personal statement for design college

Personal statement advice: art and design

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What art and design tutors are looking for

The underlying message is that tutors want to know about you, your practice, your inspirations, and your aspirations, and for your personal statement to act as written accompaniment to your portfolio and performance at interview.

How to make your art and design statement stand out

Admissions tutors prefer to read personal statements that don't stick to a predictable formula – here are a few tactics to ensure yours packs a punch.

• Focus on the course: Martin Conreen, design admissions tutor at Goldsmiths, University of London, urges applicants for design courses 'not to over mention art' but to stay focused on design. He also feels some applicants waste too much space on non-relevant factors like their sporting achievements.
• Your influences: Martin adds he wants to hear who your influences are, why they inspire you, and 'how their work has resonance with your own, or with your own ideas'.
• Examples of what inspires you: David Baldry, fine art course leader at University Campus Suffolk, echoes this: 'Tell us what inspires you. We want to know what contemporary art interests you, so talk about key artists or an exhibition that made an impression on you. We want to know how you respond to the world creatively, so talk about your experiences or projects you’ve developed independently. Also, edit it so it sounds punchy'.
• Demonstrate your artistic ambitions: Alison Jones, fine art admissions tutor at Goldsmiths, is looking for 'interesting individuals who have a passion for art and a commitment to developing themselves as artists. Therefore, your personal statement should demonstrate an understanding of your own work, focusing on what is unique about your practice'.
• Be original: starting your statement with a well-known quote – such as 'fashion is not something that exists in dresses only' – is inadvisable. 189 applicants quoted that exact Coco Chanel snippet last year, so it really won't make you stand out from the crowd.

It's all summed up nicely by Arts University Bournemouth whose advice is:

'Be focused on the field you're applying for (no scattergun approach), name artists or designers you admire, think contemporary, reflect on exhibitions or galleries or events you've visited, and don't think "I'll tell them at the interview" – put it in the statement!'

Find out more about studying art and design, including entry requirements, why you should study it, and possible careers it could lead on to.  

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Design Personal Statement Examples

What is a design personal statement?

Writing a personal statement for design is a chance to sell yourself to the admissions tutors and show them why you would make a great design candidate. It’s a place to describe your skills and strengths, as well as your career plans.

You are allowed up to 4000 characters to explain why you are applying for a design degree, so you need to make sure your statement is as polished as possible to stand out from the crowd.

How do I write a good design personal statement?

Good design personal statements always use evidence to support their claims. You need to convince admissions tutors that you’re a good match for the programme, so if you claim to be committed or inquisitive, then use examples from your life to back it up.

To write a great design personal statement you need to start early, brainstorm some ideas, and then begin your first draft.

This will then need to be carefully revised and edited before asking family and friends for feedback. Incorporate their comments and suggestions, and see how it is improved before asking them to look at it again.

Read through our design personal statement examples to give you an idea of what a good design statement entails.

Make sure you proofread your statement for grammar and spelling before sending it off, and if you feel you need a little extra help, take a look at our personal statement editing services .

What should I include in my design personal statement?

Many students choose to start their statement by picking a specific aspect of design and explaining why they enjoy it.

Admissions tutors want candidates that are as passionate about the subject as they are.

As well as your motivations for studying design, think about your hobbies and extracurricular activities too. What skills have you learned from these and how will these help you in your design degree?

Talk about any work experience placements you have completed, e.g. shadowing an architect or design technician. What did you take away from this experience? Do you feel you have all the necessary personal traits and qualities that make a good design student?

Your wider reading is also important, so it's worth mentioning anything you've read recently that you found interesting and why. Generally, admissions tutors like students who express their views and opinions, and can back them up with evidence.

For more help and advice on what to write in your design personal statement, please see:

• Personal Statement Editing Services
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• The 15th January UCAS Deadline: 4 Ways To Avoid Missing It
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• Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples

Read below Graphic Design Personal Statement Examples and use them as inspiration to writing your university application. 

Graphic Design Personal Statement

As a passionate and self-taught graphic designer, I am excited to apply to UK universities for graphic design courses. For me, design is a constantly evolving field that requires continuous expansion of one’s culture and creative processes.

I am particularly drawn to graphic design for its omnipresence and diversity, as it is present in nearly every aspect of our daily lives, from printed materials to web design, branding, packaging, and visual identity.

My journey in graphic design began with self-teaching, followed by completing a BEP (equivalent to NVQ Level 2) Graphic Industries course, which provided me with hands-on experience in prepress, on-press, and finishing work.

Currently, I am pursuing a Baccalaureate Professional (equivalent to a BTEC National Diploma) in Graphic Communication, which has further honed my skills in investigating and researching graphic projects, such as logotypes, visual identities, posters, leaflets, and illustrations, among others.

Additionally, I possess a solid understanding of the theoretical and practical components that are necessary for designing, including layout, composition, colour theory, sketch drawing, and CAD using Adobe Suite.

One of my main inspirations in graphic design is the Swiss style, with its emphasis on simplicity, minimalism, and typography.

I am particularly drawn to typography, as it is a core element of visual communication that allows for efficient message conveyance without being superfluous.

I have been fortunate to explore typography in detail, thanks to an enthusiastic teacher; it is a complementary skill that I would like to specialize in after graduation.

My work placements have given me practical experience in the business world. I have created websites, logos, and layouts for printed brochures, and helped staff with various projects.

These experiences have taught me to work with other designers and to be more autonomous and productive in a professional environment.

In addition to my design experience, I have held leadership positions that have honed my teamwork and project management skills. As vice-chairman of the School Life Council, I organized meetings and debates that improved school life for students.

As the communication head of a national student union, I managed important projects and information campaigns and became more aware of current affairs and issues.

I am eager to study in the UK, as I admire the country’s artistic culture and atmosphere. I believe that studying in the UK will provide me with an opportunity to further develop my skills and gain new perspectives.

I am currently preparing for the IELTS test, and I am working on improving my English skills daily.

I am excited to pursue graphic design as a career, as it is something that I am passionate about. I am constantly eager to learn new things and improve my design skills. My self-sufficiency, attention to detail, and versatility in creativity make me confident that I will succeed in higher education and the working world.

I believe that a UK university education in graphic design will provide me with the necessary tools and skills to pursue my passion and create meaningful designs.

Recommended for reading:

• How to Write a Personal Statement for a Master’s
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• UCAS Personal Statement: A Writing Guide And Tips For Success

Graphic Design Personal Statement Example

In today’s world graphics and design are becoming progressively important disciplines that have the potential to play a crucial role in the success of businesses, individuals, and families.

As the world is going through economic turmoil, businesses must stand out from the crowd and employ modern communication techniques and new forms of advertising.

I believe that these fields have enormous potential to kick-start economic growth, and I am eager to be a part of this creative movement.

My passion for design was sparked by my recent visit to the Grand Canyon in Arizona, where I had an opportunity to experience the Skywalk.

The creators of the Skywalk managed to replicate the effect of hovering over the top of the Canyon, as though we were flying in a helicopter, through a combination of excellent design and great imagination.

Witnessing such a bold and cutting-edge design, which made the impossible possible, motivated me to pursue a career in design.

I am also inspired by graphic designers like Stefan Sagmeister, whose work continually breaks boundaries and challenges the norms.

My interest in design and technology began at a young age, and I have fully immersed myself in all opportunities to be involved in these areas while at school.

At GCSE, I designed and made a garden bench from sustainable wood, and recently, I have been designing a kitchen island unit with recycling and sustainability in mind.

I am also involved in designing a wheelchair that can climb stairs without electronic or other assistance.

I am motivated to use my design skills to make life easier for people with disabilities.

In my spare time and school holidays, I have been studying graphics and have furthered my design skills under my initiative through two different work placements.

These placements have allowed me to appreciate the different phases involved in a design project, from the planning and development stage to manufacture and final fitting.

I have learned how important it is to work closely with the customer to meet and exceed their expectations.

Apart from my design pursuits, I am also actively involved in sports and other extracurricular activities such as rugby, cricket, tennis, and squash.

I am the school squash captain and have completed my Duke of Edinburgh Silver Award. My involvement in these pursuits has helped improve my ability to work as part of a team, which is an essential skill for any designer.

I am excited to apply to UK universities for graphic design courses, as I believe that the UK has a rich and diverse artistic culture that will provide me with opportunities to further develop my skills and gain new perspectives. I am confident that my passion for design, sustainable approach, and teamwork skills will make me a valuable addition to any design program.

I am eager to contribute to the world of design and make a positive impact through my work. I believe that design has the power to change the world, and I am excited to be a part of this creative movement.

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