DCG Success Stories

Former Derby College Group art student Liana Clark is already showcasing her creative talents to a wider audience. 

While studying at DCG she has spray painted a mural for the Egyptian exhibition at Derby Museum, designed a record label and branding for a shop opening and is currently working on her own unisex clothing range.  

Liana, 18, is going to Manchester University in September to study fashion art direction after recently completing Level 3 Higher Foundation Studies in Art & Design at DCG’s Joseph Wright Centre.  

She always enjoyed drawing when she was younger and took art at GCSE. But it wasn’t until Liana came to JWC to do a fine art A level that she decided on an artistic career. 

She said: “Going to JWC kick started it all for me. My tutor understood my ideas and helped me to develop them.  

“Her influence made me realise that I wanted to work in a creative field when I was older.” 

After A levels Liana moved on to the foundation course, also at JWC, which, she says, has helped her prepare well for university. 

She added: “I’ve liked having that extra year to develop new skills and get used to the academic coursework part.  

“I’ve had time to figure out in what direction I’d like to take my art, but with the extra support of my college tutors.” 

When she’s not studying, Liana works at a Derbyshire design shop which has also led to commissions. 

Her preferred mediums are fineliner and graphite although she also produces some of her work digitally, in acrylic paint and in spray paint. 

Liana added: “When I graduate, I want to work in the industry side of fashion – the styling, branding and marketing elements but not the designing – so I’m part of the whole thing, not just one area.  

“I also want to continue developing Otis, my own brand of unisex clothing.”