world mental health day, October 10, 2024

Two things can really help to improve wellbeing. Art & Nature

Walking along the river Lea and the lake in Hertfordshire

Getting out into nature has been proven to be beneficial to our mental health. The town park is a great place to take a stroll or maybe along the river. Looking at water is like contemplating our very souls.

Water is the enabler that allowed life to begin and its magical properties are fundamental in its continuation. We have a lot in common as we mostly consist of water ourselves. Watching the rain drops and the flow of the river along with the sound is most therapeutic. 

Music, writing and drawing

Art moves our souls and is source for inspiration. We need food to survive but we need art to give life its meaning. Art supports our psychological wellbeing, cultural links, and bonds us to our local community. 

Try drawing your pet or your favourite character or object. Starting to write a journal at the end of each day is a great idea. You will be surprised how much you will start to enjoy it if you begin in a small way and do a little each day. Thirty minutes at some point each day works. And as long as you keep going, it starts to get easier.

Jack is a local artist, born and educated locally and part of Harlow’s creative community.

Jack's work

Further details about how you can help nature

nature in crisis!

Rewilding to help in the restoration
of our ecosystem. 

A pot on a balcony containing wild flowers or a corner of your garden, left untouched, would be great. Every effort supplies a vital foot hold to our native plants and wildlife. 👌😍

Turning a lawn into a meadow will create a space to help pollinators and native plant species. They are not weeds but native plants that play an active part in sustaining the local ecosystem.

The difference between a flower and a weed is your mindset!

BELOW: A sunny corner of the garden left wild is a real boon to nature. Here a male Orange Tip butterfly is shown on the left, with a female on the right looking to lay her eggs on the native Garlic Mustard, caterpillar food plant

 

Butterflies are a barometer to the environmental disaster we are rapidly approaching. 

Banning pesticides and active rewilding is despirately needed  🌱🌼🦋🐝🐦‍⬛

It is essential to protect the diverse species that make up our unique ecosystem, and vital to the health and viability of our lives, work and wellbeing.

Here are some informative articles (click image to go to story)

finding your calling

CHANGING CAREER PATHWAY              

Sixteen is so early to be sure of your future career so this section is about college students who have followed a new direction. 

Ben Tournier - Musician @tourniermusic

(former Graphic Design student at college)  

I chose to study Graphic Design at college, primarily because I wanted to learn how to create websites, logos and digital designs using a Mac, which I couldn’t afford at the time. But it was music that had always been my passion. At that time I was dealing with a lot of personal issues at home and this had a huge impact on me mentally. The kind of music I was making back then didn’t reflect who I truly was; it was more of an escape from what I was going through. I was trying to mask my struggles, and honestly, I had a lot of growing up to do. 

Despite this, I really enjoyed media studies at school, and graphic design became a way for me to express myself in a less vulnerable way than music. It helped me find a sense of calm and focus. Graphic design opened my eyes to a more relaxed way of working and thinking. It taught me that no idea is bad—it’s all in how you develop it. This mindset helped me deal with some of the anxiety I was feeling and enabled me to put my energy into something productive. 

I didn’t go to university due to personal circumstances, including my mental health, which I was still learning to manage. Even so, the skills I picked up in college, like mastering Adobe Creative Suite and learning to build websites, design posters, and create logos, stayed with me. These skills were invaluable when I finally felt ready to take music seriously again. I also created designs while being self-employed, which gave me more freedom and a sense of control over my work and my time—something that really helped my mental well-being. What you learn doesn’t just stay in the classroom; it can be a way to make money, and you don’t necessarily need university to succeed.

Finding my voice:  

Growing up, music was a lifeline for me. I’d listen to anything and everything, as long as I could relate to it. As I got older and faced more challenges, music became even more important. There were times when it felt like the only thing keeping me going, especially when my mental health was at its lowest. It provided a sense of connection when I felt isolated. 

I was hugely influenced by Jimi Hendrix. I remember when my mum got a grant for free music lessons and I started learning guitar. I would listen to Hendrix on YouTube and run around the house pretending to be him. Music gave me a way to escape my thoughts and feel free, even when things at home were hard. It’s funny because I never actually learned to play like Hendrix, but he’s still my favourite guitarist. 

As I grew older, songwriting came into my life. After learning chord progressions and really diving into albums like Ed Sheeran’s No.5 Collaborations Project and Eminem’s Marshall Mathers LP, I found that I could express emotions I’d been bottling up. Writing became a way for me to process my feelings in a healthier way.

Music as a career choice  

Music was always something I loved, but I didn’t fully understand its impact on me until I started writing and producing. When you’re just listening to music, it’s easy to enjoy it, but when you write it becomes something real and deeply personal. At 16 or 17, I was writing songs without much emotional depth, but by 19 or 20, music had become a way for me to pour my heart out. I had gone through some really dark times after leaving college, and music became my therapy. 

During those hard times, I struggled a lot with depression and anxiety. I often felt lost and uncertain about the future, but creating music helped me process those emotions. It gave me a sense of purpose when everything else felt overwhelming. Music helped me breathe again when I felt suffocated by my thoughts. It became a safe space where I could release everything I was holding inside. As I started my own family, music became even more important—it helped me navigate the emotional ups and downs of adulthood and fatherhood. 

My motivation 

My family is my biggest motivation, especially since becoming a dad. All I want is to create a better life for my kids and show them that no matter how hard things get, if you set your mind on something, you can achieve it. That’s something I’ve learned through my struggles with mental health and pursuing music. It hasn’t always been easy, and there were times when I felt like giving up, but knowing that I could set an example for my children kept me going. 

I also want to show them that it’s okay to talk about your struggles and not shy away from what’s going on inside. Mental health is something we should be open about.

Choosing a creative life

Music is an art form that requires not only creativity but also emotional vulnerability. It’s not just about technical skills like learning instruments or production—it’s about being able to tap into your own experiences, whether they’re positive or negative. For me, music has been a craft where I can take the highs and lows of life and turn them into something meaningful. The ability to turn pain into art is something I’ve learned over time, and it’s an ongoing process. It requires patience, resilience and a lot of self-reflection.

My music

I’ve released a track called Demons, which is available on all streaming platforms like Spotify and Apple Music. You can also find me on YouTube, Instagram, and TikTok @tourniermusic. This song, in particular, is a reflection of my personal battles with mental health and finding a way to confront those demons head-on.

See me live

I’m hosting my first event on September 14th in East London, called Dopamine, and it’s free. I’ll be performing live, alongside other up-and-coming artists. This event is something I’m really excited about because it’s a chance to share my music and connect with people who may have gone through similar struggles.

My advice to my teenage self 

It’s not going to be easy, and yeah, life moves fast. Don’t waste your time with people who don’t appreciate you and never feel like you have to be someone you’re not. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to ask for help when you’re struggling. Trust me, bottling things up will only weigh you down. 

Take care of your mental health, and remember,

“it’s okay to not have everything figured out right away.”

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the creative industry

FORMER COLLEGE STUDENTS WORKING IN INDUSTRY 

Sharing their work and thoughts on college as the route into their career. 

Lee Frangiamore, 

Creative Director at MCCGLC, London

My creative passion and imaginative flair, as well as an ability to lead and develop teams with an easy-to-love character and engaging leadership style, make me perfectly suited to my role as Creative Director.

A D&AD finalist in my student days, my design journey has been marked by continuous growth, Initially specialising in Graphics and visual communication design I have expanded my skills into brand identities, interactive experiences, digital product, multiscale exhibitions and live events. Guiding my projects from conceptualisation, through to development and delivery.

Drawing on a wide range of cultural, historical and technological sources, I inspire the studio with left-field ideas, and a hands-on approach that allows me to translate abstract concepts into ideas that help clients build meaningful connections with audiences, in any environment.

Transforming the healthcare landscape of Alzheimer’s through science and innovation 

Insight: A leader in Healthcare sought to amplify their commitment to transforming Alzheimer’s by strengthening its brand identity. The challenge lay in reflecting the brand’s dedication to neurology without relying on conventional scientific imagery. My inspiration came from finding an aesthetic parallel in Russian painter Wassily Kandinsky’s techniques.

Approach: The new brand needed to embody simplicity, memorability and a contemporary edge. Our client was keen to break away from the conventional scientific imagery typically associated with neurology. Drawn to Kandinsky’s technique of breaking down art elements into shape, colour, and composition, we found an aesthetic parallel to our vision.

Our design approach aimed to evoke an emotional response, with minimal and distinctive shapes that symbolise our client’s core values of innovation and patient care. We deployed the brand colours with purpose, infusing a dynamic feel into the key visuals, fostering a connection between the brand and its audience.

This branding project saw the marriage of abstraction with scientific precision, resulting in a visual representation that, not only stands as a testament to innovation, but also sparks an emotional resonance in the pursuit of progress in the medical area.

Some words of wisdom: 

●  Master the fundamentals. Design software changes. Trends come and go. But the core principles of color theory, typography, composition, and visual hierarchy are timeless. Put significant time into understanding how they work.

●  Experiment and iterate. Don't be afraid to try wild ideas, break conventions, when you can’t brake them... Bend them, and push beyond your comfort zone. The process of exploration is where you'll discover your unique style and voice.

●  Seek and embrace feedback. Constructive critique is your most valuable tool for growth. Find mentors, join student groups, and ask for feedback early and often. Remember, it's about improving your work, not about you personally.

●  Build a solid portfolio. Your portfolio is your calling card. Focus on quality over quantity, and showcase projects that demonstrate your skills, versatility, and ability to solve problems.

- Experience-Based Lessons

●  The real work is problem-solving, not just making things pretty. Understand that design is about communication, user experience, and achieving a goal for a client or a project.

●  Collaboration is key. Prepare to work with clients, copywriters, developers, and other team members. Learn to communicate your design ideas effectively and be receptive to different perspectives, especially when a client is paying for your service. If you can encapsulate your needs as a designer and your client's business needs, you are winning.

●  Learn to take risks and to fail gracefully. Design is about pushing boundaries. Don't be afraid to fail, as that's often where the greatest learning and innovation occur.

- Inspirational Insights

●  Find your 'why'. What fuels your passion for design? What kind of impact do you want to have on the world with your skills?

●  Don't compare yourself to others. There's room for everyone's unique voice in design. Your path is yours alone, celebrate the journey of others without diminishing your own.

●  Never stop learning. Design is a constantly evolving field, especially with the current AI revolution that we are all experiencing, so stay curious, and explore new trends, techniques, and technologies, not just in the field of Graphic design but also in other industries (fashion, art, cinema, video games, architecture and even nature). 

Curiosity is the key to lasting success.

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Jack Hamilton - Artist, Illustrator and Graphic designer at Parndon Mill Studios, Harlow, Essex.  

I’m probably most proud of this drawing that I did mostly on the spot at Epping Market in 2023. I added a few bits of shading afterwards but it was all mostly drawn there and then. I just like how it all came together, mundane subject matter, loose linework and the composition. I think I like that the people take up most of the image too, its more about them than the place but the place is important too, later on I did write 'Epping Market, June 2023' on the artwork to give the image that context. I always find it funny these day when I see the man on the right who was walking past, around Epping, he does kind of look like how I drew him there.

Advice for my college self would be to learn the classic principles of academic drawing. Gesture, light and shadow, proportion, composition, form, rhythm, texture, line etc etc etc etc etc etc. Those principles are based on how the human eye see’s and understands the world. Heres a piece from a book ‘H.M. Bateman The man who went mad on paper’:     

’Academic drawing trains the eye and provides the bedrock for all later creative effort: The more thorough your knowledge and practice of the rudiments of academic drawing may be, the surer will be your foundations and the greater will be the reserve of strength you have to draw upon, when the time comes for you to make an effort on your own lines’    

Whether you want to make drawings that are representational- So quite realistic, Or are more imaginative drawings- So cartoons or abstracted scenes and characters or even entirely abstract, Academic drawing is key. I think a solid grounding in drawing is a craft skill and craft allows you to create according to your intentions and not in spite of your limitations, I even believe it allows you to realise your ideas and intentions better and then you can maybe make a better choice. All that I’ve said is my opinion and it's all up for debate. It depends on what sort of pictures you want to make I suppose, but for me, your ideas and process and all of that stuff is another aspect too and that all takes time aswell but starting sooner in learning to draw would be the advice I would give myself.

jackbradleyhamilton.com

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Rebecca Lydamore, Graphic designer at a London NHS foundation Trust 

I wouldn’t be where I am today without my time at Harlow college. I learnt many skills, especially relating to the design process and idea generation that I still use every day in my work. I was supported by the staff to go on to get a degree at University of Lincoln and I have now worked in many different industries. I am now extremely proud to be working as a Graphic designer in the NHS.  

Advice for college students today:  

Enjoy your studies as much as possible. Use the time to experiment, be creative and learn as much as you can. Outside of full-time study you probably won’t have as much opportunity and time available to read books, research different things and try out loads of creative techniques in a supportive environment. 

Advice for my college self:  

You already have the tools you need to stand out, find your own lane and try not to compete with others as everyone is on their own path. Try not to have fixed ideas about what Uni or the world of work will be like - all of your current predictions about the future are wrong but you are going to have an amazing time!  

A piece of work I am proud of: 

I have picked out a piece of work for you which is the design and photography work I have done for Scott Ritchie Productions: The Little Mermaid. This is a touring children’s theatre production which has toured around the UK in 2023 and 2024 so far. 

For this production, I started out with creating a piece of artwork that could be used by touring venues and the production company to announce the show and begin selling tickets which went into circulation before there was a cast and costumes. I later shot the cast in a character photoshoot which I then incorporated with the original artwork, creating a second phase for the marketing campaign. When the show was ready to go out on tour, I then took the production shots which are often used for things like press reviews and put together a video trailer including audience vox pops.  

The creative assets for the show can be used for promotion in many ways from flyers, posters, brochures and pop-up banners to social media, e-shots and digital screens with venues having the option to add their own branding and individual show dates. These assets have helped bring thousands of audience members to see the show of all ages and from all around the country. 

Children’s theatre productions and pantomimes are accessible forms of theatre with a rich history and for many a first introduction to seeing something on stage. The little mermaid is a great show and has an amazing message about friendship with a twist about taking care of the environment which is something I am really passionate about too, so I am so proud to have created these designs that help spread these important messages by enticing the audience. 

Here is a link to my portfolio with some other examples of my work: https://www.behance.net/rebeccalydamore

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Ryan Panchal, Senior Designer at Pearlfisher, New York 

My career as a Graphic Designer stemmed from studying Film, Photography and Media at Harlow College.

The skills and knowledge I gained during these A levels allowed me to secure a place on the Graphic Design & Illustration course at the University of Hertfordshire. This enabled me to enter the creative design industry in London and Bristol. While freelancing in both of these cities I was able to work with start-ups and with global agencies  – with clients that include Apple, Facebook and Google. 

I joined Pearlfisher (a branding and packaging agency in New York) in 2022, as a Senior Designer.  Here I’ve worked for a variety of household name clients. The work below is a concept put forward for Pyrex - who were looking for a refresh across their branding and packaging portfolio. 

I am driven by the belief that “I haven't made my best bit of work yet”. I also believe it is important to keep side projects running in the background alongside full time work. Because the work isn’t being judged by a client, only being judged by you. These side project’s will sharpen your skills and give you the opportunity to make things that you want to make. This leads to a line that’s always resonated with me. “Make work that you want to make more of.” A lot of the projects that come my way are from clients that have seen my personal projects that I’ve designed in my spare time.

I think it’s also important to reach out to people whose work you admire and learn from them. It’s the duty of a more senior designer to pass down their experience to help the next generation of designers rise. Feel free follow my work or drop me a message on instagram @made_by_panchal"

https://pearlfisher.com/work/

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Saffron Leijs, designer at Coolr

So hard to pick one piece of work, but I have a picture with some of my favourite social assets I have made over the two years I have been at my agency! 

I work at a social media agency called Coolr (instagram @wearecoolr) as a Mid-weight Designer. Where we manage socials for some of the biggest brands in the UK. I’ve worked with Doritos, Burger King, All Bar One, Dreams beds, Deliveroo, Walkers and many more! Social is a very fast pace environment which I love as I am working on something new everyday wether that’s a content calendar for a client or something reactive to whatever is trending at the moment. (Usually the most random things ever) Or even being in a TikTok or two.

My message to current Students would be: 

Start connecting with people in the industry! Whether that’s through a LinkedIn page or instagram anything like that! As soon as I got these platforms and saw how incredibly helpful they are I regret not using them much sooner! Seeing jobs I didn’t know existed and seeing how exciting peoples jobs are. It’s a fab way to meet new people and it’s so easy to just message people as that’s what it’s for! Wether you would like experience/job or even just to ask a questions people are always there to help. However, I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing today without the help of Richard and Steve on my course at college. College really prepares you for the next step so take it all in while you can as it goes so fast!

Advice to myself: 

Be more confident in your work and don’t panic if you’re not 100% in what you want to do straight after college. I had a year off then decided to go to uni. Everyones path is different so do what’s best for you! I also wish I researched more into uni or jobs itself in the design/ social media industry. I didn’t know where to start and turns out Ravensbourne uni was perfect for me. Which I did look at in college apart of our coursework was to research them so use that time wisely as it may come handy in the future!

Saffron Leijs

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Joe Turner, brand designer

One of my proudest projects is for 'Jebena Co,' a family-owned Ethiopian coffee brand that not only offers exceptional coffee but also shares a captivating origin story, connecting with consumers who value authenticity. 

The shape of the tree trunk also depicts the shape of a ‘Jebena pot’, which ties in nicely to the name. This project provides the vital role storytelling plays in successful branding, a fact of which I am particularly proud.

My advice 

- Ask Questions! Make sure to finish a project /task having fully understood its purpose and why you’ve done it. Also make sure to work at home as well as in lesson. It goes a long way to getting ahead of everyone else.

Joe Turner

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Alex Crowley, animator

One of the projects I've gotten to work on that I'm most proud of is a series of 6 Peppa Pig short films that I animated and directed in early 2020 for Entertainment One. 

The project gave me something to throw 100% of my creative energy into during a very tumultuous time and an opportunity to work alongside some very wonderful people. 

My advice 

The best advice I could give to students interested in media as a career is to always look for the fun in each project - not every video you work on will be as creatively stimulating as others, but if you can find opportunities within them to experiment and add character it will both elevate the work and your own enjoyment.

Alex Crowley 

 

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Nishall Garala, PR & Marketing 

“For my young years, I was often told I wasn’t academic and I spent too much time following my passions in community work. Turning this passion in to my motivation, I was able to achieve a First Class Degree at university.”

My advice 

“Never give up on your passion and dreams, use them to motivate and empower you to achieve higher!” 

“Assess every opportunity to see how it can take you to the next level! - But, don’t forget your roots and the people who support you on your journey.”

Nishall Garala

BACHELOR OF SCIENCE with First Class Honours in Business and Management from the UNIVERSITY OF LONDON

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Matt Jennerway, designer developer 

Nissan Europe restructured their marketing approach last year by replacing manual work with automation and creative engineering. 

To meet the regional needs, We created 'Master shell templates' which are built around Nissan's brand guidelines, which allow assets within the creatives such as images and copy to be changed.

Print and digital media channels were designed as well as master shell templates which include many different languages, such as Turkish, Spanish, Italian, Dutch, French, German, Finnish, English and many more.

Matt Jennerway

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Daniel Herbert, marketing content executive 

If I had to choose a piece of work that I'm most proud of, it'd be a video that I was hired to make for Twitch. 

I was tasked with creating a highlight reel for an eSports event that they had hosted. It was a very tight deadline - being needed just hours after the event had aired. So I was editing this as the show was happening. It was chaotic, but a lot of fun and very rewarding.

I've attached a screenshot of the video, but you can see the full thing here: 

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CjjDw1lPOhI/

My advice 

I still look back at my time as a student at Harlow College as the best time of my life. Not only a place to learn about things I was truly interested in, but also being able to experience full creative freedom. I don't think I'd be where I am today without the support of peers and staff at the college. I was always encouraged to be myself and that let me feel comfortable in creating content that I wanted to see. So, be yourself. And enjoy it. That is when you'll get the most out of your time and hard work.

Daniel Herbert

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