Teenagers inspired at creative careers conference
Young artists, designers and filmmakers were inspired to follow their dreams and carve out a career in the creative industries at a special event at the University for the Creative Arts (UCA) at Farnham.
80 young people from four schools and colleges in Surrey and Hampshire attended an exciting day of talks and workshops last month for teenagers interested in a creative career.
The conference, which was organised by UCA's Widening Participation department, included talks by creative professionals, UCA students and alumni from the world of media, film, fashion, illustration and product design.
Ian Parker, Associate Dean of Further Education at UCA, said: "We organised this event to help young people make informed decisions about potential career choices and routes into art, design and the creative industries.
"We wanted to do that by bringing people in from different stages of their career - from students starting up their own production company to experienced creatives - to explain how they got to where they are today.
"I think today has been terrific - it's been interactive, inspiring and the response from the students has been great."
Guest speaker was honorary graduate John Henshall, a photographer and director of photography who invented the fish-eye lens effects that were used on Top of the Pops in the 1970s and has pioneered digital photography ever since.
Students from Broadwater School, near Godalming; King's College Guildford, Collingwood Sixth Form College, Camberley, and Farnborough Sixth Form College, took part in practical sessions in 3D Design, and made their own LightTAG 'light graffiti' with visual artist Tine Bech.
Stephanie Sheehan, 15, of Broadwater School, said: "I always liked graphic design and photography but didn't think university was for me because neither my parents nor my brother have gone, but hearing from people in the same situation as me has definitely made me want to go now."
Rachel Moores, 17, from Farnborough Sixth Form College, said: "The event was really, really interesting - it was particularly inspiring to hear the real-life experiences of successful people and find out how they got to where they are now."
Jean-Marie Trutur, 17, of King's College Guildford, said: "The stories today have made me feel much better about following a creative path - the group of guys that started up their own TV production company while at university has me really excited about potentially getting money and experience while I study."
For more information contact:
David Reilly, Press Officer, UCA
T: 01252 892939
E: dreilly@ucreative.ac.uk
