What was it like being a student in Dundee?

Being a student in Dundee was a great experience. The university campus is definitely one of the best, its central and in walkable distance from the city centre and most accommodation. The compact nature of the campus gave you the opportunity to meet more people and experience university life to the full. The art school was a great environment to learn and be creative, and meet others similar to yourself. Recent events such as the infamous degree show gave us the opportunity to showcase our work to the general public, and be proud of our achievements throughout our time at university.

The most useful skill you fee you’ve gained from your course at Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art and Design?

Throughout the four years at DJCAD I’ve gained numerous skills and experiences. Most importantly learning to work in groups, being confident in my own abilities as a designer and being able to speak confidently about my work.

Where do you see yourself this time next year?

I hope to be working in an environment that helps me progress and develop as a designer. Gaining experience working with real life clients, within different genres and exploring the world of design, whilst learning new skills and abilities.

Tell us about the final project for Free Range please

My project was a partial redevelopment of an old seminary located in Cardross, Glasgow for which the aim is to reconnect communities through derelict spaces. Retaining a sense of the past whilst providing a new and contemporary function in the form of exhibitions, meeting and lecture spaces and archives of the local area of Cardross. The conceptual approach looks at the modernist seminary and the stages of natural invasion and exploration, preservation and identity. The design proposal preserves the seminary, expressing internal and external features and encapsulating the life story of the building.

How would you rate your course?

DJCAD is a highly recognised art school and the interior and environmental design course is one in which I would highly recommend. Our course had a broad range of project briefs, whether in groups or on your own. Access to our wood workshop, laser cutter and cad suite during our projects, helped broaden our range of skills and abilities. I was lucky enough to partake in an international workshop in Magdeburg, Berlin with several international schools showcasing our current project work and through this I gained experience working within a multicultural group.

Model making, hand rendering, computer rendering, photoshop, sketching..and the list goes on. What’s your favourite tool when trying to complete a project?

Definitely Photoshop, you can achieve a high quality image with just a few simple techniques. Sketching is also a good way to explain visually, incorporating it with renders creates a professional and artistic visual.

Best advice you were given during the course?

Find a style or medium that you enjoy working with and through that achieve an identity that people can associate with your work. Also the encouragement to sketch as it shows your ability to draw and explain concepts quick and effectively.

Email emma_thompson06@hotmail.co.uk to offer a job in interior design