We recently spoke to current BA (Hons) Illustration student Alex Taylor, who told us about what they're currently working on, their encouraging tutors and gave some valuable advice to always "have fun with the work you're making"...
What does a typical day/week as a BA (Hons) Illustration student involve?
My typical week involves going into university three to four times a week, complemented with lots of trips to the local coffee shops and Waterstones for coffee, books and inspiration. Along with spending time with friends and going to the gym.
Image: Courtesy of Alex Taylor
How does the University support you to do what you’re good at?
The tutors are amazing and will always push your ideas further to points you didn't think of. I had this experience last semester where I was beginning to find my art style and the tutors helped massively with this.
Image: Courtesy of Alex Taylor
If you had to give a fresher three pieces of advice for studying at Leeds Arts University, what would they be?
My three pieces of advice for any fresher studying at LAU would be to have fun with the work you're making since it shows when you don't. Make the most of the facilities and the people around you, you're all there to do the same thing so don't be afraid to reach out and work together. Then my final advice is to be yourself, university is a scary place but LAU is such an exciting community, with such a wide range of people where everyone is equal.
Image: Courtesy of Alex Taylor
What project are you currently working on and what’s involved? What have you learned?
I'm currently working on a book cover brief for the Penguin Cover Design Award 2022. This involved us choosing from one of the three books picked by Penguin and creating a book cover (front, spine and back) for our chosen books which fit the brief given. Through this I've learned how to be decisive with what I'm choosing and to work to a shorter timeframe while still producing quality work.
Describe yourself in three words.
If I were to describe myself in three words, they would be: optimistic, meticulous and ambitious.
@ajtaylor.design