Alumni Spotlight - Gregor George
If you’re interested in design, fine arts, photography, or media, studying at UHI Perth will open up a world of creativity and knowledge, enabling you to become part of a diverse community of students.
The creative sector continues as a key driver to the local and national economy, contributing richly and fundamentally to cultural identities, so with our help, you could be on your way to a successful career within one of the most rapidly growing sectors. In the blog this week, we hear from one of our graduates who is doing great things in the local area.
Can you introduce yourself?
Hello! My name is Gregor and I’m a 26-year-old artist from Perth.
What course did you study at UHI Perth, and in what year did you complete your studies?
I studied Visual Communications and Design and graduated with an honour’s degree in May 2020.
How did you hear about UHI Perth?
When I was 17 - and in my fifth year of secondary school - I was totally fed up, so I visited a careers adviser and they guided me towards a computing course at UHI Perth. I stuck that course out for around three months, but the growing pile of drawings I was building in what were supposed to be computing notebooks led me to the realisation that I probably wasn’t in the right place!
What were you doing before you came to UHI Perth?
After briefly attending, and subsequently dropping out of, the previously mentioned computing course, I decided to see what it was like to work full time. I didn’t really have much life experience or relevant skills to get into a fulfilling work position, so I ended up pushing trolleys at a supermarket five days a week whilst I figured out what I wanted to do with my life.
Why did you decide to pick this course?
During my computing course, I found myself spending more time drawing and daydreaming than engaging with the learning. Despite not taking art at school, I’ve always been into and felt a sort of pull towards creativity, so I knew I wanted to do something expressive. I took a chance and signed up for the NC Art and Design course to escape the humdrum that was a full time supermarket role and found it very fulfilling. I carried this on and studied Contemporary Art Practice for a few months, then switched to Visual Communications because it seemed like a better fit for me at that time.
What was your favourite thing about the course?
The freedom to take projects down whatever path I chose. This allowed me to explore a vast array of mediums and approaches, some of which are still key elements of my creative practice to this day.
Were there any standout/memorable moments from your course?
Whilst in third year, I was lucky enough to be part of a live project for the BBC Big Weekend event. I was selected as a leader for the project, and we created a large interactive installation which we then installed on site at Scone Palace. Working on this project really boosted my confidence and helped shape my perception of what is possible through creative projects.
What knowledge, skills and experience did you gain from your course that have helped you since leaving UHI Perth?
I think the most important thing that I gained from the Visual Communications course was increased self-confidence. I was not a very confident person upon leaving school and was quite wary of trying new things and meeting new people. The skills I gained through tackling challenges and pushing my boundaries have helped me exponentially, and although I still struggle with self-confidence now and again, I am much better equipped to handle it in a positive way because of my experiences gained through the Visual Communications course.
What did you think about the styles of teaching, and the support you received from staff?
All the lecturers on the creative courses are great! From my experience, everyone is treated with respect and lecturers go the extra mile to help you when you need assistance. I was consistently inspired by how knowledgeable my lecturers were regarding their field of expertise.
Did you undertake a placement or work experience whilst at UHI Perth?
I didn’t undertake any formalised placements or work experience. However, through the course I was fortunate enough to work on several live projects and gain relevant experience that way. Some of these projects were so beneficial to my practice that they are still part of my portfolio today!
What did you like about the campus? Were the creative facilities good?
I really enjoyed how open the campus is, there’s always a space to make your own when you need to. The creative facilities were always well maintained and allowed me to experiment with materials and hardware that I otherwise wouldn’t have had access to.
Were there any other achievements you gained, on your journey?
One of the biggest achievements on my journey has been finishing my honours degree. If you had asked me when I left school if I thought that I’d ever be writing a dissertation or graduating college, I’d have said no way!
What have you been up to since graduation? Are you currently employed?
Since graduating, I’ve been busy. I have been chipping away at freelance creative projects around the local area whilst maintaining a steady part time job. I also got married last April, so that was a pretty big moment in my life!
We recently opened a Wellness Garden on campus. Your artwork is proudly displayed in the garden and has an amazing impact on the space. Can you tell us how the opportunity came about and what inspired the artwork?
Upon graduation, I was granted an Alumni Award from the creative department and was commissioned to create an artwork for the campus. The artwork itself is a site-specific work which both reflects upon its environment and some of my own thoughts. It’s also an experiment and play with the materials, I had been looking to create something three dimensional for a while, as a development from flat murals, and to me, an important project with lots of key stakeholders closely watching was the perfect opportunity to try my hand at something I was completely uncomfortable with. I like to push my boundaries and it’s interesting to me to see how people react to both the process and finished piece of work. I’m also a bit of a glutton for punishment, so the idea of taking on something so complex with tight deadlines made total sense in that regard.
Can you share any other pieces of your art with us? Can we see it anywhere else around Perth?
You can see my artworks in various sites around Perth and the surrounding areas. One of my favourite pieces is at the fantastic Cullach Brewery on Princes Street. There are also the remnants of a 100m long temporary street mural on Balhousie Street in North Muirton, which was part of a big project I conducted with Sustrans at the Balhousie Primary School.
Do you feel your studies have helped you with your career?
One hundred percent! I learned so much through my studies and continue to put those lessons to use in my creative practice, as well as life in general. I don’t think I would have any sort of creative career if it weren’t for my studies, being able to spend the time nurturing my creativity has undoubtedly opened doors for me.
What are your future career plans?
I haven’t really made my mind up yet. I'm currently searching for full time employment in some sort of creative role, but I’m also quite intent on continuing to build my freelance practice. So, I guess I’m just waiting for the right opportunity to come along.
Did you enjoy studying at UHI Perth? Any highlights?
Yes! Despite the challenges of meeting hand-in deadlines and pushing myself out of my comfort zone, it was a really great experience. Meeting so many interesting and kind people, getting the chance to learn about a huge variety of creative subjects, and gaining confidence in my own abilities are my highlights from my time spent at UHI Perth.
What advice would you give to someone thinking about studying at UHI Perth?
My advice to anyone looking to study at UHI Perth would be to take what you want from it. Within the creative courses you get a lot of freedom to decide what you will experiment with and what you will study, so make the most of it and follow whatever is most interesting to you. Don’t be afraid to stand out!
