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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
The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence.
My name is Jay Hayden, and I studied BA (Hons) Photography at the University Centre South Essex (UCSE) and I am currently working as a freelance photographer.
I chose to study at UCSE because of how accessible it was and how welcoming the environment felt. Compared to other colleges and universities I visited, the staff made the campus feel homely and supportive, which really stood out to me.
I studied at the Luker Road Campus in Southend-on-Sea, where I completed my BA (Hons) Photography. Although photography had been a passion of mine for a few years, I hadn’t had access to professional facilities such as a studio, darkroom, or print space. I knew that if I wanted to succeed, I had to fully commit and push myself to improve.
During my time on the course, I gained access to industry-standard equipment and facilities, which made a huge difference to my development. Working in a studio environment was completely new to me at first, but over time I built confidence and now feel very comfortable in that setting. This experience has also helped me secure work outside of university in studio-based roles.
Since studying, I’ve had many exciting opportunities. My work has been displayed in exhibitions, galleries, and art shops, and I’ve successfully sold prints through my Etsy shop. I’ve also photographed a wide range of events, including dance shows, pet photography sessions, weddings, parties, and hen dos. One of my proudest achievements has been being awarded ‘Photographer of the Year’.
The course has prepared me for the workplace in many ways, not only by developing my technical skills but also by helping me build confidence. I’ve learned how to communicate effectively with clients and how to promote myself and my work professionally, skills that are essential when working freelance.
One of my favourite memories from my time at college is the brief delivery days, where tutors introduced new projects and shared different artists and photographers to explore. These sessions gave me a huge amount of inspiration and helped shape my own creative style. In fact, one of my greatest achievements so far has been discovering my niche and developing a strong, personal style through my work.
What I value most about further education is the knowledge I’ve gained. I’ve learned skills I would never have experienced otherwise, such as processing and scanning my own film, which has added another dimension to my photography.
I would highly recommend UCSE as it’s a safe, inclusive, and welcoming place to study, with access to the kind of equipment and support that really helps you grow and progress in your chosen field.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to become my own boss and continue building my freelance photography career, combining personal creative work with client-based projects. In the future, I would also love to become a photography tutor, sharing my knowledge and helping others develop their skills and confidence.
I would highly recommend South Essex Colleges Group and University Centre South Essex. The lecturers are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely make you feel seen, creating a positive and encouraging environment to learn and grow.
My name is Gabriel Buckley, and I am currently studying Creative Media & Promotion at University Centre South Essex (UCSE).
I chose to study at UCSE after seeing one of my close friends thrive on the same course. At the time, I felt stuck in a rut, but something about the course stood out to me in a way nothing else had before, it gave me a sense of direction and possibility.
Before coming to the University Centre, I spent a year studying Film Production in Lincoln and worked as a chef for five years. Although I initially thought film was my path, being fully immersed in it made me lose my passion, leaving me feeling uncertain about my future. After returning to Southend, I rediscovered my creativity through photography and videography, initially combining it with my work in the kitchen. This soon evolved into a passion for portrait and fashion work, which ultimately led me to this course.
My time at college has helped me grow significantly, both professionally and personally. It has given me the confidence to trust my abilities, approach new opportunities, and engage with industry professionals. I’ve learned that failure is part of the process, and it has strengthened my problem-solving skills and resilience. I have also improved my social skills, which has been invaluable when networking and collaborating.
Beyond preparing me for a career, university centre has helped shape my personal development. What started as a hobby has now become a clear career path. I’ve developed the ability to manage multiple projects at once, improving my workflow and multitasking skills across different creative disciplines.
Alongside my studies, I work as a freelance photographer and videographer, focusing on elevating brand promotion by enhancing portfolios and brand identity. I originally started this journey three years ago as a hobby, but over time I’ve built a growing client base and continue to push my work forward.
One of my favourite memories at college has been organising and taking part in shoots with other students and creatives. Collaborating with peers, working with models, and arranging test shoots, particularly with Matthew David Andrews, has been a highlight of my experience.
For me, the best thing about higher education is the sense of freedom it offers. It allows you to explore your interests in depth and shape your learning around your individual goals, creating a more personal and meaningful experience.
I would highly recommend South Essex Colleges Group and University Centre South Essex. The lecturers are welcoming, supportive, and genuinely make you feel seen, creating a positive and encouraging environment to learn and grow.
One of my proudest achievements so far is having my work published in multiple magazines, including Artells, ASBO, and Marikas. I have also submitted work to D&AD with Olivia Woolford, which was a particularly rewarding milestone in my creative journey.
Looking ahead, my ambition is to establish my own production house not just as a space for my own work, but as a platform to support and elevate other creatives. I’m passionate about creating opportunities for others and contributing to a wider creative community.
The course helped me gain confidence in a range of different techniques and processes, and encouraged me to be professional at all times
My name is Rose Hibbert, and I am a 2024 graduate from BA (Hons) Costume Construction at University Centre South Essex.
I have been sewing for over 50 years. I initially started my career in fashion but later moved into the technology space. I was drawn to my degree with University Centre South Essex because I wanted to explore the creative side of my brain again. The course’s partnership with the Royal Ballet and Opera was a massive selling point for me, as it added real credibility.
During my time on the degree, I used my costumes to communicate my thoughts on societal problems, such as the environment, mental health challenges exacerbated by Covid and the challenges women face working in male dominated environments.
My Escamilla costume, for which I won the RBO prize of Technical Ability, incorporated elements of recycling and tailoring while exploring the narrative of the battle of women working in a man’s world. Escamilla’s plight being not a battle fought in the bullring (as per Carmen's love match, Escamilo) but in the boardroom.
This story was of particular interest to me as I had a long career in Cyber Security in the city prior to starting the course and felt I had to battle every day to enable successful communication. My city 'costume' became a kind of battle shield. The costume's main influence was high fashion and designer wear, favoured by many CEOs in the financial sector.
The course helped me gain confidence in a range of different techniques and processes, and encouraged me to be professional at all times – especially with fittings and when dealing with designers.
I now have a company that alters bridalwear. The owner of the store invited me for an interview after reading my dissertation on how media has affected bridalwear. I’ve found the patience and persistence I learnt on the BA (Hons) Costume Construction course has served me well in my role, as it can be quite challenging when brides lose a substantial amount of weight prior to their dress completion.
The course has given me the credentials and confidence to make wedding dress alterations, which is a huge responsibility. I’m continuing to learn and I’m supported by the course tutors until this day.
I’m honoured to have my costumes on display as part of the 10th Anniversary Exhibition at the Royal Ballet and Opera in Covent Garden. I loved every minute of the BA (Hons) Costume Construction course and learnt a lot about myself throughout the degree.
For anyone considering applying, I would say that you’re never too old to learn something new or to boost your confidence. Go and visit the exhibition – you might learn something new, not just about sewing, but about the world around you.
Join us and celebrate 10 years of exceptional craftsmanship at the UCSE BA (Hons) Costume Construction 10th Anniversary Exhibition.
Open to the public and hosted at the Royal Ballet and Opera in Covent Garden, this inspiring exhibition showcases outstanding graduate work and achievements from the past decade.
Tuesday 10 March - Sunday 22 March
Linbury Foyer, Royal Opera House, Bow Street, London, WC2E 9DD
