Alan
Murphy. Freelance
graphic illustrator
Graduated: 1995
Studied A
Level English
Language, Psychology,
Sociology,
Art 1993 -
1995
Since graduating
from York College
in the mid-90s,
Alan went on
to study at
the Liverpool
School of Art,
graduating
in 1999. He’s
worked as a
freelance graphic
illustrator
ever since.
He tells us
how York College
played a key
role in his
successful
career.
"Since
1999 I have
worked for
a wide variety
of clients
and exhibited
work in London,
LA, Sydney
and Berlin.
After gaining
recognition
through these
shows I established
myself as a
full time illustrator
with clients
ranging from
The Guardian,
MTV, Coca Cola,
Orange, Vodafone
and Adidas,
and in 2005
I took part
in the award
winning re-branding
of the Paramount
Comedy Channel,
followed by
a multi-award
winning campaign
to re-brand
Perrier in
North America
in 2006. In
2008/09 I worked
on a campaign
for Marmite
which took
numerous Design
and Advertising
awards. All
of this stems
back to my
time at York
Sixth Form
college!
"My recollections
of York College
are extremely
fond, both
in terms of
the education
I received
and the quality
of life I had.
It was a great
stepping stone
between the
formality of
school and
the self discipline
required at
a university.
I recall committed,
caring tutors
who worked
hard to provide
the best opportunities
for us but
also nurtured
the understanding
that it was
our responsibility
to commit ourselves
to our studies
if we wanted
to progress.
"As well
as our chosen
subjects I
recall that
we had to bolster
our timetable
with extra
studies , the
Xtra Curricular
programme,
which was both
useful and
enjoyable.
Options included
film studies,
art history
and even yoga!
I absolutely
loved these
lessons which
provided a
‘bonus’ education
to the subjects
I had signed
up for.
"Finally,
the college
was a fantastic
place to develop
new friendships.
Some of my
best friends
today were
made during
my time at
the college.
The social
area was a
great place
to spend time
and new bands
were forever
being formed
there, their
posters advertising
gigs covering
the college
walls. I remember
all of this
with huge affection.
"Make
no mistake,
studying at
the college
was a serious
business. I
was required
to pass at
least three
‘A’ Levels
before I could
apply to do
a BTEC Foundation
in Art which
I required
in order to
apply for a
BA in Graphic
Arts. As I
mentioned earlier,
the important
learning curve
for me which
I gained at
the college
was that the
responsibility
to succeed
fell to me,
and that understanding
carried right
the way through
my time at
university
and even now
as a self-employed
artist."
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