MCAST Creative Arts student designers in Europe

Four students from MCAST’s Institute for the Creative Arts following a BA in Graphic Design and BA in Interactive Media course participated in an ERASMUS+ project entitled ‘Becoming a Designer in Europe’ between the 26th March to 2nd April which took place at Petroc Brannams Campus in Barnstaple, North Devon, UK.

This mobility was the first in a series of similar exchanges with the ultimate goal of broadening students’ professional horizons and making them more aware of career opportunities within various design fields in Europe. Over the course of this project, students will continue to have the opportunity to engage with their European counterparts via digital platforms and face-to-face interaction.

During their stay in Barnstaple, students from the Institute for the Creative Arts and other international students from Germany, Italy, Poland and the United King- dom were involved in a number of workshops that focused on jobseeking skills, including application processes, documentation, and appropriate interview conduct and preparation.

They explored possibilities related to work experience within the field of art and design available both at home and abroad in Europe, comparing different types of jobs and their respective characteristics.

Further educational and social activities took place during this week. These consisted of hands-on workshops such as book-binding and gallery drawing sessions, talks from ex-students and career professionals, a visit to an art gallery and a graphic design studio within the industry.

Students participating in this project had the opportunity to develop a European identity by being in contact with other European students and reflecting on their future goals.