Inspiring the next generation of art and design students

In late June 2024, Will Baxter spoke to a combination of A-level students about his varied career in art and design. In attendance were students studying fine art, product design, textile design, fashion design, graphic design, and 3d design.

The talk started by showing his latest portfolio of work and then backtracked to his A-levels, degree, first jobs, and the last twenty years of his career.

Early on Will encouraged all of the pupils off their seats and up on the stage to get a more interactive appreciation of his work. Then he led them outside the main hall to have a look at his University dissipation project, the lightweight sportscar, that was to become the Toniq R.

Following this al fresco experience we came back into the hall and ran through a few practical tips on subjects such as; how to choose your degree subject, and what’s the most important thing for your career. Then they moved on to Will providing a number of quotes from people in the art and design field that had inspired him over the years.

More than an hour later, as the stories were coming to a close, and the class had been dismissed, a dozen of the pupils stayed behind to ask more questions. Aside from one cheeky boy asking if he could take the Toniq R for a spin around the playing field, they were mainly focused on what’s the best route to success for a career in design.

If you’d like Will to give a talk at your school, University, or conference, please get in touch.

Hi Will,

I just wanted to say thank you for the talk you did at my college last week. Before then, I was really struggling to find motivation.

Your attitude to work and your great advice really resonated with me. It inspired me to be proactive and start making money from my photography and design.

Since then, I’ve posted some of my product identity work on instagram. Amazingly it has been reposted by the brands concerned and I’ve had messages from brands asking me to do work for them.

Thank you!

(A Level graphic design student).

Will Baxter with Nick Saunders, Head of Art & Design at Esher College, who thought the talk went so well he’d like Will to come back next term for the next intake of students.

Students getting up and close with Will’s design portfolio.

VIP parking on arrival at Esher College!