The illustration pathway is often perceived as “uncool,” “carefree,” and understood to be “kids stuff” among the student cohort. This perception is based on shared student expressions among my colleagues and myself, as well as the pathway’s low subscription rate this year.

This low sign-up to the pathway has been a huge welcome to me. We are running the classes at 25 students compared to 35 last year and so far the attention and interest the students are showing in the work we are doing is high. 

In discussion with my colleague who is the lead tutor of the pathway, we have both expressed a desire to “show off” and purposely make work with the students that peacocks, demonstrating both the value of illustration as a discipline and the pathway. The effect of this has been positive on our new group. There is an air of confidence as well as a harmonious community spirit emerging. My colleague had also informed me of students from other pathway areas commenting on the work the illustration group are doing such as “Wow, this way more fun”, and “How can I do it too”.

Starting the second unit has been very positive for me with the new group. I feel good to go to work and present the days tasks, ideas, and approaches to making work. I feel a lot happier to share and give to others than I have for a long time and It no longer feels like an expectation of duty but a genuine interest in someone else’s growth. The smaller group is an essential factor in this. It allows me to get to know them faster, as well as for us to make more complex and sophisticated work.  I also don’t feel (at present) that I have to carry and motivate students who are disinterested which has often been a burden to me.