Life at Bellerbys College

How I Was 'Architected'

Posted by David, studying Engineering Foundation at Bellerbys Brighton

Hello dear readers!

Some people know precisely what they would want to pursue since childhood. Unfortunately, I was not one of them. I personally found it really tough in determining the course I would like to pursue. If you have been reading my previous posts, you would know how easily enthusiastic I could be in everything. This attribute of mine (which I feel grateful to have) actually backfired during this period of time. Since I enjoy doing a lot of things, I was not able to identify what I enjoy doing the most, or which one of them I have the most talent in. 


Accordingly, this post would be all about how I determined my course in hopes of sharing my experience in literally shaping my future with you readers especially those who might face the same dilemma as me.

So why architecture? I used to immediately reject the thought of becoming an architect every time it was suggested. I was all over the place, considering from psychology to food science, business to fashion designing and even teaching or medicine. I then started to envision what I see myself doing in the future, not professionally, but what I expect to literally do. I initially confirmed that I would pursue something related to art yet with a bit of science, then progressed to envisage the frequent practice of leadership, teamwork and presentations. With these little aspects that I foresee and the help of my education agency, I finally settled down with architecture. I should not have made presumptions about architecture as my inceptive idea about the field was so different from what architects actually do, after listening to my agent’s elaboration of the esteemed profession.

Seeing that it was such a late realisation, I came to Bellerbys, devoid of any knowledge about architecture. I have tried my hardest to do researches, but I just did not know where to start. “Do you have a portfolio?” Mr Beer, my programme manager asked me on my first day. I stood still, dumbfounded, flatly saying no. Thankfully, Mr Beer was kind enough to explain what I was supposed to do. I was told to draw random portraits of buildings while he arranged art classes for me.

Feeling extremely unprepared, I tried my best to make up for my lack of self initiative by starting to sketch buildings in Brighton. I had no idea what I was doing, but I knew that I needed to put something together for my art teacher to evaluate. Using purely my instinct as I have never drawn buildings before, I meticulously sketched out the photographs I have taken. 

Surprisingly, it turned out not too bad! Encouraged, I started drawing more and more.

When I had to see Mr Nix (my art teacher), I remembered him advising me to start seeing things as an architect, besides telling me the outline of the architecture degree programme. Being an Engineering Foundation student, I only had limited time with him. Realising so, I attempted to make full use of the time by preparing questions to ask him before I see him. Eventually, I was only able rendezvous with him as the term became busier. As instructed, I started initiating my own projects for my portfolio, seeking his advice only when necessary. I found this process quite strenuous, yet again due to my lack of knowledge and self confidence in my judgment. Nevertheless, this independent style of learning really made me grow so much as an aspiring architect, not to mention embracing myself for university life.

I pushed my own boundaries, endeavouring to experiment with a plethora of art techniques. I tried the typical sketching and detailing with different mediums; pencils, pens, chalk and photography work, steadily progressing into carvery, collage and the study of motion. I had to do figure drawing too. Yes, drawing nude people standing right in front of me.

Speak about awkwardness! Albeit being a conservative Malaysian, I ultimately got used to the idea. (Going to the gym really helped reduce the awkwardness level!) I also conducted researches on architecture for some self development before university life. When I was finally endowed with adequate confidence, I mustered up my courage to attempt some self designing, initially creating a dog kennel based on an apple, tiger and the colour black. In due course, I have designed toilets, stadiums and museums.

In the past term, I have been so engrossed with architecture that I even found orange peels architecturally enthralling! Finishing my portfolio elated me, literally having a huge part of my burden banished. It has been such a fun experience and I have started to believe that architecture is the right choice for me. All in all, I just have to say that a course should be chosen after a lot of individual researches on the field and whether it is what one would be most passionate about, rather than what is most financially rewarding. It is going to be something we deal with for a lifetime.

 I really hope this could help some of you troubled pre-college students as I fully comprehend how it was like, having been in the same position once.

A big shout-out to Mr Nix before I end my penning: Thank you so much for being such an amazing teacher. You have made me develop wonders in my architectural skills. I appreciate your effort in making me think independently and learn to trust my instinct. Thank you for the occasional words of encouragement as well as the timely laughters. You are a VERY FUNNY teacher! Also, my deepest apologies for bugging you almost 24/7. I am just naturally compelled to see your face! :)

Thank you for reading!


More of David’s coming soon! Stay tuned!

Of Big Hair, Bright Colours and a Clown Suit PLUS a Dash of Quirkiness - The Bellerbys Brighton May Ball 2010

Posted by David, studying Engineering Foundation at Bellerbys Brighton

Hi readers!

It was the time of the year again. Everyone, in the past week, has been caught scurrying all over Churchill Square and street shops in Brighton to hunt for their perfect ‘outfit’. Yes, the Bellerbys students were anticipating the annual May Ball. I, myself, am not afraid to confess that I was one of them. Being a person deeply riveted to the wonders of fashion, I could not help but ensure that I appear fashionably decent.

I was so excited to the extent that I got dressed up one and a half hours prior to the event. The boys in my circle of friends then assembled at my room in dire need for some fashion assistance and hairdo service. It’s funny how metrosexuality has become crucial to all men. 

Anyways, we still did not take as long as the girls. The wait was worthwhile though, as they looked stunning with their make-up and exquisite dresses. It was a nice transition compared to my daily view of them with the typical ‘going to college’ outfit.

 Having been greeted by a ‘ring of fire’ entrance, I was shocked to see that the college was already packed with people. People here do really stick to the punctuality concept. Back in Malaysia, we were often teased for our tendency to be ‘fashionably late’. Of course, we were all scouting around to see what people were donning. I must say, they were generally audacious, sporting very bold outfits. 

The most eye-catching costume has to be this male duo, sporting a loud afro wig and tight bright suits. Girls, on the other hand, generally played with face paintings and long dresses as well as adorable short puffy dresses. Nonetheless, I had to give my props to the teachers. In my opinion, they were much more committed to the dress code! I caught bold lipstick shades, pink wigs, bright suits, a handmade dress and a CLOWN SUIT (plus a complete face paint)! I actually thought he was a hired clown. Paradoxically, it turned out to be Mr Addison. What a truly sporty and jaunty principal! How cool was that?

Settling down amongst the crowd, I could not help but notice the elaborate decorations around the campus. I felt immensely proud of the Art Department. It was just weeks ago when they ambitiously presented their envisaged ideas to the committee. 

I must say that they have definitely lived up to their expectations. I do not think anyone would have missed the prodigious legs protruding conspicuously from the library ceiling and the billions of quirky figurines hung around the building. 

Furthermore, photo stands were creatively mounted in various places. I especially liked the exhibited art and photography work related to the theme. Being able to make use of this social event to practise and develop your artistic skills, not to mention gaining leadership and teamwork experience while doing so, the Art Foundation must have had a great time!

Guilt-injecting finger food were waiting for me in the far corner opposite the exam hall. Sushi, bruschetta, crisps and many more were spread out near the receptionist desk. It was so tough for me to actually move away from that spot. So what could possibly drag me away from my sushi addiction? More food, in the cafeteria! I entered the cafeteria, sighting a smorgasbord of palatable temptations: a tower of cupcakes, a grandiose array of assorted fruits as well as typical edibles found in circuses. The revamped cafeteria (with table cloths and balloons) totally looked the part of a sophisticated dining experience and as I found my seat, I spotted the chocolate fountain. Plus, the BBQ stand lurking outside the cafeteria. Desserts? Popcorn and ice cream near the library. The catering team has definitely outdone themselves.

Inside the Exam Hall, there were performances by winners of our recent BE Factor. Unfortunately, my glutton got the best of me, causing me to miss their performances.

Thankfully, I did make it in time for dancing. With the blaring music, I danced my heart out with my friends, to the extent that my kidneys were on the verge of popping out! (Dancing really helped me digest the massive gob of food that I have consumed.) Somewhere in the middle of the night, an avalanche of balloons rained down on us.

By 11.30pm, guests were all ushered out. It was a rather tedious task as everyone was still in the mood of partying, though the chore was certainly ameliorated with the set alcohol restriction to prevent any excessive drinking, hence no drunken guests! A very thoughtful committee, I must say!

I recalled chattering with my friends about this event just a few weeks ago and could hardly believe that it is over. Definitely one of the best costume balls that I have been to. Bellerbys has made the students feel very appreciated, graciously taking into account our suggestions for the event and prioritise student satisfaction as the ultimate goal of the event. 

 I am extremely proud to have been able to work as a committee member and am looking forward for more of these opportunities. I just revere the whole committee; be it the Student Services, Student Council, Art Department, Catering Team and the principals, for making such an amazing night possible in this college. It is definitely not just any ephemeral nights.

That’s all for now!

For more pictures, do visit the Bellerbys Flickr page, or simply visit my Facebook page. My albums are all public. :)

Enjoy!


Thank you once again for reading.

Signing off.

Voluntary Work at the Brian Eno Exhibition, Brighton Festival

Posted by David, studying Engineering Foundation at Bellerbys Brighton

Selamat pagi/tengah hari/petang/malam, readers! That means good morning/afternoon/evening/night in my national language, the Malay language, since I probably do not know when exactly you readers will be reading my blog.

I sat down one day, idly wondering what I could do during my leisure times instead of repetitive revisions or drawings.  We cannot possibly study 24/7.  In fact, we should not.  We should have a balance in everything we do.

Well, the A-level exams are drawing nigh, which means it would be unlikely to sight A-level students free enough to entertain me and my incessant energy.  Foundation students seemed occupied enough with their own work, which left me thinking about volunteer working. 

What with my extremely pathetic web surfing skills, I magically stumbled upon a volunteer opportunity in the upcoming Brighton Festival.  It read “Art Exhibition at Malborough House by Brian Eno.”

Brian Eno?  I have to be honest.  I was oblivious as regards to who he was; absolutely clueless.  I just thought to myself how cool it would be to meet an actual artist.  Having been totally new in voluntary working, I was excited yet dubious of what I might have gotten myself into.  You see, I have trust issues with the Internet, earlier being convinced that all offers made on the Internet are somewhat scams and plans devised to kidnap you.  I am a paranoid child! 

Nevertheless, I sought advice from Mrs Chris and was approved by her that it was safe for me to proceed.  Gleefully, I leapt onto my laptop, typing out an email to apply for my first volunteer job.

Briefings during the induction gave me a clear view of what I needed to do.  We work in two different exhibition places: Fabrica Art Gallery and Malborough House.  Fabrica contained the ’77 Million Paintings’  where Brian played with sets of 4 different sized screens comprising of various motives overlapping in time.  Along the entrance walkway, activities like colour tone-based Sudoku and naming colours kept some visitors occupied.

Malborough House, on the other hand, was a slightly different environment, housing 5 rooms distinctively defined with Rick Holland’s poem.  Based on the different poems, Brian cleverly brought out the ambience of the room by manipulating his installation of his self-designed speaker flowers, prompting the visitors to imagine to the fullest. 

The most interesting room for me had to be the one where he used disco balls as reflectors shone through a white light between his ‘flowers’, exuding a biological imprint on the walls of the dark room; resembling haemoglobin in our body cells as mentioned in Rick’s poem.

Working for Brian Eno for the past few weeks had been amazing.  Seeing that Bellerbys is a college only meant for foreign students (besides the local teachers of course), it is gratifying to actually have the opportunity to interact with the locals in Brighton.  

I have met so many different kinds of people from all walks of life.  There were kids who were completely engrossed with the Sudoku and questioned the artwork in a surprisingly innocent yet innovative manner. The funniest encounter had to be in Malborough’s house when a man asked us volunteers if we were real people. (How random is that?) 

There was also a sentimental moment when a lady creatively named a colour after the date of her son’s birth.  She elaborated how she felt during his birth and sent her prayers that all will be well with him in the future. 

Speaking with the British people has dramatically spurred my confidence in speaking, which I am certain, would be of a paramount asset when I enter my university.  It was certainly the icing on the cake that this experience could potentially be the ‘sugar and spice’ in my college reference, giving my reference an extra punch of something outside of school than plain academic reports.

Not only that, throughout the entire period, I have met similar art enthusiasts working for the event as well. They were not all students, but experienced art pursuers too.  Having met them enabled me to learn a bit more about the perception of art.  Some volunteered to improve their grasp of the English language or simply to show their mettle in dealing with public speaking.  Did I just hear a way to improve one’s IELTS speaking test? 

Anyways, with Malborough House coincidentally being one of Brighton’s architectural masterpiece in Brighton, I was lucky enough to be able to first-handedly witness the structurally rich building.  By the way, previously mentioning that I did not know much about Brian Eno, I was completely infatuated with his work.  Getting to meet him really was like meeting the artsy version of Sara Bareilles.  (I am a die hard fan of Sara Bareilles.)

A big shoutout to Tila and Tasha (the volunteer managers): Thank you so much for the warm hospitality with all the frequent provision of snacks and drinks.  Not to mention, treating us volunteers with such consideration, allowing us to switch places so that we could also experience different aspects of Brian’s work while working. 

I was also amazed by how you both could effortlessly remember all of our names.  There were so many of us and yet it seemed like you have known us for ages.  It certainly made us feel appreciated.  It has been such an experience under your leadership skills.  Not to forget, being meticulous enough to brief us on different ways to handle certain scenarios.  Now, I certainly know how to get myself out from someone who has been talking to me for ages, hindering my work. One thing though, can we keep the volunteer shirt? *laughs*  Most importantly, a gigantic TERIMA KASIH (thank you in my national language) for instilling good work ethics in me.

Dear readers, voluntary working has initially started as something merely to fill up my days.  Instead, I ended my experience, with a profusion of accomplishments from vocational experience, communication skills, social networking, discipline, more architecture, and town exploration!  It was definitely a worthwhile experience, which I reckon that everyone should give it a go.  I am definitely grabbing the next opportunity that comes, anticipating for more exposure in this second home country of mine.

Thank you once again for reading.
Au revoir!