What I'm going to do when I graduate has been a constant dilemma in the back of my mind.. I know that I don't want to become a junior Graphic Designer at a studio, as I don't want to leap straight into the industry as soon as I finish! I know that I want to spend some time getting back on my feet and adjusting to real life outside of university life.
I've definitely decided that I want to move back home. I've really missed my family over the 3 years being up in Leeds. I can't go and visit them for the odd weekend or few days like most of my peers can, and the few weeks I do get at home over Christmas or Easter feel like a few days as the time flies by! I've always been extremely close with my family, so going back down South and living at home until I know exactly what I want is a definite for me. I see no shame in moving back in with the parents!
Work wise, I still don't know. A few things have popped up that have excited me.
Mad Ferret
I have sent my work and a cover letter over to Mad Ferret to see if I can get an internship with them over the summer!
You can find what they do here: http://wearemadferret.co.uk
I find their work really exciting as it's really hands on and you get to travel to different festivals to create interactive installations, which I really love the sound of! The only downside is I don't really have any exhibition or installation work in my portfolio, but hopefully they see the potential through my other hand crafted pieces and my cover letter!
Camp Leaders
I was set on jetting off to America this summer to work at a summer camp teaching screen printing and arty things to children, however a lot of things have come up and after a lot of discussion I have decided to withdraw my application. Mainly because I don't feel as though I can organise my time efficiently for going so soon in June when I finish, as all the work I need to do for uni has completely taken over my life. Also, because I wouldn't be able to go until later in the summer camp season, my application wasn't really in demand, therefore I didn't feel as though it was worth losing out on all my money that I had paid towards it if I never actually got a place come June.
Although it's disappointing, it means that I can focus more on what I'm going to do as a designer when I graduate, and it definitely feels as though a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders as I don't have to stress about all the crazy application processes and organisation etc.
Own Studio Space
Whilst being at home, I've been able to talk to my parents about what my possibilities are when I finish. We discussed positives and negatives of internships in London and hunted through google to see if we could find any exciting studios in my local area of Oxfordshire. However, studios around here are quite dated and really don't excite me, yet the London life doesn't excite me either. I don't think I really suit the hustle and bustle of the big city.
So after much thought and discussion I feel as though when I graduate that I'd like to hire out my own studio space. Working for myself has always been something I've thought about, but has always felt quite daunting. However, working for myself part time could work out for me. I'd quite like to have a break from "Graphic Design" and work out exactly what I love doing within typography and sign writing etc - even create a personal portfolio filled with self directed briefs or commissioned pieces that I enjoy producing, so that I feel more confident going to interviews with work that I love, rather than loads of pieces I did for uni just to meet the criteria.
I've had a look into spaces to rent out near me. I have decided to go job hunting when I get home in June and find a part time job so that I have a regular wage coming in, and then hopefully get commissioned work or just work on my own portfolio pieces in my own studio. I have a friend who is renting a studio space down at Magdalen Road Studios, so have messaged him to see if he'd be willing to share his space to split the cost, as I don't feel as though I need an entire studio to myself just yet, and also need to be able to fund it each month!
http://www.magdalenroadstudios.com
At Magdalen Road Studios there are a lot of artists in residence, so it will be an interesting environment to work in as I will be inspired by other artists, ceramicists, etc. Plus working alongside my friend Sam will be really fun and inspiring!
