After Uni Update

A BIG belated hello!

YES! I did it! I completed my uni course!
Well to be honest it has been about a month and a half (ish) since the BIG hand in. And I mean big! Big as in load everything I had – sketchbooks, folders, portfolio, mock-ups AND final pieces into a suitcase (and other bags) and haul everything into the boot of the car and lug it all into the shopping centre (looking like a complete weirdo). The reason for this is our building was being used for other year groups shows and their marking, the BA and HND’s were lucky enough to be a part of the community and get involved on a more grounded level.

After the BA and HND show the most of us held a shop which was open to the general public selling some of the artwork, books, stationary and original artworks. This was held open for two weeks and also held FREE workshops to the general public with anything from pottery to paper-art.

So from my last blog it was clear I was panicking about my uncertain future – I have piled hours into education and returned for more – not because I needed to learn more techniques (that come with use of skills and a good connection with others in your field and an undying love of learning more).
I returned to education to learn how to collaborate with other creatives (this is a LOT easier said than done) as there is so much to consider that you don’t initially think of. Maybe I will blog tips and tricks about this when I do another collaborative project in the future. And also to prove to myself that indeed I can do it.

The main thing that was concerning me was a decent flow of money (material life is expensive – car and technology), having been a student (proudly with no overdraft – though I sometimes wish I had one) and somehow managed to run a car and buy illustration/uni supplies. This didn’t include much of a social life, and I plan to make it up to my friends and family who stuck by me and offered support when I needed it.
I did do a mass application to a ton of design specific jobs (but it was end of uni and competition was thick and fast) it’s also the time of year other designers switch jobs with experience and beat uni leavers to jobs if they were not happy where they were – this is not necessarily a bad thing, competition keeps us on our toes and always learning. Anyway I was unsuccessful in my endeavour and also applied to part time jobs I would enjoy doing – there is nothing worse then doing a job you dislike.

But YES! I got a part-time job AND am enjoying so far! I have two weeks left of the trial – so here’s to the future!

No – before you ask, I am not giving up with my love of design and illustration, I am currently working on my first range I plan to launch at the end of the summer. I seem to suit freelance well so far. Updates to follow soon!

Unfortunately I have stumbled upon technical issues… meaning I may have accidentally tried to install the new Mac update to my OLD iMac (before checking the requirements) and may have done one too many and killed it… I am trying to fix it (all sorts of re-starts going on), but the machine isn’t worth fixing if it has to go to a repair shop at £60-£70ph. So it looks like I will have to make do with a lagged out 13″ MacbookPro until I have saved enough to either fix or upgrade. So i’m currently working old-school = pencils and paper! Hehehe!

This is Illustrate-Tor Signing Off
Loves! xx

From The BA Looking Out – And Future Stares Right Back

Good afternoon!

Warning – About to talk career and future – my plan because I feel better when I plan things out and if I help or inspire others along they way then awesome!

Today (and the last week leading up to today) I have had the slow realisation that this is it; “swim or sink”, “now or never” as far as the career is in question.

I think No, I know that being in a creative career means you need a cash injection (which I don’t have) – or very generous parents or family (and the willingness to sponge)… Which I am not happy with even entertaining the thought of. This thought actually makes me feel uncomfortable.

Option one: if I stumble upon a graphics job or illustrations job I will no doubt go for it – but if I am lucky enough to actually get that job, I will carry on keeping my art and craft as a hobby, just for fun because I find it food for the soul. We all know the hours are not fun for us Graphic Designers, some companies expect you in at 8.00am and stay until the job is done which could be 5.00pm or it could be 11.00pm. I think you must have to really love your job and the company you work for to give up that much of your life, after all there is a whole world to see!

Option two: Get a job that still makes me happy, preferably around people so I don’t turn into more of a hermit that I currently am! Anything that pays the bills, but also keeps me happy. I think my perfect “calm” job is in a coffee shop. Maybe not a big chain, a small family business – or any friendly environment – four to five days a week, standard 8.30-5.00pm, home to cook a dinner, then relax creating typographic works of art, books, branding for friends and family or whoever wants it. A small and friendly home run business is my ultimate aim.

Equipment and Storage

So I have enough trouble organising my clothes, books, shoes and handbags let alone the art and crafts! I could easily fill another room! In fact that would be fantastic! A room to work in…

Ok so dream scenario and perfect outcome: Get a job, make do with the space for (up to) a year then somehow find a mortgage and move out. Preferably a minimum of 3 beds (you know, not to aim too high….)
1 bedroom for sleeping, clothes, relaxed environment, 1 bedroom as an art/craft (shared creative room for the other half) with a wall for a white-borad/cork-board to plan new arty ventures, space for an A3 printer, scanner, light box, paper storage and other deign essentials, and a minimum of one more for a spare room for friends or family to visit.
This is all before a medium sized kitchen – diner, sitting room and 2 bathrooms AND garden, garage AND driveway… I probably won’t get all of these but no one can stop me dreaming and aiming high!

So here is to loads of “Ifs’ Buts’ and Maybes'”! If you guys have any plans it would be good to hear what others are thinking after leaving their uni’s / colleges or just wanting a change in career.

Loads of hopeful wishes and big plans for the future!

Illustrate-Tor Signing Out xxx

Finishing the BA!

Hello lads and lasses!

It has been a long long time hasn’t it?

As most of you know I have been finishing up my uni BA and have been essentially running in circles and chasing last minute bits.

The show is up and has been for a few days, and it had taken me until now to catch up on sleep and get my head straight, but hello and here I am with news and updates on Illustrate-Tor (Me).
And here is a little sneaky-peeky at my FMP which is all about branding luxury holidays to the moon “Lunar View”. This is what has been keeping me so busy 😉

Firstly thank you to all of those who have helped me emotionally or providing me with encouragement where my confidence was wearing thin, and also for understanding how stressful it all is! And a massive HUZZAH (more people should say this) to all of us Art, Graphics any Uni students out there for making it this far! You should all be very proud!

This Thursday (tomorrow 20.5.15   5.30pm) is the Open Evening Show (Yes I know, weird how the show is after we have already opened – not my choice but I suppose it was for working out the kinks). We are showing in Banbury Town Centre in the  Castle Quey Precinct.

When it has all sunk in, and all the hand ins’ are complete I might be able to get my head around it all and start my plan for the future creatively. I don’t know what my future holds, but I know the main thing is to keep opening new doors. Try new things, learn new things, just keep expanding my horizon. I wasn’t told any of this, it is more something I want to do.

Challenges are the spice of life.

Love you all and hope to meet some of you at the show!

Your relieved and ready to go get pizza – Illustrate Tor xxx – Wondering what tomorrow will bring…

YEAY for Bristol Book Fair (BABE)

Hello! As some of you may already have known from my second blog (still not sure weather to close it and move fully here), I was at Bristol Book fair this last weekend! Showing some work with others from my Uni course, needless to say it was a packed weekend! For those of you who don’t know what Bristol Book Fair is; it’s a place for artists, illustrators, graphic designers, creatives of pretty much anything to come and show and sell their works. While there I saw all manor of books and in a huge range of sizes! From teeny-tiny matchbox size books (and some even smaller!) to giant A2 and when opened obviously A1 sized books. Hard covers, soft covers, pure leather covers, no covers – even BARK (yes I mean actual tree bark covered) books! And a whole range of medias were made for the content within! Just to list some processes I spotted while walking around were; letter press, ink-jet, screen-print, rubber-stamping, wood cut, hand painted (I am assuming acrylics from the visual texture – I didn’t want to touch), laser cut, collage and pen illustration! Needless to say I was in awe! It is something I would love to do after finishing my uni course, either as a back up for my uni, with a group of others or on my own. It is an experience I would like to extend! Here are some images form our stall… After leaving the event it has made me realise what inspires, what sells (and what doesn’t) to help shape what I will make. In short it has given me some guides – If there are any of you who are like me (loves to make but needs a little guidance for fear of over designing/complicating a piece of art or design) I strongly recommend that you go and see this or other shows like this. Heres to optimism! Lets go create! Illustrate Tor – Off to create something! xxx