What did you get out of the AdvH Art course?

So much!! This course is so indicative of how universities manage your work and what you can expect in a studio environment like you’d have at art school. It taught me to be less precious about my work, to experiment and try new things, and most importantly to have a bit of fun with it !

Did it help you with art school?

Yes absolutely. Having that knowledge of working progress and how your work develops is the backbone of any art school course, particularly having to compromise your pieces to fit with your tutors critiques.

Where did you study?

Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design (DJCaD) at University of Dundee

What course did you do?

Bachelors of Design in Illustration. First year at DJCAD is a general foundation where you can try various subjects. At the end of your first year you choose which specialism you would like to pursue. Illustration is a form of communication design, more focused on drawing, and uses a lot of both digital design programs and studio time. We also had access to free use of the art school workshops, print resources and archives.

What was your university experience like?

I won’t lie, art school is HARD. You have to go in prepared for tutors who will be brutally honest about their work, stressful deadlines and a lot of late nights in the studio. That being said, the whole experience is so rewarding! I learnt so much about new ways to apply my work, I ran my own small business selling my work alongside, and was able to make lots of new professional and social connections I still use to this day !

Why have you decided to move into teaching?

I always had an interest in teaching (been told my whole life I have a good voice for shouting), and particularly since going through art school and seeing just what a scope of career opportunities it provides – particularly in Dundee’s game and computer design industries – I was keen to train to communicate those ideas on to students who may have been struggling with the thought of choosing their careers at age 15. Every subject available in secondary schools can be related back to the arts in some way, and I believe – particularly in today’s political climate – that those skills and that breadth of knowledge should be passed on to the next generation of kids unsure of how to justify a creative subject on their course choice forms !

Why are you studying Advanced Higher Art?

I find it interesting! It’s relevant to what I want to do out of school, and art is one of my passions. I also find it really fun, getting to experiment with my work.

How will studying Advanced Higher Art help in your career choice?

It’s a good opportunity to build up my portfolio of work, and gaining experience working on projects to a deadline.

What skills do you think you have developed?

Patience, and trying not to panic! Also definitely compromise, it’s easy to get lost in your work and forget there’s certain aims to meet. As a tattoo artist compromise will be so important.

What courses have you applied for?

None! I’m planning on finding an apprenticeship with a tattoo studio locally and breaking into the industry that way. I’m happy to stay local right now, but am not ruling out working somewhere out of Moray in the future.

What advice would you give someone planning to take Advanced Higher Art next year?

Patience! It is hard work, you don’t want to get burnt out too quickly. It's so important to go with the flow too, you might start with one idea and end up with something completely different!