Studying BA (Hons) Illustration at ECA gave Sammi the opportunity to explore a wide range of illustration practices before finding her passion for character design and cinematic digital illustration where she has been able to explore narratives surrounding personal themes of British-Chinese heritage and anxiety.

Since graduating, Sammi has been able to secure her dream position making illustration for animation for video production company HeeHaw. Her work at ECA was also recognised by the Association of Illustrators where she was featured in the article entitled '10 UK illustration graduates to watch in 2021.'

Why I chose to study Illustration - BA (Hons)

I come from a family where most people who went to university studied traditionally academic subjects and I was really torn between following in their footsteps or pursuing a creative degree. Thus, when I decided to study illustration, it felt important at the time for me to go to a Russell Group university.

I always wanted to move to a city and in particular a university where the art department was part of the larger university so I could have the opportunity to meet lots of different people. Additionally, when I was going to all my open days, the work at ECA really stood out and I loved that every student got their own personal space in a beautiful studio (with lovely views of Edinburgh Caste!). Therefore, ECA seemed like a perfect fit.

Despite people discouraging me to apply because of the competitive entry requirements, I tried anyway and I was over the moon when I was accepted! I feel super lucky that I got to study in Edinburgh as I fell in love with the city, the people and I absolutely loved my time on the course.

My time at ECA

Initially, the course surprised me with what I was studying. I joined in the programme with direct entry into second year where, due to the design courses filling up quickly, my electives included astronomy and calculus. It was overwhelming but I’m thankful that I got to explore some of my academic interests, and they inspired me to later take part in a computing society hackathon.

Bringing it back to Illustration, my practice underwent a wild evolution. In year two, the projects were focused on literature and my work consisted of watercolour paintings and coloured-pencil drawings. Then, I discovered Adobe Illustrator and dove into heavily stylised digital illustration, focusing on infographics and editorial illustration. Finally, when I was approaching fourth year and self-directed projects began, I realised that my true interests lie in character design, more cinematic digital illustration and exploring narratives surrounding personal themes, like my British-Chinese heritage and experiences with anxiety, through animation.

The course gave me the structure, resources, and inspiration to grow as a designer and carve the direction I wanted my practice to go. To elaborate, I was always at the studio (I became part of the furniture) and being surrounded by a range of work, creative people and constant constructive advice improved and expanded my perceived limits of my practice. Furthermore, the weekly industry lectures helped me work out where I wanted to be in the creative industry. For instance, I contacted one of these visitors, Whitespace, a creative agency, which lead to an amazing work placement where I learnt to animate and solidified my aspiration of working for a creative company.

If I had to start over, I would tell myself to make work that I am whole-heartedly passionate about. I spent lots of time concentrating on making what I thought was employable, resulting in more bland and conceptually watered-down work. The moment I let go of that, my work became richer, more engaging, and more visually exciting. I would also tell myself to be less of a stressed-out workaholic and to cut myself some slack on the occasions that I don’t meet my over ambitious project goals.

My experiences since graduating

I spent my time university having a small crisis about graduating. I was determined to shoot for a full-time job at a creative company, but it had been hammered into me throughout my education that creative graduates are notoriously unemployable. Furthermore, whenever I searched, there were no full-time illustration jobs, so I thought I needed to tweak my skills to become a graphic designer or animator. Thus, I was terrified and expecting a tough career search.

When graduation came around, I was sad to leave my ECA comfort blanket. It felt glum during a pandemic where I couldn’t say a proper goodbye to my friends and tutors. On the flip side, I was extremely fortunate that I dove straight into my dream job. The summer before my final year, I was contacted by a video-production company, Heehaw, who I remembered from their Friday industry talk. It was initially a freelance opportunity, but it led to a summer job, then a part-time job during fourth year and finally, I was offered a full-time position as an illustrator post-graduation. I’m still working there as I write this, and I couldn’t feel happier. I love being part of an amazing creative team, I get to work on exciting projects doing what I love, making illustration for animation, and my work has improved massively. Also, I was featured by the Association of Illustrators as one of the “10 UK illustration graduates to watch in 2021”!

ECA taught me things like to how to structure projects, work to tight deadlines and was where I taught myself how to create digital illustration and animation, which are all useful at my current position. I’m super grateful for my time at ECA, particularly my tutors and friends, I’m sure I wouldn’t be where I am without them or this experience!

My advice to new and current students

My advice for a first year would be to make work you are truly passionate about. Have a plan and work hard for it but also be okay with it changing. Also, don’t be shy about contacting companies for experience (the worst they can say is no!). Finally, from a crazy workaholic, don’t work yourself into the ground like I did (please take breaks)!

For someone graduating this year, I feel too freshly graduated to offer any advice, so I’ll just say I hope everything’s going well and I wish you all the best with whatever you do!