EDP24

Art graduates look to future

02 December 2006 11:46

Hundreds of proud parents and friends gathered yesterday to witness the culmination of years of hard work as 360 students graduated from the prestigious Norwich School of Art and Design.

It was up to former NSAD students Bobby Burrage, Scott Keightley and Susan Gunn to inspire the next generation when they took to the stage at St Andrew's Hall as guest speakers at two ceremonies.

Mr Burrage and Mr Keightley, who graduated in 2002, worked for prestigious London companies before returning to Norwich and setting up their own successful firm, Click Design Consultants, with clients including Gordon Ramsay.

While Susan Gunn has become a respected, award winning artist since graduating in 2004, including picking up the prestigious Sovereign European Art Prize for her haunting pictures earlier this year.

“It seems only five minutes ago that we were leaving NSAD. It is a fantastic honour for us to be here speaking to you today,” said Mr Burrage.

“If there was one thing we learnt, and I'm not suggesting there was only one, it was that we were always encouraged to enjoy our work, to be passionate and believe in it and this is something we have taken forward in our professional lives.

“We wish you all the luck in the world.”

The awards include two year foundation degrees in games, art and design and graphic design, BA Hons in graphic design, BAs in contemporary textile practices, fine art and visual studies and MAs in photographic studies, textile culture and animation and sound design.