Graduate showcase celebrates creativity and innovation

Published

30 June 2022

It was a celebration of innovation when the University of East London's Schools of Architecture, Computing and Engineering, and Arts and Creative Industries joined forces to host a combined end of year showcase.

STEAM Show 22, staged at the University's Docklands campus, featured work by graduate students from both schools, with pieces on display including film, photography, digital art, architecture, fashion and textiles.

Co-hosted by Dr David Tann, dean of the School of Architecture, Computing and Engineering (ACE) and Dr Natalie Garrett-Brown, interim dean of the School of Arts and Creative Industries (ACI), and opened by UEL provost Professor Hassan Abdalla, the event highlighted the bar-setting work being produced by UEL's industry-ready graduates.

With a soundscape of live entertainment provided by students from BA (Hons) Music Performance and Production, guests were invited to immerse themselves in the creative worlds of both schools. As they toured the different media spaces graduates were on hand to talk about their work - the process, the inspiration and their hopes for the future.

BSc (Hons) Architecture student Korell Llaudes (pictured above) saw his work included in the showcase for ACE. He said, "I feel very proud to see my work displayed in the Way Out East Gallery. It is important to be noticed and I am honoured that some people who have come to the show today will get to see what I have created.

"My work on display is titled 'Home for culture in Lower Marsh', which is where I created a civic centre, combining a lower ground floor retail space for the public, with a courtyard connecting to a kitchen area. Upstairs, I also included classrooms and a roof lounge.

"My inspiration for the work was to introduce an area where people can seamlessly access London's Lower Marsh at different levels, sit down with food and drink options and introduce new green spaces at every level in the building."

He added: "I have been able to learn from all my lecturers and implement their architectural perspectives into my work. I will use this as I continue with job interviews at architecture practices. I am also trying to set up workshops at my former school as I want to support my community in Croydon. I hope that by introducing architecture and design to school children, they will have more opportunities to be creative."

Fresh off the back of showing at London Fashion Week BA (Hons) Fashion Textiles student Alicia Ikekaji (pictured above) was selected to showcase her designs at the event on behalf of ACI.

She said, "It's an honour to be included in this show. My work sold very well at London Fashion Week, so I'm delighted that it can be seen by people here.

"I've had a wonderful time at UEL. My lecturers have been so supportive, I've learned so much from them. They have given us so many amazing opportunities. I feel ready and I'm excited to see what's next."