In conversation with: Clara Barton, BSc (Hons) User Experience Design student

Clara reflects on her experience on the Graphics shared first year at Norwich, where studying alongside other graphic students creates a unique opportunity for the exchange of knowledge, skills and experiences.

About Clara

Hello, my name is Clara. I have a background in Digital Marketing and Graphic Design and I am currently studying BSc (Hons) User Experience Design (UX) at Norwich University of the Arts. I have just finished my first year and I’ve explored my options before selecting my chosen pathway.

Why did you choose to study at Norwich?

I grew up in Norwich and have always admired the University. I was introduced to Norwich at a young age as my mother is an alumni of the BA (Hons) Design for Publishing course. However, I wouldn’t say these environmental factors entirely influenced my decision. I was determined to visit a wide range of User Experience Design courses across the UK before choosing the one that felt right for me.

Tell us about the shared first year at Norwich?

Norwich has a shared first year, meaning you can try all the different graphic-based courses before deciding which route you would like to take. These courses include BA (Hons) Graphic Design, BA (Hons) Graphic Communication, BA (Hons) Design for Publishing and BSc (Hons) User Experience Design. Not only does a shared first year provide you with the fundamental design skills necessary for the industry, but it also allows you to collaborate with new friends and connections in the different areas. This is beneficial for future group projects and good practice for real work situations.

The shared first year made it easy to pick up foundational skills. If you’re like me and have some prior experience, it is great for solidifying your knowledge. These skills are taught through creative thinking workshops, Adobe tutorials and guest lectures from some of the biggest names in the industry. I can’t tell you how surprised I was to find myself drawn to areas I initially felt were not for me, such as Design for Publishing and Graphic Communication. Whilst my heart was set on User Experience Design from the very beginning, I enjoyed challenging myself and building up my portfolio in the other areas to increase my employability. I didn’t have much involvement with User Experience Design before I started the course, but I’m grateful I got the chance to try it before focusing on it in my second year. Now, I can approach the year with confidence and plenty of ideas. Graphics not only teaches you to think creatively but also logically, which is crucial for a career in UX.

What influenced your decision to study and pursue a career in UX design?

Making the decision at the end of the year was still challenging. Many of my classmates were in a similar position; having enjoyed so many of the different units, we wanted to study them all! At the end of the shared first year, the University held a lecture for each course, led by the head tutor. This is a great time to speak to the second-year students to gain perspective and make an informed decision in your own time. I’m sure I can speak for most of my peers when I say we’d all jump at the chance to take the first year again, as Norwich provides the best opportunities to design from the heart and create impactful and enjoyable outcomes.

What advice would you give someone who is considering studying a Graphics course at Norwich? 

If you’re considering a course at Norwich, or are just curious, my advice is to attend an Open Day! The in-depth knowledge, understanding and enthusiasm from each tutor will speak for itself! It’s fantastic to learn from professionals who have your best interests at heart.

Dive into whatever the course throws at you. Try not to go in with any expectations and just have fun. The shared first year is all about experimenting with creativity and this should be reflected in your work. You will have countless opportunities to join societies, enter creative competitions and tackle brief after brief. These experiences are some of my fondest memories from the first year and I encourage anyone to do the same. The shared first year is an enriching journey of creative exploration and skill-building, offering countless opportunities to uncover my talents.