My name is Emma White, I am 30 years of age, studying BA Hons Interior Design at University Centre South Essex and this is my story.

It was the start of 2017 and I wasn’t enjoying my current job working in HR and had just started writing a blog about home styling and design. Interior design has always been something I’ve enjoyed and found interesting so I finally took the plunge that year to quit my job and go back to studying full-time. 

I started looking online at interior design courses locally and found the degree through there. But as I hadn’t studied art in the past, I wanted to start by trying the Access to HE Art & Design course (which I found through the website) to see if I enjoyed it before committing to the degree. Turns out I did! 

I have really enjoyed the course so far and the briefs are flexible so they allow you to be as creative as you want. It also links well to the interior design industry so the work we do feels really relevant.

After I finish my degree, me and another student on the course are currently setting up our own interior design business so we will have our own company when we finish in May.

During lockdown I sometimes found it hard to feel inspired with an idea for a design, as the days have blurred into one. But I’ve found actually spending some time away from work really helps this rather than staring at a blank screen all day.  

The advice I would give to anyone looking to start their degree journey is to just go for it as you never know where it might lead you. I would have never imagined in four years’ time that I would have met my business partner and be setting up our own company, both doing something we truly love. 

To learn more about the University Centre and what we have to offer, visit: www.southessex.ac.uk/he
 

Hello my name is Teri Arthey, I am a third year student studying the BA(HONS) Interior Design course at University Centre South Essex and this is my work experience story at Design Coalition. 

My tutor organised the opportunity for a professional mentor, to come in four times a year and present career tips, knowledge and insights and the opportunity to go through our own project ideas and get feedback. Last year sadly due to the pandemic it had to be on teams. After our mentor did the first session with us presenting what he and the company do,  I couldn’t stop thinking about it and kept looking into the company. In our last session right before we left in year 2 we did one-to-one sessions with him and I asked him if I could possibly get some experience in the summer. He asked me to send my cv and portfolio and he’d get back to me. A couple weeks later I was in the studio working. 

I enjoyed everything about my work placement at Design Coalition. I worked within a team that were always so helpful and kind, was given a wide range of opportunities and gained knowledge that I can bring back to university and into the future. I have also gained more confidence and communicational skills. It has cemented the idea that I want to become an interior designer in the future.

The work experience placement ran for 16 weeks all together and thanks to the course, this has enabled me to have a CV and portfolio ready to send when I graduate. If it wasn’t for having my teacher set up the mentor meetings I might have not have had the opportunity.

I enjoy that my course is run by tutors that have real life industry experience. I also really like the small class numbers as this means we have a lot more time with our tutors. We also have access to resources and staff that can help us with other things. There’s always someone you can ask. 

I would highly recommend the university; all the staff are amazing and helpful along with amazing facilities. I came from doing the BTEC level 3 extended diploma in 3D art and design at the college which meant it was a nice smooth transition and got me ready for the course. 

My career aspiration is to be a successful interior designer and my everyday aspiration is to be happy.

Find out more about the Interior Design course by visiting: Interior Design BA (Hons) | South Essex College
 

My name is Daisy Whittaker, I am 23 years old, I studied Interior Design at University Centre South Essex from 2016 - 2019 and this is my story.

I studied 3D Design at South Essex College and was awarded a Distinction* and from this went on to study on the BA Hons Interior Design degree and graduated with a 1st Class Honours Degree. 

Since completing the course I went on to a junior designer role for Kelly Hoppen Interiors. I did this for a year before being made redundant during the pandemic.  I have since gone on to set up my own interior design company and have completed projects across the south and east of England.

My job involves a whole array of tasks.  As a business owner I not only design for clients, liaise with them and present to them, I also market my business, deal with finances and fellow business owners.

I chose to study here because the course was accredited by University of the Arts London which is a prestigious design school. I was also familiar with the lecturer (having been taught by her briefly on my college degree) and was confident in the level of skill I would be learning from her. 

From a practical view it is more cost effective than going to university in London (UAL) as the fees are less being outside of the capital and also travel & accommodation is cheaper whilst still gaining the same degree, knowledge and experience.

It helped me prepare for the workplace because we did a lot of work experience which was invaluable. This helped me forge strong connections and industry links as well as gaining real life experience. 

The software that we used is exactly the same as that in industry which is great. The suppliers that we met with and furniture brands are also the same so having some of that knowledge proved really valuable in interviews. My degree has also prepared me with general knowledge about the running of the industry, day-to-day life in the workplace, presentation skills, knowledge on suppliers, how to deal with clients and how to market yourself.

Setting up my own company and organically gaining over six projects in my first six months has been fantastic and in the future, I would like to have jobs booked in up to a year in advance as well as having more overseas projects.  

People are always really impressed that you have studied to a higher degree especially having been awarded a 1st Class honours degree. The experience and knowledge I gained were excellent and I would not be able to run my business without them.

Hearing my name being called at graduation and everyone applauding my 1st class degree was certainly one of the highlights of my university journey. My time at the college and the university centre helped me to grow my confidence and speak in front of others which is an essential tool for running my business. 
 

My name is Daisy Whittaker, I am 27 years old, I studied Interior Design at University Centre South Essex (UCSE) and this is my story.

I studied 3D Design at South Essex Colleges Group (SEGC), and then went onto Interior Design at UCSE where I graduated with a 1^st Class Honours Degree.

Before coming to SECG, I did my GCSE’s at FitzWimarc School (Art, Business, History and Spanish) and had previously completed work experience at kitchen design company, Spazio Design.

I chose to study at UCSE because of the teaching. I was gaining a UAL qualification without paying for London prices, it allowed me to stay at home which meant I could keep my part-time job and still see my friends and family. I think staying at home allowed me to focus more on my studies because I wasn’t distracted by a new environment.

During my time studying, my class spent a lot of time discussing employability and had a lot of industry links. We had a unit dedicated to work experience and another unit which prepares you for industry, sorting CVs, portfolios etc.

The course helped me to grow my confidence because we did collaborative sessions which involved us discussing our projects and ideas. We had a few informal presentations as well which taught me the skills to discuss my designs, a skill I use daily in the industry.

Aside from the practical skills such as using software, we also learnt to do hand drawings, design skills such as mood board creations and model realisation, I also learnt how to collaborate with other designers and present ideas.

I have found that the equipment we studied with rivals what is used in industry. We learn to utilise the same software - Adobe Studio, AutoCAD, Google SketchUP, V-Ray, and have access to the same model making machines such as the laser cutter and 3D Printer.

My favourite memory of being at the college was my end-of-year exhibition show that we put on at the OXO Tower in London. It was amazing to see all of our hard work come to fruition and for all of our friends and family to see what they had been supporting us with.

After graduating I went to work for Kelly Hoppen Interiors as a Junior Designer. Kelly Hoppen Interiors specialises in high-end design including residential, commercial and maritime. Whilst there I worked on Celebrity Cruises and a private Royal residence. Following my position at Kelly Hoppen Interiors I set up my own business, Daisy Whittaker Designs. I specialise in residential interiors and have projects across Kent, London, Essex, Sicily and the Algarve.

I think the best thing about going into FE or HE is the industry links that you create and the confidence that it gives you. I would definitely recommend attending SECG, the teaching was always impressive and supportive.

My greatest achievement so far has been setting up my business and running that full-time, alongside part-time lecturing at the university. My business has been published in multiple publications including Essex Living and Essex Life, and has been voted ‘Best Full-Service Residential Design Firm 2024 in Essex’.

My ambitions for the future are to continue to scale the business, to hopefully employ some staff and set up a studio.

To find out more and have a look at Daisy's work, visit:
Essex | Daisy Whittaker Designs | England

My name is Daniel Mussett, and I am currently studying BA (Hons) Interior & Spatial Design at University Centre South Essex (UCSE). 

After finishing sixth form, I took a gap year to reflect on my next steps. I chose to study at UCSE due to its convenient location and the inclusion of work experience within the course, which I knew would be valuable for building my CV and preparing for a career in the design industry. I am now working towards a Bachelor’s degree to help progress my career and open up future opportunities. 

During my time on the course, I have developed both my technical and professional skills. One of the most valuable experiences so far has been the second-year work placement unit, where I gained hands-on experience with Scruffy Dog Creative Group. This included time at both their London studio and Birmingham production facility, giving me a real insight into how the industry operates. While working in the London studio, I used Adobe InDesign to create presentations, building on skills I had already developed during my studies and applying them in a professional setting. 

The course has also helped me grow in confidence, particularly through opportunities to connect with others and build a professional network. Taking part in the Peer Mentoring scheme allowed me to support other students, which strengthened my confidence in my own abilities as well as my communication skills. These experiences have been just as important as developing technical knowledge. 

A highlight of my time at university has been the studio environment. The collaborative space encourages constant discussion and sharing of ideas, often sparking creativity from even the smallest conversations. This sense of community has made a big difference to my overall experience and development. 

In addition, I have had the opportunity to attend and organise site visits and trade shows, both locally and internationally. This has been one of my greatest achievements so far, as it has allowed me to expand my network and gain a broader understanding of the design industry. Through both my placement experience and independent research, I have found that the tools and software we use on the course closely reflect those used in industry, which has been reassuring and motivating. 

One of the most valuable aspects of higher education, in my experience, is the opportunity to develop specialised expertise while building a professional network. It provides a structured environment that supports the transition from student to a more advanced, independent thinker, while also improving long-term career prospects and flexibility. 

I would recommend University Centre South Essex to others not only for its convenient location, but also for its smaller year groups. This allows for more one-to-one time with tutors, making it easier to ask questions, receive feedback, and develop your work more effectively. 

Looking ahead, my ambition is to secure a role within the design industry and continue building my professional network. I am particularly interested in themed entertainment and theme park design, which is an area I hope to move into in the future. As part of my final year, I have also been able to explore this interest further through an alternative dissertation project, where I designed and built an animatronic linked to my Final Major Project, an experience that has been both challenging and incredibly rewarding. 

Overall, my time at UCSE has been an important step in my journey, helping me build the skills, confidence, and industry awareness needed to progress towards my future career.