Recently, we caught up with Yasmin Otsmane, who won ACC’s Best Media Student award for 2024 in Manchester. We spoke to her about her recent award win and how she’s feeling about it, as well as her time on her course and her future plans.
Hi Yasmine, tell us about yourself!
Hi, my name is Yasmin. I’m studying Graphic Design and have just completed my first year, going into my second. While I was studying for my GCSEs, I never even considered doing graphic design. I was planning on doing A-Levels, but I was told I couldn’t with the results I was getting. Still, I tried my hardest. I finished my GCSEs and went on holiday. I had applied to a few colleges but only received temporary acceptance, so I wasn’t sure what was going to happen.
While I was on holiday, my dad told somebody, who specialises in advising young people on their future careers, about me. My dad mentioned that I like art, which is true! I couldn’t go a day without drawing; I had to draw every day, or it would drive me mad. I’ve kept this streak for about four years now, not missing a single day. The advisor suggested I do graphic design, and I thought to myself, that’s a great idea! I was ecstatic that my dad supported it as well. Coming from an Arabic background, like my friends, he would usually assume it’s not very reliable, but he had worked with a graphic designer before.
Graphic design works perfectly for me because I love being creative, and the idea that I could make a profit and a living out of it made me ecstatic. But I didn’t take it seriously at first and thought of it as a second option. August 24th came by, and guess what? None of the colleges accepted me. I wasn’t sad about it because I believed it was meant to be. I remembered an ad on Instagram about studying graphics in Manchester, so I followed up and applied and I got accepted!
I like watching anime, playing games, watching sitcoms, and running.
Congratulations on your ACC Award win. How do you feel?
Honestly, I still can’t believe it. When they announced the Graphic Student of the Year, I thought, “Yeah, I’m not winning anything.” Then they announced Student of the Year, and to my surprise, it was me. I’m really happy! My teachers, Lauren and Josh, later came over to say how proud they were and how it was the easiest choice they made. That made me so happy. I was in shock, so I hadn’t processed it, and they probably thought I wasn’t happy, but I am, infinitely so.
Tell us about your time at Access. What have you enjoyed about it? What have you learned?
It certainly has been a positive experience. At the beginning, obviously, everyone is nervous about meeting new people, but right now, I am so happy to go to Access. I’ve met new people and new friends, and the teachers are so supportive. I always get compliments on my work, which motivates me to work harder, but I also get constructive criticism to improve. Whenever I’m struggling, my teacher sits with me and helps with everything I need. The teachers seem passionate about teaching, which makes the learning experience even better.
Coming into college is always exciting. It’s always fun to come in, and I look forward to every day. Right now, I look forward to the next year of college. The teachers are very supportive and positive, a very different experience compared to high school. I have learnt a ton of things, like how to use all the Adobe programs. I have also improved a lot in my art because I push myself every time to do things I’m not familiar with. Thanks to the people at the college seeing my potential and pushing me, I have created some of my best artworks ever. The motivation I have received has been incredible. But genuinely, everyone is so nice over there, nothing like I have ever seen before.
Have you done anything in the industry outside of your studies? If so, tell us about it!
Unfortunately I haven’t, but if an opportunity opens up for me I will definitely take it!
What’s your proudest achievement from your time studying with us?
The artwork I have created is thanks to the college. I worked on an assignment titled “Culture,” and I chose Native American culture. I made some really cool artwork for it:
What are your plans for the future? How are you going to take what you’ve learned at Access into your career?
I will be doing an Apprenticeship or an internship somewhere, I don’t plan on going to University.
What advice would you give to someone considering studying at Access?
Just do it, trust me! It’s a small number of people but fewer people are better as you’ll feel more comfortable!
Links:
- Manchester Creative Educators and Beyond The Music Collaborate to Boost Grassroots Music - September 30, 2024
- Harry Stansfield – Best Game Design Award 2024 - September 23, 2024
- Yasmin Otsmane – Best Media Student Award 2024 - September 23, 2024