In our latest staff interview, Robyn, Year 7, spoke to Ms Garland, a member of the Art and Design Department. Here’s what she had to say in response to Robyn’s questions.
What is your favourite part of graphics?
I love the design and idea stage. It is exciting when students get really creative ideas and apply them to their work.
What is your favourite year group to teach?
I like them all in different ways. I enjoy the creativity and enthusiasm Year 7’s have for their design work. Y8 polymorph is always a fun project. I also like the older year groups, where we can explore design in greater detail and have more time for projects.
What is your favourite song?
I’m not really sure. My ‘favourite’ of anything changes over time, so I can never pick just one. I like songs that make me think or feel deeply, or remind me of special people in my life.
What is your favourite project you have created?
Before I started teaching I was a Graphic Designer and I worked on a project to design a book – the cover and all the pages too. The client allowed me lots of design freedom and I was really proud of the outcome. I also really liked helping my students create the Alice In Wonderland poster last year and look forward to doing the same for this year’s production.
What is your favourite colour?
My favourite colour is teal – a blue-green shade! There is no reason behind it though, I just like it.
What if you didn’t teach art and graphics what would you teach?
Besides the other technology subjects, which I have also taught, I think I’d probably enjoy teaching biology or sociology.
What made you pick graphics?
I have always been artistic, but when my children were small I started a community magazine that became quite successful. I was doing a lot of graphic work for the magazine and I realised I would like to go back to university to become qualified in the subject.
What other hobbies do you have?
I have always loved reading, although these days I only seem to have time to listen to audiobooks. I like making art and exploring new techniques – currently I am working on a slow stitch project. But my favourite hobby is probably paddle boarding – being out on the water makes me feel happy and relaxed.
Why would you recommend someone choose Graphics as a GCSE option?
Graphics is art with a purpose. It is a powerful tool for communicating important messages, ideas and such. Our GCSE and A-Level classes have a strong art element to them, but also include exploring digital media and typography. Our projects have a lot of personal choice in them, but outcomes are more defined, so designs are applied to album covers, posters, packaging, etc. Graphics is a good choice for anyone who likes being creative, even if you are not a great artist, because it is more about great ideas.
Do you have any pets?
I have always had dogs – I currently have two whippets, who are sisters. My ‘heart’ dog (most beloved) was a scruffy, mixed breed, rescue called Gypsy. I also have a little pied wagtail (bird) who nests in my roof and has been visiting my windowsill for 3 years for food, although I don’t think I can call him a pet.
How would you describe Northgate in 3 words?
Welcoming, Creative and Inclusive.
Tell us something about you that others might not know
I have aphantasia, which means I can’t ‘picture’ anything in my mind – not even something simple like an apple. All I ‘see’ in my mind is black, so I have to ‘picture’ things as descriptions. This has been challenging as a designer, but it is all I’ve ever known. I have to use visual references when I am drawing a design idea. My son can draw the most amazing things from his imagination, which I am very envious of.
Thank you to Ms Garland for taking the time to answer the questions and to Robyn for asking them. We look forward to seeing which member of staff is interviewed next.