Charlie Hartridge

Tell us a bit about yourself and your background.

I’ve lived in Forest Hall all my life. I’d say I achieved above average GCSEs in high school. In terms of my hobbies, I like art, music, video games, rock climbing and researching philosophy. I’m fascinated by ethics, morality and religion in general, so I’m just trying to figure out my belief system. I also find it really interesting asking “Why?” about really fundamental issues, since it encourages people to think more deeply on a cognitive, intellectual level. 

How did you hear about Newcastle College? Did you attend an Open Day prior to starting at the College? If so, did you find it useful?

When I was applying for colleges, I researched a lot of different providers in the area and saw that the Animation and Illustration here at Newcastle College was the programme for me. I attended an Open Event, which helped to familiarise me with the campus and some of the tutors, as well as what I would learn and how I’d be taught. Attending the Open Event gave me a much deeper understanding of what Newcastle College could offer me. 

What made you decide to come to the College and enrol on your chosen course?

I applied for the Animation and Illustration course because of my affinity for art, so I knew I wanted to turn my creative interests into a career. I also wanted to deepen my understanding of digital arts while learning new design techniques along the way, such as the process of concept art. Honestly, I was a bit conflicted about continuing down an animation or illustration route or whether to go into photography, since I studied it at GCSE and really enjoyed it. However, when I found out a bit more about the courses, I realised that I could incorporate my interest in photography into my work in animation and illustration, so I settled on my current course. For now, I haven’t applied photography much to my work, but I’m planning to do a process called ‘doodle bombing’ where I draw on top of a picture to create a new artwork, so I’m excited to explore that more in my second year. 

How would you describe the advice and support you've received from the College staff and your tutors? Have you had any support from our Central Support Service?

I’d say the support I get from the tutors here has been very helpful so far! They’ve been very understanding and supportive in all aspects, whenever I’ve struggled with anything they’ve been able to guide me through any confusing disarray I might find myself in. I’m diagnosed with ADHD, so they’re able to help me get back on task when I’m distracted or hyperactive. I’m also on medication, so my tutors are really understanding in terms of offering general advice, even for techniques or situations outside of College! 

Do you have any tutors with industry experience? If so, how has this helped you?

I know for certain that two of my tutors have a background in the digital design industry. One has worked previously creating designs for tabletop card games, and she was also the lead for a project I did recently with a local illustrator, Josie Brookes, to design a mural for the Forth Lane in Newcastle, as well as a gallery exhibition! My other main tutor also has a lot of graphic design experience, which has helped me because I know that I can rely on the expertise of the people who are teaching me and that their knowledge can guide me through any difficult processes if I ever get stuck. 

Did you look into financial support available from the College? If so, what support did you receive and how did it help you?

Yes – I applied for a materials bursary a while ago, and ironically my pack has just come through today! The bursary pack included a load of materials like sketchbooks and creative supplies which I didn’t have to go out and buy, which obviously will be a big help when it comes to designing projects in future. 

Have you overcome any challenges while on your course? If so how has the college helped you?  

Yes, there have been a few. One is that my iPad was stolen during my course, so I lost a lot of my work. My tutors and the team here at the College were really helpful in getting it back and reinstating my account, though, and with their support I managed to develop new drawings to compensate for what I’d lost. Another challenge I’ve had is losing motivation and feeling little connection to my work. My tutors gave me advice about this, encouraging me to return to my original art style rather than only trying to implement the methods or techniques I’d learnt in class, which helped to bring back the ‘specialness’ I felt about my earlier works. Once I started mixing approaches, I’ve experimented with different fields, like watercolours and spray painting (my favourite). I’m a big fan of graffiti and street art, so I like the different feeling I get when I move from using designed brushstrokes on my iPad to real spray paint on a larger canvas. 

What do you enjoy the most about your course?

The creative freedom I get on my course – it's like a breath of fresh air compared to high school! I get to use my own techniques and art forms alongside new teachings from my classes. I also enjoy meeting new people, since while I’m naturally quite a social person anyway, I always like to develop my communication skills with people from different backgrounds, alongside developing my art in the different workshops here. Lastly, while it’s not as much fun, I value being able to get one-to-one advice from my tutors about professional conduct in the digital and creative industry, especially when I’m building my own portfolio for work. 

How do you feel that the course is benefitting you?

I feel like all the practical opportunities the course gives me to develop myself and my craft, like the Forth Lane mural project I mentioned before, are giving me lots of great experiences of being a professional creative that I can talk about when I look for jobs in industry. Having projects and designs out in the real world already is helping to put me on the map as I create my brand as a professional illustrator, which not many other colleges would be able to offer! 

Have you done any work experience or a work placement as part of your course?

I’ve had two main work placement opportunities so far. The first was the Forth Lane mural project with Josie Brookes, which honestly felt more like an activity I did outside of college anyway, because I worked on it on my ‘off’ days where I wouldn’t have been on campus to begin with, but it was a lot of fun to work with and learn from Josie herself and see how professional illustrators work. The second example, which was more like a ‘traditional’ work placement in my book, is a recent project I’ve done to design wall artworks for a subway underpass at the Swan Road Roundabout. I’m hoping to get the chance to do more and varied types of placements in my second year, especially for commission work, because there I get to work on a client brief, figure out what they want, but also put a bit of myself into the design too. My placements have also led me to consider all my options, like becoming a concept artist and designing a brand, since I’d like to design a brand logo to be used in their marketing or on a clothing range, for example. With skills like those, or even a background in something like character design or storyboarding, I feel confident that I’ll have the skillset to be self-employed and create my own design business one day! 

What would you like to do when you finish your course? Would you consider studying a degree at Newcastle College University Centre?

I’m not entirely sure yet. For now, I’m considering either a digital marketing apprenticeship or going to study an Animation or Illustration course at Newcastle College University Centre, but for now I’m still exploring all my avenues and seeing which ones really call to me.  

What are your ambitions for the future?

From a longer-term perspective, I want to figure out my beliefs, my career path...learn to drive as well! I’d like to eventually get a campervan for myself and use it to travel around the country and build up my brand as an artist as I go. 

What would you say to anyone thinking of studying a course with Newcastle College?

I’d highly encourage everyone to do their research into what they want out of a college or sixth form before applying for a course. From personal experience, Newcastle College has a massive variety of course options to choose from, so there’s usually something for everyone! If ever you’re unsure, then go to an Open Event, meet some tutors or students and do some more research – there's no harm in trying, and it can only help you to find the course or future career that you really want. 

What are your top tips for being a student at Newcastle College?

Have a good routine – in my experience, lacking a routine is detrimental to maintaining a strong work ethic, so keep yourself organised. 

Don’t be too hard on yourself when it comes to the artwork you produce – when you’re starting out as a creative, you’re still finding your style and you won’t create artworks that are ‘perfect’ in your eyes, so treat each project as a way to learn and improve, not a competition against yourself. 

Make connections with people – you’ll be a more effective creative professional if you try to understand the tutors and their work ethic, as well as learn from the styles of other people in your class. 

Be polite – whatever someone’s beliefs or background, everyone deserves to be treated with respect. 

Find what motivates you – figure out what drives you to do your work, why you get up in the morning, what makes you want to be a better person. Once you figure that out, the sky’s the limit!