Designs on a successful career

Edge Hill University prides itself on producing job ready graduates, with all departments continually developing professional relationships with leading individuals and key organisations within their sectors.

This career-focused approach includes courses such as the BA (Hons) Design for Performance, enabling students to grow practically, theoretically and analytically and become design professionals ready to engage with, and respond to, a range of future vocational opportunities.  

It is for this reason that third-year student Josefine Larsen decided to leave her native Denmark to study at Edge Hill. "I decided to apply for this course because it covered everything I was interested in and I knew it would help me achieve my dreams," she comments.  

Josefine continues, "We have a great working space here and lots of technical support. Students have access to sewing machines, a full costume wardrobe, all the latest software, a scene dock, a variety of workrooms and two professional theatres to rehearse and perform in."

Throughout their studies all Edge Hill's Performing Arts students work together, no matter what their creative discipline, which is something fellow third-year student Ian Jones feels is vital to their success. "The collaboration between subject areas is a very important part of the course. Throughout your learning journey this process provides a constant exploration into what you can achieve within your work, whilst also focusing your mind on areas you want to develop further when you leave university."  

Josefine and Ian have also recently benefitted from undertaking work placements, both agreeing that this is another invaluable opportunity to get to know their industry beyond the classroom. "I worked as an assistant designer for a site-specific performance in Liverpool called For the Best," explains Ian. "It was performed by professional actors and incorporated artwork, performance installation, film and sound. Since returning to the classroom my overall understanding of the ‘creating' process has increased hugely."  

Josefine headed back to Copenhagen to work with the renowned Steffen Aarfing, assisting with the designs for his latest play The Funeral, which will premier in Göteborg, Sweden, later this year. "This placement gave me real confidence in my own abilities" says Josefine, "I undertook research for the designer, built a model box of the theatre and broke down the script. I also got to see how professionals work and it made me think about what I want to do with my future."  

Now armed with a wide range of knowledge combined with practical experience both Ian and Josefine are really excited about what the future holds. "I'm currently in the process of setting up a theatre company with two of my peers," reveals Ian. Meanwhile, Josefine is planning on returning to Denmark to assist professional scenographers while also designing for theatrical performances.  

For more information about the BA (Hons) Design for Performance, visit http://www.edgehill.ac.uk/study/courses/design-for-performance