Careers and connections in Art and Design

Undergraduate

Once you’ve found your passion within the art and design world, we'll help you to hone your skills to get you career-ready through work experience opportunities, showcasing and portfolio building. We have a proven track record of producing highly skilled graduates who’ve gone on to have successful careers across the creative industries.

While studying with us you’ll develop a memorable portfolio, explore employment opportunities and establish industry connections that can often lead to work placements and jobs. We’ll nurture you in the art of visual communication and help you develop your individuality as an artist so that when you leave us, you’ll be prepared to take on a broad range of professional opportunities across a wide variety of exciting careers in the arts and creative industries.

Your career

Our undergraduate art and design courses are diverse… and so are the careers that are linked with them. Whatever path you choose, we’ll provide the stepping-stones towards your successful future career.

Graduates from our art design degrees are highly sought after and have achieved recognition as internationally featured photographers and artists, innovative product, transport and fashion designers, or working at renowned companies with animation, illustration, comic art and graphic design.

Our graduate have secured creative careers worldwide with leading companies, including...

Art galleries - Matt Roberts Arts, AirSpace
Product and furniture design – Habitat, M&S Home, Wedgwood, Westbridge Furniture, GoldenBear Toys, Ikea, Next Home
Transport manufacture – Ferrari, BMW, Ford, Maserati, Porsche
Creative companies – Hallmark, The Chase, Saatchi & Saatchi, True North, TBWA
Cartoon and comic design - Orbital Comics, Forbidden Planet, Gosh Comics
Publications - Digital Arts magazine, New Scientist, The Guardian, The Independent, The Big Issue
Clothing design – Oasis, Warehouse, Next

Andy Cooke

Graduated 2010

After setting up three stoke-based businesses, graduate Andy now manages them from Switzerland where he works as an Integrated Art Director.

Andy's story

Our latest connections

Work experience

Whatever art and design course you choose to study at Staffordshire University, you’ll have the opportunity to undertake a work-placement, where you’ll gain valuable real-world experience and make industry connections, that can enhance your CV and help to give you an edge in your future career.

Each course has its own set of industry partners which can provide exciting opportunities for work placements, ‘live’ industry projects, study visits, competitions and freelance work – these range from Maserati, Next and John Lewis, right through to Wedgwood, Johnsons Tiles and Portmeirion. On some courses, there’s also the option of taking a paid ‘placement year’ to further enhance your employability prospects.

Industry Connections

We work closely with various industry figures like the Crafts Council and Chartered Society of Designers, who help make the UK the best place to learn contemporary design and craft. So, you know you'll learn the latest knowledge and industry practice.

Our courses are designed to mirror industry practice with students working alongside leading companies on live projects, such as JCB, Westbridge Furniture, Halfords, Michelin, and Evoke Creative, whose client list includes McDonalds, Google and JD Sports.

We also have strong links to the local and regional art scene, who offer exciting opportunities to take part in professional projects and exhibitions each year.

The course has a holistic approach to the fundamentals and principles of design, its application to the real world, and building students’ confidence so they can progress in their chosen fields with a skillset that’s appropriate for an ever-progressing field. This is both exciting and incredibly important in today’s world.

Ayo Oluyede

Graphic Design

Our students

Working on industry led projects, with brands such as SCP, Marks and Spencer and Wedgwood, acted as a learning curve enabling me to improve on my professional experience through live briefs and presentations.

Lavania Vencatasamy

3D Designer Maker

Being encouraged to create, market, self-publish and actually sell my own books has really pushed me out of my comfort zone and got me feeling like I'm really ready to go out into the world as a creative professional. The way the course builds you up slowly throughout the years made me always feel ready for the next step.

Maxie Oliver

Cartoon and Comic Arts

As a mature student, my course was the perfect pathway into the art career I'd always wanted. Foundation Art and Design is packed with taster modules, fantastic field trips, visiting professional artists and it's led by brilliant lecturers. I've gained insight and discovered skills that I can't wait to develop further.

Lorna Lakin

Art and Design Foundation

The most things for me was been meeting some amazing industry professionals - including Simon Tofield (creator of Simon's Cat), Oscar-nominated/award winning directors Sam Fell (ParaNorman), Rich Moore (Wreck-It Ralph), Dan Scanlon (Monsters University) and Mark Andrews (Brave). I've also worked with local animation companies - starting as an intern and now on a part-time basis, employed as a Rigging TD.

Jamie Bowen

Animation

Got a question about Art and Design?

Our friendly enquiries team are on hand to answer any questions you may have about your course, life at University of Staffordshire and much more.