<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-textile-design">MA Textile Design</a><br /><strong>Textile Designer and Researcher from Brazil </strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Natalia is a sustainable textile researcher who graduated from Arts University Plymouth with an MA in Textile Design in 2022. Originally from Brazil, Natalia credits her cultural heritage as playing a big part in influencing her work and research during her MA journey. </p> <p dir="ltr">During her MA, Natalia participated in the Fabricademy Textile Academy Bootcamp 2022 in Onl’Fait, the Fablab in Geneva, Switzerland, deepening her knowledge of biofabrication, biocouture and circular fashion. The final outcome of Natalia’s MA research was a carnival garment influenced by traditional Brazilian ‘maracatu’ performances, embroidered and embellished with iridescent handmade agar biotextile flowers. Natalia is currently a StudioLab Innovation Fellow at Arts University Plymouth’s StudioLab for Embodied Media based at the new Workroom creative business incubation space at Light Studios.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a><strong><br />Creative Producer at 33Seconds from Japan</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="http://adsrdesigns.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Tatsu Ishikawa</a> left his home in Saitama, Japan in order to join Arts University Plymouth, achieving a First Class Honours in Graphic Design in 2015. Tatsu’s passion for fashion, music, art and culture has seen his work develop, landing him the role of Creative Producer at London based marketing agency 33Seconds.<br /><br />Tatsu also works as a freelance designer, running his company ADSR Designs since 2013.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-3d-design-crafts">MA 3D Design Crafts</a><strong><br />Glassblower and Designer from Ireland</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">After graduating from the National College of Art and Design in Dublin with a BA (Hons) in Glass Design and a BA (Hons) in Art History and Design, Irish born <a href="http://www.lauraquinndesign.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Laura</a> worked in the Corning Museum of Glass, New York, Olustvere Glass Studio, Estonia and LoCo Glass Studio in the UK. Laura completed her Masters at Arts University Plymouth with First Class honours in 2019. </p> <p dir="ltr">After graduating, she received a Future Makers Support from the Design and Crafts Council Ireland in 2020 and subsequently went on to be shortlisted for the RDS Craft Awards in 2021. She was selected as a Rising Star for the New Ashgate’s Rising Stars exhibition in the UK. In 2021 she completed a residency in North Lands Creative. Laura created a new and experimental series of work entitled Tacit Bodies which went on display in Collect Open as part of the Craft Council's Collect 2022.<br /><br />Laura recently received funding from the Queen Elizabeth Scholarship Trust (QEST) which enabled Laura to attend a glass blowing masterclass at Pilchuck Glass School in Washington, USA, with master glass blowers Boyd Sugiki and Liza Zerkowitz. Laura currently lives in Surrey where she works as a Glass Technical Tutor at the University of Creative Arts, pursuing her passion for education and continuing to develop her glass practice.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-photography">MA Photography</a><strong><br />Wedding and Brand Photographer from Poland</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Born in Poland and living and working in Plymouth, <a href="http://www.margorphotography.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Margo</a> quit her job at the age of 33, and reignited her passion for photography by studying a BA (Hons) Commercial Photography degree at Arts University Plymouth, graduating with a First Class Honours in 2018. She completed her Masters in Photography in 2023 and her work has been shortlisted in a number of competitions, and as well as winning a placement with Rankin, her work has been exhibited across the UK and overseas.</p> <p dir="ltr">Margo runs a successful wedding photography business, which saw her win at the South West Wedding Awards 2021, being named the best Bespoke Wedding Photographer in the South West. Margo also works with small business owners and entrepreneurs producing brand photography and portraits.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-commercial-photography-1">BA (Hons) Commercial Photography</a><br /><strong>Fashion Photographer from Italy</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Based out of Tuscany, Italy, Maia graduated from BA (Hons) Commercial Photography in 2022 with a First Class Honours after previously studying Fashion Photography at Istituto Italiano di Fotografia in Milan.<br /><br />During her studies at Arts University Plymouth, Maia was shortlisted in the Association of Photographers Student Awards 2022 and had her work featured on the front of the Arts University Plymouth undergraduate prospectus. The same image is now featured on the side of the university’s Tavistock Place campus building.</p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="http://aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-painting">MA Painting</a><br /><strong>Artist, Activist and Public Speaker from America</strong></p> <p dir="ltr"><a href="http://paulameninato.com" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Paula</a> is an Argentine-born American artist that creates social change through artistic activism. Paula graduated from Tyler School of Art with a BFA in Painting, before graduating from MA Painting at Arts University Plymouth in 2019.</p> <p dir="ltr">Since 2011, Paula has exhibited her socially-conscious art at 22 group exhibits and five solo shows in eight countries, including a solo exhibition at the Embassy of Argentina in Washington DC. In 2019, Paula curated a panel discussion at Tate Modern through the Tate Exchange program at Arts University Plymouth. In 2020, Paula launched Beyond Raising Awareness, a training platform that aims to empower creative activists and artists through online training that merge arts education with community organising. <br /></p>

<p dir="ltr"><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts">BA (Hons) Film</a><br /><strong>Filmmaker, Translator and Event Organiser from Poland</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">After studying a Foundation degree at University of the Arts London, <a href="http://igarita.wixsite.com/sts-tallinn" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Iga</a>, born in Poland, gained a First Class Honours degree in BA (Hons) Film in 2015 from Arts University Plymouth. She returned to Poland for her Masters in Culture and Film Studies in 2019. She has since worked across the UK and Poland.</p> <p dir="ltr">In 2017, Iga founded Station to Station Film Festival, a travelling film festival, collaborating with local art-house cinemas across Europe, screening and promoting diverse independent international and regional films. The goal is to create a space for emerging independent directors as well as build an educational platform for participants and viewers.<br /></p>

<p dir="ltr">By bringing different views from across the world together, we can grow knowledge, broaden understanding and transform lives. Here's some top tips for international students from our Senior International Officer, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/chloe-swann">Chloe Swann</a>:<br /></p><ol><li>Join clubs and societies at our <a href="https://www.artsuniplymsu.co.uk/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Students' Union</a> to meet people with similar interests. It's so important to make friends and have a support network in place so that you can settle into your new life at university and get the most out of it.</li><li>Our <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/student-support">Student Support</a> team is here to support you! If you are struggling in any way please make sure you reach out to them for Health &amp; Wellbeing, Counselling and Disability Support services.</li><li>Conversation Cafe for international students - would you like to improve your spoken English and meet new people? The Conversation Cafe will help you feel more confident when speaking out during lessons, discussions, crits, presentations, or to your peers. Mondays in the Student's Union (by the canteen) at 3:00pm to 3:45pm</li><li>English Support for International Students - Improve your Written Communication: This six-week course is designed for international students who want tailored advice and guidance on improving their written work (courses start in October, February and April). Email international@aup.ac.uk to book your place or find out more information.</li></ol>