Where could UAL take you?

Where could UAL take you? is a series of stories from Post-Grad community where we interview UAL postgrads about their project and the awards they have won.

For this first edition, we talked to Lera Bolkonskaia, a London-based Ukrainian MA Illustration postgraduate at Camberwell College of Arts, who recently won the D&AD New Blood Portfolio Award.

Hi Lera! Can you tell us about your project and why you decided to pursue it?

Yes, of course, I have been following D&AD for a long time, and I saw this as the perfect opportunity to get my work featured on their global website and showcased during the festival.

My creative practice focuses on illustration for branding and niche packaging. Because my MA Illustration course is heavily research-based, I found myself needing to make an extra push to explore the commercial applications of my work.

The competition deadline gave me the exact motivation I needed to update my portfolio website, something that is often hard to prioritise amidst an intense academic schedule.

Winning this award has provided me with invaluable visibility. Furthermore, it gave me the exclusive opportunity to apply for the D&AD New Blood Academy, a creative bootcamp offering mentorship and real-world briefs. I am crossing my fingers that I get accepted!

Where did you first hear about the opportunity?

I first heard about the opportunity through D&AD’s official social media channels. I regularly follow their accounts and check their website to track upcoming application deadlines, review past winners in the illustration category, and stay inspired by the industry.

How did you feel being awarded this achievement?

When I found out I won, it felt completely incredible, honestly, at first, I couldn't believe it wasn't a mistake! Despite how hard I had been working, I definitely felt a wave of imposter syndrome, especially since I had recently faced a string of rejections from other opportunities.

The first thing I did was share the news with my university friends, who were absolutely thrilled for me. This achievement has reminded me how vital it is to keep pushing toward my goals, despite the inevitable challenges and setbacks.

It has given me the confidence to believe that there is a distinct niche and audience for my work, even if my style isn't aimed at a mainstream market. When doubts creep in, I try to remember the great artists of the past who faced countless rejections; a setback doesn't mean your work lacks greatness.

What role did Post-Grad Community and UAL have in your project?

Being at UAL truly makes me feel like part of a vibrant creative community. The university provides the space, resources, and freedom needed for deep experimentation and research. This supportive environment has allowed me to cultivate and confidently develop my own distinct artistic voice.

Where do you hope being awarded this opportunity will take you?

I hope this award will bring long-term visibility and fresh opportunities, though I know building a career takes time.

Beyond being featured on the D&AD website, winning has given me the exclusive chance to apply for the D&AD New Blood Academy. This creative bootcamp offers invaluable mentorship and the opportunity to work on live, real-world briefs.

I hope to be accepted to the bootcamp this autumn so I can build industry connections, develop new skills, and expand my network.

Ultimately, my goal is to find a sustainable balance between commercial market demand and my personal creative voice. I want to maintain my authenticity without losing my distinct style, learning how to make my work commercially viable while still having fun and maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

If you could give a new postgraduate one piece of advice, what would that be?

Consistently explore what genuinely interests you and never stop experimenting with your creative approach. Trends come and go, but it is your unique, authentic voice that will truly stand out in the long run.

Don't miss any opportunities!

Sign up to our Post-Grad Community Newsletter and follow Post-Grad Community on Instagram where we regularly share opportunities, competitions, artist residencies or work experiences  for UAL students and graduates.

Do you have a project you want to share with us?

You can email us at pgcommunity@arts.ac.uk.

Post-Grad Stories

Post-Grad Stories is a thriving online platform of postgraduate voices. Here you can share thought-provoking experiences, practices, thoughts and articles about what matters to you.

Do you have a story you want to share? You can email us at pgcommunity@arts.ac.uk.