly enjoyable.
For the video, which topped the charts in the UK, Doug
collaborated with fellow UCA Farnham alumnus, renowned
director and personal friend, Ian Pons Jewell. The song
received worldwide attention and was nominated for
a variety of prestigious awards. Aside from winning in
both the ‘Best Video’ and ‘Best Song’ categories at the
2013 MOBO Awards, ‘LaLaLa’ also received a nomination
alongside videos from stars such as Justin Timberlake at
the esteemed Cameraimage festival in Poland.
Although he has achieved many great things already,
Doug feels that things are just beginning to really take off
professionally and he has some grand ambitions for the
future. He said: “I think in general it takes around three
years to be established in this industry and this is the first
year of my career where I feel like I am truly part of it all.
I’m in a position now where I have worked on some really
high-profile stuff and things are starting to snowball in
terms of brilliant opportunities coming my way. I have an
on-going working relationship with Ian Pons Jewell that
began during our student days at UCA Farnham and we
have some really exciting ideas in the pipeline, such as a
feature film. In fact, there are a fair few fellow UCA alumni
students who are making it big in the film industry at the
moment and I have really enjoyed working with some of
them.”
In addition to steadicams, Doug often works as a Director
of Photography (DOP), where he contributes to all visual
elements of a production. Occasionally his role requires his
skills as both a DOP and steadicam operator, as was the
case with the Naughty Boy video. On such occasions, Doug
is offered significant scope for creative input – something
which he relishes.
Doug Walshe | Steadicam Operation | Creative Update
(bottom left) Doug shoots Fairy Liquid commercial
(bototm right) Doug (in green) on set in Bolivia
Doug has made a name for himself within a highly
specialised field, with a skill-set that is highly soughtafter by production teams across the media spectrum. His
expertise has enabled him to work with some of the UK’s
most famous brands, biggest stars and most popular TV
shows, which over the last six years has taken him across
the globe to work on a host of exciting projects.
27
Feature
A career at
full speed
Sophie Williamson-Stothert’s career as a motoring
writer has just gone up a gear. In addition to her
new role as a Staff Writer at Car Dealer Magazine,
the ambitious 21-year-old has recently been
officially contracted to write her very first book,
which is due to be published in 2015.
Sophie’s life at the moment is all about managing her workload. In
between her high-pressured full-time role as a motoring journalist
and numerous freelance commitments, she is currently devoting
evenings, weekends and any spare moments she can find to writing
the next chapter of her debut book; ‘BMW MINI: An Enthusiasts
Guide’. For the book, Sophie will pull together a 40,000 word timeline
of the BMW MINI’s history and the links it shares with the iconic
original British version.
She said: “I wanted to write my first book on a subject I have great
passion for, as well as something I’m familiar with. The original Mini
was a huge part of my childhood and teenage days – I learnt to drive
from the age of 10 and was soon behind the wheel of my first raceprepared Mini, which I built with my dad at the age of 12. I raced for
six years before putting my passion on hold to study at university. >
(right) Sophie putting an MX-5
Production Race Car to the test
28
Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update
Feature
I learnt to drive from
the age of 10 and was
soon behind the wheel
of my first race-prepared
Mini, which I built with
my dad at the age of 12
Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update
29
Feature
Sophie WilliamsonStothert
BA Motoring Journalism
Farnham, 2013
(above) Sophie was highly commended by the Guild of Motoring Writers
Although
my life is highly
pressurised and
challenging, I love
what I do and
I feel very
fortunate to be
where I am
30
My first road car was a BMW MINI and I
have just as much interest and passion
for the new modern hatchback as I do the
original, so that’s how I knew this was the
ideal car to write my first book on. A major
part of the book will be the motorsport
section, where I will be exploring and
explaining in detail the connections and
similarities between the Classic Mini and
the BMW MINI on the race track.”
Throughout her studies, Sophie was
determined to be as proactive as possible
in order to gain experience and develop
a strong network of contacts. Within
three months of the start of her BA
(Hons) Motoring Journalism course at
UCA Farnham, she had secured a work
experience placement at Autosport
Magazine, which provided her with great
links to other top titles within the genre.
Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update
She also undertook placements at Clive
Reeves PR Agency and Propel Technology
PR and completed freelance projects
as a motoring correspondent, reporter
and editor for publications including;
Exclusive Magazines, The Bottom Line
Surrey, Autosport and Motorsport news
magazines and Racing Vogue; the British
Women Racing Drivers’ Club magazine.
These opportunities proved invaluable for
Sophie’s career development and soon
after graduating in 2013 she was able to
secure a permanent role as Staff Writer at
Car Dealer Magazine. A short while later
she was introduced to a commissioning
editor through her network of contacts;
a meeting which ultimately led to her
book deal.
Feature
Being officially commissioned as an author
has been a momentous accomplishment for
Sophie and she has big aspirations for the
future, which include writing more books,
even perhaps outside of the motoring genre.
She said: “I have many hobbies and interests
and a lot of goals for the future. One of these
is to enter the world of television and to
write many more books on the subject of the
automotive and motorsport industry. I also
have strong interests in history and creative
writing, both of which I hope to gradually
build into my career. Although my life is highly
pressurised and challenging, I love what I do
and I feel very fortunate to be where I am.”
(above) Sophie at Red Bull (Formula 1)
Sophie’s contributions to the motoring
industry are already being recognised and
rewarded, with recent accolades including;
being highly commended by the Guild of
Motoring Writers’ Sir William Lyons Award
for young motoring writers in 2012, winning
a UCA William Cobbett Award in the print
category and a nomination in the ‘Rising Stars’
category at the 2013 Headlineauto Awards.
Having recently been asked to be a patron
of ‘WOMAC’ (Women On The Move Against
Cancer), a fundraising association made
up of over 45 female volunteers from the
automotive and associated industries, Sophie
is even more keen to encourage others to
follow in her footsteps and see their gender
not as a deterrent but instead, an opportunity.
She said: “The one piece of advice I would
give is to completely forget the stereotypes
and put to the back of your mind that you
are a minority. In my experience, it’s your
expertise and dedication that will determine
how far you go and how much respect you will
get. Don’t feel like you are on the back foot,
because you’re not. If it’s something that you
really want to do then there should be nothing
holding you back. Whether you are a man or
a woman, breaking into this industry is hard
and takes a massive amount of hard work and
perseverance, but it is well worth it!”
(above) Sophie has always been passionate about the Mini
(above) Sophie accepting the UCA William Cobbett award
Sophie Williamson-Stothert | Motoring Journalism | Creative Update
31
(right) Image from the Santa Muerte collection
Feature
32
Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update
exp
r
05/14
MEXI
so
servi
Io
es
c
Feature
CO
2010 MA Photography graduate Angus Fraser
is undertaking his third trip to Mexico as
part of his long-term photography project
‘Santa Muerte’ – a visual examination of an
infamous Mexican cult.
Angus Fraser
MA Photography
Rochester, 2010
Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update
33
I am writing this from the Hidalgo
region, where my third (and final) visit
to Mexico is almost complete. The
temperature is a mild 21 degrees at
6am in the morning as I prepare for
another busy day of documenting the
people and places of Santa Muerte. My
translator and I, along with our driver,
are preparing for a two hour journey to visit a remote
roadside shrine where a Santa Muerte oration will be
taking place. By the end of this 18 hour day, I hope to have
captured many more aspects of this fascinating folk saint.
I want the images that I produce to speak for themselves,
as an accurate representation and unique insight into a
culture which we know relatively little about. It is then up
to the viewer to draw their own conclusions and inferences;
positive, negative or neutral.
I have been working on the ‘Santa Muerte’ project for two
years now as part of my wider photographic investigation
into representations of death through the medium of
photography. This particular branch of research was
initiated during my MA at UCA Rochester, when I was
examining both secular and religious shrines.
As with any culture, there are examples of people who take
religious principles to an extreme level and although there
were few incidents of this that I have witnessed, these could
be said to give negative perceptions of Santa Muerte some
credibility.
Santa Muerte or ‘Saint Death’ is a Mexican cult which has
gained an infamous reputation, born primarily from its
close associations with some undesirable elements of
Mexican culture.
After conducting some research, I was intrigued by
the elusive and mysterious nature of this sub-culture
and decided to conduct a long-term examination of the
people behind the headlines. I wanted to investigate their
motivations, psyche and experiences through my camera,
from an unbiased perspective and I realised that this could
only be achieved by immersing myself in their world.
No textbooks, websites or travel magazines could have
replicated the things that I have experienced during my
three visits to Mexico. The vibrancy, noise, sights and
smells of the culture are inimitable and have given me a
truly authentic insight into Santa Muerte.
Booking a plane ticket to Mexico was straightforward but
infiltrating a culture that operates on the periphery of a
society, and which the dominant Mexican Catholic Church
regard as satanic, was more of a challenge. I undertook a
massive amount of research prior to each visit and found
a fantastic translator who helped me to arrange meetings
with many Santa Muerte members. This enabled me to gain
unprecedented access to various places of significance.
Despite the negative media portrayals and sensationalist
reporting often featured in the American press, I have
approached the project from a neutral stand-point;
unprejudiced and unbiased. It’s important to stress that I
have no intention to impress any of my personal opinions
or emotions onto the work in this collection.
34
Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update
Throughout my time with the devotees of Santa Muerte, I
feel I have been able to develop a comprehensive insight
into their lives. With access to their families, homes, sacred
shrines and even prison cells, I have been able to capture
how they really live and through photography, allow them to
express their relationship with their beliefs.
For the most part though, the people I have met have been
warm and welcoming and part of a community of people
who have formed a sub-culture in response to exclusion
by the dominant religious system. This is not to say that
the negative perceptions so heavily associated with Santa
Muerte are completely unfounded, but more that perhaps
there are segments of the community who experience the
cult in a less sinister capacity than common representations
give credit for.
Through my photography, I believe the striking normality of
many of the families who I have come into contact with has
been portrayed.
The work that I produced from my first two trips to Mexico
has been well received and I am thrilled that the project
has already gained an assortment of prestigious accolades.
One portrait from the collection was selected for the Taylor
Wessing Photographic Prize at the National Portrait Gallery
in London and is being exhibited for three months, before
it will tour the country. During 2013, the project was also
selected for the prominent Arles Photography Festival in
France and China House in Malaysia.
When I arrive back in the UK, I will devote a considerable
amount of time to sorting through the 80GB or so worth
of images and 80 sheets of 5x4 negative film that I have
produced during this trip in order to complete ‘Santa
Muerte’. I have used a combination of large-format
analogue equipment and high-end medium format digital kit
during this project and therefore there are time-consuming
procedures which take place after the photographs have
been taken in order to ready them for public viewing.
My ultimate goal is to produce a book and secure a solo
exhibition to showcase ‘Santa Muerte’ in its entirety.
I want the
images that I
produce to speak
for themselves,
as an accurate
representation and
unique insight into
a culture which we
know relatively little
about.
(above) Images from the Santa Muerte collection
Angus Fraser | Postcard from Mexico | Creative Update
35
Feature
Art Therapy
UCA has awarded ‘The Elfriede Windsor Scholarship’
to Deborah Humm, who has used art to help her come
to terms with a medical condition.
Deborah Humm has a fascinating
relationship with art, which is helping
her to gain a greater understanding
of her multiple sclerosis (MS)
condition on a personal, public
and even scientific level.
She has recently been awarded a
scholarship to progress her studies to
MA level and is now mid-way through
her first year of the MA Fine Art course
at UCA Canterbury, which she has
opted to do part-time.
Art became a vehicle of expression for
Deborah during her foundation degree
at UCA in 2006, which was around
the same time she began feeling
unwell. Her symptoms continued to
worsen during her BA (Hons) degree
yet the cause was still unknown, so
she decided to take a break from her
studies following the completion of her
second year. She returned to her final
year on a part-time basis in 2011 and
it was during this time that she was
diagnosed with multiple sclerosis.
The highly creative nature of her
studies offered a method through
which Deborah could visually
36
articulate the frustrations of living with
neurological symptoms, something
which she has found cathartic and
beneficial. She said: “The last few
years have been really challenging
but I have found significant emotional
relief through art. By creating external
representations of the internal
miscommunications I suffer from, I’ve
been able to express my symptoms and
feelings, which has helped me to come
to terms with my condition.
I have also found that my art has
helped others to better relate to MS
and comprehend the frustration which
arises from the disparity between
muscular and neurological capabilities.
It also brought to light the realisation
that everybody struggles with physical
and mental difficulties in one way or
another, and in this respect I hope that
my work can help to connect people.”
During her BA, Deborah developed
a strong interest in investigating
the relationship between art and
science and her work explored this
issue in innovative and intriguing
ways. Her final project comprised of
two components; ‘Loss of Signal?’
Deborah Humm | Elfriede Windsor Scholarship | Creative Update
and ‘DEF*GABC*D’. Both pieces
were designed to heighten people’s
awareness of the frustration,
miscommunication and randomness
of MS symptoms.
Loss of Signal? is a large scale piece
which forces whole body movement
and coordination as the participant
navigates a length of a straight pipe
with a hoop connected to an electric
circuit. With each point of connection
a buzzer is sounded which signals
failure to complete the task correctly
or completely, evoking feelings of
frustration, perseverance and a sense
of being watched.
DEF*GABC*D required participants
to listen to the scale of D major,
which lasts for six minutes, on a
looping soundtrack. Throughout the
experience, listeners gradually pick
up on the subtle eccentricities, skips
and mistakes which are an integral
part of a scale that on first impressions
seems straight-forward, pleasant and
simplistic. The resulting emotions
experienced are annoyance, irritation
and frustration.
Feature
Deborah Humm
MA Fine Art,
Canterbury, current
student
(above) A piece from Deborah’s A Moment series
I have also found that my art has helped others to better relate to MS
and comprehend the frustration which arises from the disparity between
muscular and neurological capabilities
Following the completion of
DEF*GABC*D, Deborah was able
to collaborate with the MS Therapy
Centre to further expand its reach.
She is very interested in the continued
development of the piece through her
MA as she progresses her research into
her areas of interest. She hopes to join
forces with neurologists and scientific
research bodies to help deepen her
understanding and strengthen the
potential influence of her findings.
She said: “UCA have been amazing
and without their continued support
and the help of the scholarship I’m not
sure I would be where I am today. Upon
graduating from my MA, I am aiming to
be at a level where I have substantial
research and experience which will
enable me to hopefully secure grants
to fund future projects as my practice
continues to evolve.”
Aside from her MA, Deborah has also
recently written an article for the arts
organisation the ‘AXNS collective’,
which is due to be published within
their journal. She is also in the early
stages of a collaborative initiative
with the Anne Rowling Regenerative
Neurology Clinic in Edinburgh, as part
of which her work may be displayed on
a long-term basis.
About the Elfriede Windsor
Scholarship
Funded by the Estelle
Trust, the Elfriede Windsor
Scholarship offers financial
support to outstanding
students progressing to a UCA
postgraduate course in fine art
or ceramics.
Elfriede Windsor, who died
in 2010, ran Farnham’s New
Ashgate Gallery for 20 years.
The scholarship that bears her
name seeks to continue her
work in helping artists reach
their creative potential.
Deborah Humm | Elfriede Windsor Scholarship | Creative Update
37
Feature
Simon Baker
BA (Hons) Film & Video
(left) Night Bus official poster
Farnham, 1996
38
Simon Baker | Night Bus | Creative Update
(left) Night Bus official poster
Feature
Following a high-profile commercial career, director Simon Baker
turned his attention to making a feature film. He is now on the
verge of completing his entirely self-funded project ‘Night Bus’.
Simon is currently in the post-production phase of Night
Bus, which is due to be fully completed in early 2014. The
film is already attracting interest and attention from a
collection of film fans, festivals and major international
distribution companies.
A genuine example of independent filmmaking, Night Bus
has been entirely self-funded by Simon, who has called in
a decade of favours from his network of industry contacts
and used ground-breaking directorial techniques to turn
his dream into reality.
The film takes place on one of London’s night buses
during one evening and centres on the lives, emotions
and interactions of its charismatic passengers. Simon has
approached the project from a unique angle as a director,
allowing unprecedented scope for the actors to interpret
and cultivate their characters. He said: “It’s the actors
who have really brought Night Bus to life. Instead of their
performances being heavily scripted and managed, I
encouraged them to develop identities for their characters;
to facilitate organic interactions, based on rough plot lines
and topics of conversation.
“I was amazed by what was achieved. Each actor devoted a
considerable amount of time into shaping their character’s
profile, considering every facet of their personality and
lives. The result is an incredibly realistic portrayal of
the encounters and interconnected lives of a group of
Londoners. Such was the quality of the acting that if I hadn’t
used movie-quality cameras; I think I might have had a hard
time convincing people that Night Bus is a feature film and
not a feature-length documentary.”
Aside from his intensive commitments as a director, Simon
is also currently managing the marketing and promotion of
the film – an aspect that will demand increasing amounts
of time and energy as the project nears completion. He has
high hopes for Night Bus, which has already attracted the
interest of some big production companies. He would like
to see it screened at some well-regarded film festivals and
hopefully secure a distribution deal which would see the
film available in theatres, on DVD and downloadable online.
Although Night Bus is Simon’s first feature film, he is
an experienced director with a successful commercial
background behind him. After graduating in 1996, he
started out as a runner before moving on to online editing.
In exchange for producing a showreel for a production
company, Simon was able to pitch ideas for music videos
and his big break came when one was picked up and he
directed the video for a band.
From this point his career really began to snowball and
over the next ten years or so, Simon established himself
within the industry, making music videos for artists such
as; Barry White, UB40, Matt Goss, Peter Andre and Martine
McCutcheon, and below-the-line advertisements for brands
including Ford and Nokia.
Most recently Simon was commissioned by Channel 4 to
direct two series of 20 short films for the 2012 London
Paralympic Games. The films, which each lasted sixtyseconds, were screened in a primetime slot and received a
host of online views, awards and positive reviews, which led
to even more exciting projects. He is now focused on making
Night Bus a success and showcasing his skills within the
feature film sector to enable him to undertake similar and
perhaps larger-scale projects in the future.
Simon Baker | Night Bus | Creative Update
39
Memories
C eleb rat i n g
Kent’s Art School
Heritage
David Haste, former Head of Fine
Art at Canterbury College of Art
and the Kent Institute of Art and
Design has recently published a
book, ‘The Art Schools of Kent’
documenting the county’s vibrant
art school heritage. He talks to
Creative Update about the project.
David Haste, Former Head of Fine Art
The schools
memories
became idealised
40
havens of free
expression
and unlimited
ambition
Hundreds of government sponsored art
schools were established across the
UK in the latter half of the 19th century.
Apart from London’s renowned art
schools and those in large metropolitan
centres, which are well documented,
this extensive network of ‘provincial’ art
schools has been ignored. Although they
shared similar forms of organisation and
curriculum, all of these schools deserve
to be individually portrayed and their
specific histories identified through the
generations of students and teachers
who knew them.
To fulfil all of this and include the detail
and focus demanded, I chose to tell the
art school story through the example
of one county, and one which I had
come to know very well after a long art
school career - Kent. By 1900 Kent had
over twenty-five government sponsored
art schools. My book celebrates their
entire life cycle over two centuries, from
inception to closure and in so doing
defines the ‘English art school’, a unique
institution upon which all nationally
approved art schools were modelled.
David Haste
Art Schools |ofCreative
Kent | Update
Creative Update
Alison
Dilnutt| The
| Photography
Prior to the advent of these schools and
apart from privately funded academies,
professional artists supplemented
their patchy incomes through freelance
art teaching as drawing masters, who
personified the normal ‘art education’
of the day. Mid 19th century Britain
spawned few industrial designers,
and the lack of any suitable training
created an economic problem for the
Board of Trade. After a lamentable
beginning, some ‘design schools’ were
set up but rancour and hedonism
thwarted any progress. That was until
the entire enterprise was handed over
to the administrator of the 1851 Great
Exhibition, that eminent civil servant and
Prince Albert confidante, Henry Cole,
who established a South Kensington
empire that created hundreds of ‘art
schools’ countrywide and in every Kent
town.
The official, original and often repeated
justification for establishing art
schools was to teach designers, with
an emphasis on ornamentation, not
artists. Such vocational training seemed
ill-defined at the time and eventually
their initial mandate gave way and the
schools veered towards ‘art’ to satisfy
aesthetic appetites and the increasing
need for art teachers. Across the years,
the art school curriculum shifted
across prevailing fashions, idioms and
ideologies whilst conforming to set
codes and ‘national standards’ policed
and funded by local and national
governments through formal inspections.
Memories
With their broad appeal across both
genders and all classes, art schools
were social melting pots and became
renowned for a distinctive, celebrated and
legendary culture. All of which embraced
the seductive mysteries of ‘the life class’,
the veneration of drawing and craft skills,
the nourishment of artistic aspirations,
formulation of architecture and design
studies, articled apprenticeships, and
the training of art teachers but above all,
turning working class ‘Jacks’ and middle
class ‘Jills’ and countless ‘characters’ in
between, into professional creators: all
of this as well as the distinctive status of
being ‘art students’, staging events and
exhibitions, holding parties and dances
and claiming their art school to be the ‘best
club in town’.
Kent’s previous art school abundance was
reduced to three colleges, Canterbury,
Maidstone and Rochester [Medway].
All three flourished as independent art
colleges until the late eighties when they
combined to form the Kent Institute of
Art and Design. Whilst retaining each
original campus, their corporate status
was enhanced as was the recruitment
and ambition at all three locations as they
celebrated the ‘degree’ cultures in art and
design and associated specialised crafts.
All of which accompanied widespread
ambitions, which, together with a
nationally led institutional reorientation
of higher education, led to an eventual
merger with the Surrey Institute and the
creation of the University for the Creative
Arts.
After being called ‘front-line art schools’
during the Second World War, the
Kent art schools soon rejuvenated and
expanded four-fold. In the following years
with many more students, expansive
budgets and lots of teaching, together
with smart diplomas, colourful dreams
and successive pop youth cultures, the
schools became idealised havens of free
expression and unlimited ambition. Such
enrichment was characteristic of the art
schools but it was not to last: eventually
the Kent art schools fell victim to a
remorseless cull. Within two decades
My story of ‘The Art Schools of Kent’ is
about ‘art schools’ so naturally I conclude
the narrative at this point but do so by
stating an innate belief in the endemic
value of art education and its assured
continuity, as has been realised across
the centuries in successive incarnations
whether as workshops, academies or art
schools. I am confident that, after all the
many recent and fundamental changes,
art education remains fully engaged and
is poised for a successful future through
new and different institutions.
(below) The three KIAD colleges
(above) The Art Schools of
Kent black and white drawing
By 1900 Kent
had over twentyfive government
sponsored art
schools
Advice
Jemima Marriott
BA (Hons) Photography
& Media
Maidstone, 2006
M a x imum
Ex posure
Photographer Jemima Marriott
offers some advice on how to get
noticed in the competitive
world of fashion photography.
Alumna Jemima Marriott
has worked hard to make
a name for herself as a
fashion photographer
since graduating in 2006.
Her work has appeared
in many publications and
she regularly works with
some of the UK’s top modelling agencies. Here,
she shares some of her experiences to give those
wishing to pursue a similar career a unique insight
into the industry.
Be Inspired
I owe everything to the technicians and tutors who
taught me throughout my Photography & Media
course at UCA Maidstone. Fashion is a creative
industry first and foremost and it is important that
your environment and the people around you inspire
you to reach your potential and create your best work.
Personally, I find that nature, particularly the coast,
has a significant influence on my art. Not just in
a purely practical sense but also from a creative,
spiritual and psychological perspective. Ironically,
I find that creating some headspace by spending
time outside of the studio environment can actually
stimulate my creative thoughts and ideas. Being
immersed in an environment with different sights,
smells and sounds really opens my mind artistically.
Build Your Network
You really can’t underestimate the importance of
networking. Get to know the publications really well
and use their social media pages to keep up to date
with their latest activity. If you see work you like,
make a note of the person responsible and contact
them. Magazine launches and fashion events, such
as London Fashion Week, are another great way
of making contacts. Be bold and confident when
approaching people and really get stuck in. My top
networking tip is to be organised. I have created
a database of industry contacts and magazine
information which allows me to be methodical with
broadening my network and helps me to keep track
of industry events, editorial schedules and notable
figures. After meeting people, communication is
key. Keep in touch, nurture the relationships and
keep your name out there. Make sure you are
the first person they think of when they need a
photographer. >
Jemima Marriott | Fashion Photography | Creative Update
advice
(left) Cover image from a shoot for Exalt magazine
Advice
43
Advice
Find a Mentor
Whilst building your network, you will meet
countless people. If you meet someone who really
inspires you, invest time and energy into building
a relationship with them. I am fortunate to have
a couple of mentors, who have both held highstanding positions within the media sector. The
advice, support and opportunities that they have
given me has been invaluable and has really helped
to progress my career.
Stand Out from the Crowd
Promote your unique qualities, things that will
differentiate you from the crowd. For example, I like
to develop personal relationships with the models
who feature in my shoots. I find that a genuine
connection built between the photographer and the
model is conveyed through the medium and this
enhances the sense of authenticity and realism of
the work. Another attribute synonymous with my
work is the sole emphasis on the model. I feel that
a lack of background distractions really accentuates
the beauty and emotion of the model and this
contributes to a dramatic and striking aesthetic
impression. Have a good think about what makes
your work inimitable and use this to set yourself apart.
Create a Team
You can greatly enhance your value to potential
employers by working as part of a strong team.
Find models, assistants, stylists, set designers and
technicians who you’ve enjoyed working with and
do projects together whenever possible. Be creative
when putting a team together, there are lots of
very talented fashion students and graduates out
there who want to gain practical experience and
people are more willing to help than you may think.
I currently have three UCA Rochester students
who work with me and they’re great. If your team
consistently impresses the right people, your diary
will soon fill up.
Climb the Ladder
The industry is highly competitive and it’s unlikely
that your big break will come straight away. At
first, focus on building your portfolio and making
valuable contacts. You can also apply to be an
assistant. This will help you to gain great industry
exposure and experience and you could make some
really valuable contacts. You are also much more
likely to get some great experience early-on in
your career by approaching the less high-profile
modelling agencies and publications. Forging a
career in this industry doesn’t happen overnight
and you will have to be resilient as you are likely to
encounter knock-backs. This happens to everyone
and you shouldn’t let it deter you but instead make
you determined to prove your worth.
Experiment but know when to say ‘No’
Be brave with your photography and always
challenge yourself artistically. Fashion pushes
boundaries and this can result in the production
of some controversial work. Have a strong sense
of your own morality when it comes to your
involvement with controversy. Never be involved
in something which makes you uncomfortable and
could potentially damage your credibility but at the
same time try not to always ‘play it safe’. Working
on convention-challenging and thought-provoking
projects which tend to gain a lot of publicity, can
help to showcase you as a pioneer.
(left) Cover image from a shoot for SYN magazine
Advice
“
Working on
convention-challenging
and thought-provoking
projects which tend
to gain a lot of publicity,
can help to showcase
you as a pioneer
(above) One of Jemimas’ images
”
Jemima Marriott | Fashion Photography | Creative Update
45
Advice
Taking Care of
Business
2011 MBA Creative Industries Management alumna Florence
Harmelin offers five top tips for making creative businesses a success.
Florence has a strong background in business,
which has been supplemented by her experience
as a self-employed hand-weaver. Through her
current role as a Programme Manager of ‘New
Creative Projects’ at SPACE studios and her
advice and support network ‘The Network of
Atoms’, Florence utilises her expertise on a daily
basis to help creative businesses to prosper. Here
she shares five top tips:
01
Florence Harmelin
MBA Creative
Industries Management,
Rochester, 2011
46
Florence Harmelin | Business Success | Creative Update
02
Understand your business from the outside-in
I have met a lot of really talented creatives who
are great at describing their business from
the inside-out but not so strong when it comes
to understanding how things appear from an
outsider’s perspective. It’s essential to be able to
bridge the gap between what you offer and what
others need if your business is going to succeed.
Devote time to understanding where you fit into
the industry and who your clients will be.
Be comfortable talking about what you do
You are likely have a great understanding of your
own practice but you need to be able to effectively
communicate this to others too. Whilst creative
terminology and inspirational descriptions are
suitable for some circumstances, you will need
to be comfortable with delivering a more generic,
concise and transparent explanation for business
purposes.
Advice
03
Be versatile
In a sense you need to develop a variety of different
personas to enable each element of your business
to operate effectively and efficiently. Running a
business will require you to wear many different
hats and just as we do in our everyday lives, it’s
important to be versatile so that you can adapt to
each role.
Creating an amazing product or service is just one
piece of the business puzzle and it’s important
to realise that thriving commercially is virtually
impossible unless you embrace the fact that
there are a whole set of business needs and
requirements that you will need to manage.
05
04
Keep track of your financial situation
Keep track of your financial situation from the
word go, as this will save you a lot of confusion,
stress and time down the line. Develop a basic
system to easily record your outgoings, revenue,
profits and losses, and maintain an organised filing
system for your invoices and receipts.
Have a clear understanding of what you want to
achieve over a three year period and what you will
need to do in order to accomplish these goals.In
the early stages, outline the amount you want to
pay yourself and what your business costs are as
this should give you a good indication of the level
of sales you will need to make to ensure that your
business is sustainable.
Use the tools available to increase your profile
There are a wealth of resources and tools out
there to enhance the exposure of your business.
By taking care of the basics, you won’t feel too
overwhelmed and you can start enjoying the
benefits right away. Once you have found your feet,
you can progress to more advanced promotional
techniques.
To begin, make sure that your website tells people
clearly what they want to know. Your ‘about’ and
‘contact’ pages should be clear and full of useful
information – making it as easy as possible for
people to reach you. Also ensure that you use your
website to showcase your work by including case
studies and an attractive selection of images.
In addition, it’s advantageous to have a social
media presence and ensure that your work is
featured on reputable online platforms dedicated
to your specialist practice.
For additional help, support and advice on these
issues please take a look at the sources below:
Help for start-ups:
http://www.startupbritain.co | https://www.enterprisenation.com | http://www.hmrc.gov.uk/webinars/index.htm On Creating & Growing your Creative Business
http://www.thedesigntrust.co.uk | http://www.artquest.org.uk/articles/view/primer
http://www.davidparrish.com/dp/uploads/TShirtsAndSuits_AGuideToTheBusinessOfCreativity_DavidParrish.pdf
Florence Harmelin | Business Success | Creative Update
47
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