Stephanie Krekeler is a Study Abroad student from the College of Design, Architecture, Art, and Planning at the University of Cincinnati. Stephanie joined BA Graphic Design at Camberwell College of Arts and was the recipient of the UAL Study Abroad Award for Autumn 2021. We chatted to Stephanie about her time at Camberwell and her project.
"The things I enjoy the most about my classes are the retrospection and conversations about the work. I’ve had wonderful eye-opening chats with my tutors and peers questioning the designs we make, see, or study. I think this conceptual reflection is extremely valuable and beneficial in creating better informed and thought-out work."
Why did you choose to study abroad with UAL?
I chose to study abroad with UAL to get a new perspective on design, learning, and explore a new highly renowned college and its surrounding city.
What are your first impressions of London and Camberwell?
My first impressions of Camberwell are that it is very student driven, everything is built to support our ideas and concepts. All the staff are eager to hear and aid in your projects fulfilment to its complete outcome.
Nunhead Art Trail Visual Identity
What do you most enjoy about your classes?
The things I enjoy the most about my classes are the retrospection and conversations about the work. I’ve had wonderful eye-opening chats with my tutors and peers questioning the designs we make, see, or study. I think this conceptual reflection is extremely valuable and beneficial in creating better informed and thought-out work.
Tell us about your work here? How is it different to back home?
Here there’s a lot more ambiguity in projects, and more personal reflection on your designs. I know when I first came, I was told I should expect a difference in learning with the fact of more self-direction and I cannot agree with that note more.
What is the best thing about studying online?
I’m currently in a hybrid schedule of classes with it being about 75% online or independent and 25% in the studio face-to-face. I think having online courses though is nice with the flexibility and being able to make your day most efficient to your needs. It’s helpful in that I know how I focus best and what I need in order to complete work so being virtual I am able to accommodate to my best productivity state.
How is the situation with Covid? How was your travel from your country to here and how is life in London?
Travelling was the easier bit of the bunch, the planning of it all was a pain. To get here I had to take one covid test before boarding my plane, and then another test upon arrival to the UK. In tandem I had to have both tests booked weeks prior to my departure along with multiple documents, vaccination proofs, and traveller locator forms. And that’s not even mentioning the planning and chatting with my courses, home institution and all the legality bits. Nonetheless, now that I’m here I’ve had a blast exploring the city, the shops, museums, restaurants, and parks. There’s so much to see and do and there’s richness and art behind it all, it is such a blessing to be able to see and learn of this all!
How do you think studying with us will help you in the future?
Yes, I do. Studying with UAL not only gives me a view into a different way of things or thinking but also a more worldly perspective of everything. I believe that studying with UAL aids in having an international vision which is ideal in creating large multifaceted brands, visuals, or designs.
What are your plans when you’ve finished your course?
After this course I am returning to the states where I am interning at Landor & Fitch, a brand and design firm, as a Motion Designer until late April of 2022.
Did you do any UAL Social activities? If you did, tell us about them:
I did attend the UAL scavenger/treasure hunt on the tube and it was such a blast meeting new people and exploring London- my team actually won the entirety of the hunt which was exciting and hilarious. I also attended the UAL Routemaster Bus tour which was interesting to be in such a retro bus but also to hear about the history and backgrounds of some of the downtown areas of London and the Thames was very cool.