Mar 2015 Creative Spotlight Soviet Ghosts Insights and advice from Capturing decaying and 11 the crafts industry abandoned buildings on camera Aleksy Marcinów Jake Denham The ins and outs of being Visualising multimillion pound a tattoo artist yachts in Monaco

CREATIVE UPDATE 02 Contents Welcome 03

Latest News 04 Below Still from ‘Thor: The Dark World’, Walt Jamie Seal 08 Disney Studios Motion The Power of Documentary Pictures 2013

Aleksy Marcinów 12 Making My Mark Welcome Ella Gregory 16 It’s a Bloggers Life UCA Alumni Team Graphic Design & Art Direction by UCA Miriam Abou-Shehada 20 to Issue 11 Angela Chadwick alumni She Was Only Behind the Scenes Head of Corporate shewasonly.co.uk Communications Emma Wakley 22 Welcome to Issue 11 of Creative Update! We never fail to be inspired Emily Cooper Printed by Asendia. Child’s Play by the diverse range of careers enjoyed by our graduates, following Alumni Relations their time with us. This issue has seen us interview a fine artist who is Thara Sukumaran Cover illustration by Hanna Marie Hutchison 24 thriving in the world of tattoo artistry, a yacht interiors specialist based Database Officer Margaux Carpentier Dressing the Stars in Monaco, through to a social entrepreneur helping facilitate creative Carys Waters enterprise in the Solomon Islands. Art colleges have a unique history of Press & PR Officer Robert Sae-Heng 28 not only equipping students with technical skills, but also helping shape Tim Pilgrim Sketches & Sombreros an individual creative vision that can be applied to any sector, in any part Press & PR Officer of the world. Margaux Carpentier 32 As increased university fees serve to discourage prospective [email protected] Wild Side students from following their passions and true interests at university, it is more important than ever for arts institutions like us to confidently www.ucreative.ac.uk Jake Denham 36 communicate the myriad of benefits that creative degrees bring to Monaco Dream individuals, businesses and society. The creative sector has seen unprecedented growth and the creative industries are now worth more Rebecca Litchfield 40 than £76.9 billion each year. But the economic value is only one tiny Soviet Ghosts aspect - how can we possibly quantify the enjoyment, stimulation and even happiness brought to us by filmmakers, Liz Reece 44 artists, journalists and designers? Stitch by Stitch With this in mind, we’ve recently updated our visual identity to better reflect our art school heritage. The logo you see in this magazine BFI Reunion 46 was created for us by Spin who, inspired by the studio-based learning across our campuses, used a graphical representation of stencils as the Obituaries 47 building block of the new identity. The stencils can be used to create a fixed version of the logo, but they can also be used in more playful ways. Creative Spotlight 48 As a creative university, we felt it important to extend the idea of visual Crafts identity far beyond the creation of a corporate logo. While it’s very early days, we’re incredibly excited about experimenting with the new identity and applying it creatively across different forms. We’d love to hear your views on either the updated look, or the content in this issue of Creative Update. If you have a story, or even just a suggestion of a topic you’d like to see covered, don’t hesitate to get in touch.

The UCA Alumni Team [email protected] 04 News News 05

Apple name graduate’s UCA students work Godus in ‘Best of 2014’ Fashion graduate with London’s secures job at Riverside Studios Ted Baker Industry giant Apple has Master of Architecture and MA Urban announced ‘Godus’, a mobile Design students from UCA have ‘god game’ created by been working with Riverside Studios graduate Jack Attridge, as one in Hammersmith on its planned of their ‘Best of 2014.’ redevelopment, due to open in late 2017. ‘Godus’ stormed the Apple charts when it was With one group of students developing released on the iPhone and proposals for the new building and another iPad during the summer of group looking at ways that the arts and 2014, taking the top spot in 35 media centre can continue to engage countries. It has also recently the public whilst the studios are closed been released on Android, for redevelopment, the project focused achieving over a million Sophie Moore, who studied Fashion environment was fantastic. When they told on the role of the arts and culture within downloads during its first Atelier at Rochester, has secured a role the group that me and another had got the urban transformation processes and gave week of release. as Design Admin Assistant at Ted Baker placement, I couldn’t believe it - I was so the students the chance to work with “Considering how many just a few months after graduating. grateful and excited.” Riverside Studios as a real client. developers are making games Sophie interned with the womenswear “The project was treated as a live student Aaron. “In order to maintain that for mobile platforms it is Her Ted Baker journey began when she design team in June and then shortly project,” explained MArch student connection, we created an initiative called quite an honour!” said Jack, won a competition whilst completing her after, she was interviewed for the Design Catherine Griffiths. “We were able #RiversideMemories.” 25, who graduated from BA degree, giving her the chance to intern at Admin Assistant role. The next morning, to listen to the views of the different As a digital platform where members (Hons) Film Production at UCA TedQuarters, the Ted Baker headquarters Sophie received a call from TedQuarters stakeholders, and use them to drive our of the public can share their experiences Farnham in 2012. in London. to say that they wanted her to start right designs. We presented our projects to of Riverside Studios, #RiversideMemories “I’ve always had the Originating from UCA Fashion away. She now helps the design team with them upon completion and it was a unique works as a photographic archive and also highest admiration for Apple Atelier’s industry contacts at Ted Baker, computer-aided design (CAD) and works opportunity and an experience which I aims to develop a programme of events as one of the most innovative the competition was created exclusively with product coordinators and garment really enjoyed.” during various phases of the development. companies in the world so for UCA students and required them to technologists, whilst also carrying out Catherine was part of the group that The project attracted the attention of it is fantastic to have their design a capsule collection for the Ted factory communications. focused on the “time of hibernation” - the celebrities on twitter, including Keith support. Throughout the Baker customer. She said: “I never thought I’d be in this years that Riverside Studios will be closed Lemon, Jack Whitehall and Frankie Boyle. development of ‘Godus’ I “The collection I designed and situation and I feel so lucky to be working to the public. Her proposal was for the Aaron and Emilio also developed the Top Riverside Studios have had the pleasure of presented was based upon a royal within such a great company and with studios to collaborate with artists of Park hoarding project, which was designed to Steps by Vasileios meeting with them on various appointment, with consideration as to amazing people. It sounds a bit soppy but Royal to create a strong community and celebrate the last few days of the Riverside Mamaloukos occasions, yet they are very what a Ted’s girl might wear to meet the I really couldn’t have done it without the provide culture during the new studio Studios’ building before its demolition. secretive so it was a lovely Queen,” explained Sophie. support of my family and friends and the construction. The students are currently developing the Above Riverside Memories surprise to be considered a A selected group of students visited great staff on the Fashion Atelier course. Aaron Bright and Emilio Koutsoftides hoarding project further with Riverside by Aaron Bright & Emilio highlight in 2014.” TedQuarters to present their work to the They were always there when I needed also worked on creating ideas to engage Studios. Koutsoftides Jack now hopes his latest Head of Womenswear and the Senior them and work so incredibly hard to make the public during the redevelopment. upcoming game, ‘The Trail’, Womenswear Designer - who is now the course what it is. It is one of the best “The physical connection between For more information about the history and can repeat ‘Godus’ huge Sophie’s boss. decisions I made, to take a degree in Riverside Studios and the community the redevelopment of Riverside Studios, success when it’s released Sophie added: “Just the experience of Fashion Atelier.” is now dislocated,” explained MArch please visit: www.riversidestudios.co.uk over the coming months. going there and seeing the building and 06 News News 07

Uncovering Butlins’ Alumni enjoy exciting private adult parties Photographer Anna Fox, award season who has gone from Farnham student to Farnham professor over the course of an illustrious career, has released a new UCA research book exploring the world of Butlins’ private adult parties. Resort 2, which was Meanwhile, film graduate Hong excellence recently featured by The Khaou narrowly missed out on the gong Guardian, follows on for an Outstanding Debut By A British from 2013’s Resort 1 and Writer, Director or Producer, when his film recognised documents Butlins’ raucous ‘Lilting’ was pipped to the prize by David ‘after-hours’ parties in Anna’s Livingston’s ‘Pride’. ‘Lilting’, which was also trademark deeply saturated, nominated for three British Independent UCA has been recognised for its represent the longstanding strengths colourful style. Film Awards (BIFA), opened the 2014 creative arts research in the Research of our research and practice, which Shot largely in 2009 Sundance Film Festival, where it picked up Excellence Framework (REF), with 64% inform the experience of students on all and 2010, Resort 2 uncovers the prize for Best Cinematography. of UCA’s submission classed as world- our courses. When compared with other a carnival world of Elvis’ Away from the silver-screen, there leading and internationally excellent specialist creative arts institutions, we are and zombies, attended by was a Visual Effects Society (VES) Awards in terms of originality, significance very pleased to have been so highly placed.” thousands of work-weary nomination for Computer Animated and rigour, and 93% recognised for its UCA demonstrated the strength revellers looking to let their Arts graduate Amar Chundavadra, who quality internationally. of its creative arts research practice, hair down several times a year. was nominated in the Outstanding with particular strengths in Fine Art and The book marks the latest Performance of an Animated Character REF 2014 assesses the quality and impact Photography, alongside the longstanding release in a wide ranging in a Commercial, Broadcast Program, of the research at UK higher education impact of its international centres, career which has seen Anna The year got off to a flying start with or Video Game category, for his work institutions and also is used by HEFCE including The Anglo-Japanese Textiles travel around the world UCA’s alumni picking up a host of animating the character of Sheldon in the (Higher Education Funding Council for Research Centre, directed by Professor recording stories from areas as nominations and awards. Freesat Freetime Adverts. England) to allocate research funding Lesley Millar MBE (‘Lost in Lace’ pictured diverse as offices, oil rigs, and On the night Amar was up against for 2015-16. above left), The Crafts Study Centre, traditional folk festivals. In the world of film, UCA’s former students ‘Game of Thrones’’ Drogon the Dragon UCA contributed 104 outputs to directed by Professor Simon Olding, and the In 1999 she covered the went into the BAFTA Film Awards with and John Lewis’ Monty the Penguin, but the assessment including exhibitions, Centre for Sustainable Design, directed by unusual Dutch tradition of no fewer than three nominations, with ultimately the award went to SSE’s Maya buildings, ceramics, photographic Professor Martin Charter. Zwarte Piet, a November former Foundation student Chris Wilder the Orangutan. collections, films, essays, books and As well as helping HEFCE to allocate festival celebrating the up against BA Animation graduate Marcus There was also small-screen success commissioned reports, from a total of 33 funding, the assessment provides arrival by boat of Santa Claus Armitage in an alumni battle for the Best for TV Production alumni Lauren researchers across the university. accountability for the benefits of (Sintaklaas) and his companion Short Animation award. Woodfall (pictured above right) and Above Dr Simon Ofield-Kerr, UCA’s investment, the results acts as important Black Peter (Zwarte Piet). Chris Wilder, who worked as a stop- Lauren Howard, who are through to the Ella at the PANDORA Vice-Chancellor said: “The REF benchmarking information about the More recently Anna has motion animator on the film ‘The Bigger Royal Television Society (RTS) National factory, credit PANDORA 2014 assessment has recognised the research performance in the UK. worked extensively across Picture’, reigned victorious to claim the Awards after winning the London Region international significance and impact India and Africa, curated an gong alongside the film’s director Daisy Award for the documentary ‘Finding of creative researchers at UCA. For more information on UCA’s research, exhibition in a Latvian castle, Jacobs. The film was also nominated for Serenity’. Five more films could add to Our submission and the significant please visit www.ucreative.ac.uk/ and shot an EP cover for an Academy Award, securing Chris a seat this haul when the RTS South Region achievement of such strong scores research-uca London-based band Goldfrapp. at this years Oscars. winners are announced in March. 08 Feature Jamie Seal 09 Left Jamie making ‘Keeping Britain Alive’, BBC 2

The Power of Jamie Seal BA (Hons) Film & Video, Documentary Farnham, 2003

Jamie Seal has created a successful career for himself, by producing and directing documentaries for the BBC and Channel 4. Previous credits include ‘Secret Millionaire’, ‘Ramsay’s Best Restaurant’, ‘999: What’s Your Emergency?’, ’24 Hours in A&E’ and ‘An Hour to Save Your Life’. He has worked on four BAFTA nominated series and won a Rose d’Or award, an international festival in entertainment broadcasting and programming. The Film & Video alumnus gives Creative Update an insight into why he enjoys the art of observational documentary filmmaking. 10 Feature Jamie Seal 11

What interests you about documentary Below Right I think that the earlier you can commit to a I think that twenty years ago, the idea of filmmaking? “I work as more of a Jamie in an edit shooting style, the better. However, staying very small crews and multitasking was unheard I was drawn to documentary making open to new ideas and having the confidence of. However, nowadays filmmakers tend to because of a lecture that we had whilst in our one-man-band. I shoot, Below Left to adapt your stories and direction is essential almost go it alone. For example, I work as more second year at UCA. Our tutor showed us some On location for in this business. You can spend a long time of a one-man-band. I shoot, produce, direct and amazing early John Grierson films. Grierson produce, direct and ‘The Romanians shooting a documentary but only get a clear manage the workflow of my own material. This was at the forefront of the early documentary Are Coming’ focus of the structure when you’re in the gives me a level of control and helps to create movement and it was through him that I manage the workflow of editing phase of production. intimacy with a project. Often if I’m dealing with remember being really struck by the power sensitive issues, it is beneficial to build trusting of documentary. There’s an authenticity in it my own material. This What was your journey like after graduating one-on-one relationships with the contributors that you just can’t recreate in other art forms. from UCA? without having large crews on hand to obscure At their best, documentaries shine a light on gives me a level of control At university I loved the fact that I was the real-life focus of the documentary. important social issues and offer a true portrait surrounded by like-minded and passionate of people’s values and beliefs. and helps to create individuals, and it wasn’t until I was in London What does the future hold for you? There really are no certainties with my job. after taking a year out to travel, that I was I definitely plan to continue making I’ve often thought that being a documentary intimacy with a project” faced with what an incredibly hard industry documentaries. I can’t really imagine doing filmmaker is a bit like being an adventurer. this is to survive in. I started out as a runner, anything else! I have found that as I’ve You need to be inquisitive and open to new making tea at a small production company got older I’ve become more supportive of experiences all the time. I’m very grateful to called Scream Films. I was then lucky enough the younger generation coming through. work within this industry. It’s a dream career to be accepted onto an internship scheme at Filmmaking is such an immersive and time- for me, and I find that every day makes me less RDF Television less than a year later, where I consuming experience that you often feel ignorant in my outlook on the world. embraced as many opportunities as I could. quite alone. Having a nurturing executive figure to back young and upcoming talent is so What have been your most exciting projects What new trends do you see emerging in the important these days. to work on? world of observational documentaries? I have been fortunate enough to have The fact is that the discipline of Jamie’s most recent documentary ‘The had so many positive experiences over the documentary-making hasn’t really changed Romanians Are Coming’ aired on Channel last ten years, so it’s very difficult to pick my much, but the technology that we are using 4 in February 2015. Catch up on 4OD here: favourites! I’m incredibly proud, though, of to do it is constantly evolving. Cameras are www.channel4.com/programmes/4od ‘Secret Millionaire’ because I was involved in becoming smaller, opening up new worlds of the series from the beginning, and I feel that potential, and the way that people edit and it really set me on my path. Despite having share material has changed immensely too. now moved onto more long form observational documentaries, ‘Secret Millionaire’ taught me how to find a good character to focus on, and also helped me develop as a storyteller. Another stand-out project for me was making series two and three of ‘24 Hours in A&E’ for Channel 4. It’s been so successful and people tend to like the fact that we managed to capture the great British sense of humour in the face of adversity and suffering, whilst tackling some really sensitive issues.

How do you approach making a new documentary? I’m a great believer in having an agreed shooting style at the start of the process. This is particularly important if you’re making a series of films. All documentary filmmakers have slightly different ways of working, but 12 Feature Aleksy Marcinów 13

“In the tattoo industry, there are two types of people. The first are tattooists who copy what they see on a piece of paper or a screen, and the second are tattoo artists, who treat it as a craft, who look for inspiration and create their own style. I graduated in Fine Art from UCA Canterbury and I’m now a tattoo artist at Black Onyx Tattoo Studio in London.”

Making

My Mark By Aleksy Marcinów

Aleksy Marcinów I treat the tattoo machine as just another tool. Just as when using paint or pencil, I have BA (Hons) Fine Art I adapt my drawing, painting and designing to know my medium. A fresh tattoo looks Canterbury, 2014 skills through this tool to create something very different to a healed one; colours are unique with artistic and graphic values. You more vibrant and black is really dark. After the have to remember though, that you’re not healing process when the ink has gone under working with paper or canvas any more. You’re the layers of skin, the colour slightly fades. marking human skin and you can’t just throw Colours are not as vibrant, black turns into it away if you are not happy with the outcome. graphite, and white ink turns creamy when it Your customer will not sit in the chair as well stands alone. It is tips like this that I have to as a canvas on an easel. They will twitch, be aware of and work with to improve as an move and breathe, making the art all the more artist. Tattooing is quite a science and there complicated. Human skin is very delicate too. are a lot of rules to follow in terms of health You have to learn how deep the needle should and safety, but the main part of my craft is go to create a bold line and how many times good design. Drawing skills are fundamental you should go over an area to pack a strong to my practice, and having a Fine Art degree Origami face colour without damaging the tissue. gives my customers confidence in me. tattoo by Aleksy 14 Feature Aleksy Marcinów 15

My work is always varied and I really enjoy meeting new people every day. I have a consultation appointment with the customer which is usually a long chat about all sorts of things. This gives me the opportunity to get to know them and explore different ideas. Someone can come into the studio saying, “I would like a bird tattoo” and yet there are thousands of different ways to interpret that. Sometimes people even contact me having viewed photos of my tattoos on Facebook or Instagram and they say, “I just want to get a design from you.” At the end of the day, I’m working in a creative industry so I do have to think, I do have to design, I do have to draw, and I really enjoy it. It’s such a nice feeling when you finish your work and your customer says, “That’s amazing” or “I’m so proud to have your piece permanently on my skin.” Every single tattoo that I do is my signature on someone’s skin, and an advert for my work. If you become recognisable enough then a whole world of opportunity opens up. As I’m writing this now, in fact, I’m actually guesting in a studio in Copenhagen. Between the ages of 13 and 18 years old I went to a very academic fine art school in Poland, and the transition to UCA’s self- development environment was huge for me. But the facilities and the staff were amazing, and I learned a lot whilst studying there. My Fine Art degree has definitely proven that you never know what’s around the corner. One day I was in the studio waiting for a customer and out of nowhere I got a phone call from a man saying, “I want you to tattoo my car.” When I turned up, I saw in front of me the only Gumpert Apollo in England, and its owner was Elo, the founder of the London Motor Above Aleksy with reveal, and when it was unveiled the crowds you want. With a tattoo, you are somewhat Museum. Trust me, I’m not particularly a car the Gumpert Apollo of people went crazy! limited by what the customer wants and will fanatic, but this was a supercar, and I had two My career goal is to have my own tattoo allow you to do. Ultimately, though, I’m an weeks to design and paint it. studio, and also the opportunity to travel artist and I would rather give up tattooing For this project I was inspired by Japanese to Asia to learn about Tebori, which is the than stop my painting and drawing, which is tattoos called Irezumi, which is a tattoo body traditional method of tattooing without using where the core of my career originates from. suit but keeping the neck, face, hands and feet a machine. Of course I still want to paint and bare. I used a lot of silver and gold, as those draw as much as I can alongside working To have a look at some of Aleksy’s are the colours of supercars, and even put my as a tattoo artist. I’m currently preparing designs, visit his Facebook and Instagram signature on the roof. For the launch of the car, an exhibition for one of the galleries in Le pages: www.facebook.com/aleksytattoo the whole of Regent Street was closed. The Marais in Paris. With painting, there are no and @aleksymarcinow car was covered in a black cloth ready for the limits. You buy a canvas and create whatever 16 Feature Ella Gregory 17

Ella Gregory BA (Hons) Fashion Journalism Epsom, 2011

It’s a Left and Below Ella Gregory, images by Kylie Blogger’s Life Martin

Coco’s Tea Party is the blog of Fashion What do you blog about? Journalism alumna Ella Gregory. Since its I primarily blog about fashion, beauty and launch in 2006, it has gone on to build a loyal lifestyle trends, and my posts reflect my own reader base of over 120,000 page views per personal tastes. My readers enjoy sharing my month and over 30,300 Twitter followers. fashion journey, so I tend to write from a personal Now a full-time blogger, Ella is associated perspective, rather than tailor my content to the with numerous high profile brands. latest trends. She tells Creative Update how her blog My favourite topics are celebrity-focused. has become so successful. I love writing ‘best-dressed’ posts, and these always are the most popular as well. Obtaining How did you become a blogger? image rights is really tricky and expensive though, I created my blog, Coco’s Tea Party, before so I have to save these for exciting times of the year I even started studying at UCA. I was the only such as award seasons. Fashion Journalism student who already had a blog when they started first year, and I wrote How has Coco’s Tea Party become so it as a hobby alongside my studies. When I successful? graduated I had no intentions of becoming a I attribute a lot of the success to the fact that full-time blogger. I was interested in the idea I entered the world of blogging quite early when of working for fashion magazines, so I got there was a real gap in the market. I used to be an internship at Marie Claire. However, after obsessed with fashion magazines and I was getting about two months there I realised that it wasn’t through the monthly issues so quickly that I wanted the lifestyle for me, so I switched my attention something to fill the gap between. I was in the right completely to Coco’s Tea Party. place, doing the right thing at the right time. 18 Feature Ella Gregory 19

As much as I love working independently a unique way to cover the show. I decided to and having full creative control, I do miss the write a minute-by-minute account of the day. sense of collaboration that comes from team People loved it and enjoyed all of my little working. I have found myself in a community insignificant nuggets of detail. of fellow bloggers, and this circle of friends all share our experiences. There is an element of What does the future hold for you and Coco’s competitiveness to this community, however, Tea Party? it’s always friendly and never nasty. In the blogging world it’s never wise to think too far ahead. In some ways it’s a really What advice would you give to aspiring fragile lifestyle. The pace of change is always fashion journalists? incredibly fast so it’s foolish to have too much Honestly, it’s so tough to enter the blogging of a plan. I do fear that blogging is turning into world full time at the moment. I think a safer photography, with the rapid rise of Instagram, and more reasonable option would be to but I am determined to stick to traditional team up with fellow course mates and form a blogging. Writing is where my strengths lie collective online magazine blog and then take and I love editorial work. it from there. I hope to cover more red carpet styling, A lot of the compliments I receive on Coco’s and I’ve done a bit of this in the past, including Tea Party are about my writing style, which I when I dressed the British tennis player, Laura refined a lot whilst studying at UCA Epsom. I Robson, for Twilight’s UK premier in 2011. also really value how we were taught to think I never thought my career would turn out this of creative ways of covering stories. way and I’m happy taking things month by A good example of this was when I month at the moment. was invited to a Victoria’s Secret Show in December. I knew that I wasn’t the only online Visit Coco’s Tea Party at: writer at the event so I had to come up with www.cocosteaparty.com

These days it’s so difficult to become a experiences with names such as River Island, Above successful blogger. Breaking in involves a lot of Next, Max Factor, BaByliss and UGG Australia. Ella at the luck and it’s important to stand out. I’ve tried to In 2014 I had the amazing chance to work PANDORA factory, be adaptable and jump onto trends at the right with PANDORA to help launch their new range credit PANDORA time. Having said this, I’ve learned to realise of stacking rings. It was such an adventure when a topic has been completely saturated and and I became a sort of ‘blogger on tour’, Right when it’s time to move onto the next big thing. visiting a variety of UK cities and also their Ella Gregory, factory in Bangkok. image by Kylie What have been your most exciting projects Martin to work on? What’s the lifestyle of a fashion blogger like? Creating relationships with brands is My lifestyle is very scheduled. I’m naturally important as this is how I get my name out an organised person and I thrive when it there. Often these opportunities just come comes to planning my writing. I have a post-it from nowhere, and I will get an email out of the calendar from which I work week to week. I blue from a company and asking me to work will have the entire weeks’ worth of posts all on a project with them. I’ve had some exciting written and ready to upload in advance. 20 Feature Miriam Abou-Shehada 21

Left and below “At 9am, the workshop supervisors, digital directors whom have worked on the previous right Stills department supervisors, buyers, production ‘Star Wars’ films as well.” from ‘Thor: The coordinator, the managing director and I have Another of Miriam’s high-profile current Dark World’, Walt a meeting about our live projects and any projects is the next James Bond film, ‘Spectre’, Disney Studios concerns. Generally though, my days are varied. starring Daniel Craig. Motion Pictures I can spend them with clients such as production Giving her insights into the current 2013 designers and art directors for films, or spend trends within prop making, Miriam said: “3D them sourcing items that we need for various printing and scanning is huge now. To make Bottom right props. There’s a great deal of research involved prosthetics, life casts are starting to fade out Chuckles the and I spend a lot of time contacting different as new high resolution 3D technology is taking Clown, Miriam’s companies hunting down specific items.” over. We have scanned many heads and faces final year major Miriam’s role is Assistant Production and printed them for make-up and costume project Coordinator at Propshop, a company based departments to use. It’s also a quick and easy within Pinewood Film & Television Studios in way of replicating props, textures and sections Buckinghamshire. Her responsibilities include of architecture.” communicating with clients when they come to her with a requirement for a film. She advises Keep an eye out for films in 2015 that on different ways of sourcing or making their Miriam has worked on, including products and quoting jobs, and keeps an eye on ‘Cinderella’ in March 2015, ‘Spectre’ in the job from beginning to end, often overseeing October 2015, and ‘Star Wars Episode VII: up to ten jobs at one time. The Force Awakens’ in December 2015. Following a compulsory three-month work placement unit in her second year at UCA Rochester, Miriam’s transition from student life to a working life within the industry of prop- making was fairly straightforward. She said: “If I hadn’t have had this chance then I would have found finding a job a lot more challenging. I found that studying Creative Arts for Theatre & Film was fundamental in building my skills and broadening my horizons. Initially, I went into the course with a more costume-making Miriam background, but having had the opportunity to Behind Abou-Shehada explore the facilities and make the most of the BA (Hons) one-on-one time with our tutors, I realised that Creative Arts props was where I wanted to be.” for Theatre & Film Miriam’s favourite projects to date include the Scenes Rochester, 2012 making Thor’s hammer for ‘Thor: The Dark World’, the beanstalk in ‘Jack the Giant Slayer’, lamps, chandeliers and gravestones for ‘The Creative Arts for Theatre & Film alumna Miriam says: “My day begins at 6:30am and Dark Knight Rises’, and a giant mirrorball and Miriam Abou-Shehada is at the front line of I’m out of the door by 7am. I start work at tins of fish from Tim Burton’s ‘Dark Shadows’. cinema, creating costumes and props for 7:30am and at 7:45am I receive a call from my Building upon her impressive portfolio blockbuster movies. Juggling long hours and Managing Director to discuss the work which as a prop maker, Miriam has just recently the fast-paced nature of the industry, Miriam has to be completed that day. I then have to completed working on the highly-anticipated has been involved with productions including spend some time in the workshops where the and top secret ‘Star Wars Episode VII: The ‘Maleficent’, ‘World War Z’, ‘Fast and Furious’, props are being made, and check the progress Force Awakens’. She said: “I won’t forget this ‘Kick Ass 2’, ‘The Dark Knight Rises’, of current projects. I then head back the office experience. I never thought that I could be ‘Guardians of the Galaxy’, ‘Snow White and and update what we call the ‘Red List’ of working within a metre of JJ Abrams and all the Huntsman’ and the television series ‘24’. upcoming film deadlines. of the inspiring production designers and art 22 Feature Emma Wakley 23

Left Camp Bestival work that engages a young audience because I also think that it’s important that 2013. Still from it’s very satisfying and heartwarming to see an animators keep diversifying the types finale projection audience of children react positively to your of characters that we see in children’s on Lulworth own work. It makes the huge effort so worth it. animation. I’m especially passionate about Castle, Dorset the representation of female characters in How is the market changing for children’s cartoons. There’s no need to adhere to visual Middle & Bottom cartoons? and behavioural stereotypes of gender roles Stills from I’m hoping the recent tax break for any more when there is such a wide array of ‘Wildlife Jack’, productions based in the UK will be great media and styles available. Disney Junior, news for home-grown series. That actually July 2014 helped us a lot with ‘Wildlife Jack’, so it What does the future hold for children’s would be fantastic if more small teams could animation? get together and make shows that are new It’s easy to take animation for granted as and a bit different. The quality of animation it’s something that most people have grown is constantly improving and I think we’ll see up with. But we shouldn’t underestimate how television series reaching the visual quality of important animation can be in influencing feature films very soon. children. What we watch when we’re young stays with us and impacts what we enjoy as adults. I still have fond memories of the animations that I was shown by my parents as a child like ‘The Clangers’, ‘The Herbs’, Emma Wakley and ‘Henry’s Cat’. I enjoyed those old BA (Hons) animations that had a warm, handmade feel Animation to them. I would love to see some of the spirit Child’s Play Farnham, 2010 of these programs return as they focused on storytelling and didn’t have an over-reliance on action and noise. Emma Wakley’s portfolio of work since her What is ‘Wildlife Jack’? I think animators should be learning from graduation in 2010 includes a range of high In 2014, I secured a position as lead animator successful elements from the 1970s ‘Golden profile names such as Disney and CBBC. on a series by Disney Junior called ‘Wildlife Age’ of children’s television and apply it to new She talks to Creative Update about Jack’, featuring a five year old boy called Jack ideas, rather than drag things into the modern animating for children and shares her who lives in a busy city but is fascinated by the day and pulling them apart. An example of industry insights. wealth of wildlife that lives in Britain. My team this is the redesigned ‘Bob the Builder’ or the and I animated Jack frame-by-frame in Flash recent unveiling of ‘Thunderbirds’. I don’t think What were your first steps after graduating? over documentary footage that the director had I’ve seen many positive comments about these I didn’t walk straight into a job or an shot and edited. This created narratives that yet. I’m also nervous about the reboot of ‘The internship placement like many animation taught Jack about the real lives of the creatures. Clangers’ later this year. graduates. Instead, I started to get small, ‘Wildlife Jack’ teaches children about animals, Overall, I think it’s important to keep experimental projects from contacts, which for example, the hierarchy in a deer herd, the people who ultimately love character and involved the development of ideas as well as the perilous lives of creatures near a river, and how story in high-up roles in children’s television animation process. birds fly in different ways. production. Maybe with a lucky break and a I worked on the Camp Bestival Finale show, bit of financial support, more small groups can which is part of the biggest family festival in the What do you enjoy most about creating reclaim animation production and help inspire UK. I worked on the projections with Brighton- children’s animations? the next generation of artists and animators. based Chroma Collective in 2011, 2012 and 2013. There’s great scope to create charming These projects were exciting because we had to animation when the audience are children. sync the animation with the fireworks and music I think it’s more fulfilling to work on than Looking to the future, Emma plans to that was all projected onto Lulworth Castle in flat animations that simply accompany a continue working in London as a freelance Dorset. Hearing the reactions of the 30,000 script which is the case with a lot of popular animator, and hopes to work on feature strong crowd to our animated story was an animation for adults. I would rather watch good films one day. To explore her website, unforgettable experience. animation for kids than adults. I enjoy creating visit: www.wakleyanimation.co.uk 24 Feature Hannah Marie Hutchison 25

We follow up with Fashion alumna Hanna Marie Hutchison, whose career has grown from strength to strength after founding her own fashion brand HMH Couture. Creative Update last spoke to Hanna for Issue 1 back in 2009. Since then, Hanna’s string of celebrity clients has increased and she now offers a range of bespoke design services.

Dressing the Stars

The last five years for Hanna have been Hanna Marie extremely eventful. Before creating her own Hutchison designs, she did as much as she could to gain BA (Hons) Fashion experience in the competitive fashion industry. Epsom, 2007 After first working as an assistant to a tailor in Brighton, Hanna went on to work for an MA Professional agent managing two international brands Fashion Practice and spending a lot of time with buyers from Epsom, 2009 Harrods, Harvey Nichols, Selfridges, and independent boutiques across the UK. She also had the opportunity to travel to Paris and Milan to learn first-hand about the fashion business. Hanna used these experiences to gather knowledge from influential people and leading designers, and then used this to put together a collection of her own. Above Hanna Marie In November 2010 Hanna’s career took off Hutchison when Cheryl Cole’s stylist discovered her work. Hanna designed Cheryl a high neck long nude Right Alecto in gown with cut out sides and a draped back grey, by HMH knot feature that she wore on ‘The X Factor’. Couture 26 Feature Hannah Marie Hutchison 27

“I remember hunting for prom dresses and evening outfits in my early twenties but being left utterly disappointed by the lack of choice. I wanted show-stopping gowns that were simple but elegant”

Hanna said: “This was really incredible She said: “I would source the perfect fabric exposure for me. Cheryl gave me special for a design and spend hours developing a tickets to see the live X Factor show, and I beautiful product, but when I didn’t do the ended up sitting next to her fellow Girls Aloud correct calculations and budget accordingly members, and being featured in numerous my business suffers as a consequence. I’ve magazines. Since then, I’ve been approached definitely learned a lot along the way and I’m by companies to design collections or really proud of having created a sustainable develop products independently, and I’ve business which accumulates sales every week.” been lucky enough to work with some Driven by seasonal trends, Hanna wonderful designers.” develops styles that have proven extremely It was from this experience with Cheryl popular, and the future is looking bright for Cole that HMH Couture was born. Hanna her brand. A new website is being launched now sells a range of sophisticated and stylish imminently and Hanna has recently unveiled evening dresses which are manufactured in her first collection, One Life Clothing AW15, London. Other services Hanna offers include at Pure London Fashion Trade Show. bespoke designs for special occasions, brides To add to her future plans, Hanna said: and bridesmaids. “I’m just about to launch a new collection She said: “I remember hunting for prom of knitwear called Cardigan Library, and I’m dresses and evening outfits in my early getting married so there’s a wedding to plan as twenties but being left utterly disappointed well! I love that every day is so different and I’m by the lack of choice. I wanted show-stopping lucky to have had some incredible experiences gowns that were simple but elegant. I knew over the past five years. Particular highlights that if I launched a collection offering this for me include styling the newsreaders Lucy to women then I would be giving something Alexander and Natasha Kaplinksky, and the truly needed to the evening-wear market. The former Miss Great Britain. I love all of the Above Alecto in grey, lengths of development I have put into each ladies I work with, and it’s great to meet such by HMH Couture style over the years are so worthwhile when inspiring, ambitious women all the time.” loyal customers keep coming back to me and Right Cheryl Cole recommending their friends.” HMH Couture sells online at: wearing Euterpe in To develop HMH Couture into a successful www.hmhcouture.com and nude, by HMH Couture. business venture Hanna has had to overcome www.littleblackdress.co.uk Photo by Ken McKay/ the administrative challenges of running her Talkback Thames own company. 28 Feature Robert Sae-Heng 29

Sketches & Sombreros

Robert Sae-Heng BA (Hons) Illustration Maidstone, 2009

Robert Sae-Heng is a freelance illustrator with a diverse range of UK and international clients. His illustrations can be found in books, magazines, shops, murals, cards and wrapping paper. Robert talks Creative Update through his journey so far.

My background I never came from a creative background or had any connections in the industry, but art is something that I’ve always been good at. I used drawing as a form of communication due to my hearing impediment. I grew up in Mexico before moving to the UK and we never had many books or toys, so running around playing with my grandfather’s chickens, pigs and donkey fueled my imagination, and gave my work a sense of playfulness that I still have today. I was born audibly impaired and I didn’t develop my hearing until I was about nine Left Extract from years old, learning to read and speak much Hoarding Advert later. Because of this, drawing and painting for Taqado Mexican was a means of escape and also a great Kitchen comfort to me. 30 Feature Robert Sae-Heng 31

Left Robert’s My commissions I really enjoy the researching process that illustration of After graduating, I took a year out to gain comes with starting a new commission and the letter N for inspiration travelling the world. Shortly after the feeling of being challenged by something We Heart Arts returning to my pencil and sketchbook I was completely out of your comfort zone. However, contacted by Honda who’d seen photos of my I don’t enjoy the deadlines. My work is always Below Shop mural illustrations that I’d posted on Twitter. really detailed and I like to take time to think for Chill Frozen It just goes to show, a sketchbook is the about placement of crucial elements, but Yogurt, Cambridge greatest asset a freelance illustrator such as sometimes you have to go for it and made a myself can own. I always carry one with me decision based on gut instinct. and it’s a friend I can return to every time. It’s important to always share your illustrations as My influences you never know who might see them. My origins and cultural background have I was commissioned by Honda to create definitely influenced my style of drawing and a mural that was used in a photo shoot for illustration. I’m half-Mexican and half-Thai their advertising campaign, promoting their but I’ve grown up being much closer to my new motorbike ‘Cross Runner’, and since then Mexican heritage. For this reason Mexican I’ve been fortunate enough to build up my culture comes through my work quite strongly. portfolio of work to include commissions for The Mexican flavour in my work is the companies such as Bloomsbury Publishing, reason why the Dubai-based creative agency Somerset House, The Association of Illustrators, Moloobhoy & Brown chose me to create the Brownbooks, Taqado Mexican Kitchen, Urban entire artwork and branding for a new Mexican Outfitters, Cutter & Squidge, Artek and Chilled restaurant called Taqado. To date, there are Frozen Yogurt. five restaurants and numerous pop-up food My most exciting project to date has been stands in Dubai filled with my work. the branding that I did in 2014 for the Association When I lived in Mexico I used to attend of Illustrators. They’re a not-for-profit trade live luchador matches and celebrations in the organisation that promotes contemporary city with my uncle. This carnival atmosphere illustration and maintaining industry standards to became a part of my work and comes through help illustrators’ and agencies’ rights and ethical in the majority of my drawings. conditions. The Association gave me full control to create several new characters and portfolio Check out Robert’s illustrations at his icons for the different kinds of membership website: www.robertsae-heng.co.uk they offer. I had great fun in playing around with His work is stocked at Somerset House magical creatures such as narwhals, mermaids in the Rizzoli Bookshop. and unicorns! 32 Feature Margaux Carpentier 33

When Margaux Carpentier isn’t working on inky illustrations at her desk she can be found on top of a ladder painting giant murals. She is one-third of UCA alumni team, Animaux Circus, a London-based design studio which specialises in brightly coloured large-scale illustrations, wall paintings, and hand-painted signage. Recently, they have started to branch out into more educational projects.

Animaux Circus is a self-initiated project, born while Margaux Carpentier, Lana Hughes and Rory Elphick were in the last days of their Graphic Communication course at UCA Farnham. They realised how compatible their styles and tastes were, and decided to pursue the business together, illustrating grotesque circus scenes using eccentric animals and bold typography as a basis for their creative style. All manner of wildlife are used as part of the trio’s work, including bears, large cats, elephants, zebras, wolves, tropical birds, and some fantasy creatures too.

Margaux Carpentier BA (Hons) Graphic Communication Farnham, 2010 Painting on the

Wild Side Margaux’s Caribou print 34 Feature Margaux Carpentier 35

“I find it really rewarding to hold workshops I enjoyed the luxury of having the time and and share skills and experiences with people. opportunity to research and explore as part of One of my dreams is to teach painting and my artwork. I often spent one day in the print printmaking on a regular basis, and I love workshop experimenting with screen-printing, how varied and interactive participating in and then the next day I would spend hours educational projects is.” walking through the idyllic woods and hills of All of the work produced by Animaux Surrey, spying on animals. Looking back, this Circus includes bright, fresh images and had a huge impact on my current illustrations.” exciting patterns which exude energy and bold Margaux, Rory and Lana’s journey into the colours. The focus on the animal kingdom and industry after graduation was a challenging folk tales is a shared love of all three members and daunting one, but perseverance and a bold “I am absolutely of the Studio, with inspiration coming from all relocation to London seemed to pay off. sorts of ventures. “The key is to keep going, never stop fascinated by Margaux said, “I am absolutely fascinated working and try to be at the right places at the by patterns, light and colours. Walking around right time. Even now, I jump at every opportunity patterns, light and cities or in the countryside is always a very dense and enjoy juggling Animaux Circus with my own source of inspiration for me. It’s so uplifting to freelance work.” colours. Walking discover new places with an identifiable colour In terms of the future for Animaux Circus, palette or exotic images that I can capture and they are looking global with the idea of around cities or in reinterpret through my art. I really enjoy sketching spreading the word and travelling to explore trips at the Natural History Museum and often and create exciting designs all over the world. the countryside find myself browsing wildlife encyclopedias!” Margaux spent the first year of her degree To see more of Animaux Circus’ designs, is always a very studying in Paris before transferring to UCA visit: www.animauxcircus.co.uk and to Farnham for her second and final years. explore Margaux’s freelance illustrations, dense source of “Comparing studying in Paris with Farnham, go to: www.margauxcarpentier.com I found that UCA gives students the freedom inspiration for me.” to make the most of the facilities available.

Above Animaux Margaux said, “We have had such a diverse Right Easyjet Circus print range of commissions. One project that we magazine print collage were asked to do was for Shoreditch Art Wall. We created a marriage proposal on four 3 metre Right Margaux’s by 4 metre panels in two and a half days in the zebra print freezing cold snow! Another opportunity that sticks with me is the mural that we designed at Waterloo station to promote the South Bank. Then last summer we painted a Mexican themed mural for Don Julio tequila at the World Class House in central London for a cocktail festival.” Despite building up an eclectic portfolio over four years that includes clients such as Southbank London, Orange, Buff, Deezer, Unit 9, Queen of Hoxton, Lovebox festival, Kigu, Diageo, and Indytute, Margaux says that she’s most proud of the relatively new teaching aspect of Animaux Circus. They have recently put on events at the Victoria and Albert Museum, as well as Tate Britain and some Christmas-inspired workshops at numerous venues. 36 Feature Jake Denham 37

MA Design alumnus Jake Denham has relocated to Monaco to work for Palmer Johnson Yachts, designers and builders of luxurious, high-performance yachts in Europe and the USA. Creative Update caught up with Jake to find out about the roles for creatives within the extravagant world of the French Riviera.

Jake Denham Jake’s current role at Palmer Johnson Yachts is MA Design in the international design team, and involves Rochester, 2010 producing images, video, and virtual tours for both the exterior and interior of the yachts. Above Palmer He utilises visualisation and editing software, Johnson 48m 5500 and works closely with interior designers who lay out the furniture specifications and colour schemes of the yachts. Jake then develops these designs into 3D models and creates animated walk-throughs. As well as this, he The oversees the Palmer Johnson Yachts interactive iPad app, and has had his images published in numerous magazines. At the moment Jake’s work focuses mainly on the high-spec SuperSport Yacht range including 35 metre, Monaco 42 metre, 48 metre and 72 metre models. Having worked at Palmer Johnson for three years, Jake has formed strong relationships with the Head of Design and Exterior Designer, and managed to streamline Dream the whole design process. The design team that Jake works with recently celebrated 38 Feature Jake Denham 39

winning the Most Innovative and also the Best Above Interior He said: “There are a lot of English speakers students from all sorts of backgrounds. The Exterior Design awards at the 2014 World designs for here which made the transition easier for me. MA course pushed me to think about what Yacht Trophies at Cannes Yacht Show, for Palmer Johnson’s Monaco is a laid back place to work, however, I wanted as a career and it exposed me to a their 48M SuperSport Yacht. SuperSport Yachts Palmer Johnson Yachts is an American diverse range of arts. I enjoyed having my Jake said: “I get to work on some really company so we still have a strong American own project to pursue and this allowed me to exciting new ventures. These boats are nothing Left Jake with the drive to get things done. I’d worked on private develop skills in a much wider range of areas, like the yacht industry has seen before. They 2014 World Yacht jets before so I had an understanding of the including more traditional art.” are very pioneering and I love that I am working Trophies luxury market but yachting is a very small Looking to the future, Jake hopes to spend on projects that are changing the future of industry. Being in the South of France, you feel more time developing his art skills away from yachting. Luxury visualisation is a niche market you are really at the heart of it.” the computer. He said: “Everything is digital which I was lucky to get into early on in my Before coming to UCA, Jake was working these days. It’s a fantastic time to be in the career. Getting work published regularly is still freelance on visuals for private jet conversions industry with the launch of Google glass and a huge buzz for me. Being on the cover of Boat but realised that he had reached a point app stores making it easier for people to International Magazine was a goal that I set where he was no longer growing in his spread their ideas. I do think, though, that myself when I started at Palmer Johnson, and professional field. Eager to explore other it’s important for artists to keep developing I achieved that for the Monaco Show edition. directions, Jake then decided to embark upon their own unique style. This is what makes you Being recognised by your peers in your industry the MA Design course at UCA Rochester, stand out.” like that feels amazing.” after being impressed by both the facilities Swapping his UK life for one on the and the location. Check out Jake’s online portfolio at: Southern French coast, Jake found himself He said: “I really liked being surrounded www.jaked3d.com having to adapt to the culture shock. by talented creatives and the mix of other 40 Feature Rebecca Litchfield 41

Soviet Ghosts Captured on Camera

As a freelance photographer with a Graphic Rebecca Litchfield Design degree from UCA Epsom, Rebecca BA (Hons) Litchfield’s strengths lie in her ability to Graphic Design tell a story and portray a message. Her first Epsom, 2006 published book ‘Soviet Ghosts’ captures images of the former Soviet Union’s abandoned buildings. Having gone viral on the internet, the project landed Rebecca a further three book commissions.

Early in 2013 Rebecca was commissioned by Carpet Bombing Culture publishers to photograph abandoned locations in the Soviet Union and its satellite states. This involved travelling to 20 different countries in Eastern Europe, the Baltics, Ukraine and Russia to capture with a camera what the old regime has left behind. Rebecca’s subjects included towns, factories, prisons, schools, hospitals, asylums, death camps, theatres, and military complexes. She even came across Soviet steam a Soviet submarine. train, Hungary 42 Feature Rebecca Litchfield 43

Left Sanitarium, Russia

Below Buzludzha, Bulgaria

Rebecca said: “My aim for the book was She says: “Getting into the locations is Above Soviet my tutors, who gave me the room to explore memories of ruins and while they have no to capture the crumbling Soviet Union Empire always a challenge, as I never break and enter submarine, UK and be creative in my work. I used my time place as tourist destinations, their value in before it disappears completely. It was once a building. I have to find a way in like an open at UCA to create my own style and develop the cultural memory of the 20th century a living, breathing community, but with the window or door. It involves thinking outside skillsets that would help me get to where I remains fundamental. fall of Communism, these places lay derelict, the box as I’m always careful not to damage am today.” “I live and breathe photography, and it’s uninhabited, holding haunted memories the property getting inside.” After the success of ‘Soviet Ghosts’, the only job I’ve ever had. It’s my true passion of the ordinary people who once lived and After visiting around 400 buildings, Rebecca’s plans for the next three years and something that I won’t go one moment worked there. I love exploring decaying Rebecca’s book ‘Soviet Ghosts’ was published include a list of 30 countries to visit, and without thinking about. My goals buildings and it’s a fact that they will very in July 2014, and has since spread over the another three books to publish: ‘Dark Tourism’, for the future are to raise my profile as a soon cease to exist. The memories will fade internet, being covered on over 70 different ‘Abandoned Buildings’ and ‘The Underworld’. fine art photographer, and to sell my limited and the communities who once gave life will websites. She said: “My adventure just keeps on edition prints and books to clients all over the be forgotten. I wanted to find and reveal the Rebecca added: “Graphic Design at UCA expanding, and I have a feeling that at the end world. I hope to soon produce exhibitions of beauty in the darkness.” taught me important skills in storytelling and of it there will be some epic stories to tell.” my work as well.” Rebecca discovers sights which are composing images. I always excelled on the Finding beauty in dark and surreal hidden unseen to the public, who pass the boarded editorial side of Graphic Design, and enjoyed worlds, Rebecca aims for her work to breathe To see more of Rebecca’s photos and windows and walls with ‘No Trespassing’ the projects which included photographic life into further forgotten historical locations. to purchase ‘Soviet Ghosts’, visit her signs on them. elements. I had such amazing guidance from She passionately believes in preserving the website: www.rebeccalitchfield.com 44 International Liz Reece 45

She said: “The Vietnamese and Solomon cultures are collectivists, and pretty cautious so as not to stand out. This directly influences creativity. Being different is frowned upon even between artists and craft workers. My work has been to create livelihoods with existing skills, but I found that people are reluctant Exploring the to embrace difference and uniqueness. We talk about risk being a factor in art, and all designers know about the risk in producing and investing time without a sure sale, but World Stitch this is not the case in less-developed cultures. Liz Reece Creativity here is stifled by the risk of being BA (Hons) ostracised and unpopular, and getting new Fashion Textiles designs appreciated was a struggle.” Farnham, 1978 by Stitch Helping makers overcome the fear of creating anything new, or even just combining two different skills requires a lot of hard work to make it happen. As a creatively trained Since graduating from UCA Farnham in 1978, After this, Liz initiated a textile manufacturing Top right Mekong aid worker Liz gives confidence to local back when it was known as the West Surrey joint venture ‘Autofab’ which she ended up Quilts quality practitioners by demonstrating what can be College of Art and Design, Liz’s textiles skills running, and working in many countries in controllers with done. Showing them a finished sample is not have taken her all over the world to places Asia. After over twenty years servicing the Liz’s designs from enough, but working alongside them gives including the US, Australia, Japan, Vietnam automotive trim industry, Liz decided to break her gecko range them courage. and most recently, the Solomon Islands. We away to become designer again, taking a two Liz said: “There are plenty of creative catch up with her to chat about creative year volunteer assignment in a Vietnamese Middle right Liz opportunities in the Solomon Islands because culture on a global scale. hand-quilting co-operative. presenting at entrepreneurship is so rare. Being creative Today, she has just completed a volunteer Toyota Supplier of is such a joy and the opportunity we had to To say that Liz is well-travelled would be an assignment in the Solomon Islands in a the Year develop our skills at art school is quite an understatement. Immediately after graduation, business development organisation, training indulgence. I think that these skills should be Liz headed to New York City to try and get and mentoring small businesses. She was also Bottom right Liz shared as extensively as possible, and I love the her portfolio of print designs noticed and sold. involved with craft practitioners who make in Thailand with improvements and the transformations that we Trouping through many textile houses, she printed sarongs, wood and stone carvings, an automotive help to bring about to these small communities.” met with John Kaldor, a fabric maker, who paintings, beads and woven baskets. supplier “The sense of accomplishment from suggested designers were needed in Australia. Liz said: “The travel is one thing, working helping people find new skills or a new While working at a summer camp in Maine, a in different cultures is another. When I was application of skills is deeply satisfying. I friendship was formed and the idea of working working in Melbourne, I felt I needed a have become known for my resourcefulness in Australia took root. release. I went to developing countries in and adaptability on my assignments, and Soon after arriving in Melbourne, Liz order to ‘check-out’ the commercial world and studying at Farnham has had a lot to do with landed a job with a print company, designing I became far more interested in traditional the fact that I am now a practical roll-up-your- swimwear and underwear prints that led to a crafts. Bringing it back to basics! The contrasts sleeves designer/maker. The course suited me home furnishing print position. A job in vinyl and the similarities between cultures are so perfectly and I have used and built on those surface design took her into stationary, shoes, intriguing. The Australian and possibly the skills constantly throughout my career in decorative and automotive finishes. Liz said, European way of working is usually creating a various parts of the world. “After I was offered my first job in Australia, I concept and then following it with the detail. “You probably can’t take the wrong step in didn’t really look back.” However, I’ve noticed over the years that the life. If it turns out to be disappointing, just step A job offer from Nissan then landed Liz in Japanese are very interested in the detail again. It’s better than not taking the step in the the automotive industry as a colour and trim first off. For the Japanese the details are the first place.” designer, with various projects in Japan. She stepping stones to the larger form.” designed all the finishes, colours, fabrics, door So, what in particular interests Liz so much To explore volunteer opportunities abroad trim break ups, seat shapes, and sew styles. about creative culture in the developing world? like Liz, visit: www.gvi.co.uk 46 People People 47 Obituaries

Creative Update was contacted by John After leaving the college, Audrey worked as Austin, who studied at Medway College of a Patterns Designer at Woman’s Own Magazine Art (now UCA Rochester) between 1950 and for eight years, and John was drafted into the 1954. At a recent Rochester campus reunion, Army, serving in Suez and other areas in the John kindly left us an account of his first Middle East. He then returned to art teaching in couple of days the college, and also sadly a number of secondary schools and continued informed us of his wife and fellow student, this until he retired in 1999. He now paints and Audrey’s death in April 2014 following a illustrates from home. long illness. John described how Audrey enjoyed her time studying at Medway College of Art and Audrey and John met whilst both at Medway could remember Zandra Rhodes as a student, Audrey Chittenden College of Art. Audrey studied as a dress as well as Zandra’s mother Mrs Rhodes, who 1935-2014 student, and graduated with a City & Guild’s taught dressmaking at the college. Both Advanced in Fashion & Pattern Drafting in John and Audrey had very fond memories Fashion & Pattern Drafting. She and John were of the college and the legacy continues as married in 1959, after being parted for some their granddaughter Gemma, completed her years due to John’s service in the Army. Foundation at UCA a couple of years ago. In September 2014, over 140 alumni from the UCA School of Film & Media attended a reunion at the Film & British Film Institute on London’s Southbank. There was a fantastic turnout and alumni enjoyed mixing with former classmates, tutors In November 2014, we were saddened to hear Paul Jackson: and fellow graduates spanning over 40 years. about the death of former drawing tutor Karn “Karn was my drawing tutor in the mid- Media Dominic Mitchell, who graduated from UCA Holly after a long period of ill health. Karn 1970s. It is not an exaggeration to say that Farnham, was the keynote speaker. Dominic taught at Farnham College of Art during the Karn’s teaching has influenced my life ever gave an inspirational speech, sharing his journey 1970s, and also worked as a prolific artist in since. Karn showed me how to really look hard since graduating from UCA. He gave advice to her own right with a studio in Portland. Two at the world and see beyond the surface of Reunion more recent graduates saying: “I always had of her former students shared their memories things. I have never undertaken a painting or perseverance and a passion for this industry. It’s with Creative Update. drawing without at some point hearing an echo really important to grab any opportunity to get of Karn’s voice in my mind. I know I have rarely your work shown, and maintain an openness to try Binny Matthews: lived up to her rigorous standards but trying to new avenues.” “Karn’s method of teaching was do so still drives me on. The reunion enjoyed a lively atmosphere with Karn Holly extraordinary. She talked in metaphors, and she “I reconnected with Karn about five years alumni continuing to chat late into the evening. 1940 – 2014 talked about mark making as choreography, ago and we exchanged many emails and If you studied in the School of Film & Media and always painting metaphorically. I remember occasional phone calls. Karn had retained didn’t get an invite to this event, then please Karn’s individual sense of humour. She always her wonderful and sometimes perplexingly update your contact details with us and make sure hid my favourite paint brush to encourage me elliptical way of speaking and writing. Anyone that you’re following our social media channels for to think about making different marks. Karn familiar with Karn’s drawings will know of their the latest news and updates. continued, with great intellectual rigour, to breathtaking brilliance. She was a world class support me with my painting career, and we artist and a beautiful person in every way. I will Above Reunion at [email protected] remained good friends for 20 years.” miss her terribly.” the BFI www.ucreative.ac.uk/alumni 48 Spotlight Spotlight 49

He said: “It’s been a long and arduous Adam McLaren Oliver Russell process to get to where I am today, but it’s been worth it. The business elements of my Below Sterling Adam McLaren Adam graduated from UCA Rochester in Oliver Russell Since completing both his BA and his MA MA prepared me well for the world of running Silver Garnet BA (Hons) 2013 and has since set up AJM Jewellery, a BA (Hons) at UCA, Oliver has created a business in the my own company. I started small, and as Earrings & Pendant Silversmithing, business offering a bespoke design service, Three-Dimensional specialised field of architectural metalwork, my reputation grew, I was able to buy more Goldsmithing as well as repairs and remodeling. He also Design: Metalwork through which he has built up an impressive specialist equipment and provide a more & Jewellery works for a jeweller in Canterbury. & Jewellery, portfolio of a broad range of commissions integrated service to my clients.” Rochester, 2013 Farnham, 2003 and projects. Adam uses his knowledge of CAD design to create complex tactile forms that replicate MA Contemporary Oliver describes elements of his work as being Oliver’s Top Tips for going freelance: repetitive patterns and geometric shapes. Crafts Farnham, derived from natural forms using traditional 1. Maintain high standards for your clients The inspiration for his work is taken from a 2005 blacksmithing techniques to achieve strength and commissioners. variety of forms ranging from honeycomb and beauty through proportion and line quality. structures, lattice architectures and faceted He works closely with architects and other 2. Make sure you meet or exceed the Creative gemstones. Although the effective use of related professionals to ensure his finished expectations of the brief. technology is evident in Adam’s pieces, pieces reflect the design and feel of the he maintains the important connection to existing architecture. 3. Stay in touch with the client and let them traditional techniques by using stone-setting In 2006 Oliver was admitted as a member know how the commission is progressing. Spotlight: in much of his work. of the esteemed Worshipful Company of He said: “Establishing a unique body of Ironmongers and was elected onto the Iron 4. Be good at problem solving and adapt to work can be challenging. I tried very hard to Committee in 2012. situations as they arise. create an image for my jewellery that would He specialises in unique large-scale Crafts be instantly recognisable.” metalwork, such as gates, staircases, 5. Work hard and stick with it as long as you balconies, and balustrades, and was are passionate about your work. Clients will commissioned to make the Crafts Study Centre appreciate and value this. Adam’s Top Tips for going freelance: gates at UCA Farnham. Examples of his work 1. Experience is everything. If you can get a can be seen across the UK from the Scottish To see more of Oliver’s work, visit his work placement, take it and learn as much Highlands to the south coast. website: www.oliver-russell.com as you can. At the very least you will be guaranteed to make important contacts Right Archer within the industry. sculpture

2. Never be afraid of doing something Far Right Oliver difficult. If you stick to what you know, you Russell, image will struggle to grasp new techniques. courtesy of Philip Traill 3. Don’t be afraid to make mistakes. Everyone makes them, and they are the best way to learn.

4. Enter competitions. It gets your work out there and gives you goals to aim for.

5. Invest some time in sorting out a good website. Make sure your images are a professional standard as they will talk volumes.

Find out more about AJM Jewellery on Adam’s website: www.ajmjewellery.com 50 Spotlight Spotlight 51 Rebecca Skeels

In addition to her role at UCA, Rebecca is Businesses need to be able to grow along with a member of the Board of Directors for the these changes in order to survive. Something Association for Contemporary Jewellery, that was successful in the past may not be the the Board of Trustees for the New Ashgate answer to great successes in the future. Gallery in Farnham, and is also on the “As the interest in craft grows in the UK executive committee for the Hand Engravers and internationally, good quality craftsmanship Association. For the past 20 years she will become more valued and understood. has been the sole proprietor of SKEELS, a People that have patience to develop their developing jewellery and product design skills with a solid design methodology will do Rebecca Skeels company. Rebecca works on commissions well. Practitioners are making the future and it Subject Leader as well as her own collections ranging from will be exciting to see the new work, functional for Postgraduate handmade cufflinks, pendants and furniture, and decorative, that will come from Textiles, Courses in the to installations in public spaces. Jewellery, Metalwork, Glass, Ceramics and School of Crafts Product design with the development of & Design Rebecca says: materials, making processes and interesting “The key to being a successful designer, maker ways of questioning. and artist, is good planning and direction. The “Most of all, good luck with your new environment for crafts is always changing, as ventures and growing your businesses. Enjoy do people’s tastes and ideals, the economic life from a career that you love doing.” climate, and even our personal feelings.

What our graduates think: How will Crafts develop over the next five years?

Back in September, UCA alumni from the “I think there will be more appreciation for School of Crafts & Design gathered at the the handmade.” Oxo Tower Gallery, where they enjoyed Wendy Taylor, BA (Hons) Glass, Farnham, 2014 33@OXO, an exhibition showcasing contemporary craft and design work by “A focus on the personalised and one-off Share your stories students. Drinks and canapés were served, projects, or commissions on request.” We’re already looking for and alumni told Creative Update their views Sigi Hill, BA (Hons) Glass, Farnham, 2014 stories for our next edition. on how the Crafts industry is developing. If you’ve got some exciting “Digital reproduction to aid techniques like news to share, get in touch “3D printing technology will make a lot of printing on glass.” today. Simply email alumni@ difference to the industry as processes and Fiona Bryer, BA (Hons) Glass, Farnham, 2014 ucreative.ac.uk or give techniques like casting are really us a call on 01252 891464. time-consuming.” “The crafts industry is always a retaliation to Anum Khan, BA (Hons) Glass, Farnham, 2014 the ever expanding technological advances – I don’t think the craft industry will ever “By practitioners spreading the word about crafts disappear. It’s the contrast between traditional and talking about their work.” crafts and technology that keeps the craft CREATIVE Karen Marks, BA (Hons) Ceramics, industry alive.” Farnham, 2014 Naomi Symmonds, BA (Hons) Glass, Farnham, 2014 UPDATE Moving home? Make sure you update your contact details with us at www.ucreative.ac.uk/alumni to keep up to date with the UCA Alumni Association.

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