Whilst studying Illustration at ECA, Bee developed their distinctive and quirky style, which is often characterised by themes of mental health and queer identity. Having taken on many external clients whilst still a student, Bee even had their final year work displayed on the windows of ECA’s Evolution House as a part of the graduate shows.

Since leaving ECA, Bee has gone on to be a successful freelance illustrator with big clients such as Adidas, Stonewall and Schuh.

Why did you choose to study at ECA?

I originally wasn’t going to bother applying to study at ECA, as I was certain I wouldn't get in. I’d dropped out of GCSE art and had spent the next two years completing a UAL Extended Diploma in Fine Art in the hope of being able to study Illustration at university level. I felt like ECA was a pipe dream, but my college tutor encouraged me to apply regardless. When I heard that I’d been offered a place I couldn’t believe it - I was sure it had been an error! Accepting my place on the Illustration course was the easiest decision I’ve ever made. I visited the ECA campus at an open day, and after seeing the studios looking out onto Edinburgh Castle, having a tour of the printmaking facilities and meeting some of the students, I couldn't envision myself studying anywhere else. As a Scottish person, raised in England, I knew I wanted to live in Scotland at some point in my life, and spending my student years in Edinburgh allowed me to reconnect with family and my heritage.

Tell us about your time at ECA

I actually used my time at university to make a lot of work that I really didn’t like and wasn’t proud of. I felt like I was floundering for the first couple of years and struggled to find a way of communicating visually that felt right for me. In hindsight, having those years to experiment, fail, and figure out what I didn’t like doing allowed me to hit the ground running when I graduated, and leave ECA feeling confident in my capabilities, with a much more developed illustrative practise. 

Throughout my studies at university, I sought out external illustration projects in order to cultivate industry experience - although this ended up snowballing to a level I couldn’t have anticipated, and I found myself falling behind on university work and pulling frequent all-nighters in order to complete projects for clients such as Spotify, Vans, Tangle Teezer, STAEDTLER and Refinery29. Throughout the course, we had frequent research drawing trips to local studios and artist workshops, as well as weekly Professional Practice lectures with industry experts which I found incredibly valuable, and I often refer back to my notes from them! 

I eventually integrated my professional work with my university work after being given some sage advice by my tutor Harvey, to “work smarter, not harder” - a motto I still live by today! I’d been trying to make work I thought my tutors would like, rather than work I enjoyed making and was passionate about - and it showed. Once I’d figured out how to work on the client projects I loved and adapt them to hit the briefs, I was set within the illustration course. My practise came on in leaps and bounds and it felt like I’d finally cracked the code to getting the most out of my degree. 

If I could start my time at university again, I would focus more on ensuring I have a healthy work-life balance, and immerse myself in the studio culture, as well as really make the most of the facilities ECA has while I had the chance. Only now as a graduate have I fully realised how isolating it can be to be a freelance creative, and how expensive it is to be able to access such specialist equipment and technical support whenever you need.

Tell us about your experiences since graduating

My final two years at university were impacted massively by the pandemic and lockdowns, so graduating and leaving the city in such uncertain circumstances was surreal to say the least. We didn’t know if we’d be able to have a graduation ceremony, a degree show, or even say goodbye to our classmates and tutors - so it was a particularly bizarre time to be going through such a big life change. I was honoured to have an illustration from one of my final projects displayed on the side of Evolution House, which definitely helped what was otherwise a sad and confusing time feel like a bit more of a celebration!

In terms of my plans, I think everyone thought I was somewhat deluded, as I had such a clear-cut idea of what I wanted to do once I’d graduated. I intended to move to London, build on the client work I’d done alongside my studies and immediately establish myself as a freelance creative. Ultimately, I’m glad I stuck to my guns, no matter how unrealistic my plans seemed, as I’ve now been working full-time as an illustrator, curator and model since leaving ECA back in 2021. My time at university definitely helped me prepare for life post-graduation, as I don’t think I’d have developed the resilience, professionalism and ability to operate across such a wide variety of disciplines had it not been for the guidance and support of my tutors and peers at ECA.

Since graduating, I’ve been fortunate enough to have too many career highlights to choose just one, but a few that stand out are: being longlisted for the 2022 World Illustration Awards, being a judge for the 2023 D&AD Awards: New Blood - The Portfolios In Partnership with Editor X, having my illustrations displayed on Oxford Street in London for Mental Health Awareness Month, and illustrating for a whole host of wonderful clients that I’d never have dreamed I’d get the chance to work with. Overall though, I think the most meaningful achievement has been co-founding an annual charity art exhibition and series of events called Hysterical. In 2023, Hysterical was reviewed by The Evening Standard, myself and my co-founder, Eliza Hatch were interviewed on the 6pm news about the exhibition, which was surreal, and Hysterical has received so much lovely feedback and press since its inception in 2021. Collaborating with other creatives to platform subversive artists, facilitating events for people to connect with the artistic community, and raising money for LGBTQ+ and gender equality charities in the process has been one of the most challenging, but most special experiences of my career so far.

Alumni wisdom

For first year students:

Start taking yourself seriously today - you are more talented and capable than you think. Work smarter, not harder - use these years to lay the groundwork for your future career, but don’t forget to have fun too!

For final year students:

It doesn’t happen overnight, and I promise everyone feels just as clueless and lost no matter how much they seem to have their life together. You’ve got this!