Will Thatcher

My name is Will Thatcher, I am 28 years old, and I studied BA (Hons) Graphic Design and Illustration at South Essex Colleges Group, graduating in July 2023 with a First Class degree. This is my story.

When I was younger, school was not the right fit for me. I started my career with a Business Administration apprenticeship in London and went on to work in IT for several years. While it gave me valuable experience, I realised it was not the career I wanted long term. I had always been interested in art and design, so I decided to take a different path and pursue something more creative.

I began with an Access to Higher Education Art and Design course, which gave me the opportunity to explore different creative disciplines. That year helped me confirm that graphic design was the right choice for me and gave me the confidence to continue onto the degree.

During my studies, I was lucky enough to secure a six-month internship as a Graphic Designer with West Ham United Football Club. This was arranged through the college and ran alongside my studies. It was an incredible experience working within a Premier League club, and I learned so much from being part of a professional creative team. I even continued working with them for a short time after graduating.

I have since secured a role as a Graphic Designer at IMG Seven League, a consultancy and digital marketing agency that works with major sports organisations such as the NFL, Premier League and NBA. In my role, I work with the design team to develop creative ideas and produce visual content for campaigns, helping to engage audiences and build brand identity.

Choosing to study full time meant stepping away from paid work, so I knew I needed to make the most of every opportunity. One of the things that really helped me stand out was combining graphic design with my passion for sport. I focused much of my work in this area, built a strong portfolio and reached out for freelance opportunities. This ultimately led to my internship and helped me secure my current role.

I chose to study at South Essex Colleges Group because it offered a wide range of courses close to home. Being able to stay local meant I could maintain a good balance between study and my personal life. I also valued the diversity of the college community, meeting people from different backgrounds and ages.

Throughout the course, I developed strong design skills and gained insight into the industry through tutors and guest speakers. I learned how to use software such as Adobe Illustrator, Photoshop and InDesign, as well as gaining an understanding of design principles and print processes.

One of the most valuable aspects of the course was the opportunity to present my work, receive feedback and learn how to respond to it. This is an essential skill in the creative industry, and developing it in a supportive environment made a big difference to my confidence.

Having access to industry-standard facilities, including Apple Macs and professional printing equipment, also helped prepare me for the workplace. It gave me the opportunity to learn using the same tools I now use in my career.

Studying here has had a huge impact on my confidence. Before starting the course, I was unsure about my direction. Now, I feel much more certain about my path and the progress I am making.

One of my proudest achievements so far is breaking into the industry I am passionate about and working with major global brands. It is something I had always hoped for, and it is still a moment I reflect on with pride.

Looking ahead, I want to continue developing my career in the sports industry and eventually work towards becoming a creative director. I enjoy collaborating with others, sharing ideas and helping bring creative projects to life.