Emma West (Nee Herbert): BA(Hons) Textile Design graduate
Learn as many skills as possible and make the most of the expertise and technology available at university. The more skills you have when you graduate, the better equipped and more employable you will be.
BA(Hons) Textile Design (Weave) 2003 - 2006
Joint owner of laser cutting company, Pogofandango, in Penryn: www.pogofandango.co.uk
How did you get to where you are?
After graduating, I did a PGCE, which was not really for me and, after I graduated from that, I worked several part time jobs trying to find what I wanted to do with my life. I was planning my wedding and wanted to design my own laser cut wedding stationery, but found that no one offered a laser cutting service in Cornwall. My mum was a 3rd year Contemporary Crafts student at UCF so we bought a laser cutter (after a bit of research!), rented a studio and, in December 2008, Pogofandango was born.
Please describe what you do
We offer a laser cutting and engraving services for students, artists, designers etc, and create quirky, unusual cards, wedding stationery and gifts.
What do you do in an average day?
All sorts! No two days are ever the same because what we offer is so varied. I work at least ten hours a day, and can do anything from cutting doll's house furniture, engraving plaques for coffins, cutting acrylic jewellery, to designing someone's wedding stationery, the list goes on! I also sell through notonthehighstreet.com and ebay, so I do a lot of listing of items online and also work on the marketing side of things - website building, advertising etc.
What are the essential qualities needed for what you do?
Creativity, people skills, an understanding of technology, confidence and motivation to work hard!
How creative is your role?
Very. I spend about 20 hours a week designing and work with a lot of creative people. I constantly have to think of new ideas for products and help our customers to overcome design problems.
Who do you work with?
I work with my mum, who is my business partner. We also have a graduate from UCF Contemporary Crafts who does a work experience placement with us one day a week.
Customer-wise, we work with shop owners, brides to be, designers, artists, students, doll's house furniture manufacturers, printers and jewellery designers.
What is the most rewarding thing about what you do?
Working for myself. It is a great sense of achievement having built the business up from nothing to a double-award winning business that is now making a profit! It is lovely that people know who we are and genuinely like what we do - we have regular customers who pop in for a coffee and a chat because they like us!
- Winner in the New Buisness category in the Westcountry Wedding Awards 2010
- Winner of the Family Buisness of the Year 2011 in the Make Awards 2011.
And the most challenging?
The long hours - I work up to 70 hours some weeks. I have a toddler and a husband who works at sea, and I bought a house which I am renovating when I can, so it is tiring, but I love what I do.
What did you take from your degree?
Apart from three fantastic years and some amazing friends and memories, I gained masses of confidence, a desire to do something creative with my life and I developed the design and IT skills I use every day. I also gained a lot of knowledge about business and being self employed in the creative world.
Did you do a placement?
No, but I really wish I had.
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
Do your research! Don't jump into something without first exploring all your options and learning what you are getting in to.
What advice would you give to current students?
Diversify - learn as many skills as possible and make the most of the expertise and technology available at university. The more skills you have when you graduate, the better equipped and more employable you will be.
Copyright © 2011 University College Falmouth. All Rights Reserved.
