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Arts University Plymouth staff & alumni selected for 30 Under 30
Thursday, 18 April, 2024 — One staff member and three alumni from the university have been recognised in the awards by Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce
<p dir="ltr">One staff member and three alumni from Arts University Plymouth have been selected as part of Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce’s ‘30 Under 30’ awards this year. <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> lecturer <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/people/amy-pike">Amy Pike</a> and alumni <a href="https://www.instagram.com/amberfilms_/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Amber Amare</a>, <a href="https://www.instagram.com/brogan.media/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Brogan Algar</a> and <a href="https://www.thirtyfivethestudio.com/" target="_blank" rel="noreferrer noopener">Emily Skinner</a> have been honoured as rising stars in the region as part of the awards. The winners will be celebrated at an award ceremony on Friday 17 May at Crowne Plaza, Plymouth.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Arts University Plymouth lecturer Amy Pike began her career in the sports industry as a graphic designer for the Exeter Chiefs rugby club and Sandy Park Stadium. Her rebranding efforts for parts of Sandy Park Stadium have been showcased to audiences of over 250,000 people through features on BT Sport and she has also created artwork for England Rugby and the city of Exeter, as well as collaborating with well-known sporting brands such as Red Bull.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Following her success in industry, Amy pursued a Masters of Arts degree in <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/ma-visual-communication">Visual Communication</a> at Arts University Plymouth, graduating with a Distinction in November 2021. She then joined the University in February 2022 as a Lecturer for the <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-graphic-design">BA (Hons) Graphic Design</a> course, Distance Learning programmes and as the specialist tutor for MA Visual Communication. Amy has also launched her own project, ‘The Play Method’, and is currently working towards a PhD focussed on play theory and creative practice, with her research ambitions to support adult wellbeing through creative practice and play. </p>
Amy Pike
<p dir="ltr">Amy utilises her own experiences of autism and ADHD to improve the learning environments of neurodivergent students and demonstrate that anything can be achievable with a learning disability. Amy tirelessly champions accessible learning opportunities within Higher Education, working to improve the learning environments of others and reduce barriers that may prevent a valuable and welcoming educational experience.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Amy said: “It's a real honour and privilege to have been named as one of this year's Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce’s 30 under 30. To be in a line-up with such fantastic, talented individuals is a real surprise.</p>
<p dir="ltr">"I am excited to learn more about everyone else and their incredible stories, as well as to see an awareness for diversity and inclusion within Higher Education being put on the map. My work in neurodiversity is something that I look forward to continuing and furthermore, making sure that everyone is supported to succeed in Higher Education."</p>
<p dir="ltr">Brogan Algar graduated from BA (Hons) Graphic Design at Arts University Plymouth with a First Class honours in 2021. During her time as a student, <a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/posts/first-year-graphic-design-students-shortlisted-for-jdo-raw-award">Brogan was shortlisted for the JDO RAW 2019 award</a> for her monochrome, tattoo design inspired branding for a 0% alcohol drink. Brogan said, “I wanted to reflect the idea of creating a positive impact on the world in the design, and so took inspiration from tattoo designs, which we use to create positive, permanent marks on our bodies.” <br /></p>
Brogan Algar
<p dir="ltr">Since graduating, Brogan has worked both in-house and freelance for creators and brands such as Fenty Beauty, Fenty Skin, Dove, Find Your Happy Place, Hawaiian Tropic, Mercedes-Benz, Demi Jones and Cloe Couture.</p>
<p dir="ltr">Brogan said, “Devon and Plymouth Chamber’s 30 Under 30 is not just a recognition of my achievements but a testament to the transformative power of Arts University Plymouth. From studying graphic design back in 2021 to founding my own agency this year, my journey has been shaped by the invaluable lessons in self-expression and perseverance learned at the University. I owe much of my success to the unwavering support of my mentors who instilled in me the confidence to pursue my dreams whatever they may be. Today, as a director of my agency, I am proud to make a meaningful impact on my clients’ businesses and I am grateful for the foundation laid by Arts University Plymouth. I’m looking forward to the celebratory evening and hearing the inspiring stories of the other winners.”<a href="https://www.aup.ac.uk/courses/undergraduate/ba-hons-film-screen-arts"><br /><br />BA (Hons) Film & Screen Arts</a> graduate Amber Amare is a filmmaker based in the UK, whose work extends to both national and international festivals. Her directorial work has been recognised by shortlistings at Aesthetica Film Festival, Darkroom Film Festival and the London Sci-Fi Film Festival. She has collaborated with established brands such as Google, Kelly’s Ice Cream, Tate Modern, Vispring and Intersex UK. <br /></p>
Amber Amare
<p dir="ltr">Since graduating Arts University Plymouth with a First Class honours, Amber served as a Filmmaking Mentor for the British Film Institute Academy from 2018 to 2020, supporting aspiring filmmakers in the South West region. This led to a promotion in 2020 to BFI Lead Tutor followed by her co-founding a group called ‘Cine Sisters SW’ with a primary focus on showcasing the work of women in the film and TV industry in the South West. </p>
<p dir="ltr">Amber said, “I’m so honoured to be a 30 under 30 winner! Being recognised alongside these awesome, inspiring people is so wonderful.”</p>
<p dir="ltr">Emily Skinner is the founder of a female-led social media agency called Thirty Five The Studio. She graduated from Arts University Plymouth’s BA (Hons) Fashion, Media and Marketing course with a First Class Honours, founding her agency on graduating. Basing their strategy in sales psychology and marrying that with a strong brand aesthetic, Thirty Five specialises working with fashion, beauty and lifestyle brands and in 2023, they were awarded the Best Female-Owned Social Media Agency in Southern England at the Global Business Awards. Emily now employs four staff and has worked with brands such as Zalando, Orelia London and Welleree Jewellery.<br /></p>
Emily Skinner
<p dir="ltr">Emily said, “I’m so thrilled to have made the Devon & Plymouth Chamber of Commerce 30 Under 30 winners list. Congratulations to everyone on the list!”</p>
<p dir="ltr">The Devon & Plymouth Chamber partnered with Babcock International Group for the second time to find and recognise individuals under 30 in Devon who have made a significant impact in the working world. The 30 selected winners represent some of the brightest minds in business and the future of industry in the South West. Congratulations to all of the 30 Under 30 winners from Arts University Plymouth and beyond.<br /></p>
