“I am passionate about creativity and wanted to explore new avenues for my artistic skills,” says Grace, “and digital art was an area I hadn’t previously explored.”
“I chose to study at UCO because it’s close to home, and offers relatively small class sizes compared to larger universities.
“I found this to be an advantage – the smaller classes allowed me to work more closely with my tutors and create stronger relationships with my peers.”
Grace developed a range of skills throughout her time on the course: using software including Photoshop, Illustrator, InDesign and Procreate to create animations, develop clothing lines, illustrate and author her own manga and even produce merchandise featuring her designs.
“The knowledge I’ve gained has helped me to achieve things I previously thought were beyond my reach. Accomplishing these tasks has been incredibly fulfilling and empowering.”
Grace describes the support at UCO as ‘outstanding’. She says: “As a neurodiverse student, I was initially concerned about how well my needs would be understood and accommodated. However, UCO exceeded my expectations: the Health and Wellbeing Team were fantastic, and my tutors were exceptionally supportive. UCO felt more like a family, which fostered an environment where I felt comfortable expressing my views and striving for success.”
After completing the Graphic Design BA (Hons), Grace has progressed onto teacher training: “My goal is to one day become a university tutor and provide positive role models for students, just as my tutors were for me.”
Grace would ‘wholeheartedly and confidently’ recommend UCO to anyone she knows, as the quality of teaching and course content constantly exceeded her expectations. She says:
“What truly sets UCO apart is the openness of the lecturers to student feedback. If there’s one institution that genuinely values and listens to the voices of its students, it’s UCO.
“If you’re unsure about starting the course but have a passion for art and graphic design, I’d say – go for it!”
Learn more about the Graphic Design BA (Hons).
