Nicholas Prodromou

Accepting an Offer: Camberwell

After having sent off my digital portfolio to Camberwell, received a new offer to change course. They reviewed my work and decided that it wasn’t suited for the BA illustration course. Instead they offered me an interview for the FdA Illustration course. This is a two-year foundation degree course, which explores hands on working with live clients. With is being it main focus I have accepted the interview invitation for the FdA illustration course.

After waiting for the interviewers to briefly flick through my portfolio, I was interviewed alone by two of the teachers that work on the course. Right off the bat, I was asked to explain my situation with choosing both Graphic Design and Illustration in my UCAS choices. I explain how I still was unsure with what I should do. They talked me through how my work would best be suited for the FdA Graphic Design course rather than FdA illustration. They said that my work is heavily based and created on digital programs like Photoshop. They insisted that I should take the Graphic Design foundation degree course. This made me clear on what I wanted in the future. They said that they would change the course on UCAS to FdA Graphic Design. 

After having sent off my online portfolio via Flickr, Central St Martins called me in for a portfolio drop off at the campus. This is not what I was expecting. In the past I had been called to an interview. I would be able to talk to them about my work. This time I would need the portfolio to speak for itself. 

When dropping off the portfolio on the day, I we had to leave for around two hours before we could come and collect them. The teachers explained how they might not even talk to you but you may still be offered a place. This made me really wonder whether I could get in or not. I think this method of getting a place is even worse than a normal interview. I simply didn’t know until they replied to the offer two weeks after the drop off.

As I was unable to attend the open day, this was my first time visiting Bournemouth. Upon visiting the University, I became increasingly interested in the illustration course. I was very happy that I was able to show them my work. When arriving at the campus, we dropped of our work in a room (like what we did at Farnham) then took a quick tour around the campus to give us a taste of the working environment. I felt the campus was even smaller than Farnham. The small compact layout of the university enables us to get from place to place within seconds. I liked this aspect. We all reported back to the portfolio room where we were called up in small groups to show and discuss our work. I was grouped with three other girls as well as an illustrator that teaches on the course. After going around the group we came to me. I showed them my strongest and weakest work. This tested our understanding in illustration. 

This was my first experience with a group interview. I think it is a good method of interviewing as it enables everyone to see each other’s work. You also learn a lot about a particular piece of work. This could be the challenge they have faced and how they overcame it. I found this interesting to see other peoples working. Once the group interview was over with, we were each allocated a time slot to report back to the room where we will be able to talk one to one with the teacher. 

During the one to one with the teacher, I asked three questions – How long to the projects last? Do you help guide students for jobs? Where can the illustration course take you after you complete the course? All of the questions were answered and really help me understand the course. 

During my time at Farnham, I was interviewed for the BA illustration course. This was the first interview that I have attended. Before the interview, I asked colleges and teachers what kind of questions would come up in an interview. I found that I needed to be clear on why I have selected to take part in the course. I needed to show that I had a personal interest in the course. For instance, I have put personal projects in my portfolio. This will enable the interviewer to know that I am keen to join the course. 

When the interview day came around, I was welcomed into the building by the students at the university. They were very informative and assured me where to go. Once the students and I were called up for the illustration course, we went to go and drop off our portfolios. We left them in a room for the teachers to check over. Meanwhile, we all went and had a tour of the building and its facilities. 

After the tour, we were called up individually to be interviewed. This was really nerve racking for me. During the interview, I we talked through my portfolio together. I was asked to select my strongest and weakest piece of work. For the strongest piece of work, I have selected the Garden Bridge project I completed for the final assignment in the first year of Art and Design. I explained how I managed to learn a staggering amount with digital programs. I said that without completing this work I wouldn’t have been able to produce the next. 

I have always had an urge to draw. Through this, Art has always interested me. This coupled with the fact that I have constantly been involved with Art throughout my life, has subconsciously made me take Art very seriously in School and at Home. In turn, at College I have learnt vast amounts of new skills and techniques in Art and Design. 

I am constantly developing and changing my approach to Art. For instance, most recently I visited the National Portrait Gallery. This visit interested me a great deal. The exhibition held such works as that of Jason Brooks and Catherine Goodman. Our task for the summative assignment was to produce a self-portrait of myself from observation in the style of two artists of my choice. As this was my first time painting myself from observation, I found myself struggling with aspects of painting in the style of Catherine Goodman. Yet through this, I learnt from my mistakes. I channeled my knowledge of what I was doing wrong into my second piece which was in the style of Jason Brookes. This piece turned out far more successful than the first. I thoroughly enjoyed this task, and although I did struggle, I did not give up, teaching me a valuable lesson for the future.

 In the past, I have been fortunate enough to go abroad and study art. My secondary school and I went on an art trip to Rome and Florence, which was unforgettable. We visited renowned Art Galleries and Exhibitions. One of my most vivid memories of the trip was in the Sistine Chapel, which holds the remarkable painting, ‘The Creation of Adam’ by Michelangelo. By seeing famous paintings from hundreds of years ago, I have developed a greater appreciation for the history of art. The trip to Rome has encouraged me to expand the selection of media that I use in my art. I think this has influenced my attitude in the work I generate today.

 In my spare time, my love for illustration has transpired into graphic novels. Robert Kirkman’s: ‘The Walking Dead’ and Alan Moore’s: ‘V For Vendetta’ are two that I admire. My enthusiasm towards graphic novels has inspired me to create my own comic book for EPQ. As a result, I will develop my own illustrative style and at the same time, learn about how a comic book is structured and developed. 

As I have a significant interest in digital art, I often find myself experimenting with different art software and tools. For instance, I use a Graphic Tablet in combination with the software, ‘Manga Studio’, to create digital paintings. By using different software and tools it has allowed me to broaden my creative awareness in both my personal and educational work. I have entered digital art competitions and also worked with clients online to boost my experience and confidence in digital illustration.

 3D Design and Art and Design complement each other. Drawing appears in both of these subjects and so, the combination of the two has helped enhanced my approach when tackling briefs.