Liia Dmytrenko (Ch. 2022-24) arrived at Brighton facing the challenge of starting over in a new country without speaking any of the language. What began as a daunting fresh start however became an opportunity to discover a new creative direction. In this month’s ‘Our Alumni’ profile, Liia reflects on her journey, the people who supported her, and how for her, graphic design became a language of its own.
Can you tell us a little about the circumstances that brought you to Brighton College?
Like many Ukrainians in 2022, I moved abroad following the full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Around the same time, I had already decided to leave ballet, which I had pursued professionally since childhood, so it felt like an opportunity to begin a completely new chapter in my life.
The Let Right Prevail Scholarship at Brighton College offered me exactly that: an opportunity to explore what I really wanted to do while giving me the space to make mistakes, learn and try again. I decided to take a chance and move to a country whose language I didn't speak, believing that, somehow, I would find my way.
You said that when you first arrived at Brighton College, you couldn't speak a word of English. How did that affect your choice of subject?
My first year was especially challenging. I was excited by all the opportunities around me, but I also realised that my biggest limitation wasn't what I knew – it was my inability to express it.
Originally, I had planned to follow a more academic route, but instead I became determined to find other ways to communicate. That led me towards art and visual expression. It became my motivation to complete the entire Art A-Level in just one year before going on to study graphic design at Oxford Brookes University.
Looking back on your time as a scholar, who or what had the biggest impact on your experience?
Without question, learning English through everyday life had the greatest impact. Like a child, I learned the language by using it every day. The difference was that I was already 16 years old and had a strong sense of who I was.
It's a difficult feeling when you can't show your personality, build close friendships or demonstrate your academic potential because of a language barrier. Fortunately, Brighton College gave me all the support I could have hoped for. Within two years I had reached B2 level, which prepared me well for university.
Were there any teachers or moments from your school days that continue to influence you today?
Two things have shaped my life most: my English teachers and the Art Department.
My English teachers worked incredibly hard to prepare me for university, and I still think about them often. Every conversation I have today -including this article - reflects the foundations they helped me build. I'm deeply grateful for their patience, encouragement and dedication.
I'm equally thankful to the Art Department, who took a chance on me by allowing me to complete my Art A-Level in a single year. They showed me that communication doesn't only happen through words. That experience ultimately led me to the career I hope to pursue for many years to come.
What drew you to graphic design, and why did you choose it over Fine Art?
I've always wanted to create work that is both creative and practical - something visually engaging that also becomes part of people's everyday lives.
Graphic design sits perfectly at that intersection. It exists in almost every area of society. While other creative disciplines produce content, graphic design shapes how that content is experienced and understood. It connects people with ideas, making information accessible and meaningful.
That doesn't mean I've left fine art or photography behind. I continue to practise both alongside my design work, and I find that each discipline strengthens the others.
You're now working as an intern with Brighton College International while completing your degree. What's it like returning to the Brighton College community as a member of staff?
It's a very unusual experience. On my first day, I remember being excited simply because I could access parts of the school that had always been staff-only areas. It felt strange to realise I was no longer a pupil.
The biggest change has been working alongside teachers who were once teaching me. Seeing them now as colleagues still feels quite surreal.
More than anything, though, I'm grateful to be able to give something back. Working with Brighton College International allows me to contribute to the school that supported me so much, and it's rewarding to know that my work is genuinely useful.
As you're just beginning your career, what excites you most about the future?
At the moment, I'm particularly interested in branding and editorial design. They're broad fields with opportunities to work across many different studios and agencies, which is the direction I'd like to pursue after graduation.
Like many graduates, I'm aware that the job market is challenging, and finding that first role can be difficult. That's why my internship at Brighton College International has been such a valuable opportunity. It allows me to apply what I'm learning while gaining professional experience before I complete my degree.
I'm optimistic about the future. I believe that hard work, curiosity and a willingness to adapt will help me build a fulfilling career. For now, my priority is to keep learning while gaining practical experience. In time, I hope to become a designer who not only solves communication challenges for organisations, but also helps shape the visual language of my generation.