Helen is a current student on MA Design for Art Direction at London College of Communication.
Why did you decide to study MA Design for Art Direction?
MA Design for Art Direction is a course which helps you engage different mediums of expression. This course was perfect for me, as I always wanted to become a professional storyteller. Working on a multidisciplinary manner, I am now able, through this course, to use the majority of the tools available to enrich my narrative and communicate my message in a holistic way.
Which project have you most enjoyed working on?
My main goal coming to this course is to explore and understand the different ways of perception through individual personalities. A project that I really enjoyed, and actually examined the parameters, was the Pareidolia project. This project was part of the collaborative unit, during the second semester of this degree. During this assignment, I worked closely with a PhD psychology student from UCL. We conducted a survey and created a model of a study which aimed to illustrate the association of personality and perception. Being a part of a collaboration was, for me, the most enjoyable part, as I was happy to learn lots of scientific information and work outside my comfort zone.
What has been the highlight of the course so far?
The most amazing part of this course is the feeling that you get knowing that everything is possible. I felt secure and confident, as I was well-prepared and armed with the right tools, both with the help of the university staff, and with the wide range of the facilities and equipment we have access to.
What is the most valuable lesson you’ve learnt on the course?
To be able to embrace my critical point of view and find the positive direction that I need in order to continue, through the critique of my peers. At the same time, I was able to trust my gut, and this trust created the patience I needed to persevere in order to achieve what I wanted.
How do you find the facilities available to you at London College of Communication?
In Greece we have this old saying: ‘Learn a craft and leave it, and then if you get hungry use it’. Having this in mind, I explored as much of the facilities as I could, and the quality is a true motivation to try to develop a skill in different crafts. A great deal of this quality comes from the staff, who are all very helpful and patient with us and our weird requests.
Has the course included any involvement with industry?
During this course we were introduced to different professionals through talks in class and worked with a specific brand in London for a part of our collaborative unit. We were also able to learn some details about successful interviews and ways to present yourself when you introduce yourself to the industry.
Name three things you couldn’t be creative without?
In order of importance: my mind, my eyes and my hands. I do not believe you need anything else to be imaginative, inventive and creative. Every other tool that evolution and technology has offered to us is mainly a modern tool to be used by a primitive creature.
What are your plans for the future?
“Make plans and God will laugh at you”. The only plan that I could actually have for the future is to be open to embrace new challenges and remain optimistic about the different roads my work is going to lead me to. It’s like I am on a bike, not knowing exactly where I will stop to take a break, but I don’t care. I keep pedalling.
Why would you recommend studying MA Design for Art Direction?
Working with a wide range of professionals and mediums, this course will push you to use different ways to express yourself, in order to have a holistic understanding of what is at stake on each occasion. Additionally, it is a safe environment to host your creativity in order for it not only to grow but to blossom too.
Visit the MA Design for Art Direction course page.
Check out some of Helen's textiles and products on her Instagram page.