From students to professionals at Artfield’s class of 2025 graduation
There is a quiet moment that happens at every creative graduation. Not when names are called or certificates handed over, but when students look around and realize they are no longer “learning artists.” They are professionals now.
That moment defined the Artfield Institute of Design’s 8th graduation ceremony, where the Class of 2025 gathered with their families, lecturers, and members of the Governing Council to mark the end of one chapter and the beginning of another. Beyond the formal proceedings, the atmosphere reflected pride, relief, and a sense of validation. For many graduates, the day stood as proof that choosing a creative path had been worth the risk.
In her address, Principal Kimuli B. Veronica spoke directly to the doubts many students carried when they first joined the institute. These included fear of not being good enough, fear of choosing the wrong path, and fear of entering an industry without guarantees. She reminded graduates that confidence is not the absence of fear, but the courage to move forward despite it. She challenged them to replace the question “What if I fail?” with “What if I fly?”
Her message resonated strongly with a class whose journeys were often unconventional. Valedictorian Ayebare Jordan acknowledged the parents and guardians who supported their children’s creative choices, even when those choices fell outside traditional definitions of success. His remarks underscored an often overlooked truth. Design is not a fallback or a hobby, but a demanding and evolving profession that requires discipline, adaptability, and lifelong learning.
This reality was reflected in the range of work presented at the graduation. Diplomas and awards were conferred across four disciplines: Animation, Interior Design, Motion Graphics and Broadcast Design, and Visual Communication. Each field demonstrated a distinct approach to problem-solving, storytelling, and visual thinking, grounded in the expectations of today’s design industry.
Students from the animation and motion graphics departments, in particular, showed a strong awareness of a rapidly shifting creative landscape shaped by artificial intelligence, emerging digital tools, and new production methods. Their projects reflected not only technical skill, but also an understanding of where the industry is headed.
Some of the most significant outcomes, however, were personal rather than visual.
Visual Communication graduate Mpagi Philemon described arriving at Artfield as a “blank slate.” Through a hands-on curriculum and regular critique, he developed clarity in his thinking and confidence in his abilities. Kisakye Zoe Julia’s journey took an unexpected turn. Initially enrolling with plans to study automotive design, she discovered a strong aptitude for 3D animation through mentorship and exploration. What began as uncertainty became clear direction.
For Ezra Bamwine, the institute represented more than technical training. “It’s been more than a place to learn,” he shared. “It’s been a place to grow.”
As the Class of 2025 steps into the professional world, studios and classrooms at the institute stand ready for the next cohort. These are spaces that will soon be filled again with questions, experimentation, and ideas. One class departs. Another prepares to begin.
With the ceremony concluded, the institute now turns its focus to the future. Artfield Institute of Design is currently accepting applications for its February 2026 intake, offering programs in Animation, Motion Graphics and Broadcast Design, Interior Design, and Visual Communication.
The creative industry continues to evolve rapidly, demanding designers who can think critically, adapt quickly, and create boldly. The Class of 2025 has demonstrated what is possible when passion is met with guidance and has set a clear example for those considering their first step into a creative career.
