Returning to University of Hertfordshire to Share Insights and Inspire Future Designers

Speaking to Graphic Design and illustration students

Coming back to the University of Hertfordshire as a guest lecturer felt like stepping into a familiar space with a new perspective. In the previous year, I was the one sitting in those chairs, sketching ideas, questioning briefs, and figuring out my creative voice. This time I returned to speak to current design students about the journey since graduating, my evolving design process, and the realities of working in the field.

It was more than just a lecture. It was a conversation. One that reminded me how valuable these formative years are and how much energy and potential lives in that room.

Speaking Honestly About the Process

I focused on being as open and transparent as possible. I shared my design process, not just the polished outcomes but the rough starts, the creative blocks, and the messy middle stages. I talked through how I approach a project from brief to execution, the role of research and narrative, and how I balance instinct with structure.

We explored how ideas develop, how feedback sharpens your work, and how sometimes the best outcomes come from trusting your own perspective even when it feels unconventional. The students asked thoughtful questions about inspiration, self doubt, finding your style, and those questions sparked some of the most honest moments of the session.

Critiquing Work and Learning From Each Other

After the talk I joined in on student critiques. It was refreshing to see such bold experimentation and ambition in their projects. My aim was not to tell them what to fix but to ask questions, open up thought processes, and help them see the potential in their own ideas.

We discussed clarity, storytelling, creative risk and how small design decisions can shift an entire experience. What stood out most was the range of voices and the confidence many of them already had in their thinking. I was there to offer perspective, but I learned just as much from their energy and curiosity.

Standing with Graphic Design and Illustration lecturer Daniel

Sharing Through Experience

As part of the session I walked the students through a few of my own projects like Ekospace and Breakshot, not to showcase outcomes but to explain the thinking behind them. These became useful touchpoints for discussing ideas like interaction, experimentation, and working within creative constraints.

It was not about showing finished work. It was about showing process, risk, failure, and intent. That is where the real value is for students starting out. Seeing how an idea grows and changes. Seeing that even professionals wrestle with uncertainty and iteration.

A Grateful Return

Returning to Hertfordshire reminded me how far the journey has come and how important it is to keep that creative dialogue going. I was grateful for the chance to share what I have learned, but more than that, I left inspired by the next wave of designers and the future they are shaping.

Design is never a straight line. It is a process of learning, refining and evolving. Being able to reflect on that with students who are just beginning to find their voice made this experience incredibly meaningful.