Final year students from our BA (Hons) Interior Design programme recently completed a mentoring programme.
Off the back of a successful inaugural session last academic year, the four mentors, including three Edinburgh College of Art (ECA) alumni, were invited to share their experiences of the working world as well as advice on next steps after graduation.
Each mentor supported a number of students throughout the second semester of their final year. This took the form of mentor presentations, students sharing works in progress, and scheduled visits to the mentor’s workplace and sometimes a visit to a live or completed project.
The mentors found the opportunity to meet with the students a hugely positive one.
Mhairi-Claire Dickson, Senior Interior Designer at HLM Architects in Glasgow and ECA graduate said: “I was genuinely thrilled to be asked to be a mentor this year and to be given the opportunity to give back to the ECA community and reconnect with the tutors who had such a profound impact on my studies. Being back at the university is always a delight, especially seeing the incredible work that the students are producing – it's really inspiring to witness their creativity and innovation firsthand!”
Mhairi continued: “Sharing my journey with the students has been incredibly rewarding and has given me a chance to reflect on my own path from ECA to professional practice and I hope that my insights have been practical and beneficial for them.”
Fellow ECA graduate Morag Dearsley, Design Director at Form Design Consultants, said: “As a student, sometimes you are unsure which direction you want to take in design, so having four mentors offered a variety of experiences. We ended the programme with all the students taking the opportunity to ask us questions, ranging from the interview process to deadlines, and what it's like to work in a busy design or architectural studio. This provided great insight into our various practices.”
On what the students gained from the experience, Mhairi said: “I hope that the students have gained a better understanding of the interior design industry and feel more connected to it. I want them to feel supported and confident in their design work, knowing that they have built valuable industry connections. I know how important it was for me to feel connected and supported during my own studies, and I wanted to provide that same sense of community for them. I hope that the sessions have left them feeling empowered and ready to take on the challenges of the professional world.”
Programme Director Gina Olsson said: “I wanted our students to have more direct insight into current practice and be able to speak to people who had been on the same journey and were now practising successfully in Scotland.”
