Online studies made it possible for Sturla Valldal Rui to change careers as an adult. Today, he considers his unusual background in acting and early childhood education to be one of his greatest strengths as a designer.
Online Studies Gave Him the Freedom to Take the Leap
– I strongly believe that the path is made by walking it, and that every experience shapes who you become, he says.
It all started with an unexpected opportunity. Sturla was asked to illustrate a children’s book, something he had not done in more than ten years.
– After saying yes, I realised I needed to update my skills. I also saw that if I could offer more than illustration, such as layout and design, I would be in a much stronger position within the publishing industry.
After many years working in early childhood education, he was ready to fully commit to a creative career. That was when online studies at Noroff became a natural choice – a way to build new skills without putting the rest of his life on hold.
When Sturla was commissioned to illustrate the children’s book Momme, it marked the beginning of a new career path. The fourth book in the series was recently released, and this time he also had the opportunity to write the text himself.
Everything You Bring With You Has Value
The most valuable lesson he took from his Graphic Design studies was not tied to a specific discipline, but to versatility.
– As a freelancer, being able to handle multiple parts of a project is a huge advantage, whether it’s layout, illustration, animation, or digital design. Even things that felt less exciting at the time, such as organising project files, have turned out to be incredibly valuable in practice.
Sturla can clearly see how experience from completely different fields has given him an advantage.
– My years working with children and young people have given me unique insight into designing educational materials, which is now an important part of my work. My acting background has given me a strong understanding of communication, both visually and in client relationships.
Working on Real Projects While Still Studying
While still a student, Sturla had the opportunity to work with real clients, including a rebranding project for Info Vest Forlag.
– It was hectic and sometimes a little intimidating, but it was also incredibly rewarding. I think that type of experience is essential – it gives you a sense that the work you’re doing actually matters.
He believes that learning to work under pressure and meet deadlines early on has been invaluable for his life as a freelancer today.
– As a freelancer, you’re often working independently with a lot of responsibility and tight deadlines. Getting used to that pressure early was extremely valuable. At the same time, it was a unique opportunity to build a professional network and test myself in real projects, with support from my lecturers throughout the process.
Storytelling Is the Common Thread
From the stage to the screen, his work today is still driven by the same thing: telling stories in a clear and meaningful way.
– Looking back, that’s the common thread running through everything I’ve done, from acting to design. It’s probably also what motivates me the most.
One of the projects he is most proud of is Ordmester, an app developed for Statped’s Sámi division that helps children learn verb conjugation.
– Knowing that the project can contribute to children’s language development makes it especially meaningful to me.
Sturla created all of the illustrations for Ordmester, an app developed for Statped’s Sámi division. Photo: Screenshot from Ordmester.
Advice: Share Your Work Before It’s Perfect
For others considering a similar path, Sturla has a clear piece of advice.
– Don’t wait until your work feels perfect before showing it to others. Share it when it’s unfinished and messy – that’s when you learn the most. One of the great things about being a student is that it’s safe to make mistakes, but it’s not safe to stop learning.
For Sturla, online studies became the path to an entirely new career. Learn more about online studies at Noroff and discover what opportunities might be available to you.