the first year at NTU

A very cliché post, but here goes.

Well, I can certainly say that it didn't go as planned, one of the many things Covid-19 ruined. Nonetheless, the 6 months I had at uni were marvellous and exceeded every expectation possible of what I thought a Graphic Design course would be. I have learnt a great deal about graphic design just in the first year of being here, especially after not being in full-time education for 4 years straight after college. (Just a little side note, just do what's best for you, do what makes you happy because there's no point living life trying to make everyone else happy when you're not... it sucks). Anyway, I am now ambitious to start the second year and give it my all.

Our very first project was a week filled with three colours; black, white, and yellow. We committed to wearing those 3 colours throughout that week and created some compelling posters/slogans, again only using the three colours. It was a thrilling project to start off the year.

Just a few snippets from the first project (we were basically strangers when we photographed these):

The year was filled with projects ranging from typography, illustration, branding, collaboration with talented poets and even a live brief with Penguin Books. A variety of briefs helped us explore the strengths that we wouldn't have necessarily known about. The tutors pushed and guided us, but also gave us the right amount of freedom to discover and develop our creative skills. I've produced things in the past year I never thought I was capable of. The biggest lesson I have learnt is that Graphic Design is not just a digital art form but anything you make it, which makes it very exciting. Oh, the endless possibilities...

Let's not forget about the theory side to this degree, I have never before had to learn about famous artists or different art movements but this was very interesting to me, and it helped a lot with the practical side.

Although my time at uni ended suddenly, I couldn't be happier with my first year at NTU.

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Click here to check out my first-year projects.

[last image photographed by Thomas Adey]