LOVE, The Chase and Textbook Professional Practice

Stockport College School of Arts, Design & Media HE students studying on the BA(Hons) Graphic Arts & Design course have recently been involved in several studio visits in Manchester.

Studio visits are organized throughout the 2^nd and 3^rd year of the course to enable students to contextualise their practice professionally, and also to inspire them and enable them to imagine themselves actually working as a creative practitioner, in the real world!

2^nd year students visited Taylor O’Brien, LOVE, Textbook and the Chase. The visits were such an eye-opening experience for them. Each of thestudios were diverse in their own way. Helen Taylor of Taylor O’Brien presented the strategic element of their brand work, whilst also discussing how they acquire new business. Stephen Owen and Patrick Harvey of LOVE spoke of their creative passion for ideas, which bridges a range of disciplines. Lise Brien of The Chase introduced the students to several of their current interns and junior designers to hear their stories to date, which was wonderful. Lastly, Textbook – alumni of the course, showed students around their second, new, studio in Islington Mill, then took everyone off to the local pub for a catch up. Overall it was a wonderful, insightful day for all.

3^rd year students Phil Earnshaw, Paul Muray, Rachel Wilmott and Cat Egan visited Grant Windridge of Hemisphere in the Northern Quarter. Phil said, “The visit went really well. We had a good conversation with Grant, Kat and a junior designer called Nick. I'm just emailing Grant now to say thanks again and hopefully arrange a portfolio visit. I really enjoyed learning about their practice – it inspired me with regards to my personal aspirations.”