Student spotlight on the talented Lauren Hubbert, who is studying her BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application degree at our Hartlepool Campus. Recently Lauren joined our staff and lecturers on a trip to the UCAS: Create Your Future in Manchester to meet prospective students and create a live illustration at the stand. We spoke to her to gain more insight into what it’s like studying on the illustration degree at our school, read on to find out more and see some of Laurens work:

Tell us about you live illustration for UCAS: Create Your Future in Manchester:

I recently did a live illustration at the UCAS create your future event where passers-by could watch what I was drawing on screen as I did it. I began by creating sketches and characters based on people I saw and later created a drawing depicting our schools stand and me and the staff talking to prospective students. It was really exciting to represent the school and to attend the event professionally as an illustrator. It was rewarding to push myself outside my comfort zone by having my process shown on screen and drawing live.

What projects have you enjoyed during your degree?

In my first year after creating a picture book style zine for our class collective zine fair I had the opportunity to show my work to Sam Arthur from No Brow press. My zine centred around a grumpy dog named Dotty, taking readers on a tour through the garden and meeting its inhabitants, with a message of talking about your feelings and being understanding of those around you. It was great to get feedback from someone within the industry and to hear positive feedback surrounding my compositions and use of texture within my work. As well as this I got advice which will help me to further develop in later projects.

What are you working on now?

For my current project I am working on a picture book pitch for the MacMillan prize negotiated brief. I am taking inspiration from the setting of a museum, taking readers on a fun and whimsical journey through a museum as it comes to life and incorporating this with a celebration of imagination and stepping away from technology. I am hoping to build on the skills I have developed and feedback from my previous zine picture book to develop my creative voice and visual storytelling in this project. In the future I would like to be working within the creative field, possibly within the publishing industry or helping others with art.

What do you enjoy about the degree?

Throughout this course I have enjoyed being able to work within a creative and friendly environment. I’ve been able to see progression within my own work and had lots of opportunities such as the live briefs and publisher feedbacks. As well as this the opportunities to work as a student ambassador and attend international trips and selling my work at ThoughtBubble comic and illustration convention.

You can see more of Lauren’s work on her instagram: @laurenhubbertillustration

If you are interested in studying illustration at degree level we offer a fantastic industry focused course, which you can find out more about and apply to here. We also offer a number of open-days for prospective students to check out our studios and speak to staff & students. Book your space here.