College News

Former QE student is published illustrator

Staff and students at QE have had another exciting opportunity to hear about the adventures and achievements of a former student. Jonathan Raiseborough studied A Level English Language, Graphic Design and Spanish at QE before completing the College’s Art Foundation course. ‘My experience at QE was incredibly positive and formative’, he comments. ‘I learnt so many things which opened up new perspectives and helped me to develop confidence in my abilities. I was also able to discover what I wanted to aim for in the future’. After leaving QE, Jonathan decided to take a Gap Year where he had his first publishing success based on connections made during his time at College. The children’s book, Snowdrop the Spikeshuffler, features his illustrations and he became an ambassador for local charity, the North East Autism Society. Jonathan is now in his third year at Teesside University where he studies Graphic Design and Illustration.

Jonathan’s advice for QE students is: ‘Allow yourself to learn and grow. Be curious and find out what you’re passionate about’. When asked about advice for students wanting to work in the Graphic Design industry, he explains: ‘I’ve found that getting involved in creative projects outside of your studies can be a great stepping stone to exciting opportunities and making connections. Social media is also very useful for promoting your work, networking and learning about what others in the industry are doing. Above all, it’s fun to experiment and try new things whilst you’re still discovering your creative style’.

If you are a former student and have a story to share, we would love to hear from you. If you could email qe@qeliz.ac.uk with your details, a member of staff will be in touch.