How a Kingston School of Art graduate turned a passion for storytelling into a career in illustration and teaching
- Art and design
- Alumni
Many students can name Einstein, Newton or Curie. But what about the pioneering scientists whose contributions are rarely discussed in the classroom? Kingston Uni graduate Vika is helping tell those stories through illustration.
Telling stories that deserve to be seen
Who gets remembered in science, and who gets overlooked? That's the question behind a new educational resource designed to spark conversations about representation in higher education.
For students, projects like this demonstrate how creative skills can have an impact far beyond traditional arts settings. Working on a live brief with academics and researchers gave me the opportunity to apply my illustration and design skills to a real-world challenge, showing how creative collaboration can help make education more inclusive and accessible.
I've always been interested in stories that don't get told often enough. Whether that's the experiences of migrants and families, personal histories passed down through generations, or the achievements of scientists whose contributions aren't always recognised. My creative practice is driven by a desire to uncover and share perspectives that might otherwise go unnoticed.
That interest sits at the heart of my first Studio KT1 project since graduating from Kingston School of Art's BA Illustration Animation course. Studio KT1 is the creative agency that hires KSA students for paid freelance work.
Working alongside academics and researchers from Kingston University's Pharmaceutical Science department, I've been illustrating and designing a deck of cards that aims to support conversations around decolonising the curriculum. The resource highlights scientists from diverse backgrounds around the world and encourages students and staff to explore a wider range of voices within science.
A new perspective on science
The project began as a proposal for a booklet, but through conversations with the team we realised there was an opportunity to create something more interactive. That's how the card deck was born.
I loved the idea of creating a resource people could physically explore and engage with. Rather than presenting information in a traditional format, the cards invite curiosity and discussion.
We see this deck of cards as more of a start of a conversation rather than any kind of manual material.
To me, they're less about providing answers and more about opening doors to deeper conversations.
Designing with representation in mind
One of the most enjoyable parts of the design process was developing the visual language of the cards. I found myself drawn to textile traditions from different parts of the world, using elements of pattern and symbolism as inspiration for the designs. These visual references helped bring together stories from different continents while maintaining a cohesive identity across the deck.
The project reinforced something I've learned repeatedly throughout my creative journey: collaboration matters.
At university, group projects taught me the importance of communication, regular feedback and understanding how different people work together. Those experiences prepared me for professional collaborations far more than I realised at the time. Working on a live project with academics, researchers and fellow creatives felt like a continuation of those lessons.
In fact, collaboration is one of the three words I'd use to describe my Studio KT1 experience, alongside creativity and fun. The most successful projects are the ones where people work together, challenge ideas and enjoy the process along the way.
Returning to Kingston as a Studio Fellow
That same spirit of collaboration is one reason I've chosen to return to Kingston School of Art as a Studio Fellow and studio assistant. I'm excited to support first-year students as they begin the same journey I've recently completed.
I've always enjoyed sharing knowledge and helping others develop their ideas, and I'm looking forward to supporting students as they build their confidence and find their own creative direction.
If there's one thing I've learned, it's that creative careers rarely follow a straight line. The opportunities you expect aren't always the ones that shape you most. That's why I encourage students to say yes to new experiences, experiment with different approaches and not let rejection stop them from continuing.
Rejection is very normal. It's very normal.
Whether it's trying a new technique, collaborating with people outside your discipline or pursuing an opportunity that feels unfamiliar, some of the most valuable experiences come from stepping outside your comfort zone.
Persistence matters more.
What's next?
As I look towards the future, I don't have a fixed plan for exactly where my career will take me, and that's something I'm comfortable with.
What I do know is that I want to continue working with people and for people.
Whether that's through teaching, exhibitions, illustration, animation or community projects, I hope to keep creating work that highlights untold stories, sparks meaningful conversations and helps people feel seen.
As I often describe it, my work is about highlighting untold stories in a lot of different ways and that's something I hope will continue to shape whatever comes next.
Explore Vika’s portfolio to learn more about her illustration, animation and community-focused projects. Visit Vika’s website.
Inspired by Vika's journey from student to Studio Fellow? Find out how Kingston School of Art's BA Illustration Animation course combines creative exploration, live projects and industry-focused opportunities to help students develop their own unique practice.
