Alana Jade Miller
Art, Design & Photography
HND Art & Design
“For me, College has been about so much more than gaining qualifications. It has helped me grow in confidence, develop my artistic skills and meet some amazing people.”
Professional hairdresser and mum of three Alana decided to take time out of her busy life to explore her creative talent and love of art at NESCol.
Thirty-four-year-old Alana Jade Miller is originally from Peterhead but has lived in Cairnbulg for 16 years. Two years ago, with the full support of her family, she made the decision to invest in herself and return to education to study art, an interest she has had since school.
She explained, “I’ve always painted from a young age and loved art throughout my school and academy years. I also come from a creative family, so being artistic has always felt like a natural part of who I am.
“For me, art has always been a way to switch off and de-stress, something I can lose myself in and really enjoy. I’ve always especially loved painting animals and more recently human portraits too. There’s something incredibly rewarding about capturing a sense of life and personality in a painting.
“Between being a mum of three and a wife, working as a hairdresser, and dealing with everyday life, I felt like I’d lost a little part of myself along the way. Going back to College gave me the chance to do something for myself again.
“I had continued to paint over the years (sometimes while the kids were sleeping!) so I had built up a portfolio of work to take with me to my NESCol interview.”
Studying art & design
Alana went straight into the HNC Art & Design course at Fraserburgh Campus, before moving on to the HND.
She said, “I worked throughout my studies while also balancing family life, so it definitely wasn’t always easy, but it has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done!
“I loved having the opportunity to develop my artistic practice and seeing how much I’ve grown over the last two years, both in confidence and ability.
“Being named Student of the Year for both my HNC and HND was a huge highlight. It was something I never expected, so it’s an achievement I’m incredibly proud of.”
During her HNC, Alana’s class had the opportunity to design logos for a local farm as part of their Digital Media project – and her design was chosen by the farm owners.
She said, “This was a bit of a challenge for me as I’m not particularly confident with computers, but it turned out to be a great learning experience.
“I really enjoyed working with a client, taking their ideas on board and creating something they were happy with. It was a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and develop new skills.”
The NESCol community
Despite her achievements, it’s the people Alana has met on her journey that have made the biggest impact.
She said, “I’ve made some truly amazing friends who have become such a big part of my life. I feel like we’ve laughed our way through the last two years, and that has made such a difference, particularly during some of the more stressful times, both in and out of College.”
Alana also praised the support she received at NESCol, especially during her first year when her family went through a health scare and other challenges.
She said, “The support and understanding I received from College lecturers meant so much to me, particularly during these really difficult times.
“Having tutors who understood what I was going through and were there to support me made such a difference.
“Their understanding and encouragement helped me get through those difficult periods without feeling like I had to give up on my studies.”
Next steps
Alana is looking forward to the future and where her new skills could take her. During her time at College, she participated in the bp Student Tutoring Scheme at Fraserburgh Academy, which has inspired her to share her passion for art with others.
She said, “I’m excited to see what I can do with my qualifications now that I’ve finished my HND. I’d love to continue developing my art and hopefully turn it into a small business of my own.
“The bp Tutoring Scheme gave me a fantastic insight into teaching and allowed me to experience a completely different side of art and design.
“I’d love the opportunity to explore teaching more, perhaps even running an evening art class at some point. I think this would be a really rewarding way to share my skills and creativity with others, while also fitting well around my family and work commitments.”
Alana’s advice
Alana’s advice for other students is to “just go for it.”
She said, “For me, it has been about so much more than gaining qualifications. It has helped me grow in confidence, develop my artistic skills and meet some amazing people.
“Perhaps most importantly, I wanted to show my children that if you put the work in and believe in yourself, you can achieve things, no matter what stage of life you’re at.
“I think my experience is proof that it’s never too late to try something new. Even when you have a busy life and lots of responsibilities, if there’s something you really want to do, you can make it happen. You just have to be willing to take that first step.”
Study art & design at NESCol
NESCol’s studios are a hub of creativity and imagination. Our experienced tutors will support you with the tools and techniques to develop your artistic style and build a portfolio for further study or a creative career.