From Graduate to Creative Entrepreneur: Jacqueline Colley’s Journey

Graduation is a thrilling yet daunting milestone. The world feels vast, and the path ahead isn’t always clear. But here’s the truth: every successful career begins with a single step—and often, a leap of faith.

To remind you what’s possible, we’re sharing the story of Jacqueline Colley, a Graphic Design Chelsea College of Arts graduate who transformed her creative passion into a thriving freelance career. Her journey—from textile designer to sought-after illustrator—is proof that with resilience, hard work, self-belief, and the right opportunities, your talent can take you further than you imagine.

What made you take the leap into freelancing?

After 7 years in high-street fashion—designing for H&M, Oasis, and studios—I hit a turning point. Fashion is cyclical; we’d often reinterpret trends from big designers, and I craved the freedom to create something truly mine.

So, I took the plunge. Freelancing was daunting, but I leaned on my network—former employers became clients, giving me stability while I built my own style. Turning our spare room into a studio was symbolic: my "room of one’s own," where my ideas could flourish.

A year in, Oasis commissioned my original drawings for their London Zoo collaboration. That was the moment I thought: This is working. My distinct handwriting as an artist finally had a platform. The journey wasn’t linear, but it was worth every challenge.

Did any UAL opportunities shape your career?

Absolutely. The Top Drawer trade show  was a game-changer. I applied in 2015 with no trade experience. The workshops beforehand were gold: pricing for wholesale, leveraging social media (I’d thought Instagram was just filters!), and rethinking how to present my work.

Ten of us alumni shared a stand. I brought textile-inspired stationery—notebooks, cards—and to my surprise, the paper goods outsold everything. That opened my eyes: wholesale could be a viable revenue stream. A decade later, it still is.

One piece of advice from the UAL team stuck with me: "Talent alone won’t get you there—it’s engaging with marketing and sharing your work." Terrifying? Yes. Liberating? Even more so.

(P.S. Current students: Explore programmes like Top Drawer—they’re springboards for turning creativity into commerce.)

What challenges have you faced?

So many—often self-made! Early on, I struggled to separate myself from my work. Sharing it felt vulnerable. But with time, you learn to hold it lightly—to talk about your work without tying your worth to it. Now, the bigger challenge is standing out in a saturated digital world. Social media is a double-edged sword: vital for exposure, but it’s easy to compare your behind-the-scenes to everyone else’s highlight reel.

The key? Balance. I remind myself: "Make work, share work, repeat." It’s that simple—and that hard.