Skip to main content

Blogs > Nick Spence

Creative Resources – Heather Gatley – Choosing The Right Course

Wed, 20 May 2009

  • Email to a friend
  • Print this article
  • Bookmark this page
  • RSS feed

(In a series of education themed blogs, Macworld looks at the hopes and challenges facing new and not so new talent across the creative industries.)

Heather Gatley graduated with a First in Illustration from the Arts Institute at Bournemouth in Summer 2006. After her work was spotted at the annual D&AD New Blood Exhibition, Heather joined illustration agency Artworks through the Startworks programme and has been with the agency ever since.

Billed as the creative talent show, New Blood is the annual show for D&AD University Network members, which this year runs from Monday 29 June until Wednesday 1 July at the Olympia National Hall, London.

Heather's work combines drawing, collage and digital techniques, creating keenly observed illustrations for a range of clients including Waitrose, The Times, Penguin, Harper Collins, The Guardian, Agenda Design, JBA, the AOI and Microsoft.

Macworld caught up with Heather to discover how the right choice of college is an ideal foundation for a successful career.

Q. How did you go about choosing your course?

During a one-year Art Foundation course at the University of Gloucester I had focused my studies towards illustration. My tutors there weren't very helpful in directing me to the best course so through my own research I sought out the universities with the best reputations to apply for through UCAS.

I gained as much information as I could about different courses through reading prospectuses, and asking questions at interviews. It was also important to compare the calibre of work that previous students had created to what I, personally, would hope to achieve when graduating.

Another important factor in my decision was the attitude of the staff, and where I felt most at home. I eventually chose to study on the BA (Hons) Illustration course at the Arts Institute at Bournemouth, as I thought it offered the best potential for me to grow and be inspired as an illustrator, as well as being somewhere I would like to live for three years.

Heather Gatley was commissioned by The Times - this illustration for the property section highlighting Islington, Kensington and Richmond.

Q. What are the pros and cons of being outside London?

I knew I wanted to move to London after I had graduated so I wanted to experience life in other places before then.

Being removed from the busy and hectic atmosphere of London meant I could study in a far more relaxed environment allowing me to concentrate more fully on my work and to give me the space to develop my creative thinking and individual style.

Another benefit was that it was easier to enjoy the student lifestyle without the worries and pressures of city life. The reduced cost of living outside of London was a big consideration when deciding on where to study.

If you wanted to meet clients or find work experience before you graduated you might be at an advantage studying in London as most of your potential client base would be on your doorstep. Being outside London would mean a lot of travelling and consequent expense.

However, these days it is much easier to get your work seen without literally going door to door with your portfolio. A good Web site displaying your best work and some good quality mail outs can be just as effective in getting you noticed.

Another Heather Gatley commission for The Times newspaper reflecting 'healthy cities'.

Q. How important are good tutors/visiting lectures with a working background in the area you want to specialise in?

We had really helpful tutors at Bournemouth, including experienced freelance illustrators Gary Embury and Joel Lardner. They were able to give really constructive advice and valuable feedback, and help us direct ourselves and our work towards our individual career aspirations.

At the Arts Institute we were also very lucky in having a variety of successful and renowned practicing illustrators and several top agency representatives giving lectures throughout our final year.

This gave us invaluable insights into professional practice and what to expect when we entered into the industry. We were also able to present our work to them, gaining very beneficial feedback from them as experienced creative professionals.

Heather Gatley's cheeky invite for Sherrington's Burlesque night.

Q. Tell us how you secured an agent so early in your career?

As well as putting on an end of year show at the university, we also exhibited our work alongside many other university courses at the D&AD New Blood show in London. This is a large event in the creative calendar where many potential clients and representatives come to seek out new talent.

As most of the industry professionals are based in London it was essential to be exposed there at such a renowned exhibition, because our degree show was so far outside of London it was unlikely that many people from the industry would come to see it.

It was through the D&AD show that I was contacted by The Times and Random House publishing, who had picked up my promotional items, and The Artworks illustration agency, who have now represented me for the last three years. It proved to be a highly beneficial start to my career.

Heather Gatley was commissioned by Inside Housing, illustrating the massive new Thames Gateway development and its waining eco-possibilities.

Q. Do you think it is important to find an agent to represent you? - some think it is some not?

I think it is really up to the individual, but I find that having an agent takes a lot of pressure off. They promote my work, negotiate fees and sort out the paperwork so I can get on with the artwork without any of that hassle.

Their experience and knowledge of all different kinds of commissions means that they can secure much higher fees for you from larger clients than you might have got on your own. They have also got me commissions from places I wouldn't have known even existed. The obvious downside is they take a cut of what you earn, but for me it's definitely worth it.

Q. Finally what advice would you give to others seeking the right college course

Do your research. Go to graduate shows. Aim high.

(See more of Heather Gatley's work at www.heathergatley.co.uk).

Posted by: Nick Spence

Email A Friend

Email this article to a friend or colleague:



PLEASE NOTE: Your name is used only to let the recipient know who sent the story, and in case of transmission error. Both your name and the recipient's name and address will not be used for any other purpose.

<<newer entry  |  older entry>>

Question of the day!

Mark Hattersley
Editor in Chief

Do you share your creations online?

Question of the day!

Do you share your creations online?

% of Macworld readers agree with you

Yes
TBC
No
TBC

What do you create and how do you share it?

124 characters remaining

Follow the conversation at @TabletChat

paintings & illustrations, mostly, which i upload to flickr.RT @fragmentedm

I draw manga/anime characters. I also do graphic design and photography.RT @spialelo

Yes. I usually put them up on my #deviantart account for feedback on how to improve.RT @spialelo

Disclaimer
Opinions expressed here are those of the writers and do not reflect those of Macworld. Macworld accepts no responsibility legal or otherwise for their accuracy of content.
Click here to read the house rules.