A DESIGN graduate has become a master of her craft after securing a job with a global art emporium. ORMER Cleveland College of Art and Design student Leigh Spencer has taken up the position of creative designer for Kanban Crafts. The Yorkshire-based manufacturer of paper crafts is a global leader in the supply of products, as well as creating merchandise for the Create and Craft TV channel and a worldwide crafting trade. Leigh, of Sunderland, is the first of the college’s 2012 graduates to be offered a full-time job following the completion of her studies at CCAD. “I never expected to get a job straight after leaving college – especially doing something I love – it’s just amazing,” said Leigh. The 23-year-old, who studied a BA in textiles and surfaces design at CCAD’s Hartlepool campus, started designing from a young age. “My nana taught my sister and me how to draw and throughout school I always did really well at art,” she said. “I completed my BTEC in art and design and an A level in textiles at college where one of my tutors told me about CCAD. “After going along to one of their graduate shows, in Church Square, Hartlepool, I knew instantly that that was where I needed to be. “Studying surface design
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Master of her craft Cleveland College of Art & Design graduate Leigh Spencer
and textiles has enabled me to look at all areas of design, from fashion fabrics and interior furnishings to wallpapers, textile artwork, greeting cards and gift products, giving me a perfect grounding for my new job.”
“CCAD really supported me, giving me the confidence in my own work and identifying my design strengths.” Leigh Spencer Leigh’s role as creative designer will involve overall responsibility for designing the elements for embellishments on handmade cards. “CCAD really supported me, giving me the confidence in my own work, identifying my design
strengths, even helping to improve my CV and there were always tutors available to talk to, even out of hours,” added Leigh. “My new job is fantastic and one day I hope to start my own business designing gifts, cards and bed linen. Until then I’m going to enjoy every moment of working in an industry I love.”
CCAD outstanding graphic design graduate Owen Smith, 21
AN internationally renowned art college is celebrating its outstanding exam success with a record 100 per cent student pass rate.
For more details on any of CCAD courses contact 01642 288888
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LEVELAND College of Art & Design’s bumper BTEC extended diploma results have once again cemented its place as one of the top performing further education colleges in the country. More than 55 per cent of all CCAD BTEC students, who studied at the Green Lane campus, Middlesbrough, achieved a triple distinction, equivalent to three A Levels at grade A. Two areas of study, textiles and graphic design, jointly saw 73 per cent of students achieve three distinctions, DDD, or above after the D* grades were introduced for the first time in 2011. Outstanding graphic design graduate Owen Smith, 21, achieved D*D*D*, the highest attainable result, after failing to drop a single grade in all of his 18 modules across the two year course. Owen, of Northallerton, is also on target to achieve an A in his A Level photography when the national results are released in August. “CCAD has been an incredible learning experience,” said Owen. “I originally came to study fine art but wanted a challenge that was both intellectual and technical. “Graphic design has taught me how to think in different ways and has opened up a whole new area of art for me. “I was incredibly happy with my results which are a combination of me being both a creative and determined person, never letting myself slip on a task, and also the support of the incredible tutors we have here who never let you under achieve.
“My confidence has increased so much by being in an environment where everyone is so creatively minded and supportive of everything you do.” Owen, who is currently undertaking regular freelance work, hopes to set up his own business after completing a graphic design degree at CCAD’s Hartlepool campus.
“CCAD has been an incredible learning experience.” Owen Smith CCAD graphics course director Chris Beadle added: “Our students undertake BTEC extended diplomas instead of A Level as they want to focus their studies in one particular area and the vocational course allows them to do that and learn skills which will help them in the workplace. “One hundred per cent of our students finished with a high grade this year and for the first time we had 63 per cent gain a D*, which shows once again that we are a grade one design course producing grade one design students. “Owen is everything a good designer should be; someone who is highly creative and who takes reference from everywhere in his work. “He is extremely intelligent but is also willing to embrace new ideas in his work and is one of the most rounded designers we have had on our course – certainly someone to watch out for in the future.”
Robin Ashley and Gemma Marsh with their costume making at Cleveland College of Art and Design
CREATIVE costume makers have sewn a seed for the future after working with an international costumier at one of the region’s biggest museums.
Luca Costigliolo
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LEVELAND College of Art and Design students Robin Ashley and Gemma Marsh have been helping well-known costumier Luca Costigliolo at Bowes Museum. Luca, an expert in historical sewing methods, has appeared in BBC2’s Victorian and Edwardian Farm series and is currently creating the wardrobe for Lucretia Borgia, played by actress Holliday Grainger for the TV series The Borgia’s. A founder member and teacher at The School of Historical Dress in London, Luca is a costume designer and maker, both for the theatre and opera. He has worked with The Globe Theatre and English National Opera. Robin and Gemma have been helping him recreate for the Barnard Castle museum, a dress originally belonging to Josephine Bowes in the 1860s made from the finest silk, specially woven in Como, Italy. Robin, 29, of Hartlepool, said: “It is quite an honour to have had the chance to work with Luca. He taught us so much about traditional methods. My toughest challenge was the hand-stitching, which was quite a task. “But I was really pleased when I was asked to do the top stitch, which I took as quite a compliment from Luca about my work.” The pink silk costume took ten days to recreate with Robin working on the bodice and Gemma tackling the petticoat and skirt.
The students, who have been studying the FdA costume construction for stage and screen and BA (hons) entertainment design crafts, worked with Luca in full view of the public.
“This experience has given me a taste of what it would be like to be a costume designer which is definitely what I want to do in the future.” Gemma Marsh Gemma, 22, of Hartlepool, said: “The way Luca taught us to do hemlines was just amazing. “We used a lot of historical techniques and it was done so different from how we do them in modern costumes. “I can now make patterns and drape a costume and this experience has really given me a taste of what it would be like to be a costume designer, which is definitely what I want to do in the future.”
For more details of courses at CCAD contact (01642) 288888.
A YOUNG artist who discovered her talent at nursery is being tipped for the top after winning an annual award.
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LEVELAND College of Art and Design student Hannah Johnson hopes one day to work in fashion for the likes of Dior or
Prada. And local experts believe she has the talent and drive to succeed in top design houses in New York. Hannah was presented with the annual Cleveland Arts Society Award, recognising her creativity and skills, at its annual summer exhibition in Stokesley Town Hall. Society president Ian Lightfoot told guests: “Her work shows fantastic draughtsmanship and we could tell she loves to draw experimentally. “We have no doubts that in five years time she will probably be working in New York for the Likes of Dior.”
“CCAD is a really great college and I am delighted my tutors recommended my work to the arts society.”
Last academic year she produced an ornate bird cage with clay roses, for a vintage magpie theme, as well as other work surrounding the 1950s. “I realised at nursery that I was good at art and then at school I got good grades in maths and English, but they didn’t interest me as much,” she said. “Over the summer I have been working as a receptionist in Harrogate District Hospital which has given me a taste of life outside the region and has really whetted my appetite for travel. “I would love to work in America and adore Prada and Dior.” Hannah has recently given up gymnastics after been British Champion three times. “But this is the first time I have ever won anything for my art and I feel really privileged,” she said. “CCAD is a really great college and I am delighted my tutors recommended my work to the arts society.”
Hannah Johnson The 17-year-old, of Acklam, Middlesbrough, is about to start the second year of a foundation degree in design crafts.
For further information on courses at CCAD call (01642) 288888