Nine months on: Q&A with recent graduate and designer at Cox London.

I am now working at Cox London, which is a goal I have pursued since my first year at HCA when Cox came and delivered a guest lecture. In this way, HCA has had a huge influence on my journey to becoming a craftsman. I had no idea what I wanted to do post degree. It wasn’t until my second year that I started veering towards furniture craftsmanship. Two years on, and that’s what I’m doing today - I love it. 

There were a lot of tutors who had a huge impact on the craftsman I have become today. In particular; Del, Ruth, Rebecca and Rich. They were always there to point me in the right direction and offer me different angles to approach my work. I believe it’s really important to have multiple points of view, otherwise you can become very one dimensional as a creator. But they always picked me up when I fell down and everyone needs that. I can’t thank my tutors enough for that. 

The professional practice module at HCA was really the catalyst for me getting a job at Cox London. I had already become familiar with the company after they came to guest lecture in my first year. I knew I wanted to move to London after my degree, but also wanted to pursue blacksmithing, so Cox London seemed like a great fit for me. In my second year when I started the professional practice module, my course leader put me in touch with Cox London and I approached them for work experience. After completing my work experience, I was offered a job and I returned after graduating in my third year.

It took me a very long time to discover my artistic voice. I didn’t have a clue what I wanted to do, or what style I resonated with, and that really panicked me for a while. I felt like I was behind everyone else, but you soon realise everyone else feels the exact same way, and it takes time. Some people might feel sure of themselves before you, some people might after you. I developed an interest in furniture halfway through my degree. Your artistic voice will constantly change and sometimes you feel like you still haven’t found it, you have, you’re just still evolving as a creator and that will never change. It just makes the journey more exciting.

HCA and the creative community there really helped me hone my skills as a maker, not just physically but mentally too. It can be quite exhausting having to find new ideas all the time and burnout is a very real thing. It can hit you hard, especially when you don’t expect it. HCA equipped me with methods to deal with burnout. 

Your friends are also incredibly important during your degree. They can help you out of any situation and will constantly feed you ideas. They can be your biggest cheerleaders, as well as your biggest critics.

My advice would be to just get out there - find businesses, people and workshops that you can visit. Putting yourself in the room is very important. 

My other piece of advice would be not to panic about having something lined up for life after your degree. I’ve seen so many people panic, but everyone’s journey is different and you will end up on the one you’re meant to be on.

That I continue to be surrounded by creatives. I work with people with large and varied skill sets , so I can constantly learn different methods and techniques. I also work with HCA graduates, so I am still in a way part of the community.