Creativity in the picture

West College Scotland photography and media students put their creative heads together at a ‘Nature-Nurture’ crosscampus retreat.

In the first of what will become an annual opportunity to boost creativity and interdisciplinary learning, 50 students and staff from the campuses in Paisley and Clydebank, West Dunbartonshire, spent three days at Crianlarich Youth Hostel.

The diverse programme of activities was designed to boost collaboration and idea generation across courses, foster wellbeing and prepare for working in the creative economy.

Students built their own schedule each day – choosing from workshops such as social and pet photography, collaborative open-air writing and capturing sound in the wild.

The trip was led by Julie Cooper, curriculum enhancement lecturer for photography, who explained why she and other staff feel that experiences like this are so important.

She said: “Being away – retreating from – the familiar environment of home and college, and being free for a few days from caring and work responsibilities, enables us to see things in new ways.

“We wanted to use the natural beauty of the location and its ever-changing environment to encourage fresh thinking and content.

“Working towards a trip like this helps students build both vocational and personal confidence.

“They worked hard to fundraise for accommodation, transport and food. A month before, they held an event at the Moya Studio in Paisley campus where they sold prints, pre-loved clothing and ran a photo booth.

“With students from both campuses supporting the night, it was a great way to bring the group together before we set off into the hills.”