CASE STUDY: Susan Hughes

When we spoke to Susan she was studying on the Foundation Degree in Graphic Design at Amersham & Wycombe College.

 

After I had my children I wanted to go back into education as I really wanted to change the direction of my career, and I was looking to move into a job that I could really enjoy. I'd done an A-level previously at Amersham and so my first stop was their website to see what courses they offered, and the idea of Graphic Design really appealed to me. I met with one of the tutors at the college, and she suggested that as I had been out of education for a while I might find the Access to HE in art and Design course my best option. It fitted around my childcare and job demands, and the course itself was brilliant, with really interesting subject material and supportive tutors. I had no art background but it was easy to get involved and develop the skills I needed, and I felt that I had finally found this thing I was good at. It opened doors, as after I had done the Access course I really wanted to continue studying for an HE qualification, and the same tutor gave me all the options available and suggested that I might like to continue onto the Foundation Degree in Graphic Design.

I particularly enjoy the live briefs we get on the course, where we get given a project to work on, often from an actual business client. There are real challenges both with the course itself, but also having to work it around my other commitments, and there is simply no extension on the deadlines. I have to work out my own time and boundaries.

When I've finished the Foundation Degree my plan is to stay on at Amersham, and continue on their BA top-up in Graphic Design. I know the college well, and enjoy it here as well as knowing I could fit the top-up around my other commitments. I hope after that to try to make it on my own by working as a freelance designer which would give me the flexible career I need doing something I love.

We spoke to Susan in October 2008