Alexander Hinnerskov studied BA (Hons) Product Design at Central Saint Martins, graduating in 2007. He has recently moved back to Denmark after ten years in London, and is launching a new UAL Denmark alumni group to establish a creative network for all alumni in the area.
After completing my foundation in Denmark, I started applying for university degrees in design and architecture. After some frustration, a good friend suggested that I should also look abroad. Knowing that I wanted an international and creative career in design and innovation, the obvious choice for me was Central Saint Martins. Although I knew there was a slim chance of being accepted (as the competition is so tough) I still went ahead with the application process. I remember distinctly my surprise and excitement the day I received a letter inviting me for an interview. In the end, I got through and there was no doubt in my mind to accept my place on the BA product design course.
Choosing a degree at CSM is the best decision I have ever made. It has enabled me to meet and work with amazing people and collaborate on a variety of projects. I have always challenged myself and my creative process trying to exceed expectations regardless of the brief. Having studied at CSM has always meant having the creative edge, and what better place to study than the international creative hub that is London?
My classmates are spread out all over the world but I manage to keep in contact with them. This has given me the big advantage of an international creative network. I also teach short courses at CSM, which has been a great way to stay in contact with my academic roots as well as teach and thereby learn new creative skills.
Since graduating, I have worked in a variety of creative design roles both full-time and freelance. These have included making design-art furniture pieces, leading various visual merchandising projects on store layouts and window designs, residential interior design, lighting design, cardboard sculptures and most recently teaching branding and product design. I have also always had small creative projects on the go to support my need for a varying creative outlet. These have included self-initiated projects or collaborations always with the objective of making quality and quality making. The focus in my career has always been to work with the creative process to produce a range of innovative concepts, and to execute these with the utmost attention to detail.
Having relocated to Copenhagen after 10 years in London, I was amazed to find that there was no UAL alumni group in Denmark. UAL educates some of the most creative minds in the world so creating an alumni group here has a lot of potential. I think that the aim of the group will be up to its members – whether that be establishing a creative network, finding collaborators for projects, setting up exhibitions or just meeting for a drink now and again. Personally I have found that the best way to make things happen is through your network.
If you want to be a part of the new UAL alumni group in Denmark, please join the Facebook group today, or get in touch with Alexander at ualalumnidk@gmail.com.
Find out more about our UAL alumni groups and Associations around the world.