Meet the new committee members of the Enterprising Alumni Association
- Written byEleanor Harvey
- Published date 08 February 2024
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We’re delighted to announce the new committee members for the Enterprising Alumni Association.
- Ieva Ball
- Manny Kaur
- Giulio Mazzarini
They join the association as plans are taking shape for exciting events and opportunities coming up in 2024.
The Enterprising Alumni Association is a dynamic network of graduates who’re leading the way in the creative industries.
Ieva Ball
BA Media Practice, London College of Communication, 2014
How would you define your creative practice?
It’s called Blake House. You could call it an independent film studio based in London, which I set up with my better half Simon in 2016. We produce independent short films, documentaries, series, experimental work and now have a couple of feature films in development. We also undertake commissions from interesting organisations and private individuals. We build computers and experiment with generative AI and new technology in general.
Our work has been awarded and screened online, in cinemas, festivals, museums, galleries, institutions and private venues globally. We were also able to help raise millions in funding for important research and development work benefiting communities around the UK.
I also run Clapham International Film Festival, edit a film magazine CIRCA, paint, mentor emerging filmmakers and host events for creatives.
Film life is very varied and takes you all sorts of places. We now have a little toddler running around so our creative practice became very child friendly and unlike anything you might imagine.
Tell us a bit more about your career so far …
I graduated in 2014 from Media Practice at LCC, where I met Simon. After a few brief stints in the film industry, we decided to go independent and set up our own thing. We learned as we went along, making many mistakes but accruing some wild experience and breakthroughs. It’s not a standard job and when the storm hits there's nobody but us to navigate. In some ways, we’re a bit like pirates, we sail where we feel called to and make our ship work for us. We’ve been lucky to meet some amazing souls on our travels and continue growing our network of likeminded creatives. The most harrowing career shift was moving from exclusively client work to self-initiated projects - it’s also been the most rewarding and eye opening.
What made you want to be part of the Enterprising Alumni Association?
Over the years I found some of my most treasured friends and collaborators graduated from this experience. As the projects I’m working on are increasing in volume and scope, I need to expand my network at a rapid pace. It just felt like a natural home to do that, and I wasn’t wrong.
What do you hope to bring to the association?
I want to contribute my experience and skills towards organising opportunities for people to connect, for people in screen industries but across disciplines too.
Tell us what UAL means to you…
Oh, it’s my alma mater, I’d be dead or lost in the woods without it.
- Website: blake.house
Manpreet (Manny) Kaur
MA Fashion Design Management, London College of Fashion, 2022
How would you define your creative practice?
I’d place myself on the creative side of business development and entrepreneurship. I’ve always had a particular interest in fashion and so after completing my business management studies, I specialised in fashion. In general, I find that I enjoy working within business development - in this area of work, you can really delve into creative problem-solving whilst seeing real-life impacts. Although I studied fashion as a specialism, I’m also a film photographer in my free time. I would say I’m creative in my everyday approach to life and look to bring that mindset into everything I do.
Tell us a bit more about your career so far.
My career so far has consisted of working with SMEs in both creative and business development roles. Along the way, I also co-founded a fashion business. My career has been focused on elements of business, fashion, and the creative fields.
What made you want to be part of the Enterprising Alumni Association?
I wanted to be part of the Enterprising Alumni Association because I know first-hand what it is like to be an entrepreneur, and I hoped that I could utilise my skillset in helping others with their journeys and meeting individuals who are interested in similar things.
What do you hope to bring to the association?
I hope to bring opportunities for individuals who may not have been aware of the association. I hope I can participate in some events that can support students or alumni in their enterprise journey. Most importantly I believe community is such an important element of any organisation and I hope I can add to the association in that way.
Tell us what UAL means to you.
UAL was an entry pass into the creative field for me. Coming from a Business Management degree and background it can be very difficult to be ’seen’ in the creative industry without a creative education or contacts. I chose to further my education and be part of the UAL community as I knew it would provide me with a creative community for life, wherever I end up. So UAL is an important part of my journey into a creative career.
Giulio Mazzarini
MA Design Studies, Central Saint Martins, 2003
How would you define your creative practice?
I run GEM, an ethical design and communication agency. There we have fun working with clients from large companies to small start-ups. I’m also a freelance lifestyle photographer, working mainly in the editorial and corporate industries.
Tell us a bit more about your career so far …
It’s been very hard at the start, but now I’m more in control of the work and time put into it.
What made you want to be part of the Enterprising Alumni Association?
I love the business side of creative enterprises.
What do you hope to bring to the association?
Perhaps an experienced eye.
Tell us what UAL means to you…
I’m an associate lecturer at Central Saint Martins as well as a graduate, so I’m a UAL guy from the heart!
- Agency website: gemcreativedesign.com
- Photography website: gmazzarini.com
- Follow Giulio on Instagram: @gmazzarini
