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Meet our tutors
Student Stories
Events
Exhibition
Accessibility Statement
http://arts.ac.uk
  • Courses
  • Meet our tutors
  • Student Stories
  • Events
  • Exhibition
  • Accessibility Statement
CSM Short Courses Blog

Student Stores: Catarina Sequeira and Costume Making

August 8, 2019by Hamish Mek ChohanNo Comments
Catarina Sequeira is a Costume Designer from Spain who recently attended our Costume Making short course. We loved the photographs Catarina shared with us of the work she made; she said of the course, “I very much enjoyed the spirit of the class, working with people from different backgrounds but all of us wanting to learn as much as we can.”
Catarina Sequeira sitting on grass in a park.

Catarina Sequeira

Where are you from and what’s your favourite thing about it?

I’m from Barcelona, a vibrant and cultural city in Spain.

Half a men's jacket and women's dress, pinned to mannequins.

© Catarina Sequeira

Gathered material, close up on pleats.

© Catarina Sequeira

What short course did you to study upon at Central Saint Martins (CSM)?

I did the Costume Making course and it was so inspiring and playful. I loved it!

Gathered material, mid shot of pleats.

© Catarina Sequeira

Corset with red lace.

© Catarina Sequeira

What did you enjoy most about your short course?

I very much enjoyed the spirit of the class, working with people from different backgrounds but all of us wanting to learn as much as we can. Also the process of making the clothes was really nice and the teacher helped us individually.

Corset on mannequin with half a garment started, pinned to the left.

© Catarina Sequeira

Half a men's jacket and women's dress, pinned to mannequins.

© Catarina Sequeira

What three words best describe your CSM Short Course experience?

Surprise. Inspire. Useful.

Complete women's top with large cuffs, with corset, pinned to mannequin.

© Catarina Sequeira

You can see more of Catarina’s work via her Instagram (@_morla_design_) and website. Costume Making will return soon so make sure you sign up to our newsletter to keep up to date with new CSM Short Courses news and course dates. In the meantime there’s still five weeks of Summer School to discover. If you’re planning ahead we also have evening, Saturday and weekend courses to choose from with Autumn Term starting on 30 September 2019.

Student Stories Summer School WINNER: Yixin Yan and Jewellery Making with Plastic and Metal

August 8, 2019by Hamish Mek ChohanNo Comments
Due to the amazing amount of entries we’ve been receiving, we left our Student Stories competition open a little longer but we’re now very excited to announce the very first winner of our Student Stories Summer School 2019 questionnaire is, Yixin Yan! Congratulations, you’ve won a CSM Short Course of your choosing, up to the value of £600. Yixin attended the fabulous Jewellery Making with Plastic and Metal short course and we think both her words and the incredibly vibrant photographs speak for themselves! Yixin chose to study at CSM for her “study holiday break” and said of her experience, “This is not a “neighborhood” short course, this is world-class top tier education.”
Photograph of Yixin Yan by the sea.

Yixin Yan

Where are you from and what’s your favourite thing about it?

I am from China, a city close to Shanghai called Changzhou. My favourite thing about Changzhou is the food, it’s rare to find a restaurant that is comparable in London.

Blue blob shaped earring.

© Yixin Yan

What is your occupation?

I am a Marketing Artist for a game company in Farringdon, London. At university I studied Illustration at the University of Southampton and Winchester School of Art.

An assortment of brightly coloured plastic jewellery sit on a table next to a CSM welcome postcard.

© Yixin Yan 001

What short course did you to study upon at Central Saint Martins (CSM), and what was your journey to the course?

I chose to study Jewellery Making with Plastic and Metal. I have some experience with Fimo (clay) and ceramic jewellery but this was my very first time working with resin, acrylic and metal. It was a great experience and I learnt so much; from making rubber molds, sawing and filing to soldering and polishing, all taught professionally by our tutor, Sarah King.

Sarah King and Yixin Yan stood in the jewellery workshop. Yixin is giving the thumbs up sign.

Sarah King and Yixin Yan

What did you enjoy most about your short course?

It was very hands-on and straight forward. Sarah is a great teacher with a rich background in working with plastic. She is always very patient in giving suggestions and directions, also attending the course was a great “study holiday break” from my usual work.

Metal jewellery in progress sit on a worktop.

© Yixin Yan

What is it like studying in London. What has been your favourite discovery and/or experience?

It has been a long time for me being away from an art university and I was very happy to be able to get back into an art library again. So I guess for me it has more been about discovering King’s Cross, and my favourite thing has been getting to attended Central Saint Martins.

How has your short course benefited your career, education and/or personal development? What are you going to do next with your new skills?

I’ve always liked to make stuff with my hands, especially since my day job is focused on computers, so I’d like to make more things after work and I’ll definitely keep up my practice in jewellery; I even have an Etsy shop selling my clay jewellery. I now have a few resin projects planned in my mind, and after Sarah taught us how to use wax molds, I might try silver as well.

Hand carved red ring.

© Yixin Yan

What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking a short course at CSM. Why should they study there?

CSM has the best tutors, facilities and you will meet amazing students as well. If you want to have the best experience of learning you have to come to CSM! This is not a “neighborhood” short course, this is world-class top tier education.

Silver ring with blue stone worn on hand.

© Yixin Yan

What 3 words best describe your CSM Short Course experience?

Specialized. Enlightened. Enjoyable.

Silver shaped pendent with opaque blue and red resin.

© Yixin Yan

You can find out more about Yixin through her website and keep up to date with her amazing work via Instagram, @yixinstudio. Jewellery Making with Plastic and Metal also returns this Autumn Term and if you’re planning ahead, comes back in Spring Term 2020. Week 7 of Summer School also starts next week and we can’t wait to hear all about your time at Central Saint Martins as you’ll also have another chance to win a CSM Short Course of your choosing, up to the value of £600. To enter simply share your short course experiences with us by completing our Student Stories questionnaire.

Student Stories: Maria Francesca Mereu and Jewellery Making for Beginners

August 8, 2019by Hamish Mek ChohanNo Comments
Looking to expand on her existing skills, Maria, a jeweller who works with existing pieces took Jewellery Making for Beginners to “progress from using pre-made materials to hand making all my own elements.” Check out Maria’s stunning work and how she felt about Paul Wells’ insightful course.
Photograph of Maria Francesca Mereu stood next to the Central Saint Martins entrance sign

Maria Francesca Mereu

What is your name and where are you from?

My name is Maria Francesca Mereu and I am from Sardinia, Italy.

What is your occupation?

I make jewellery from pre-made pieces in various metals and stones

Close up of a ring being held with tweezers

© Maria Francesca Mereu

What short course did you study on and why did you choose it?

I took the Jewellery Making for Beginners course because I wanted to progress from using pre-made materials to hand making all my own elements. The course offered a great starting point to help me learn the basics of handmade jewellery that will allow me to bring my own creative ideas to life.

What did you enjoy most about your course?

The course lasted one week and I found it very intense but exceptionally well structured. There is a fantastic creative vibrancy at Central Saint Martins and the workshops are spacious and bright. There is also great variety of materials, tools and equipment available, which are supplied as part of the course. Our tutor, Paul Wells, was really friendly, helpful and clear in his explanations and guidance, and his relaxed and patient manner made it a very pleasant atmosphere to learn in.

Photograph of Maria Francesca Mereu and Paul Wells (tutor) working in the jewellery workshop

Maria Francesca Mereu & Paul Wells (tutor)

How has this course benefited your career and personal development?

The course has provided me with a great range of basic skills to take my creative ideas to a new level. This has pushed me to want to learn more skills, taking what was initially my hobby to a more professional level.

Ring and stone sitting on work bench

© Maria Francesca Mereu

What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking a short course at Central Saint Martins?

Do it! If you have the desire and creative ideas to make your own jewellery, and want to get a great basic introduction, then this is the perfect course!

Square pendant sitting on work bench

© Maria Francesca Mereu

What do you believe is integral to the work of an artist, in any discipline?

Love what you do!

What three words best describe your short course experience at CSM?

Intense, inspiring and stimulating.

Four Jewellery Making for Beginners student wearing rings made during the course on their hands

© Maria Francesca Mereu

You can see more of Maria’s work via her Instagram, @icipici1 and upon her very own website. Jewellery Making for Beginners is sold out for July but we have another Summer School session taking pace in September, so don’t miss out! The course also returns for Autumn Term for those of you look for your next evening class and we even have dates available in 2020, see you there!

Student Stories: Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk and Fashion Design for 16 to 18 Year Olds

August 8, 2019by Hamish Mek ChohanNo Comments
Last year Olga attended the always inspiring and incredibly popular Fashion Design for 16 to 18 Year Olds course, which is now fully booked for this year’s Summer School – so book your Christmas School places sharpish! Today we look at the amazing work she produced whilst upon the course.
Photograph of student, Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

What is your name and where are you from?

Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk, I’m a student in my final year of high school and I am from Warsaw, Poland.

What course did you study on and why did you choose it?

I chose Fashion Design for 16 to 18 Year Olds because, since I want to apply for a Foundation course, I felt it was important to experience how it is to study at Central Saint Martins.

Painted model in pink wearing a drawn jacket

© Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

What did you enjoy most about your course?

I thoroughly enjoyed the course, especially the tutors’ unique approach to creating art which taught me to think out of the box and not to be afraid to take risks.

Collage of women wearing an outfit, outfit depicts a frost scene made from folded paper

© Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

How has this course benefited your career and personal development?

During the course I learnt a lot about the design process and I will definitely be using that knowledge when creating my portfolio. I was also inspired to experiment with my art and have more fun with it!

Collage of women wearing an outfit, outfit depicts bright colours made from folded paper

© Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

What would you say to someone who is thinking about taking a short course at Central Saint Martins?

Whether you are planning to apply to CSM or are just looking to try something new, you will surely learn a lot in a great atmosphere. It’s an unforgettable experience that allows you to look at your work in a fresh new way!

Painted figure, wearing a blue, yellow and pink outfit, stands in front of an abstract collage background

© Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

What do you believe is integral to the work of an artist, in any discipline?

I think inspiration is what truly gives art meaning. Well-done research and an emotional connection to the subject are fundamental.

What three words best describe your short course experience at CSM?

Inspiring. Fun. Unforgettable.

Drawn figure, wearing a pink squares and blue cross-hairs outfit, stands in front of a shells and aquatic shapes collage background

© Olga Wiślicz-Iwańczyk

There are plenty more amazing courses for teenagers to book upon this Summer School, starting every Monday. Early birds can also secure their Fashion Design for 16 to 18 Year Olds course placements upon our upcoming Christmas School session right now – see you there!

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