<p dir="ltr">Fable said: “I knew that I wanted to study art and that I wanted to sign up for the best art course that was available locally, which is why I chose Arts University Plymouth, but it was also incredibly convenient to have such a good site so close to my doorstep. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to specialise in and wanted to experiment with different techniques, art styles and mediums, which is why I chose the Extended Diploma in Art &amp; Design. During my studies I’ve had chances to try illustration, animation, painting, clay, mark making, printmaking, film, photography… Basically, I sampled the best of all the courses here.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I enjoyed animation and illustration so much that I’ve made a decision to pursue these areas further. During my time at Arts University Plymouth I’ve made great use of the university resources, but really it’s the people here who have impressed me most. No matter how great the equipment or resources at a university, your experience will depend on the people around you. Arts University Plymouth has such great staff and such a great system for student support. It feels like you’re working with genuinely lovely people who care about you and are invested in your emotional wellbeing.”</p> <p dir="ltr">19-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-photography">Photography</a> student <a href="https://www.instagram.com/julesdean_photography/?hl=en-gb">Jules Dean</a>, from Horrabridge, in West Devon, achieved a Distinction and is preparing to take a gap year in Japan, with a university place waiting for him when he returns.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Jules said: “I’ve loved my time at Arts University Plymouth. I started A-Levels elsewhere initially but wasn’t happy because I didn’t enjoy the subjects I’d chosen. Some friends were studying Photography at Arts University Plymouth and loved it, which I hadn’t realised was an option, so I visited an Open Day and made the decision to finish out the year at school and come here. Studying here has been such a great experience, I’ve had great lecturers and made good friends on a course that balanced my passion for photography alongside preparing me for university and professional life.</p> <p dir="ltr">“My course leader, Tobie, has been really supportive and encouraging throughout my studies. It makes such a difference to have teachers who you can build a good relationship with. Really everyone I met at Arts University Plymouth has been lovely, the University is welcoming to people of all backgrounds and inclusive in a great way.”</p> <p dir="ltr">18-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-famp">Filmmaking &amp; Media Production</a> student <a href="https://www.instagram.com/morga_nfilms/?hl=en-gb">Morgan Lindberg Stevens</a>, from Brixton, achieved a Distinction and is now getting ready to study filmmaking further at university in Bournemouth.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Morgan said: “When I was at secondary school, the environment wasn’t very art friendly and there weren’t a lot of art resources available. I visited an Open Day at Arts University Plymouth and it seemed such a creative and accepting environment. My experience when I arrived has been even better than I expected. For the last two years at Arts University Plymouth I could be myself and learn so much, more than I would have done anywhere else I think.</p> <p dir="ltr">“At school I wasn’t close to my teachers but at Arts University Plymouth it felt like I could talk to them about anything and have fun with them while I learned. Because of the nature of filmmaking on the course you’re always collaborating with other people so you have to make friends, but it was also easy to mix with other courses and classes. You’re all here because you love creativity, so everyone experiences that same excitement about making.”</p> <p dir="ltr">19-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-giga">Graphics, Illustration &amp; Game Arts</a> student Zander Welch, from Plymouth, achieved a Distinction and is now planning to take some time out to further develop concept art with a long-term goal of becoming a character designer within the animation and games industries.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Zander said: “I began studying elsewhere, but when that college closed I spotted the Extended Diploma in Graphics, Illustration &amp; Games at Arts University Plymouth and was smitten. Choosing to study here is one of the best choices I’ve made. It was a lot easier to make friends here than I’d found elsewhere, and I’ve managed to find a pretty solid friendship group in the two years I’ve studied at Arts University Plymouth.</p> <p dir="ltr">“During my studies here, I’ve found my own art style. Information was always given to me in a digestible manner, which made it easier to understand. My tutors were so nice and were there for me during tough times. Plus over the course of my studies I’ve learned how to create and format a whole book, which is pretty cool!”</p> <p dir="ltr">18-year-old <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/pre-degree/ual-level-3-extended-diploma-in-art-design-famp">Filmmaking &amp; Media Production</a> student <a href="https://www.instagram.com/fizzfilms_/?hl=en-gb">Isabella Fanous</a>, from Plymouth, achieved a Distinction and has plans to progress to study filmmaking further at university in Wales.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">Isabella said: “I can’t think of a project that I didn’t enjoy during my time at Arts University Plymouth. I had such a great relationship with the people teaching me, it felt more like a professional workplace than sitting and being taught at school. I was going to do A-Levels originally but I felt like hands-on skills are my strength and when I arrived at Arts University Plymouth I fell in love with filmmaking.</p> <p dir="ltr">“I loved the attitude of my classmates, it was nice to work with people who were like minded, which created a great atmosphere. Everyone is in the same boat joining Arts University Plymouth for the first time, and we all ended up getting along. The group of friends I’ve made are people who I plan to continue making films together with in future. I feel like I touched on every aspect of filmmaking during my time here and one thing that stood out was how great it was to be connected to the main university campus. There were so many times on my course that I came to the main university and used professional resources, making use of the sound recording studio, attending exhibitions, watching films in Plymouth Arts Cinema, and even just talking to the undergraduate students to get an insight into what to expect from university life."</p> <p dir="ltr">Other recent successes for Pre-Degree students from Arts University Plymouth include 19-year-old Level 3 Extended Diploma in Filmmaking &amp; Media Production student <a href="https://www.instagram.com/bogdana_bigdan/">Bohdana Bihdan</a>, who <a href="https://www.oneearthfilmfest.org/earth-words-blog/2024/7/22/see-award-winning-films-on-sept-22-at-gene-siskel-film-center">jointly won the Sally Stovall Award for Creativity</a> at the international One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest, with her original film <a href="https://youtu.be/8xL7lQf1sZ8?si=U5YJKpzJQh3OsKnH">‘Ocean Monologue’</a>. Bohdana’s film explores the topic of ocean pollution through the lens of violence against women, showing how these two global issues reveal a deeper relationship of neglect and aggression to the embodiment of what gives life. The One Earth Young Filmmakers Contest received 400 submissions from 55 countries and 36 US states, with a Global Awards Celebration due to take place on Sunday 22 September in Chicago. Jointly tying for as winner, Bohdana will be awarded a $500 USD scholarship prize, with a matching donation of $500 USD to Greenpeace Australia Pacific.</p>

<p dir="ltr">Originally from Ukraine, Bohdana also won the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/award-winners-from-the-graduate-shows-2024#vice-chancellors-commendation-pre-degree-award">Vice-Chancellor's Commendation Pre-Degree Award</a> at Arts University Plymouth’s Graduate Shows 2024, recognising her outstanding creative and academic achievement, alongside a sustained contribution to the university community.</p> <p dir="ltr">Former Arts University Plymouth Pre-Degree Art &amp; Design student Brandon Burch, from Plymouth, won a coveted <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/illustration-students-win-best-in-show-at-d-ad-new-blood-festival-2024">Best in Show award at D&amp;AD New Blood Festival 2024</a> for his high impact tour posters, album sleeves and band logos for a range of emerging UK metal bands.</p> <p dir="ltr">Amira Bukasa, a 17-year old Fashion &amp; Textiles student from Arts University Plymouth won First Place in the Secondary School category of the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/ma-and-pre-degree-students-win-children-and-young-peoples-portrait-competition">Children and Young People’s Portrait Competition</a>, a competition organised by The Box, Plymouth, and Arts University Plymouth, in collaboration with the National Portrait Gallery. Amira won with her photographic portrait, ‘The Future’, which was inspired by her Congolese heritage and shows two of her siblings in traditional African clothing.</p> <p dir="ltr">Current and former Pre-Degree students from Arts University Plymouth were <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/fashion-students-and-graduates-showcased-in-launch-of-devil-wears-prada-a-new-musical">selected to have their work displayed </a>alongside the exclusive pre-West End debut of the ‘The Devil Wears Prada: A New Musical’. The youngest winning entry came from 17-year-old first-year Fashion &amp; Textiles student Madi Redfearn, with another winning entry from second-year BA (Hons) Fashion Design and former Extended Diploma in Fashion &amp; Textiles student Kiki Fraikue, whose work has <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/rising-fashion-star-kiki-fraikue-featured-in-gq">also been featured by GQ</a>.</p> <p dir="ltr">Over the past year over 130 Pre-Degree students at Arts University Plymouth attended organised trips across the UK and around the world, including visits to London, Berlin and New York. Photography students were also selected to exhibit their work at the National Photography &amp; Video Show in Birmingham, which the students attended together.<br /></p>