Abraham E.

Abraham E. is a Junior Motion Designer at Buff Motion, a design-driven motion graphics and animation studio in Brighton. He is a former Level 3 Vocational student at NewVIc and came from Eastlea Community School and studied Creative Media, Production and Technology. He initially progressed onto a BA in Information and Interface Design, but then switched over to study an undergraduate degree at University of the Arts London to study BA (Hons.) in Graphic and Media Design. We caught up with Abraham to find out a little more on his journey so far.

What made you apply to NewVIc?

Ironically, NewVIc wasn’t actually my first choice… but towards the end of the summer, I found myself having to reconsider somewhere more local to study, and with its wide variety of courses, I was becoming increasingly interested in joining the college, in the hope of doing something less academic and more hands-on.

Shortly after results day, dead set on choosing the IT Networking course and pursue my foggy dreams of working at Google, I had a brutally honest conversation with the then-head of IT, who said that after listening to my interests, he didn't think IT Networking was the right course for me. That comment had put me back to square one, but if I hadn't gotten that advice, and explored other options (i.e. Creative Media) I wouldn't have the infinitely more creative job that still confuses my parents today. That kind of honesty from a teacher that barely knew me was something I subconsciously found comfort and trust in, and made NewVIc feel like a strong choice.

I, unfortunately, forgot that teacher's name, but if you ever read this IT guru, thank you.

Tell us about your journey from NewVIc to BUFF MOTION?

Right off the bat, studying a creative course here, coming from secondary school was a slap in the face of what the working, creative world is like. NewVIc gave me a taste of that with Creative Media as we were given a lot more freedom, and thus more accountability on our projects. You weren't always required to be in the classroom, spend hours revising material soon forgotten within weeks or prepare for dreadful exams, but instead got a brief and got out of the classroom with a camera, a basic plan, crew and hopefully made something to meet that brief; trying stuff, making crappy videos, then reflecting on why they sucked. Then rinse and repeat on the next brief. It was a new dynamic for me, but a reality check that I'm so glad I got before uni.

Prior to starting my (original) BA, I had been growing interested in UX design, influenced by my passion for tech. I had made some basic research of what the UX field involved, but also many assumptions that led me to study Information & Interface Design at UAL, at the London College of Communication. Despite the wholesome class I was part of in my first year, that course simply didn't fulfil my growing interest in Graphics, Motion or 3D, which I hadn't allowed myself to acknowledge properly. I’d rushed things and just wasn't happy with where I was.

After a long period of uncertainty and a handful of sad days, I did some research, bit the bullet and asked my tutor if I could switch over to Graphic & Media Design (aka GMD), which seemed a lot more varied and experimental. That meant leaving behind a group of people I'd grown fond of, but remaining stuck with a choice I’d outgrown for 2 more years didn’t seem right.

GMD was something I then stuck with, and am glad I did, having also taken a "sandwich year" to gain industry experience, despite Covid-19, I explored things I was interested in, did some freelancing, got fired, and hired again in places that gave me some much-needed confidence. After graduating from GMD, I was extremely fortunate to have been offered a junior role at one of my favourite motion design studios in the UK, Buff Motion, that forced me to get away from home, to (often) sunny Brighton, and really digging it so far.

How DID YOU GET IN THE CAREER THAT YOU ARE IN NOW?

Simply put, by being a bit obsessive, genuinely interested in what I do, and trying stuff over and over. Qualities I hope to keep up despite all the weird stuff life/world throws at me.

Being part of a class of people who were passionate about pop culture, gaming, tech and anime was influential, because it showed me that we didn't just have to consume the content, but we could actually create our own. Sure, it was often (and still is) crappy at the start, but the satisfaction of creating your own stories, images or whatever you're into, is hard to shake off.

In my final year in Media we became encouraged to share our work online, thus slowly building a digital portfolio. A handful of people seemed to like my "experiments", some of which were kind enough to offer me freelance gigs, internships and later junior roles, opening opportunities I didn't think I'd be exposed to just through posting some stuff online. Life's weird....

And since my time at NewVIc I've kept trying to create the stuff in my head, investing time, money (sometimes losing some) and whatever resources I have available to allow myself to just create as best as I can.

What are your FOND memories of NewVIc?

There's something quite unforgettable about the beautifully weird and diverse environment some of us created in our Creative Media course, at that stage many of us weren't feeling the pressures of the outside world and could bring our obsessions and weirdness to the table without (much) judgement, and even when there was some, there was probably someone who was just as into to make you feel better.

Spending lunch breaks on the "bridge" with my media friends, and just being there, fully present in the moment and taking in the different personalities made my days. It doesn't get more nostalgic than that.

Also, NewVIc’s cookies were me and my friend's Ruben guilty pleasure, they were so damn gooey!

What is your advice for students considering NewVIC?

In hindsight, I remember being quite excited to join a college with the “right” vibe/environment, but the truth is that the “perfect” college doesn’t exist, and more often than not, it's not just about the awesome people, groups or activities that college can provide you with, it's about what you can bring to the environment.

In my experience, NewVIc was full of wonderful teachers, technicians and students that can help you grow, and for whatever you're into, there's probably a group of other students into it as well, backed by staff that cares about you unlocking your potential beyond just acing exams. Just come as you are, and as I'm sometimes reminded, be excellent to each other.

How did you find the teaching at NewVIc? Did it prepare you for your next educational step?

While I can't speak for all courses, the teaching style in the Creative Media course (at the time) was pretty indicative of the teaching style at uni, that is, less academic faff, and more freedom to students to go make/explore things after being given a brief. Needless to say, that teaching style was a strong foundation that helped get through the whole of uni, resulting in projects I am very proud of, and a skillset I didn't think I'd be developing (but hope to develop even further).

How would you describe yourself before you came to NewVIc?

Stiff, shy and with a rigid mindset.

I'd be a liar if I said I've overcome all of those, but since my time at NewVIc, my perception of work, people, career and learning has evolved thanks to the other eccentric students I had the luck of being around and the teachers that really pushed and encouraged us, namely Bhavin Bhadresa, who convinced me to give the Creative Media course a go, after IT went out the window, and helped me land my first creative internship at Plexal, in HereEast, as well as offering me insights beyond my NewVIc days. I owe him more than he probably realises, because taking Creative Media was one of the best decisions I've ever taken. Thank you Bhavin!

Ultimately, secondary school (and everything before that) often had a way of making education and learning feel like a linear thing, with exams and other academic shenanigans as the pillars of accomplishment. Creative Media at NewVIc slapped me in the face with some reality that shook all those notions on the floor, showing me a more fluid, unpredictable and practical way of approaching life and work.

What are your future plans?

Getting back to creating more consistently and really enjoying the process like a kid, with less regard for external pressures, metrics or distractions that have admittedly created more friction and demotivate me more often than I care to admit.

I'm learning more and more the value of hard work and dedication, and wish to fully internalise it and put it to practise in the important things I do, as well as a healthier work-life balance, to fully appreciate how far I've come and hope to go, along with the wonderful places I’m in, and the people I've met (and hope to meet) along the way.