Faith Earle

Visual Communication (Illustration) BA (Hons)

Faith grew up in an artistic family and always knew she wanted a creative career. The Visual Communication course at BCU gave her the support and confidence she needed, and after being discovered at New Designers, she secured a place on the Next graduate scheme. Now, she’s an Assistant Print Designer, having built a successful career in fashion print design, and she comes back to BCU to give back to current students. 

“Creativity has always been a natural part of my life. I grew up in a very artistic family; my gran was my art teacher, and my aunt is an interior designer, so making and creating were always around me. I spent my childhood drawing and painting, and although I did not have a clearly mapped-out career path, I always knew I wanted to do something creative.

I went on to study a BTEC in Art and Design at college, where my teachers encouraged me to take the next step and consider university. When I started researching courses, BCU immediately stood out. It felt homely and welcoming, and being close to where I grew up in Warwickshire was a big comfort. The course felt practical, genuinely creative, and I instantly connected with the tutors. From the start, BCU felt supportive, which made the decision to apply feel right.

Before coming to university, I faced a few personal challenges that made the idea of studying feel daunting. I am also dyslexic, so education had not always felt straightforward, and I sometimes questioned whether university was something I could manage. Despite this, I was determined not to let those challenges hold me back. With encouragement and by focusing on my passion for creativity, I pushed myself out of my comfort zone, a decision that played a huge part in my personal growth.

Studying Illustration at BCU was incredibly inspiring. We had brilliant guest lecturers, and one standout moment was when illustrator Sarah Beetson visited as a guest speaker. I had admired her work for a long time, so seeing her in person felt surreal. She even did a live demo and chose me to sit for a portrait, which is something I will never forget. The course offered plenty of opportunities for hands-on, practical work, as well as trips and access to facilities across different departments. I spent a lot of time in the textile's studio, using digital printers to create my own fabrics. Being surrounded by creativity encouraged me to experiment, explore, and really push my ideas further.

During my time at BCU, I completed a two-week placement at a textiles company in London. The experience was very hands-on and gave me a real insight into working in a professional creative environment. I was involved in processes such as screen printing, digital printing, and dyeing fabrics, and got to see how ideas are brought to life through textile design. One of the highlights was working on costume fabrics for The Lion King, which was showing in the West End at the time, an experience that really reinforced my love for practical, process-led work.

Now, I’m an Assistant Print Designer at Next, where I have been for several years. I have been working in the industry for around 10 years, specialising in illustration and print design for childrenswear. My role involves creating prints and graphics, developing concepts, and working closely with wider teams to bring designs to life in a commercial setting.

My journey after graduating began at New Designers; I knew how important it was to showcase my final project, and being selected to exhibit opened so many doors for me. Through New Designers, I was spotted by several companies for work placements, which led to me securing a place on the Next graduate scheme straight out of university. I spent over a year on the programme, gaining invaluable experience and understanding how a large fashion business operates.

After that, I worked at George at ASDA for three years, where I developed my skills further and gained a huge amount of experience. While I loved my time there, I always knew I wanted to return to Next. Since returning, I have even had the opportunity to cover a manager’s role, and I really enjoy how we are constantly pushing ideas, innovation, and newness. It has been a journey of growth, learning and confidence-building, and one I am proud of.

No two days at work are ever the same, which is something I love. A typical day might involve checking in with my team, reviewing briefs and feedback, sketching, and developing print ideas, or refining designs based on input from buying, garment tech or design teams. A lot of my time is spent researching trends, building colour palettes, and experimenting with techniques to keep ideas feeling fresh. Collaboration is a big part of the role, and I regularly share work in progress and work closely with others to ensure designs are both creative and commercially right.

One of my proudest achievements since graduating has been returning to BCU to set a live brief for second-year Illustration students. I am incredibly proud of my career and the position I have reached but being able to give something back to the place where it all started feels special. Sharing my industry experience and hopefully inspiring the next generation of creatives has been incredibly rewarding and truly feels like a full-circle moment.

For anyone considering studying Illustration at BCU, my advice is to draw constantly and never stop experimenting. Try new styles, push boundaries and do not be afraid to make mistakes. University is the time to explore and find your creative voice. Make the most of everything available to you, from tutors and guest speakers to facilities across departments. Say yes to opportunities, even if they feel daunting, and try to gain placements or work experience wherever you can. And definitely go to New Designers, it really can open doors.

To fellow BCU graduates starting out, I would say stay proactive and adaptable. Put yourself forward, keep learning and do not lose sight of why you wanted to do this in the first place. Enjoy the creative process, take pride in your work, and aim for a career that feels fulfilling, not just impressive on paper.

For me, ‘I AM BCU’ means belonging to a creative and supportive community that helped shape who I am. It is where I found confidence in my creativity and built the foundations of my career. Coming back now to work with students is a reminder of how important that support is and how powerful it can be when it comes full circle.”