On the evening of April 3rd, students from a range of fashion and creative courses at Weston College came together to showcase their talent at Elevate, a spectacular fashion show held in the Regency Suite on the Grand Pier.  This event gave learners the chance to present their work on a professional catwalk in front of friends, family, and the public.  Also, the £321 raised from ticket sales will be donated to Weston Hospicecare. 

The show featured collections and designs from A Level Fashion and Textiles students, Extended Diploma Fashion, Business and Retail students, and Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up students. Hair and makeup were also provided by learners from the HE Hair, Makeup, Prosthetics and Production course. We also had a range of volunteer models from across different subject areas, showcasing the amazing collaboration of the entire college.  

Each collection was the result of months of creativity, research, and technical skill, developing initial ideas, conducting visual and factual research, experimenting with illustrations and media, and refining their concepts before constructing their final garments in chosen fabrics.  

The Extended Diploma in Fashion, Business and Retail students explored themes such as Contrast, Refabrication, and Nostalgia, allowing for various interpretations and unique outcomes. Some examples include explorations of the architectural contrast within the National Trust’s Tyntesfield House, designs focused on the healing potential of flora, and investigations into the psychology of nostalgia through brain scans and synaptic imagery. Others took a more cultural approach, drawing on rock music from the 1970s to early 2000s.  

A Level Fashion and Textiles students brought an equally diverse range of ideas to life, exploring cultural heritage, mental health, and ethical issues in fashion. From intricate Sashiko-inspired patterns to visual critiques of the denim industry’s environmental impact, these students demonstrated powerful, individual visions that reflected deep personal engagement with their themes.  

The creativity didn’t stop at the garments. Students from the Extended Diploma in Fashion, Theatre, Special Effects and Media Make-Up created stunning looks that carried strong environmental messages. Their work responded to themes such as climate change, the ozone layer, California wildfires, and human impact on the planet—resulting in dramatic, thoughtful, and visually compelling headpieces and makeup designs.  

Pat Jones, Principal and CEO of Weston College, expressed her gratitude to both the students and the community for making this event possible, adding, “The Elevate Fashion Show was a true celebration—not just of the incredible creativity and talent of our fashion learners, but also of the community spirit that made it all possible.   

“Thanks must go to Michelle Michael and the team at the Grand Pier for so generously providing the Regency Suite free of charge, giving our students the unique opportunity to showcase their work in a truly professional setting. Thanks to this support, every ticket sold will go directly to Weston Hospicecare. We’re also grateful to St John’s Church for their kind loan of a lighting system that helped the show come to life. This event is a great example of what happens when education and community come together to lift up the next generation of creatives.”  

Elevate is a great example of how Weston College’s Career Excellence Hubs give our students the career-preparing opportunities to gain first-hand experience in presenting a collection within a professional setting, developing their confidence, communication skills, and understanding of the production and logistics behind a runway event. The evening also offered invaluable exposure to peers, industry professionals, and potential employers which is essential for anyone pursuing a future in fashion or performance industries.  

For many of the student models, walking the runway was a transformative experience. Stepping out of their comfort zones, they rose to the challenge with bravery and confidence, contributing to the energy and spirit of the event and supporting their peers on a night that celebrated creativity, courage, and collaboration.  Elevate was an amazing reflection of the talent and dedication of our Weston College students, enhanced by community to bring this event to life for a great cause.  

Well done to all our students who got involved in designing, creating, and modelling—this night wouldn’t have been possible without your efforts! Also, a big thank you to our fantastic Photography students: Harrison, Ethan, Cerys, Annabel, Taylor, Ellen, Toby, and Cameron for capturing the night perfectly! 

Writing a brief can feel like an unnecessary faff, but it’s a crucial step that can make or break your project. A thought-out brief sets expectations and gives everyone a clear direction. And it can save you a bunch of time and an annoying headache down the road.

Why are briefs so important?

A good brief can save you time and money, help you reach your goal, and keep everything on track. It can help you:

What should you include in a great brief?

There’s no set rule on what exactly you should have in your brief. It depends on your project, who you’re working with, and the nature of the job. But we recommend covering these four sections.

1. Give a project overview

What is the project?

Give a short explanation of what you’re creating and what you’re trying to achieve. Include a list of deliverables as well as any specific formats you need. And summarise the main points you want to get across.

Who is your audience?

Share your audience personas and describe who you’re targeting. Are there multiple audiences? What are their interests? And what are their pain points?

What’s your budget?

Roughly how much do you expect to spend on this project? If it’s a larger project, it’ll help to give a budget for each task or area.

What are your deadlines?

Explain when you need the project done. Make sure to include important milestones, like when you expect to see the first draft, changes, etc.

Hot tip: If you have a hard deadline, add in contingency time. As a rule, if the agency or freelancer you’re working with says it’ll take them a week to deliver the project, add double that time as contingency time.

This is simply to account for anything unforeseen. Anything can happen – people get sick, briefs change, files get corrupted. This mindset can help you avoid missing any important deadlines internally. And if everything runs smoothly, great. You’re ahead of schedule.

What are your objectives?

Think about the main goal of your project. What are you hoping to achieve? Is there anything else we’re trying to achieve here?

2. Go over the ‘know, feel, do’

What do you want the audience to know?

Add specifics here, like product features, an explanation of an industry trend, how much it costs. If it helps, think: what main points do I want people to remember? A bulleted list is fine.

What do you want our audience to feel?

Do you want them to be worried about the future of our world, or excited at the fact they’re going to save loads of time?

What do you want our audience to do?

Where should they go next? To your website? To email you? Or to buy something?

3. Describe your tone and style

Explain your brand’s tone of voice, like whether it’s formal or friendly. Include any specific style preferences or formatting rules. If you have any brand guidelines, now would be a good time to share them.

4. Go over any specific details

Include your must-haves

These are your absolute requirements and non-negotiables. Are there any stats you want to include? Any specific imagery? Any messaging?

Give background, references, and examples:

Cover the approval process

Figure out who the decision makers are in this process to avoid any roadblocks. And outline how work will be reviewed and feedback given.

A good brief will cover your back

It’s easy for the brief to change over the course of a project. It’s normal. By having a clear brief from the start, it can not only keep you on course, but set a clear scope. You want to make sure where the boundaries are so you know where your project ends, and another begins.

Access Creative College has announced that it will be offering students the opportunity to study for a Content Creation T-Level – one of the first education providers in the UK to run the course – as it continues to lead the way in providing hands-on experience for young digital creators in Bristol.

Commencing this September, the level 3 T-Level, which spans two years, will allow digital media students to gain valuable experience in creating media content across a variety of platforms, including social media, online, video, and print. The course blends theoretical classroom learning with hands-on practical experience and a minimum of 315 hours of industry placement, ensuring real-world exposure – serving as a strong alternative to A-levels and apprenticeships.

Jon Domaille, Head of Bristol Campus said: “We’re so pleased to be able to offer students the opportunity to enroll in the Content Creation T-Level. Bringing this course to city is the next step in ensuring the next generation of talented digital creators have access to the best education to prepare them for the dynamic working world of the creative industries.”

The introduction of the T-Level comes hot on the heels of the successful launch of Access’s Bristol Academy of Visual Arts (AVA), which provides students with an all-encompassing experience of working within the creative industries alongside their studies.

Despite only launching in February, feedback from both students and participating businesses involved in the Academy has been overwhelmingly positive, with students citing AVA and the industry insights they have received so far as both inspiring and confidence boosting.

One of the standout features of AVA has been its partnerships with leading industry players, including Sons of Graham, a professional film and animation company.

Through this collaboration, students have gained invaluable hands-on experience in a state-of-the-art green screen room.

Sons of Graham’s team praised the partnership, highlighting the positive impact of working with Access Creative College students: “Collaborating with Access Creative has been a fantastic experience for Sons of Graham. We loved working in the space and having the extra hands on set. It was a great opportunity to offer guidance and valuable first hand experience to the students. We can’t wait to return for another project!”

Students have also had the chance to attend high profile industry events such as National Careers Week at BAFTA HQ, where they listened to talks from industry professionals like Lauren Layfield (Radio 1, Capital FM, CBBC) and experts from the worlds of short film, animation and gaming. These experiences have given students a better understanding of the creative industries and the roles within them.

Such is the popularity of the Academy of Visual Arts since its launch, that Access has seen a 12% increase in applications and a 32% increase in acceptances to its film, video and photography courses since the Academy launched, showcasing AVA a popular choice for students looking to start a creative career.

Domaille continued: “It’s been fantastic to receive such brilliant feedback from both students and businesses on the Academy in the short time since it began and it’s achieving exactly what we’d hoped it would – providing students with the best possible start to their careers.”

For anyone interested in giving Content Creation a try, Access Creative College will be running a workshop on Wednesday 28th May from 1-3pm and can register your interest here.

Applications for the content creation T-Level are now open, with the course beginning in September. Students looking to kickstart a career in digital media are encouraged to apply.

For more information, please visit: https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk/courses/content-creation/#apply

UWE Bristol and Bristol Creative Industries (BCI) have formed a new partnership to support Bristol’s thriving creative businesses and provide enhanced careers opportunities to students entering the industry.

Bristol Creative Industries is one of the UK’s leading membership bodies for businesses and freelancers working in the creative sector. The not-for-profit organisation provides training and skills development, facilitates networking and business connections and supports sector growth, and currently has a membership of over 1,100. UWE Bristol will play a leading role in developing BCI’s student engagement and growing student membership.

With a rich creative and cultural sector in Bristol and the wider region, the partnership has been designed to offer insight and career opportunities to thousands studying courses rooted in the creative industries, including marketing, events, filmmaking, photography, media and communications.

Current and recent students can join BCI for free. Student members will have access to speaker events, placement and employment opportunities, and career advice from BCI members, which currently include Aardman, the Watershed and Bottle Yard Studios, giving students real-world experience and insight into working in the industry.

The partnership also aims to benefit BCI members, by developing a network of trained students who will make up the future workforce within the region and are ready to enter the industry.

UWE and Bristol Creative Industries

Lynn Barlow, UWE Bristol’s Assistant Vice-Chancellor for Creative and Cultural Industries Engagement, said:

“This is a really exciting opportunity for students and for Bristol’s creative industries more widely, as we support Bristol Creative Industries’ strong network of businesses and freelancers with fresh student talent. We’re really proud to be playing a leading role in such an important organisation.

“At UWE Bristol, our programmes are designed with industry to ensure our students are meeting the needs of their future employers and are work-ready. Our partnership with BCI bolsters this further, by offering students greater access to creative businesses of all sizes for invaluable industry insight and career opportunities.”

UWE Bristol and BCI officially signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) at the University’s Bower Ashton campus, which will commit both organisations to developing and supporting BCI’s student membership offering.

Bristol Creative Industries and UWE Bristol

Lis Anderson, Bristol Creative Industries co-chair, said:

“Talent and skills development is a top priority for our members and this partnership will facilitate early access to emerging talent for our members, at scale.

“Building upon strong connections with education providers in the region, UWE Bristol’s breadth of programmes and BCI’s membership base of employers will work to bridge the gap between education and industry, enabling many students from a wide variety of backgrounds to unlock new opportunities and career pathways right here from the creative hub that is Bristol.”

In December, a group of A Level Media students and Creative Arts Media Course students had an exciting opportunity to explore the world of professional media production. They visited BBC’s newest and most advanced studios in Cardiff, where they were introduced to a dynamic environment bursting with cutting-edge technology.

The students toured the BBC newsrooms, gaining insights into the tools and techniques used in modern broadcasting, including augmented reality, virtual reality, green screens, and state-of-the-art cameras. They also explored the radio broadcasting facilities and engaged in conversations with presenters and producers to better understand the complexities of creating live programming.

3 learners sat at the BBC Cardiff presenting desk

 

Learners in a broadcasting studio practising

The visit extended beyond the BBC studios to the National Museum of Cardiff, where the students immersed themselves in the arts, culture, and history of Wales. This enriched their understanding of the cultural context that often influences media production. In the afternoon, they worked collaboratively in groups to tour Cardiff and create engaging vlogs documenting their experiences, combining creativity with technical skills.

2 learners looking up at a skeleton structure at the National Museum of Cardiff

This hands-on experience was invaluable for the students, as it offered a glimpse into potential career paths and opportunities in the media industry. By engaging with professionals and experiencing real-world production environments, they developed a deeper understanding of media processes and the progression opportunities available after completing their studies. The visit served as both an educational and inspirational experience, equipping the learners with practical knowledge and sparking enthusiasm for their future in media.

Access Creative College has launched the Bristol Academy of Visual Arts (AVA), which will provide students with an all-encompassing experience of working within the creative industries alongside their studies.

The Bristol college, which also offers courses in music, gaming, esports and computing, is developing its media pathways by enrolling students into the new Academy to develop core work-ready skills while studying content creation, film, video, photography, animation, visual effects or graphic design.

The Academy will be based at Access Creative College’s Bristol Campus in Broadmead, offering learners access to industry-grade photography studios, green screen rooms, performance spaces and production pods alongside collaborative workspaces.

The College is now calling on businesses and organisations in the creative industries to join as collaborators with the Academy. Learners have already begun exploring work with existing organisations including Sons of Graham and Mobile Pie, as well as local music festivals.

Academy members will also collaborate with the wider college community to capture content and bring to life the incredible work that students produce on a day by day basis. Becoming a collaborator enables organisations to help shape the college’s curriculum and training, and the professional development of learners, offering guidance to young talent to help them meet organisational needs.

The launch of the Bristol Academy of Visual Arts follows feedback from the West of England Local Skills Improvement Plan, which demonstrated that despite Bristol’s thriving creative industry, many parents lack the understanding of creative employment opportunities across the region.

Jon Domaille, Head of Bristol Campus commented: “Bristol is famous across the world for its creative industry, with the likes of the BBC, Aardman and Plimsoll Productions calling the city home. As the largest independent training provider in the UK, we recognise the role we play in supporting the next generation of talent to excel in their creative fields.

“We’re extremely excited to launch the Academy. The unique opportunity to work on live briefs will not only develop the students’ core skills of communication, problem solving and organisational skills that are sought after by employers both regionally and nationally but will also show them first-hand what a career in the creative industries can look like.”

In addition to earning their Level 2 and/or Level 3 Diplomas in their chosen subject matter, learners will be tasked with forming their own limited production companies – developing their own brands, and service offerings based on skill sets, such as graphic design, content creation, film, photography and animation.

Throughout the academic year, students will then have the opportunity to pitch for and work on live projects set by local businesses across the city, working together to fulfil the briefs while developing their skills in teamwork, collaboration and client relations.

Alongside the live briefs, students will also have access to some of the brightest creative minds from across the region, as well as access to workshops with industry practitioners, and trips and experiences to consolidate, inspire and build upon their learned experiences.

Domaille continued: “Inspiring students through opportunity is at the heart of Access Creative College’s ethos, and through the Academy we’re delighted to offer our students access to some of the top creatives our region has to offer. We’re always keen to expand our network and encourage any business that would like to support the Academy and help us shape the talent pipelines of tomorrow to get in contact.”

To find out more or sign up as a partner or collaborator to the Academy, please contact Jon Domaille on email at jon.domaille@accesscreative.ac.uk. For more information about the AVA visit: https://www.accesscreative.ac.uk/campaign/bristol-academy-of-visual-arts-ava/

Artificial intelligence has transformed nearly every industry, and the world of creativity is no exception. From photography to music composition, AI tools are revolutionising the way creatives work. By harnessing the power of machine learning and generative algorithms, AI is enabling creatives to push the boundaries of their imagination and produce work that was once thought impossible. In this article, we will explore how AI is empowering creatives, breaking down the barriers to entry, and revolutionising the creative process.

Manon Dave is an AI expert already working in the creative field of music. Along with Will.i.am and in conjunction with BMW, they have produced Soundrive a technology which blends your driving style to the music which is being played inside the car dynamically.

Manon is so talented he was invited to meet the Pope himself to explain how AI worked!

Harnessing the Power of Artificial Intelligence

Artificial intelligence is a powerful tool that can help creatives streamline their workflow, generate new ideas, and overcome creative blocks. By leveraging the capabilities of AI, creatives can focus more on the conceptualisation and execution of their work, rather than getting bogged down in mundane tasks. For example, AI-powered image editing software can automatically enhance photos, removing the need for manual adjustments and allowing photographers to focus on capturing the perfect shot.

The integration of AI into creative processes has also opened up new possibilities for collaboration. AI can analyse large datasets and provide insights that humans may overlook, leading to innovative and unexpected outcomes. For instance, AI-powered music composition tools can analyse existing songs and create new compositions in a similar style, inspiring musicians to experiment with different genres and techniques.

The Role of Generative AI in Creativity

Generative AI is a subset of artificial intelligence that focuses on creating new content, such as images, videos, and music, based on existing data. This technology has revolutionised the creative industry by enabling artists to explore new styles, experiment with different techniques, and push the boundaries of traditional art forms. For example, artists can use generative AI to create abstract paintings, surreal landscapes, and otherworldly compositions that challenge the viewer’s perception of reality.

Generative AI has also democratised the creative process, allowing individuals with limited resources or technical expertise to produce high-quality work. By providing access to AI-powered tools and platforms, creatives can experiment with new ideas, collaborate with others, and showcase their talents to a global audience. This has levelled the playing field for emerging artists and empowered them to pursue their passion without being overwhelmed by the complexities of the creative process.

The Impact of AI Integration on the Creative Process

The integration of AI into the creative process has had a profound impact on how artists, designers, and musicians approach their work. AI tools can analyse trends, predict consumer preferences, and recommend strategies for reaching a wider audience, helping creatives make informed decisions about their projects. For example, AI-powered marketing platforms can analyse data from social media, websites, and other channels to identify target demographics, optimize ad campaigns, and measure the effectiveness of promotional efforts.

AI can also assist creatives in generating new ideas, refining their concepts, and exploring different avenues of expression. By analysing patterns in data, AI algorithms can suggest alternative approaches, highlight potential pitfalls, and offer creative solutions to common problems. This collaborative approach to creativity encourages artists to think outside the box, experiment with unconventional techniques, and push the boundaries of their craft.

The Future of AI for Creatives

As artificial intelligence continues to evolve and improve, the possibilities for creatives are endless. AI-powered tools and platforms will become more sophisticated, intuitive, and accessible, enabling creatives to explore new mediums, experiment with innovative techniques, and collaborate with others in real-time. The integration of AI into the creative process will not only enhance the quality of work produced but also revolutionise the way we perceive and interact with art.

Iman Oubou is the founder of Vocable.ai a marketing content management platform. She recently demonstrated her very own digital clone to assist within her own business using an ai platform called Delphi.ai. Her digital clone is able to run 1-2-1 demos and answer questions in a very humanlike way.

Wouldn’t a digital twin be really engaging and useful to answer all questions 24 x7, never go sick or have “off” days? Wouldn’t she become your girl Friday?

In the future, AI may even inspire new forms of creativity that we have yet to imagine. By combining the analytical capabilities of AI with the emotional intelligence of humans, creatives can create truly unique and groundbreaking work that resonates with audiences on a deep and personal level. The future of AI for creatives is bright, promising, and full of endless possibilities for innovation and self-expression.

Join The Torbay Creatives Cluster to find out how AI help you on 29th January at the Hi Tech Centre, Paignton from 5-7pm. More details and register here.

Contact Liz Mackie at Leonardo da Vinci on success@leonardopower.com

Proud to share the incredible work of our amazingly talented Graphics students (Level 3 & HND) from the Digital and Creative department at City of Bristol College 🎨✨

Working on a brief set by Halo Studio , they designed a limited-edition can for Batiste Dry Shampoo, inspired by 2025 design trends. The results? Absolutely stunning – showcasing creativity, technical skills, and future-ready design thinking. Well done to the creative team who supported this.🌻

hashtagCreativeEducation hashtagStudentDesign hashtagGraphicDesign hashtag2025Trends hashtagCityOfBristolCollege hashtagDigitalAndCreative hashtagDesignInnovation hashtagHALODesignAgency hashtagProudEducator hashtagFutureOfDesign

If you’re in Year 11, have a creative passion and you’re thinking about what comes after your GCSEs, come and see us at our Open Day on 25th January.

At Access Creative College (ACC) Bristol of Broadmead, we offer courses in music, media, games, esports, and computing. Our industry expert tutors teach from a bespoke, creatively designed campus tailored to  maximise your learning experience so you leave us set for success.

Our campus is fully kitted out with all the tech you need to kickstart your career, including the below, plus much more!

When you study at ACC, you join both a local and national collaborative community of passionate, like-minded creatives with a shared goal – to build a successful career and push the boundaries of what’s possible. Over the last 30 years, some of the creative industry’s biggest names have passed through our doors and gone on to shine in their respective fields including Ed Sheeran, Rita Ora, Jess Glynne and more. Will you be next?

Throughout the year, we run two different types of events – Taster Days and Open Days. Our  next event in Bristol is an Open Day, giving you the chance to experience first-hand what it’s like to study with us.

On the day, you’ll get the chance to tour the campus, try out our tech, learn more about us and our courses, meet staff and student ambassadors and get a chance to ask any questions you may have.

Find out where your creative talent could take you. Book your place at accesscreative.ac.uk/eventsnow.

Nine Tree Studios, Bristol’s biggest independent studio, has launched a WhatsApp Community to give back to local filmmakers, photographers, creatives, and production companies.

Primarily it’s a free loyalty programme offering studio discounts and freebies, including:

There’s also groups for advice and jobs, and private channels for production companies and studios to collaborate and share advice.

“We’ve always wanted our space to be able to support Bristol’s creative community” said Russell Jones, Co-Founder of Nine Tree Studios.

“Nowadays email newsletters feel old and clunky and aren’t really suited to what we wanted, like offering free studio hire to those who need it, and promoting and discussing events.”

“By virtue of having members we also hope it’ll be a space for freelancers, screen professionals, studios and production companies to share advice, post jobs, collaborate, and generally chit-chat.”

You can join the community at  https://chat.whatsapp.com/D64qZ5CmnxCASYEevxDFEV and visit https://www.ninetreestudios.co.uk/community for more information and terms.

***

Nine Tree Studios is Bristol’s largest independent studio.

Suitable for set builds, commercial productions, photography and HETV, the space features two main studios – a 4,640sq ft soundstage and a 567sq ft infinity cove – plus a podcast suite, green rooms, production offices and a 9,000sq ft backlot.

For more information visit www.ninetreestudios.co.uk or email info@ninetreestudios.co.uk.