We reecently caught up with ACC Norwich’s Best Design Award Winner for 2024, Alfie Ethridge to learn more about his life, experience on his course and what he enjoys the most about studying at Access Creative College.
Hi Alfie. Tell us a bit about yourself!
I’m currently studying Graphic and Digital Design at Level 3 and I have just come to the end of year 1. I’m originally from a town not far from Norwich going to the local state schools before starting life at Access Creative College.
I haven’t always known what I was interested in, I didn’t have a clear view of the career path I wanted to pursue. However, I have always had a passion for art & design. Back when I was in high school I studied textiles throughout my GCSE’s. I found it somewhat enjoyable but I always found myself including something digital as the main piece within my work, rather than keeping it traditional. This all eventually led me to realise that I would like to become a graphic designer.
Congratulations on your ACC Award win. How do you feel?
I was really surprised by just the nomination for the award of best design, but actually winning the award was a whole different level. Of course, I was proud of myself, from where I came from and where I am now. Winning this award just makes me want to strive further in my life and career as a whole.
Tell us about your time at Access. What have you enjoyed about it? What have you learned?
My first year at Access was really amazing, it was like a rollercoaster initially, with meeting completely new people, making brand new friends and starting a new experience as a whole, it’s something you get used to pretty quickly.
Being at Access is not the same as sitting in a classroom in high school, it’s more than just studying and writing notes. I’ve learnt how to approach realistic business briefs and respond to them effectively with the assignments set. I’ve really enjoyed being able to widen my skills within the design sector, which has allowed me to create some really successful designs and produce great projects.
Have you done anything in the industry outside of your studies? If so, tell us about it!
Unfortunately I haven’t been able to work within the industry as of yet. But I have been working on my own personal projects, my most recent project is digital portraits of music artists in more of an illustrative style. I am still working on this currently.
What’s your proudest achievement from your time studying with us?
My proudest achievement so far from studying at Access is probably the award I won for best design just because it’s not something you can earn by putting in minimum effort, you have to work for it. It’s like a competition just like how the industry is, everyone can complete the course with minimum effort but not everyone will go the extra mile to win these awards, therefore, I’m proud of myself for that.
What are your plans for the future? How are you going to take what you’ve learned at Access into your career?
I don’t quite have a crystal clear view of what my future brings career-wise. However, I would like to go into marketing specifically in the music industry, designing the promotion for artists’ releases and their tour promotion. I’m not 100% sure how I will get there yet but I’m figuring that out more and more each day.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying at Access?
My advice for anyone considering studying here at Access, or anywhere else at all, is to get out of your comfort zone as soon as possible, speak to people, push for more work to do, make new friends and connections from multiple different courses, strive to win the awards at the end of the year (that’s what potential employers look for). And most of all, just enjoy yourself, if you don’t enjoy what you do you cannot possibly be your best at it.
Alfie has his own portfolio website which you should definitely check out!
Alfie’s Instagram Handle: @alfi3.gfx
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