Visual Communications Talks Week Inspires Students

The College Visual Communications department recently hosted a Talks Week that inspired over two hundred students from disciplines like Illustration, Graphic Design, Digital Design, Design Practice, Marketing, and Animation. Students across all levels had the chance to hear from industry professionals and gain valuable insights into their future careers.

The week featured eight sessions with eleven speakers, five of whom are proud College alumni. The speakers came from diverse creative fields, such as Graphic Design, Illustration, Product Design, Animation, and Entrepreneurship. They shared their career journeys and offered advice on navigating the many paths available in the creative industries.

Curriculum Head of Visual Communication, Graphic Design, and Illustration Amy Whiten reflected: “The Visual Communication Talks week was a fantastic opportunity for students to expand their learning by hearing from professionals across various design specialisms. It’s great for them to understand what it really takes to have a creative career, and it was lovely to see so many of our ex-students thriving and speaking confidently about their experiences and successes.”

Throughout the week, discussions covered a wide range of topics, from tackling design briefs to managing freelance careers and upholding ethical design practices. Many speakers stressed the importance of taking initiative—encouraging students to "just start something" to get their careers moving. They also emphasised the value of building strong networks, being collaborative, and combining design skills with soft skills to approach complex client projects.

The Speakers & Their Insights

Throughout the week of 28th–31st January 2025, a series of inspiring talks took place, featuring industry professionals who shared their career journeys and insights. Jonathan Gilbride, a College alumnus and Graphic Designer at Brewdog, and Katie Smith, a successful illustrator from the Glasgow School of Art, spoke about their rapid career progressions. On Wednesday, Anna Campbell Jones, a designer, and educator, discussed her career and winning Scottish Influencer of the Year, while the team from &Partnership shared their award-winning work in design and advertising.

The week continued with Rachel Arnold, co-founder of The Creative Entrepreneur’s Club, encouraging students to embrace entrepreneurship, and Laura Service from Ilka, who spoke about the impact of ethical design in branding. On Friday, Graeme McGowan, co-founder of Jamhot, explored branding’s transformative power, while Alex Reece, a College alumnus and co-founder of Friendhood, highlighted design’s role in storytelling and activism. These talks provided students with valuable insights and inspiration from diverse areas of the creative industries.

Student Reactions & Feedback

Students responded positively to the week, valuing the diverse perspectives shared by the speakers. Natasha Aiston, a second-year HND Graphic Design student, reflected, “Everyone has had different experiences to get where they are, it was really fresh to see different perspectives.” A first-year HN Illustration student added, “The speakers were well chosen, expressing clear knowledge of relevant art topics. They were receptive to questions and provided thoughtful answers.” Meanwhile, a Design Practice Degree student noted, “I enjoyed the range of speakers; most were from small studios, which reflects the reality of the industry. However, hearing from larger companies and a more diverse group of speakers would have further enriched the experience.”