30/07/2026
Last week, our students stepped out into London and Manchester to explore the creative and commercial spaces shaping the industries they aspire to join ✨
At VCAD, we believe meaningful learning happens when students engage directly with the industries and environments connected to their studies. These experiences help bring ideas to life and inspire the next stage of their creative journeys.
For their Fundamentals and Thinking Through Making units, students explored a range of creative environments across both cities. In London, they visited Tate to research artists and support their project work before heading to Southbank Skatepark to observe urban culture and gather primary research. Students also visited the vamuseumSouth Kensington and took part in street photography activities around Piccadilly Circus, exploring visual storytelling within a busy public space.
In Manchester, Foundation students immersed themselves in the city’s creative scene, visiting the Northern Quarter, afflecks_manchester and Empire Exchange for inspiration linked to contemporary culture and creative communities.
Graphic Design students visited the whitechapelgallery and vam_east, using exhibitions and collections to inform their creative development and broaden their understanding of contemporary visual practice.
Fashion Design students visited the V&A East Storehouse, gaining insight into fashion, design, and material culture through one of London’s most exciting creative resources.
Fashion Media & Marketing students participated in film screenings at theatreship, conducted research at the British Libraryand V&A East Storehouse, and explored leading retail destinations including theofficialselfridges and libertylondon to investigate branding, customer experience, visual merchandising, and marketing in action.
CertHE Business & Management for Creatives students explored key commercial and cultural locations including Covent Garden, Spitalfields, Canary Wharf, electricshuffle, the Manchester Northern Quarter, and New Islington. Finishing everything with a networking event.
Another fantastic week of exploration and real-world learning 💫
