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Success Story: Ellise Collins
Ellise Collins tell us her story
My name is Ellise Collins I am 27 years old, I studied BA (Hons) Graphic Design at South Essex College from 2014 – 2017 and this is my story.
I left school in 2012 and attended South Essex College of Further and Higher Education from 2012 - 2014 on the UAL Level 3 Ext Diploma course in Art & Design. I had always enjoyed art at school, so I thought a BTEC in that subject was the right path for me.
Once I completed my BTEC, I was then a little stuck with where to go next. I applied for lots of unis, but it was Lee who struck up a meeting with John Chandler to apply for the Graphic Design degree. I didn’t know which direction to take, fine art, graphic design or interior design.
I chose to study at South Essex College because I initially felt that the lecturers were so understanding and approachable that it made me feel like it was the right decision to trust them. The graphic design courses sounded so diverse too. It ranged to lessons in fine art, to design, to animation, printmaking and photography so I thought by trying it all I’d hope to find one area that I would gravitate towards.
I was a fine artist at heart, but it was both Lee and John that suggested I give it a go, as they could see potential in me to go that way. I then studied on the BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree course from 2014-2017 where I learnt many skills sets and honed my craft as a graphic designer, but also printmaker. Looking back, I am so incredibly grateful of the three lecturers on that course because they all supported me and gave me the confidence as an aspiring graphic designer, Dave Welsh, John Chandler and Hannah Miller. You three are my shining stars. I received a first-class honours in graphic design.
My time at South Essex College gave me invaluable experience within the field. Having industry-led briefs in the third year gave me an understanding of what sort of work would be required of me and time frames. Deadlines! That was something that I thought was so difficult at university because I just wanted to spend my time learning, researching and creating and having a deadline was so difficult. Little did I know deadlines would be so much shorter in working life.
The best thing about doing further and higher education is learning your craft and honing your skillset. Exploring the endless opportunities that’s on offer. Spending hours on end researching and producing work that you then bounce ideas of other students and lecturers and push your ideas to the fullest. Also, the amount of time you have to try new techniques to know what you feel is most enjoyable.
During the Graphic Design degree we used software that I still use day-to-day now. Adobe Creative Suite is invaluable as a designer, that’s our go-tos. I learnt pure basics and university on Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign and it enabled me to take these fundamental skills into the industry and progress.
Since graduation, I have been fortunate enough to have worked consistently. Beginning as a junior designer at start-up companies, to print production companies to local agencies. Through doing this, I’ve gained so much valuable experience which has enabled me to where I am today.
Also, in my spare time, I do freelance graphic design work and run my own Etsy shop selling my linocut prints. I also do signwriting and lettering jobs where I can and have exhibited my work in places such as Brick Lane’s Truman Brewery and Beecroft Art Gallery. I’ve attended local art fairs and pop-up shops around Essex selling my work too, which has been great networking with likeminded artistic local talent.
I’m currently working as a creative designer at Swan Creative, Leigh on Sea.
I am working on concept work for international theme parks such as Merlin Entertainment and Parques Reunidos. Designing concepts and Point of Sale for restaurants within their parks in Germany, USA and the UK. Every day is different at Swan, no day is the same. My work ranges from creating logos, to producing full-fledged brands and working with the team to create solid brand guidelines and marketing suites. Lots of print related work comes through Swan too and aiding the marketing team in producing social media graphics and email banners. I also help the Swan team produce work internally, so I work on producing mock-ups for our website and creating eye catching animations to go across our social platforms.
Through working at many different companies, I have gained experience to be the creative designer I am today.
Before I would say I was primarily a fine art inspired graphic designer, but I create such diverse work now that blurs the lines of graphic design. From an animator, digital designer, interior designer, photographer, copywriting, social media creator and beyond. It’s being an all-rounded designer that matters.
My favourite memory of being at the college is for our final major project in year three of the degree, we needed to fundraise money to pay for our exhibition at DA&D New Blood in Truman Brewery Brick Lane. As a team, we decided to reach out to all our favourite artists, designers, illustrators, typographers that we admired and see if they would provide us with pieces of work that we could auction. It was honestly a long shot but as a year group we all worked together to compile a list. Incredibly, so many replied and helped support us. From the likes of Printmakers such as Alan Kitchener and Anthony Burrill to Illustrators Oliver Jeffers and Chris Riddell and the ultimate graphic design god to us, David Carson. I suppose our story resonated with each of them as being students, starting off in the world and trying to get out work out there.
They each sent us their work and we were able to auction off the artwork at an event held in the 1st floor gallery of the college The money gained from this enabled us to put on our end of year show. It was great teamwork and the local newspaper also got involved.
I love working within this industry, yes every job has its ups and downs. But at the end of the day, I work every day to create. When people ask me what my job is and I say, ‘graphic designer’, most say ‘what’s that?’ and that’s true, what even is it? It’s purely whatever you want it to be. The work is so diverse, and I feel like I work on so many different projects and switch my hat to so many different job roles and it’s all under the bracket of being a graphic designer and that’s exciting to me.
So, I’d hope to continue working in agencies and working freelance on the side, doing my printmaking and hand lettering work that I enjoy. Perhaps in the future, I’d love to teach and become a lecturer to inspire students the way that John, Dave and Hannah did for me on the course, that would be perfect. I could only hope I could do half as good as what they did for me.
Success stories
I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked on amazing shows that have taught me so much about what really goes into creating TV
The Art of the ‘Unseen’ Essential
When the theme tune to Strictly Come Dancing kicks in or the Britain’s Got Talent buzzers ring out, the audience sees a polished world of glamour and high-stakes performance. What they don’t see is the logistical engine room humming frantically behind the curtain. For Sam Upton, a BA (Hons) Film & Television Production graduate, that engine room is home.
Now a seasoned Production Coordinator, Sam’s career began in the most resourceful way possible: in the middle of a global pandemic. Since 2020, he has moved at a pace that defies industry norms – transitioning from Runner to Production Assistant to Coordinator in a fraction of the time usually required. His story is a great example of resourcefulness, illustrating that personal success in the creative industries isn’t just about what ends up on screen, but the resilience it takes to get it there.
The Logistics of Resourcefulness
Sam’s first foray into the industry was the Britain’s Got Talent Christmas Special in 2020. Entering the professional world during a lockdown required an immediate “freelance switch-on” – a mental agility that allows a person to hit the ground running with every new contract.
“When starting a career in TV, no one thinks about the Health and Safety, the finance, the logistics, contracts, and catering,” Sam reflects. “However, without the Production Management department doing these things, the show would never get made. We are essential.” This realisation shifted Sam’s perspective on success. Instead of chasing the spotlight, he found fulfilment in being the “unseen essential,” the person who ensures the show goes on regardless of the obstacles.
The ‘Show Must Go On’ vs. The Whole Person
The world of flagship TV is famous for its intensity. From coordinating contestants on Squid Game: The Challenge to supporting the production of MasterChef, the hours are long and the stakes are high. In an industry built on short-term, high-pressure contracts, maintaining wellbeing and balance becomes a deliberate act.
For Sam, staying grounded means recognising that his value isn’t tied solely to his job title. He manages the “unpredictability” of freelance life by staying curious and viewing every new project as a fresh opportunity for self-discovery. Whether he is booking talent travel or creating a complex shoot schedule for Next On The Menu, Sam treats each task as a component of his broader professional growth.
Redefining the Win
Sam’s progression is relatively unheard of in an industry where runners often spend years waiting for a “step up.” He attributes this rapid rise to a mix of luck and an unwavering work ethic. But more importantly, he defines success as a continuous learning curve. “I consider my entire career up to this point a success,” he says. “I’ve been incredibly lucky to have worked on amazing shows that have taught me so much about what really goes into creating TV.”
For students currently looking at the “unpredictability” of the creative sector with trepidation, Sam’s journey is a beacon. It proves that with enough resourcefulness, the gaps between contracts aren’t just empty spaces – they are the moments where the “whole person” grows, prepares, and eventually, thrives.
I’ve had to become much more resourceful in handling challenges in a shorter time period
The Magic of Resilience
At eleven years old, Emily Burrett was already a director. Armed with an iPad and a group of willing friends, she was busy building digital worlds long before she understood the technicalities of a frame rate or a jump cut. Today, Emily is entering her fourth year as a Social and Video Producer at Magic Radio, directing celebrity guests and managing high-stakes shoots for one of the UK’s most recognisable media brands.
Since her graduation from the BA (Hons) Film & Television Production programme, we have followed Emily’s journey from the “endless” job hunt of her early twenties to the fast-paced broadcast suites she now calls home. Her path was forged in the heat of a local bakery, sustained by a bespoke portfolio, and driven by a level of grit that defines our core values of Resourcefulness and Personal Success. Today, Emily offers a candid look at what it takes to stay creative when your job is “always-on,” and why the “little wins” are the true markers of a meaningful life.
The Evolution of Professional Grit
When Emily first shared the story of her transition from retail into the media industry, the focus was on the “hustle” – the need to stand out among thousands of applicants. Four years later, that resourcefulness has evolved from an external search into an internal instinct. In the fast-paced environment of Magic Radio, the luxury of “university time” – where a student might have days to deliberate over a concept – has vanished.
“I have to come up with solutions a lot quicker now,” Emily explains. “I use my creative spark to manage last-minute shoot changes or late guests on the spot. I’ve had to become much more resourceful in handling challenges in a shorter time period.” Whether it’s pivoting a script during a live recording or jumping on a trending social media topic before it expires, Emily’s ability to solve problems “in the moment” has become her professional signature.
Protecting the ‘Fun’ in a 24/7 Feed
While the media industry is often romanticised, the reality of social media production can be exhausting. When your office exists in the palm of your hand, the boundary between “work” and “life” can easily blur. For Emily, protecting her wellbeing means being intentional about her digital consumption.
“Social media can be tough,” she admits. “I try to keep my job separated from my life—when I’m out of office hours, I try not to check accounts unless needed.” To combat the negativity that often pervades the internet, Emily tailors her “For You” page to show positive content and maintains a Pinterest board full of art and graphic design to keep her inspired rather than drained.
Perhaps her most effective “wellbeing hack” is her hobby: fixing old cameras. By saving up for vintage equipment and repairing it herself, she creates a physical, tactile separation from the high-tech, digital tools she uses at work. “It gives me a separation,” she says. “And I’ve learned that it’s okay to have days where you just relax. You shouldn’t feel like you have to be creative all the time. Those days help ‘re-charge’ you for when you actually need to be.”
Acknowledging the Hard Work Behind the ‘Luck’
One of the most striking parts of Emily’s reflection is her shift in perspective regarding her own success. For a long time, she attributed her career at Magic Radio to “luck.” Today, she sees the “whole person” behind the achievement.
“In reality, I worked quite hard during College and University, and part of that luck was due to my hard work,” she reflects. As the first person in her close family to earn a degree, Emily has realised that personal success isn’t just about the “big wins” like directing celebrities; it’s about the resilience she showed during the string of rejections she faced before landing her role.
By celebrating the “little wins” - like wrapping a smooth shoot or designing a graphic she’s proud of – Emily has found a sustainable way to view her career. She isn’t just a producer; she is a resilient, first-generation graduate who has protected the joy of that 11-year-old with an iPad. Her journey reminds us that while the industry might be “who you know,” staying in it is about how well you know – and look after – yourself.
Returning to education was one of the best decisions I have made. The PGCE course helped me develop the teaching knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to progress into a professional teaching role
At University Centre South Essex, we help you develop the skills, confidence and industry experience needed to turn your passion into a career. With strong professional links and supportive teaching, our courses prepare you for real opportunities in the creative industries. Gemma’s story shows how determination, practical learning and the right support can lead to exciting roles in the world of theatre and costume.
From studying animation at University Centre South Essex to returning as a lecturer, my journey has come full circle. I first studied Digital Animation at the college between 2017 and 2019, graduating with a First-Class Honours degree. After completing my studies, I spent several years working in the animation industry as a freelance Character Designer and 2D Animator, collaborating with companies including Storytime Magazine, Humanitarian Operations and Imagine FX magazine. I also worked on a variety of freelance commissions and most recently illustrated a children’s book that has since been published on Amazon.
Although I loved working within the creative industry, over time I began to realise I wanted a new challenge. After returning to the college as a guest speaker for the animation course and working alongside lecturer Lawrence Bignell, I rediscovered my passion for teaching. The encouragement and support I received from both Lawrence and Chris Brookes gave me the confidence to enrol on the Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE) course at University Centre South Essex.
Returning to education was one of the best decisions I have made. The PGCE course helped me develop the teaching knowledge, confidence and practical skills needed to progress into a professional teaching role. Coming from an industry background with limited teaching experience, I quickly learnt how to apply educational theory into practice and build engaging lessons for students. The course also strengthened my academic writing, critical analysis and presentation skills, all of which have helped me grow personally and professionally.
One of my proudest moments was receiving the call to say I had secured a full-time position as a HE BA (Hons) Animation Lecturer at University Centre South Essex. Achieving this role confirmed that I had chosen the right career path and reinforced my passion for helping students develop their own creative skills and confidence.
Today, I work full-time teaching on the animation degree, creating a safe and professional studio environment where students can grow as artists and animators. I am passionate about supporting learners, helping them build industry-ready skills and encouraging them to achieve their full potential.
My experience at University Centre South Essex has been incredibly rewarding. The support from tutors throughout the PGCE course, especially Chris, Anne, Nicola and Aimee, played a huge part in helping me achieve my goals. Their guidance and encouragement continuously pushed me to improve and develop as both a teacher and creative professional.
I would highly recommend University Centre South Essex to anyone considering further or higher education. The supportive environment, practical experience and expert teaching provide students with the skills, confidence and opportunities needed to succeed in their chosen career. My ambition for the future is to continue progressing within education, eventually becoming Programme Leader for the HE Animation degree and studying for a Master’s degree in Animation to further develop my subject expertise.
