Although working at a design studio may seem like the obvious option to come to after a three year graphic design degree, I wanted to show how I got to this decision, as I did consider lots of options.
In second year I went through a period when I was a bit unsure about what I actually wanted to do, and even for a while considered doing a PGCE. [see blog post] However, I realised this was because I thought I wasn't good enough to work in a studio, not because it was something I actually wanted to do. I considered setting up my own business after the enterprise module, but don't know if I want the instability of this. To compromise, I think setting up my own etsy and creating some products and images to sell on online shops, is a way to still work for myself, but without the risk.
Masters
In march, I even considered doing a masters degree. I attended a meeting at the college about their upcoming masters in creative practice. The masters is about independence, project management, personal development, planning, and research methods.
Info from LCA website -->
http://www.leeds-art.ac.uk/home/our-courses/postgraduate-education/
"The Master of Arts in Creative Practice is new for 2013 and has been specially devised for creative practitioners; recent graduates and professionals who wish to examine, strengthen and deepen their practice within their own context. This course is all about the individual.
The unique programme encourages you to pursue an individual research proposal for the duration of the programme which will allow you to examine and strengthen your own practice and place it at the centre of your studies. It addresses the needs of graduates in art and design, who want to continue to develop their practice; develop their identities in the context of the creative and cultural industries; maintain contact with other creative practitioners; develop freelance or other career paths in the context of a portfolio career.
The programme is intellectually demanding, but not theory heavy. It’s ideal if you have experience as a practicing artist and a need to devote time and energy to your work in a real art-school community and atmosphere. Learning will be dynamic and interactive, and cohorts will be encouraged to share and collaborate with one another."
During the meeting I thought this all sound amazing, but after putting more thought in to it, I realised that this just wasn't feasible, as there would be no way I could afford to live, even if I could somehow get the actual money to cover the course. I, alongside Beth and Baljeet who attended the meeting, considered the pros and cons of doing a masters:
FOR.
- Only £4000
- Develop your practice
- Learn new areas (such as surface pattern)
- Stay in Leeds
- Work freelance at the same time
- More internships and placements
- Be a master of design!
- No dissertation
Against.
- Need that £4000
- Living in Leeds costs money
- Won't just be graphics people on the course
- Putting off real life
- No Fred, Amber, John, Andy etc to help!
- No BAGD structure that keeps us motivated (crits, surgeries, sessions etc)
- No student loan
Although I would love to say I have a masters degree, at this stage in my life, its not relevant enough to justify the money, but it is an option I could always come back to in the future. However, I don't think any education experience could compare to my time on BAGD, as although it has been intense, I have always had a tutor willing and ready to help, and I'm just not sure I'd get that on a masters degree.
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