You may have an image in your mind of a typical art student – someone who may be imaginative and expressive and has always been drawn to creative pursuits.
So you might be surprised to discover that many of the students studying at the Royal College of Art in London have backgrounds in non-arts subjects, ranging from science and technology to accounting and law.
Whether they have decided to revisit their early artistic interests, want to bring design thinking or creativity into their current career, or are thinking about changing careers altogether, non-art students from across the UK and internationally have been attracted to a postgraduate to undergo training. place at the renowned art institution.
Below, three RCA students reveal their own stories about why they quit and switched to a more creative field, and how they experienced the change.
‘Bee at first I was worried about my non-art background’
Finan Malcolm, 25, studied environmental sciences in the US and then worked in advertising before moving to Britain to pursue an MA in photography at the RCA.
“Growing up on my family’s organic vegetable farm, my childhood was about being outdoors, immersed in nature, so it made sense to choose a degree related to environmental sciences. I also felt that a career at Stem [science, technology, engineering and maths] would lead me down a more successful path than a job in the arts. Even though I had loved photography since I was 12, when I received a camera for my birthday, and had studied photography in high school.
“After graduating, I started working in the advertising and customer service industry in New York City. It was the height of the pandemic, so I had just applied to every possible opportunity, and it was very unfulfilling.
“While working from home, I rediscovered my love for photography and art. My photography was story-based, whimsical and fantastical, creating scenes in the woods and gardens with my siblings. My passion for photography was reignited because I was back home with my family and remembered how we entertained ourselves as children, and used that same form of entertainment as adults.
“After two years, I took a leap of faith and decided to pursue my passion. I started my MA in September 2023, and at first I was worried that I wouldn’t fit in because of my non-arts background. But I have been supported by the RCA; they welcomed me with open arms to be part of the art community, without having to worry about my background. My teacher even told me that she thinks this makes me unique and that this is reflected in my work.
“I have made so many friends in different programs including architecture and printmaking. It’s exciting to meet people who I can both rely on as a support group and work with in the future. I don’t know yet what path I will follow after my MA, but I hope I can continue making art and doing what I love for the rest of my life.”
‘I couldn’t stop thinking about my love for drawing’
Riccardo Ennia, 28, left his job as a fund accountant to study for a degree in art and design.
“Back home in Italy, I studied economics and finance, planning to pursue a career as an analyst. After graduating, I got a job as a fund accountant, but I couldn’t stop thinking about the love for drawing and illustrating that I have had since childhood.
“I didn’t want to look back on my life and see that I had missed the opportunity to follow my passion, and studying economics and finance had given me the safety net and freedom I needed to pursue that passion. When I came across the Graduate Diploma in Art & Design at the RCA, it seemed like the perfect choice for someone like me, who was unsure of their future path in art.
“As an interdisciplinary diploma, it offers students the opportunity to find their identity. I started the course in May 2023 and I love that it is designed to give students freedom – all projects we work on are open to interpretation depending on our interests. I have preferred animation – I would like to work as a visual storyteller – so after my degree I am thinking of continuing my studies with an MA.
“Discovering my potential is so exciting. What was daunting at first is now simply exciting. I see so many possibilities in my future.”
‘The switch from economics to art has completely changed my perspective’
Francisco Coppola, 27, was a business consultant before applying for an MA in animation at the RCA.
“After studying economic history at the London School of Economics, I got a job as a business consultant at a design agency. While working with architects and designers, I quickly realized that I wanted to be able to express my own creativity, rather than just selling that of others.
“I started researching the creative industries and discovered that people working in animation were exactly my kind of people: warm, welcoming and happy to help you learn.
Related: Location, collaboration and graduation success: five reasons to study at the Royal College of Art
“When I then went with a friend to an open day at the RCA, my world was turned upside down. I saw that it was a place where my background didn’t hold me back, and where I could transform myself into anything I wanted to be.
“I was determined to create an animation portfolio and taught myself during the lockdown using online courses. It took a lot of thought to finally apply for an MA from the RCA, but if I didn’t take the risk I knew I would always regret it.
“I started the course in 2021 and it was so exciting to be exposed to the artistic sensibilities of other animators – I felt like I was part of a big community. During my studies I focused on a mix of commercial and artistic work, including a film shown at the Institute of Contemporary Arts and now, after graduating, I want to gain a foothold in the commercial industry.
“The switch from economics to art has completely changed my perspective. Instead of living for the weekend, my work is part of my life. I took a risk to do something I thought I would enjoy, and now it doesn’t feel like work at all.”
From animation and architecture to fashion and visual arts, find out more about how you can unleash your creative passion and boost your career at the Royal College of Art