Spoonie

An Open Day sparked my passion for illustration

Design
Illustration student smiling, looking away from the camera, whilst working on a project

My friend told me about the fantastic lecturers and the exciting projects, and I decided I had to see it for myself.


From an impulsive decision to an inspiring journey of creativity

Sometimes all it takes is a spark of inspiration to set you on the right path. For Spoonie, hearing about the course from a friend led to an impulsive Open Day visit and a decision that’s opened the door to creativity, confidence, and countless opportunities at USW.

"I had a friend who was already enrolled on the BA (Hons) Illustration course at USW and couldn’t stop hyping it up! They told me about the fantastic lecturers and the exciting projects, and I decided I had to see it for myself—even though it meant a four-hour train journey! I made an impulsive decision to join based on what I’d heard at the Open Day, and I’ve loved every minute of it.

The course is very industry-focused, with opportunities to work on live projects with local companies, like The Print House. I’ve even started branching out on my own, reaching out to a college and collaborating with local creatives. The course encourages us to build connections, which has been invaluable for gaining real-world experience."

Find your course

THE COURSE ENCOURAGES US TO BUILD CONNECTIONS, WHICH HAS BEEN INVALUABLE FOR GAINING REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE.

Spoonie

Illustration student

Exploring creativity and opportunities in Cardiff

"My favourite part of the course has been the modules on character design and concept art, which I’m particularly passionate about. Learning different print techniques has also been eye-opening—especially discovering the Riso printer, which I didn’t even know existed before I came here. It’s now a central part of my work.

Living in Cardiff has enriched my experience. The city is becoming a creative hub, drawing people from all over. It’s the perfect size: big enough to offer opportunities but small enough to feel welcoming.

After graduation, I hope to start a freelance business providing affordable print workshops for people from diverse backgrounds. I want to offer others the same sense of discovery I’ve found here. My advice? Visit the campus if you can and just go for it—this course rewards creativity and confidence."

Employability and Careers

Interested in Design?

Our design courses are created with industry in mind and we aim to prepare you for the workplace by the time you graduate.