Designer and illustrator Courtney Hodgson recently graduated with her BA Honours in Graphic Design at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and is already deeply embedded in her next chapter at UJ.

For Courtney, returning to university to complete her honours wasn’t a conventional step right after her undergraduate degree. Instead, it was an intentional decision fueled by real-world practice.

“Obtaining my honours represents a journey that wasn’t completely linear, which makes it even more meaningful to me. I took time away from my studies after completing my BA in 2019 to focus on building my career and my business, gaining real-world experience along the way. So this qualification isn’t just about completing a degree, it reflects both industry experience and academic growth, and it’s given me a much clearer sense of how I want to use design in a way that has real impact,” Courtney explains.

That patience and real-world perspective fundamentally shifted how she experienced her graduation day. Reflecting on the ceremony, she shares:

“There was a real sense of anticipation leading up to it, and then a mix of relief, pride, and gratitude in the moment. Having a few years since finishing my degree made me appreciate it even more. It wasn’t just about the qualification; it felt like a celebration of the entire journey behind it. Being able to share that moment with my family made it even more special.”

During her honours year within the Faculty of Art, Design and Architecture (FADA), Courtney didn’t just treat her assignments as checkboxes. By viewing every brief as a real-world opportunity, her coursework transcended the walls of the studio, taking her across the country and into professional creative spaces.

This philosophy is exactly what she urges the next generation of UJ creators to adopt from day one.

“Something important to remember is that the work you do in the classroom doesn’t have to stop there. All of my Honours projects took on a life beyond the university. Some won awards, some developed into real-world projects, and others were exhibited in galleries. I even had the opportunity to travel to the Eastern Cape to meet with stakeholders for a participatory design module. So treat every project as something with potential beyond just a submission. If you invest in your ideas and push them further, they can open doors you don’t expect,” she advises.

Courtney’s connection to UJ took an inspiring turn when she stepped up to the front of the classroom, an experience that fundamentally reshaped her relationship with design and academia.

“I started lecturing part-time at UJ in 2024, and it was a turning point for me. Being on the other side of the classroom gave me a new perspective on the value of academic spaces and how ideas are shaped, challenged, and developed. That experience really inspired me to continue my own studies and pursue my Honours and now Master’s,” she notes.

Now, as she pursues her Master’s degree at UJ, Courtney and her team are looking to translate their academic success into tangible social change. Their collaborative, award-winning project Latch is poised to leap from a student design into a commercial solution aimed at supporting mothers. The university’s specialised innovation spaces are set to play a major role in that evolution.

“Yes, that is definitely something our team is interested in exploring. Latch was always intended to go beyond just a conceptual project, so using resources like UniPod could be a great way to develop it further and test its viability. Our goal has always been to see it evolve into something that can genuinely support mothers worldwide.”