Arts University Bournemouth

My time at AUB has been a whirlwind of exploration, experimentation, and most importantly, a deeper understanding of how storytelling can transcend traditional boundaries to become an immersive experience. When I first joined, I was unsure of what I would find, but I knew one thing for certain: I wanted to blend my love for art with my desire to tell stories that went beyond the conventional. Little did I know that this path would not only transform my creative process, but also shape my perspective on life itself.

When I think back on my year at AUB, I see it as a journey of evolution, of stories told and retold, of challenges faced and overcome, and of endless experimentation. Together with the International Collective Exhibition and the final MA showcase, I got the opportunity to contribute and participate in four exhibitions throughout the year. From the early, deeply personal works like Bathing in Sunlight, to the boundary-pushing projects like Build your Beau, I’ve learned to embrace both the old and the new, the emotional and the experimental.

I’ve realised that storytelling is not just about telling others what you know; it’s about inviting them to see the world through your eyes and feel what you feel. It’s about creating spaces where imagination and reality collide, and where both the artist and the viewer can discover something new about themselves in the process. I cannot stress enough on how grateful I am to the faculty and friends I made here. This past year changed me as a person more than anything and I will carry that with me forevermore.

Read Ananta's full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/creative-reflection-with-ananta-sharma-i-wanted-this-project-to-not-only-be-seen-but-felt

The course itself has three elements in which to explore: a theoretical investigation, developing your creative practice, and engagement with professionalism. Personally, I’m also hoping to lecture someday, and so the theoretical element of the MA was right up my street. I decided to research into the different ways a background artist can aid in the storytelling of an animation production, and this became a sort of secondary thesis within my overall project. I thoroughly enjoyed this line of questioning because I felt like it would in turn improve my practical work, as I would be able to implement the things I had learned into my background designs.

After learning as much as I could about the expectations of a background artist, I decided to design two different projects to fill my portfolio. Both projects aimed to showcase the necessary skill set to become a background artist, but one portrayed my ability to match style (an important skill for a background artist), whilst the other illustrated my own style and voice (to hopefully help me stand out in the crowd). I hoped that with these two briefs I could build a portfolio of technically accurate pieces that are eye-catching and filled with storytelling.

Finally, I liked that even the pragmatic lines that I wanted to go down – like writing my CV, how to display my website, and developing a professional network – were also welcomed as part of my studies. They weren’t something that I had to do on the side, but were a part of my overall learning in response to my goal. Being able to direct my own studies in that way helped me to feel very proactive in my goal of gaining employment.

Read Béibhínn's full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/b%C3%A9ibh%C3%ADnn-mccarthy-gaining-skill-set-design-animation-industry

The Master of Architecture course gave a great level of flexibility to start specialising in what I wanted my career to be based around. I had a focus on public and social architecture, which I now work in following our end-of-year show.

For my thesis piece, I looked at the university’s collaborative ethos fostered a joint thesis project with a Dance student. With the taboo of a complex history in smuggling during the French Revolution, leading to the formation of modern-day Kinson and its ranging fake history of the Village Green to the original uses of Pelhams House for French wine smuggling, meaning that much of its architecture is not considerate of its context. These buildings have harsh boundaries of public to private and this is reciprocated in the development of The Kinson Hub, which expresses a brick mass in the postmodern typology, out of its time and inconsiderate of the neighbouring Village Green that was renovated just three years prior to construction start.

In practice, I utilise the skills I picked up from university including sketching, analysing, researching, to name just a few. Studying M.Arch. solidified those skills drastically, to the point that I can produce efficiently and to the level of art and design I want to bring to a project.

Read Ben's full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/ben-palmer-from-creativity-to-architecture-accreditation

Working remotely on a project with a renowned British heritage brand during my BA studies opened my eyes to digital possibilities. Realising the imperative to advance my skills, I decided to pursue an MA in Digital Fashion Innovation, seeking to bridge the gap between traditional fashion production and emerging technologies.

Initially, my MA focused on enhancing my proficiency with digital fashion tools like CLO3D. The first year was fraught with challenges as I struggled to select and develop a suitable project. My experiences during this period taught me the importance of clear communication and efficient workflow in design and production. It wasn't until after taking a gap year that I realised the potential of AI in fashion. During this time, I conducted independent research on AI applications and returned to my studies with a renewed focus on integrating AI to optimise design and manufacturing processes.

Reflecting on my educational journey at AUB, I see a blend of traditional skills and innovative technologies shaping my future in the fashion industry. The challenges and lessons learned have prepared me to embrace and lead in the evolving landscape of fashion technology. I am eager to continue exploring the capabilities of AI in fashion, striving to make an impactful contribution to a more sustainable and efficient industry.

It's also worth noting that the MA Digital Fashion Innovation course offers the opportunity to collaborate with the academic team on research and innovation. Access to the AUB Innovation Studio and creative tech resources has significantly elevated my work, allowing me to communicate effectively with relevant audiences.

I find that UK creative culture is really positive, great and engaging. It fosters some incredible interactions with people and really pushes you to be a better creative.

I personally chose Bournemouth because I'm from California and I absolutely love the sun. But also because the campus is amazing and the core staff here is great. AUB really focuses on cross-course collaboration, either formally during your studies or as side projects.

On BA (Hons) Textiles Design, I found that I never had much time for the initial drawing process, as the making took up the majority of my time. This was really frustrating to me as I love drawing and wanted to spend more time on it during projects, although this was a very rare occurrence during my degree. Despite coming from this background, I have decided against working with textiles in any capacity thus far during my Master’s, as I really do want a change, and I am thoroughly enjoying having the space to discover who I am as an illustrator as opposed to a textiles designer. I like keeping these roles separate, as qualities that I value in my illustrations are not necessarily qualities that I value in my textiles.

The most exciting part of the MA is the fact that I have made it this far! I do struggle with perfectionism and self-criticism, so I’m really glad to have this opportunity. Being accepted onto this course has finally made me believe that my work is good enough, and that I can do difficult things, even when I’m doubtful. I feel that I’m a better artist just for pushing myself to take risks and to do things that seem scary.

In all seriousness, my favourite thing is having less contact time than on BA, and more freedom to explore my own ideas without constant input. It’s obviously good to discuss ideas with peers and tutors, but sometimes you just need that breathing room to make your work distinctly you. It also feels more like you are actually working in the creative industry as you are almost entirely self-governed. This is very helpful in preparing students for future employment.

Read Cerys' full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/cerys-watkins-shifting-creative-focus-at-ma-level

MA Painting is predominantly practical-based and self-led, which really appealed to me, as I could experiment new techniques. It’s led by excellent tutors and visiting tutors, all of whom give you the encouragement and the insightful knowledge you need to develop your practice, with regular tutorials, critiques, workshops and lectures.

My work is process-led. It’s about being in the moment of the making, influenced by the capabilities of the materials. The paint takes me on a journey across the canvas. My abstract style explores colour, spontaneity, and gesture, where forms slowly evolve, often leading to surprising results.

Being given our own studio space in Bournemouth town centre, away from campus, was a bonus. It made me feel much more independent, enabled me to focus on what I wanted, and gave me the opportunity to make larger pieces. The studios are a great environment to be in – to be with like-minded students and to give each other feedback, but also to push yourself, to come out of your comfort zone sometimes.

The most rewarding part was working together towards curating our own exhibitions. This was not only a great experience, but it helps to prepare you on your next artistic journey on a more professional level once you leave.

My experience at AUB has been fierce and amazing at the same time. I’ve taken advantage of the facilities, and the course totally changed my mindset, my approach to art, my style and my audience.

I used to feel self-deprecated because I didn’t have an arts degree or any professional experience, and now I’ve gained more confidence since I believe that practice make perfect. From an artist going crazy with my use of colour negatively, to focusing on using colour more effectively and capturing the attention of viewers, I feel so grateful about this chance I’ve had.

I was ambitious when, during the second unit, I signed up to four projects via my Course Leader and these were completed at the last minute within one month. I had to test different compositions, colours, swatches and text placements to find the best ones and after that, I also got a lot of feedback from international authors and illustrators in terms of children's books to add and remove unnecessary pages. At that time, I was extremely stressed, but my Course Leader told me I could leave it until third unit if I couldn’t complete it. However, I wanted to wrap everything up and finally I completed it.

Right after second unit, I saw the Green Futures Competition and found the brief totally matching with my projects. Hence, I submitted it as my entry for this competition and luckily, I was shortlisted.

Three things led me to study MA Graphic Design at AUB. I hoped to choose an arts university with a complete range of resources compared to others; one that specialised in the full range of art disciplines. Secondly, in the year before enrolment, I personally visited AUB and found the staff, including the person responsible for international students, and the department head Phil Jones, very friendly and helpful. And then, finally, the university isn't too far from London, and the cost of living is relatively cheap. This allowed me to visit the city frequently for exhibitions. I’m grateful that I had a very open and accessible learning environment and that I was able to participate regularly in art events in London. This has also influenced my design style. With the accumulation of my experiences and Western influences, my works have acquired a unique style that differentiates itself from the Taiwanese market.
After studying abroad in the UK, I discovered significant differences in education compared to Asia, which requires self-learning ability. Many times, I worked independently without colleagues or anyone to ask for help. During graduate school, I became accustomed to finding answers and constantly conducting experiments to achieve better results. Another difference is English proficiency. Since I've applied for international awards, reading and writing creative concept descriptions have been crucial.

AUB struck me with its welcoming environment, for the technical equipment they possess, the vibrant creativity that flows and the deep understanding of the tutors that help direct the way forward and provide the necessary tools to evolve.

As a forward-thinking learner, the fact that the title of the course has Innovation gave me the room to explore new territories in the field of digital fashion. With the right supervision and encouragement, I reached stages that exceeded my expectations. My passion for art and tech collides in harmony in digital fashion, which serves as a medium that I envision playing a crucial role with emerging technological advancements.

The project I produced started with the curiosity of bridging digital and physical fashion, as the project evolved and I developed new levels of thinking, my curiosity manifested itself in bridging the metaphysical to the digital realm. By exploring spiritual concepts, I worked my way to translate these concepts into artistic expression and finally designed a fractal-themed collection. It was innovation at its core, since it was something that hadn’t been done before and only achievable with digital tools. My aspirations included creating a multidisciplinary project, and with the right collaboration the fashion collection was included as cover art and as a visual album for the mixtape Bout 2 Bloom, where each outfit corresponded to each song of the tape. I’m truly grateful for the platform and experience that AUB provided.

Highlights:
– During my studies, I became a brand ambassador for the South Korean digital fashion company Z-Emotion.
– Participated in a digital fashion competition and got selected to show my art in the Museum of the Future in Dubai.
– Created a unique digital fashion collection and brought it to life by creating 12 different music videos, with the emphasis of exploring distinct technical methods of production with various software.
– Created a 628-page book that covers the whole process.

The MA Fine Art course is mind-blowing. It allowed me to explore new media and tackle challenging topics at the cutting edge of contemporary fine art. Before starting the course, I had dabbled in digital 3D modelling, and I was eager to develop this skill further. Mostly self-taught, I worked rigorously to refine my abilities, creating surreal 3D images, animations, and 3D-printed sculptures. The course is intensive and asks a lot of you as an artist; with an 80% weighting on independent studio practice, I got to churn out work and develop a completely transformed methodology. At the busiest point of the year, I was teaching three separate courses weekly while working in the studio every day. Each day felt like an opportunity to learn something transformative which I could then pass on to my students, approaching art and design topics from a refreshed perspective. It was demanding but incredibly empowering.

On days when I struggled, I found support in the community of people I met during the course. We helped each other navigate the intensity of the year. After a three-year break from arts education, I had a deep appreciation for the studio space and facilities. On slower days, when I lacked energy, the studio became a haven, even if just a space to think or answer emails.

Read Jessica's full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/jessica-tipper-i-wanted-to-become-part-of-the-next-generation-of-artists-and-teachers

With the support of Prof. Paul Ward and my classmates, I decided to create a film that drew from my personal experience of being part of a global Asian diaspora, and specifically about the tension I feel between my ancestral heritage and my lived experience in the global empires of the US and the UK. The goal of the Fulbright program is to engage in cultural exchange between the origin and host country.

I decided to draw these connections through a semi-autobiographical story about an international student who must reconcile her Indian, Trinidadian, and Canadian ancestry with her American and British upbringing. As my own family history reminds me, the British Empire shaped the lives of many Asians in the US, Canada, and the Caribbean. Films about this diverse history are necessary because the violent histories of anti-Asian hate are reappearing in our contemporary lives. The COVID-19 pandemic brought to light anti-Asian sentiments in both the US and UK. Events such as the Atlanta spa shooting in 2021, where six Asian American women were killed in my hometown, not only demonstrated how the pandemic has heightened the racism that Asian Americans experience every day, but also brought the impacts of gendered racism to the forefront.

With this context, I wanted to create an innovative film that engages with critical forms of representation and highlights how members of the Asian diaspora experience the tension between their ancestry and lived experience. It was an absolute joy to be able to work on and receive encouragement about this project. I was able to complete the film, and it is currently on the festival circuit in the hopes of reaching audiences who want to engage with diverse ways of storytelling.

Read Kheyal's full story: https://aub.ac.uk/latest/kheyal-roy-meighoo-the-year-at-aub-transformed-me-into-the-animator-that-i-am-today

As I like making something out of nothing, I styled objects I owned and experimented with still life photography at home. Through some online courses, I honed my photographic skills and realising the limitations of amateur photography, I decided to pursue an MA in Photography at AUB.

My time at AUB was a rewarding, creative journey. The course fostered individual expression, supported by supportive tutors and a diverse community of photographers. Technical assistance from photo technicians enhanced my practical skills. Collaborating with like-minded students from various courses further enriched my projects. Despite the challenges, I successfully developed my unique visual style.

I created a series of art/commercial balance images by leveraging the uncanny concept to seize the attention for local sustainable shops in Bournemouth, promoting the sale of their stock. Still life and fashion photography were merged by the faceless, abstracted human bodies in these pictures, directing the viewer’s attention to the pre-loved commodities while highlighting the artistic expression.

The whole project was executed by medium format digital camera Phase One and in-studio software Capture One, which are industrial-standard. Several final images were accepted and exhibited at the shop I collaborated with, and all the items used in the project have a second life, through donation back to the shops or gifting to models from BA (Hons) Acting, BA (Hons) Fashion, MA Painting, and stylists from MA Historical Costume and MA Fine Art.

My ambition to build up my further painting skills and career made me decide to study MA Painting. I originally hoped to study art at MA level, but also hoped to develop practical and conceptual aspects of my painting. AUB’s MA Painting course was established with excellent timing, just after I graduated from the BA. The course focuses on practical aspects, which was what I needed.

MA Painting required more independence than BA (Hons) Fine Art. Students had two days a week to see tutors and talk in the studio, had wider options on where to conduct research inside and outside university, and attended lectures and workshops led by other courses and institutions. Relationships between students and tutors seemed more equal at MA level; students weren't taught passively anymore, but could talk to them based on progress to reflect on artwork.

I focused on how my pointillism could evolve from emotional representations to perceptional representations. Then I was able to improve my attitudes to not only discover new brushstrokes, different colour usages and original observational skills, but also cultivate my understandings of pictorial expression through practices, self-reflections, tutorials, critiques, research and exhibitions throughout the course.

You could comfortably say that I’ve found my home here at AUB. I started on the undergraduate Costume course in 2018, and coming from just outside London, I was at first drawn to the slightly slower pace of Bournemouth. I didn’t expect it, but when I came to view the university, it was almost like something out of a film. I turned the corner onto the main campus, and the sun started shining, there was music playing across the courtyard, and everyone just seemed excited to be there. When I got home, I retracted all my other offers. I knew that I didn’t want to do my degree anywhere else.
I spent my final project exploring female tailoring, and in the summer of 2021, I graduated with a first-class degree. By this point, I felt like I had just scratched the surface of my understanding of tailoring and knew that it was something that I needed to explore more. I made the decision to start my Master’s in Historical Costume over the summer, with the goal to provide me the space and guidance to research further into tailoring practices. I wanted to focus on making for the non-standard body, to provide a different perspective on traditional tailoring techniques.
I finished my Master’s in February, achieving a Distinction and being over the moon. Two weeks after, I started my new job working at AUB. I’m now a Technician Demonstrator, working with the staff and students to help manage the studios and share my knowledge. It’s of course a bit of a shock to the system to now be a colleague among my tutors, but I’ve embraced the change and they’ve all helped me to realise what I can offer to others.