Gower College Students Explore Creative Character Design at Swansea College of Art

The BA Illustration course at University of Wales Trinity Saint David (UWTSD)’s Swansea College of Art, welcomed 22 foundation and third-year students from Gower College Swansea for a hands-on taster day focused on anthropomorphic illustration.

The workshop was delivered by lecturers Ian Simmons and Martin Bush, who introduced visiting students to the BA Illustration programme and provided a creative brief centred on character design. Students participated in an engaging challenge where they randomly selected a card from three different bags, each containing an animal, an occupation, or an emotion. Using their three prompt words, they were tasked with developing an original illustrated character.

The session was repeated in the afternoon with a second group, and both workshops were met with high levels of enthusiasm and creative energy. Students produced a wide range of imaginative concepts, exploring how human traits can be expressed through animal-based characters.

Ian Simmons, Lecturer in Illustration, said: “We loved welcoming the students to Swansea College of Art and giving them a taste of what studying illustration at degree level is all about. Their creativity really shone through, and we hope this experience encourages them to think confidently about their own artistic futures.

“The visit offered prospective students a valuable insight into university-level illustration study, while strengthening the creative partnership between Swansea College of Art and Gower College. It also demonstrated how playful, experimental design exercises can unlock fresh ideas and build confidence in emerging artists.”

Feedback from Gower College was overwhelmingly positive. Lecturer Mary Passmore said:

“I was so impressed with what they had produced with you. I’m going to display them on the walls outside our Foundation course room. The students all really enjoyed themselves and loved the work they produced during the sessions.”

Further Information

Rebecca Davies

Executive Press and Media Relations Officer    
Corporate Communications and PR    
Email: rebecca.davies@uwtsd.ac.uk    
Phone: 07384 467071