Imelda Kay
Former Head of Design at the National Museum
of Photography, Film & Television in Bradford and
now running her own design business, Studio K,
Imelda Kay completed the Foundation in Art &
Design at Bradford Art College in 1979.
“I was always ‘good at art’ according to my
primary school teachers, and I knew from a very
early age that this was what I wanted to do in my
life. At secondary school my love of drawing and
painting developed and confirmed that I wanted
to do something with art and design, but I knew
I didn’t want to be an art teacher!
I became
interested in the newly developing area of graphic
design because it sounded ‘cool and trendy’ and
few people had ever heard of it in the mid 1970s.
My careers advisor at school tried everything to
dissuade me from going to Art College and felt
it was a waste of my academic ability having
gained 10 O levels.
Undeterred, I applied to Bradford Art College for
the Foundation course in the summer of 1978
and was delighted to be accepted. It was an
eye-opening experience. My school art lessons
were mostly spent sitting in front of weird-looking
vegetables, so imagine my surprise at the first life
drawing session!
The other students on the course
were a real mixed bunch. There were many other
young people on their path to a BA but also more
mature students with amazing life stories. It was
at Bradford that I first developed an interest in
photography that I still have, although my digital
camera is used more for ebay selling these days!
After gaining a Distinction on the Foundation
course, I completed my BA (Hons) Graphic Design
at Leeds Polytechnic, worked for one year cutting
my teeth in the unsavoury environment of an
advertising agency, and was thrilled to start
work at the newly opened National Museum of
Photography, Film & Television as the only graphic
designer.
Over the years at the museum I was fortunate
enough to design exhibitions and books for some
eminent photographers, including several Bradford
Fellows in Photography.
After 18 happy years at
the museum, now renamed the National Media
Museum, I finally took the plunge and started
my own design business, Studio K, producing
graphic, exhibition and web design projects for
a wide range of national and local clients. You
can see my work on the shelves of Tate Modern
bookstore, museums across the UK, and your local
Wetherspoons!
Recently, my nephew completed the Foundation
course and I hope that my youngest son will also
be able enjoy studying here. I am really proud to
say I went to Bradford Art College and wish the
College all the best on its 175th Anniversary.”
Photograph supplied by Imelda Kay