Priestley alumnus Ben Whitehurst has built an impressive creative career spanning graphic design, photography, and national recognition, following a journey defined by resilience, adaptability, and a passion for visual storytelling.
Reflecting on life after leaving college, Whitehurst describes the years since graduating in 2016 as ‘a bit of a whirlwind, in a good way,’ as he navigated education, industry, and personal development within the creative arts.
While studying at Priestley, Ben was still shaping his ambitions.
“I wasn’t entirely sure what I wanted to do in a ‘professional’ sense, but I always knew I was drawn to the relationship between text and image,” he said.
That early interest in visual communication would go on to define his career.
After leaving Priestley with a Level 3 Diploma in Media Studies and an A* in A Level Graphic Design, Ben briefly attended the University of Huddersfield before stepping away.
A fresh start at the University of Chester proved pivotal, culminating in a First Class degree in Graphic Design and national exposure through War Child’s Secret 7’ exhibition in 2020.
His transition into industry came during the Covid pandemic, securing a role at THG Studios and working with brands such as Lookfantastic, Glossybox and MyProtein.
More recently, he returned to education to study an MA in Creative Direction at Manchester School of Art, expanding into photography and earning recognition as one of the UK’s emerging talents at London Camera Exchange’s Photographer of the Year exhibition in 2025.
Despite facing redundancy more than once, Ben remains focused on growth.
“Resilience is what’s carried me through, alongside trusting that each setback has pushed me towards something better,” he said.
He credits Priestley College as a crucial foundation, praising ‘the creative freedom, the support from staff… and the encouragement to explore ideas properly, all of which gave me confidence moving forward.’
Offering advice to aspiring creatives, he added: “Don’t be afraid to ask questions, don’t be afraid of getting things wrong, and most importantly, embrace change.”
