Textiles alumna, Hannah Salisbury speaks to us about life in the creative industries

Here, Hannah tells us about her time at AUB, not getting too acclimatised to university life, and what it’s like being a creative in the working world.

“I really enjoyed studying at AUB, its size and layout felt more like a community than a university” says Hannah.

“When I first looked around the university on an open day the studios were being extended and they were getting lots of new equipment, so I knew then that I wanted to be one of the first to try it all out!

“One of the things I found great was the amount of studio access time we were allowed, which was especially handy near deadlines!

“Another of the great things about AUB was having the opportunity to use other courses equipment and studios as well as collaborating with students, this is when you really get to experiment and push the boundaries”.

When thinking about the move from uni life to working life, Hannah says the transition was a difficult one.

“The transition from university to working life was difficult, I got comfortable with uni life and it took time to adjust. You never know what’s going to happen when you leave and I think that is the scariest bit.

“I took a few months in between graduating and finding a job to travel and volunteer in India, which was amazing”.

Hannah started off her post-uni working life at a company that supplied bespoke personalised gifts using laser machines to Not on the Highstreet. Using a laser cutter was a skill she learnt at AUB.

During this time, Hannah continued to look for something closer to what she spent her time at university studying towards.

Hannah joined Pretty Green on an internship, but there was no guarantee they would take her on permanently. After being an intern for six months they offered her a position as their Junior designer.

Hannah tells us, “working at Pretty Green is so much fun, it’s a menswear brand so that suits my style of working and I have learnt so much in a short time.

“When I was first an intern, I had to put myself out there and show them how much potential I had, it was hard, but it paid off.

“I have had the opportunity to collaborate with loads of great designers and artists such as Katie Eary, Pete McKee, for The Beatles and many more. I have also been able to travel to visit our suppliers to see how and where our garments are made.

“I just love being creative every day and seeing my designs go from a painting I created in my living room to being on a garment in the front window on Carnaby Street!”

Hannah says that one of her proudest achievements was her first collaboration collection she created for The Beatles ‘Yellow Submarine’, in celebration of its 50^th anniversary. She says it was “great to see it in store and people wearing it on the street”.

When giving advice to the next generation of creatives, Hannah says, “Don’t worry if you step out of uni and aren’t where you want to be, any job or situation doesn’t have to be permanent.

“Take every opportunity because that’s how you grow and discover what you like and more importantly what you don’t!”

Find out more about studying BA (Hons) Textiles at AUB.