Jack Sankson

Graphic Design - BA (Hons)

From painting local shutters to becoming a chosen artist for BCU itself, Jack's story is one of passion and creativity. Jack has always aspired to be an artist, leading him to study Graphic Design at BCU to enhance his skills and expand his business.

“Growing up, I was an incredibly creative and ambitious kid who was deeply in love with painting. I remember knocking on hundreds of windows and shutters of local businesses, practically begging them to let me paint something for them. Picture a kid covered head to toe in paint, with flyers in hand, determined to do what he loved—that was me. At the time, only a handful of the people I approached said yes to me painting, but those yeses became my stepping stones. Eventually, my small business gained momentum, and I fell in love with painting, desiring to do even more.

When the time came for me to decide if I wanted to go to university, I was hesitant. I felt like I had everything I needed. All I wanted to do was paint, and I was already doing it. However, after discussing it with my dad, he suggested we at least go to an Open Day to explore my options, reminding me that I had nothing to lose. We discovered that BCU was having one, so we went in to take a look. While I was there, the Graphic Design course caught my eye. It seemed like the perfect extension of what I was already doing with my paintings and a great opportunity to grow in what I love. So, after speaking with some of the lecturers and current students, I made my decision. I would go to university.

I am now in the second year of my Graphic Design course, and I am certain I made the right choice. The course is perfectly suited to my needs, even helping me develop as an artist and learn to create art from a business perspective. I enjoyed learning how graphic design works in advertising and the art of captivating an audience. I love the community and friendly spirit of BCU. The lecturers are invested in seeing you evolve into the best version of yourself, both academically and as an individual. After each lesson, I get ten to fifteen minutes of uninterrupted time with my lecturers so they can review my work, give me feedback, and help me if I am struggling with anything. The University also goes the extra mile by offering advice and bringing industry professionals for us to learn from in different sessions.

Many opportunities have unfolded for me during my time here. Recently, I had the exciting chance to create a piece of art for one of the BCU campuses. It was a great experience where I collaborated with the marketing department, met fantastic people, and gained valuable insights into working with a big company like BCU. The piece ended up being a major success, and everyone loved it.

My biggest challenge throughout this journey has been managing my time effectively. As a business owner and a student, this balance can easily become difficult. Navigating through these difficulties, I discovered that prioritising is the key to avoiding tiredness. If you hit that point of exhaustion, recovering becomes quite challenging. I've been there before, and understanding the importance of putting the right things first has been a game-changer for me. It's the secret to staying on top of things and ensuring I'm okay in the long run! You can check me out at Graffitiforu. 

When I think about my future, I'm thrilled. BCU has not only equipped me with the skills to scale my painting business and elevate the quality of the work I produce but has also taught me the art of connecting with diverse individuals and communicating with confidence, which is essential in the professional world. The support and knowledge I've gained here from everyone at BCU have been instrumental in expanding my business to its current capacity. I can confidently say that after graduating, my business will continue to grow, and my creativity along with it.

I AM BCU means community. The kindness and helpfulness of everyone here has been exceptional.”