Friday 26-05-2023 - 16:30

I am enrolled on the BA (Hons) Illustration degree, and I am in my third year and have applied to become a designer in residence to continue building my confidence and start to estabish my small business. I am really enthusiastic about Wrexham School of Art as it is a safe space for me to be myself and be creative.

An important thing for me coming to University was the class sizes as I struggle with anxiety, but the small class sizes here are amazing and enable us to have 1 to 1's with tutors and there is such a wonderful community aspect in the whole building.

In your third year of studies, you get to negotiate your own project, so I decided to focus on my interest of home interiors and surface pattern designs. I also explored traditional printmaking techniques to create handprinted wallpapers. You will be able to see these at the exhibition.

I also have been making prints for the home using the new risograph printer based in the new print room. The print room is a collaborative space for people to try out different  printmaking techniques and gives students a place to make and then sell their work in the art shop in the school. The art shop is open to the public Monday to Friday 11am to 2:45pm and has a range of art supplies and prints made by students and helps us have an insight into having our own business. Caron who works in the shop is lovely and can help with any queries.

I would not have been able to create and sell my prints without the support I have had from the staff, particularly Steve, the programme leader, who has been absolutely outstanding with his efforts to support me with my mental health issues and pressures of a university environment.

I have designed and will be helping set up the degree shows art shop to showcase mine and other students work as an extention of my current studies. As my work is influenced by Biophilia, I wanted the shop to reflect this and have the students work as the main focal point.

This will be my first exhibition experience as the pandemic meant we missed having an end of year show at college, so I am incredibly excited to see what everyone exhibits, it has been a pleasure to see everyone grow these past few years and I am lucky to have been a part of it.

Written by Olivia Horner, 3rd year BA (hons) Illustration student

Following the write-up of the blog, we're really happy to share that Olivia got in touch with us to tell us that their application to become a designer in residence was approved! Massive congrats, Olivia! 

Click here to check out Olivia's illustrative work or follow Olivia on Instagram @livletink

About the Final Year Art & Design Degree Show at Wrexham University:

The 'Overture' exhibition features a variety of work from final year Art and Design students on display for you to see! The exhibition is set to open this evening from 5pm at Regent St campus, Wrexham and will continue to be available weekdays 10am-4pm until 9th June. We can't wait to check it out!

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