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Turing Scheme - Designing luxury branding in Valencia

What role do Barbie, sustainable fashion and creative entrepreneurship have in graphic design? Returning from her time in Spain, supported through the Turing Scheme, BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate, Adinda Nareswari shares all in an interview with Arts University Plymouth.
<p dir="ltr">The <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/international/turing-scheme">Turing Scheme</a>, which has been running since 2021, provides life-changing opportunities for students to study internationally or work abroad. Eligible students receive funding to assist with expenses such as travel, accommodation and living costs, offering them the chance to develop personally, academically and professionally. </p> <p dir="ltr">Students who have taken part have been found to <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/international/turing-scheme">achieve higher results for their degrees</a> than those who have not participated, gained employment faster after leaving university and have been proven to be 44% more likely to hold managerial positions than their peers 10 years after completing their graduation.</p> <p dir="ltr">Returning from time in Spain supported through the Turing Scheme, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> graduate, Adinda Nareswari, shares all in an interview with us, including the role that Barbie, sustainable fashion and creative entrepreneurship play in graphic design.<br /></p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>Where did you go using the Turing Scheme?</strong><br /><br />I went to Valencia, Spain.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>What were your favourite experiences?</strong><br /><br />There are honestly a lot of interesting experiences from my time in Valencia. I feel like I’ve lived a lot of different lives in those few months. A few of my favourites are being able to work at an amazing office filled with amazing people, going out with a bunch of girls I met at a wine tasting, shopping at a local flea market every Saturday morning (it’s honestly a dream for a fashion girl like me because everything is only one or two euro) and many more.</p> <p>What makes everything more interesting is obviously, the language barrier. I speak only basic Spanish and a lot of people in Valencia don’t speak English. It’s like Emily in Paris, but it’s me in Valencia. However, we managed to get along and that goes to show everyone is willing to learn something new from each other.<br /></p>
Adinda profile shot 1x1

Adinda in Valencia

<p><strong>What have you gained professionally from your experience?</strong></p> <p dir="ltr">Ah, I’ve gained so much! I would say it is the best working experience I’ve had so far and definitely set my standard in what I want to do and achieve professionally in the future. Back in Arts University Plymouth, I graduated with a <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) in Graphic Design</a>, but my interest has always been in fashion and creative entrepreneurship. Hence when I graduated, I told myself to try something new, something where I am able to still use my graphic design skills, but applied to the fashion business.<br /><br />In Valencia, the company that I worked in is a couture branding agency with an extensive portfolio of luxury clients, ranging from automotive and hospitality to fashion. One of our clients was a yacht brand that was about to attend an annual yachting festival in three different European cities. Combining my skill in graphic design and my interest in fashion, I contributed to their marketing by designing leather beach bags out of their logo (which was later rendered into 3D by my teammate), designing patterns for their uniform (also deconstructed from their logo), and many more projects. It was a very rewarding experience to be able to experience behind-the-scenes of luxury brands, especially as someone who just graduated from university.<br /></p>
The world is your oyster and you should use all the help you can get!
BA (Hons) Graphic Design graduate Adinda Nareswari
<p><strong>Do you think schemes like the Turing Scheme are important for personal or professional development?<br /></strong><br />Yes, I think schemes like the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/international/turing-scheme">Turing Scheme</a> are important for personal or professional development. It depends on everyone, but for me personally, it is beneficial because I’ve lived alone for seven years. I love travelling, I have way too many things I’m interested in but at the same time, I don’t know what I want to do next or where I want to be in life. It helps me find my place, my people and my dream career path.<br /><br />However, I am also aware I am able to mention all of those things because I have the privilege to do so. Hence, I think schemes like the Turing Scheme are also beneficial if someone wants to live abroad for the first time but doesn’t necessarily have the funding for it. The world is your oyster and you should use all the help you can get!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>What other experiences stand out during your time at Arts University Plymouth?</strong><br /></p> <p dir="ltr">To be honest, there are many but a few that stand out to me the most are my exchange semester and my final major project. I was actually an exchange student before deciding to move here permanently. During my exchange semester, I met a friend from Finland. Her name is Sanna. I am pretty sure we became friends because we are both foodies. After knowing each other for only a few weeks, we travelled up to Edinburgh and Glasgow together, followed by Paris months later and Helsinki right after I finished my placement in Valencia. It is always a great time with her.<br /></p>
Adinda friends pictures

Adinda and friends

<p dir="ltr">For my final major project, I designed a fashion magazine from scratch (okay, Nara Smith) called The STARGIRL Magazine. The first issue, <a href="https://issuu.com/adindanareswari/docs/the_stargirl_magazine#:~:text=In%20this%20first%20issue%20called,little%20as%20five%20years%20old.">Accessories of the Past</a>, redefines girlhood through 2000s Barbie accessories and sustainable fashion. Through this project, I learned how to art direct photo shoots, conduct interviews and write articles. As previously mentioned, I have always been passionate about fashion and creative entrepreneurship, so building this magazine is like a start for me.</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>If you had to sum up your Turing experience in three words, what would they be?</strong><br /></p> <p dir="ltr">Do it again!</p> <p dir="ltr"><strong>The Turing scheme is available to Arts University Students and helps to expand their horizons through international travel and professional experiences, supported by UK government funding. Find out more </strong><a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/international/turing-scheme"><strong>here.</strong></a> <br /></p>