Jake is from South East London and is currently a second year student on BA Fashion Communication: Image and Promotion at Central Saint Martins.
Why did you choose to study your course and why Central Saint Martins (CSM)?
I'd always had an interest and intrigue in fashion, and from studying a fine art course in college I knew I wanted to dedicate my time to something creative but didn't know how the two worlds could meet with a degree. Luckily I had a great careers adviser when I was applying to universities and she suggested fashion comms. So after doing some research and looking into the type of work they were making here, it really attracted me. It was so diverse and intriguing, it felt like there was more to it then just fashion image.
What’s the most interesting project you’ve worked on so far? What made it so interesting to work on?
We get so many interesting types of projects, from individual to collaboration and cross pathway briefs, it really is hard to pick just one, but at the moment a favourite so far has been 'not another fashion film'. It was such an open ended brief with encouragement to really challenge and explore what it means to not only make a "short film", but how one views it and can deep dive into the context around making that really pushes you to think and approach ideas differently. Using these individual projects as opportunities to investigate topics you think deserve a voice is so important and having time to expand your skills with new mediums is something that made this project interesting for me. I used a raspberry pi for the first time and having that support was so important for the path I'm trying to develop as a creative!
Have you completed any work placements / internships whilst being on the course?
Another great thing about CSM and this course is the network and opportunities you can gain. In first year I managed to secure a part time internship with a designer in their communication department working on idea generation, creative direction, social media planning etc. Having that insight whilst still studying really informed my practice and pushed me to start thinking about my own work in a post grad setting very early on, now I am in second year and getting ready to apply for my work placement year out. Having guidance from tutors and work experience has really allowed me to understand my own career boundaries and goals going forward.
What important piece of advice would you give to students thinking of studying this course?
I would say the most important thing to remember is that you have a voice and you deserve to use it, this course provides a landscape to challenge you to justify why you make what you make and I think that's really crucial for anyone interested in studying here. There are no limits on this course on how you interpret these briefs or what you want to make - it's healthy, encouraged even, to question the fashion world with your work and interrogate this space! Make use of all the departments you have access to, go to the lectures and seminars to talk about more expansive ideas, use the library, publications, photography department, start personal projects, talk to the people around you and make new connections with people you don't know. There is so much to explore and play with here you just have to make sure you seek it out!
What has been the highlight of your CSM experience so far?
I would say the highlight for me at CSM right now is just meeting such a range of people both on my course and outside of it. There really is a community here that you can foster and bring outside of just this university setting - making work with people, hanging out, discussing ideas. I would say these are not just class mates or technicians or tutors, but new people you can make a creative connection and friendship with, that's my highlight I think.
What are your career aspirations? Where would you like to be in five years time?
This is a tricky one! I think it's sometimes hard to think ahead with a really heavy uncertain climate right now, but personally I just want to keep making conversations both with my work and inspired by my work. I think you can find your place in any environment if it feels right in the moment and has good people that have something to say too - so that's my goal for the next five years, refining the skills I already have and learning new ones to hopefully bring fresh ideas and conversations to the fashion image industry!
What is the most important thing you've learnt on the course so far?
Don't give up, don't give in. If you feel you have something to say, make, do - do it, embrace it. It's very easy to feel like an imposter in any space, especially one where it feels like everyone is doing something more creative or different, but the reality is we all feel the same so shed that fear and make something! Talk to each other, help each other, grow with each other!
Check out Jake's websiteFollow Jake on Instagram