Rosie Farrow

What made you want to apply to your course and to Leeds?

The type of work students create at the school of design Leeds really caught my attention. I really valued how industry relevant and exciting the types of projects that Leeds students produced were. 

I was able to apply to Leeds thought the access to Leeds scheme as my family have hadn’t been to university and I sat my GCSEs and A Levels at a struggling school. This reduced the grade boundaries I needed to achieve which made the whole a lot more appealing for me as someone who didn’t think they would ever go to University. 

What aspects of the course do you enjoy the most?  

I really liked the increased levels of freedom we were given with our design projects through the 3 years. From being given detailed briefs in first year to allow us to develop our software skills, to final year being given almost full reign on what sort of project and brief we would like to create. 

The teaching in final year was fantastic, Dr Matthew Lickiss was my tutor for the majority of my design project and his expertise was infinitely valuable.   

What were your inspirations behind your degree show project?

I used my final projected as an opportunity to bring together things I am passionate in. Aside from design, I have always been interested in the food industry, and considered it as a career if I hadn’t gone to university. I also paint in my spare time and wated to collaborate this more traditional skill with my software skills. 

What would you say about the learning facilities in your School and at the University in general?

The university is giant and with this there are lots of facilities with helpful staff everywhere. For my final project I made use of the laser cut facilities we have in school and the new Maker Space in the Edward boyle library. 

What other activities are available for students to take part in outside of their studies, and which ones have you tried out yourself?

There are lots of societies to get involved in or just the chance try something new that you wouldn’t have the opportunity to do at home, Leeds it’s a big city with lots going on. Outside of my studies, I was on the committee for art society in my second year, I also took up bouldering in my final year and have made some really great friends from this.  

Did you take a work placement or study abroad year? If so, how did you find this experience and what have you gained from it?

The placement year was an opportunity that really attracted me to studying at Leeds, and I found it very value able to figure out which sort of job setting I would like once I graduate. I spent 6 months at a large technology company however I found the the corporate design world wasn’t for me, I then spent 4 months at a petting farm redesigning their signage.

How do you think the skills and knowledge you’ve developed at Leeds will help with your career plans?

The curriculum is fast paced, and fellow students are very hard working, this was very different from my education before uni and has helped my develop my work massively. 

What are your plans after you finish your undergraduate degree? 

I hope to get a job in a design studio in London and possibly specialise in packaging design or design for the hospitality industry.