My First Week at UAL: Beginning the Journey
Last week marked the start of Welcome Week at UAL, and with it, I officially collected my student ID card, a small but symbolic moment that made everything feel real. It has always been a dream of mine to study here, and now that it has become reality, I feel both grateful and motivated.
Although I have lived in London for nearly two years, my experience has always been from the perspective of a professional and a resident, not as a student. Returning to student life in this city feels different: it opens up new opportunities for learning, collaboration, and creative exploration.
This MA in Graphic Branding & Identity represents the beginning of a new chapter in my journey as a designer. I am excited to expand my practice, challenge my ways of thinking, and connect with peers who share the same passion for design and communication. Over the coming weeks, I hope to use this space to document reflections, research, and projects as I navigate this new academic and creative environment.
Day 1
The week began with our first session in the lecture room, where we were introduced to the course structure and to one another. We played an ice-breaking game that encouraged us to share our thoughts on design, which was both fun and eye-opening. It was fascinating to see how differently everyone interprets design. Later, we toured LCC and explored the various workshops. I am excited to gain hands-on experience in each of them throughout the year.
Another meaningful activity was writing a letter to my future self as a 2026 graduate. It felt like a reflective exercise capturing my current mindset, while leaving space for growth and change. To end of the day on a creative note, we designed and made our own badges, which was simple yet surprisingly joyful.
Day 2
We learned about the professional backgrounds of our tutors and had the opportunity to meet recent alumni from the course. Listening to their journeys, challenges, and advice gave us a clearer sense of what lies ahead, as well as reassurance that there is room for experimentation and failure. They also shared examples of their work, which was inspiring to see at this early stage.
In the afternoon, we joined a social walk from LCC to St Paul’s. This was a relaxed and informal way to get to know one another, exchanging stories about our lives and design experiences. It was encouraging to realise how diverse our group is, with people coming from many different countries, disciplines, and perspectives.
Day 3
I attended my first photogram workshop in the darkroom. This was my very first time working in such an environment, and it felt both experimental and magical. A photogram is created by placing objects directly onto light-sensitive photographic paper and exposing it to light. Without using a camera, the result is a shadow like image that captures the outlines, transparencies, and textures of the objects.
I experimented with everyday items like scissors, glass, and bottles, and was amazed at how they transformed into abstract compositions under the enlarger light. The process of developing the prints in trays of developer, stop bath, and fixer was both technical and meditative. Watching the image slowly emerge on the paper was a memorable experience, reminding me of the materiality of image making in a digital age.
Day 4
We had our first project briefing for Situating Practice. The session introduced us to the idea of using the course as an “experimental playground,” where we are encouraged to position ourselves by reflecting on our past experiences, personal backgrounds, and the evidence of our practice. Although the project sounds challenging, I am excited to explore it further.
In the afternoon, we visited the Design Museum to see More Than Human, a major exhibition exploring how design can move beyond human-centered needs to embrace multispecies coexistence. The show presented over 140 works by more than 50 designers, artists, and architects, ranging from immersive installations to community driven projects.
I was particularly struck by the diversity of approaches especially Julia Lohmann’s Kelp Council, a mixed media installation created with Ville Aslak Raasakka. Stepping into the “council of seaweed,” accompanied by the soundscape of the rising and falling tide, offered a powerful reminder of how design can shift our perspective on coastal ecosystems. The enigmatic seaweed forms revealed both the material potential and the fragile beauty of this regenerative resource, inviting connection on a human scale. It prompted me to reflect on questions such as: what does seaweed think of us? and how can we design responsibly while caring for non-human life in return?
Together, these works challenged us to reconsider design not just as a human tool, but as a collaborative practice with the natural world. For me, this exhibition was both inspiring and unsettling, as it highlighted the urgent need for designers to rethink their role in the climate emergency.
Summary
Looking back on my first week at UAL, I feel both excited and challenged. From ice-breaking games and social walks to hands-on workshops in the darkroom and thought-provoking exhibitions at the Design Museum, each day introduced me to new perspectives on design and on myself. This week reminded me that studying design is not only about developing technical skills, but also about questioning our role in society, reflecting on our values, and exploring how creativity can respond to wider cultural and environmental issues. I am eager to see how these early experiences will shape my practice as I continue this journey.