Nafisah artwork

Nafisah Bibi

Nafisah Bibi - BA (Hons) Illustration in Art and Design

Nafisah Bibi

What is the inspiration for your work?

I was mainly inspired by my love for mythology and classical studies. Despite not being able to take Classics at A level I began to self-study on the side as a hobby. At a young age I was always captivated by on screen adaptations of different beasts and creatures and how weird and wonderful they looked. Something you would definitely not find in a zoo.

Explain what made you pick Buckinghamshire New University to study?

I was mainly intrigued by the facilities and studio space BNU offered, the Red Shed and Mac suites in particular. Being a creative I constantly want to create colourful art pieces, so the studio spaces looked very spacious and arriving on the opening day helped me to see the studio environment in person, and it was exactly what I was looking for, seeing other students collaborating and creating visuals really reassured me too. 

Tell us about your ‘best bits’ at BNU?

It’s definitely the memories I’ve made with friends that I’ll have for life.

What have you found most challenging during your studies?

The feedback sessions, I was dreading them every time they came round! The nervousness gets to you when the projects are brought back.

What has been the most surprising part of your course?

I didn’t think we would get much freedom in terms of how creative we could be, but surprisingly it was the opposite. I was able to flourish and incorporate my ideas in a vast way. Also, I was worried when joining that as I wouldn’t be able to get the help I was looking for, because effectively you enter university independently and the mindset was that this is how it how to be from beginning to end, but the help provided and given was more than what I could ask for both with the work and personal matters. Very supportive environment. 

How do you think BNU has prepared you for the world of work?

I feel like it’s made me more independent in how I work in terms of my ideas and project goals, but it’s also normalised the everyday studio environment and how the pace of projects and feedback really relates to an industry environment. The collaborations and networking between other designers have definitely been an eye opener, you learn things from a graphic designer that wouldn’t from an illustrator and by experiencing this it’s definitely helped a lot in understanding how you would work with other designers within industry.

What would you say to someone thinking of doing their degree at BNU and why?

Definitely take the first step, it may be difficult not knowing what to do with your life after A levels and college, but it’ll definitely help you to grow in a new environment.

What’s the dream after Uni?

Hopefully to start networking with illustration agencies, start commissions and maybe just maybe start selling my artwork.