Out with the old, in with the new.

It's been a while since I last posted. Apologies to any avid fans out there...

This post marks a pivotal time in my life. It marks the point where I completed the transition from design student to designer—although it doesn't feel any different, I'm still learning new things on every job that I do (something I think, and hope, will continue for a long time to come).

I graduated from Leeds College of Art in June, and was lucky enough to get a First (I say 'lucky' because I don't believe that the marking system truly represents a persons ability as a designer, ie you can be a first-rate designer and get a Third, or a third rate designer and get a First). I then moved in with Merlin Mason and Cat Wickes, two other designers, one of which I'm romantically involved with (I'll leave it up to you to guess which one)—we have a nice big studio room in our house, which is awesome.

Since then I have have managed to get my stumpy Manx hands on quite a lot of interesting (and by-and-large 'bill paying') design work. Although admittedly a lot of it has come from the same client — I should take this opportunity to say thanks to Leeds College of Art for keeping me from starving.

I started by designing and art-directing the Leeds College of Art prospectus with Merlin Mason, which was really great—my biggest job to date, and I have just finished designing an English text book for Tibetan refugees in India for TCV. I have also done a couple of jobs for the south Asian arts organisation, Kala Sangam—a book documenting their Kala Pal project, and their autumn programme. At the same as this I was designing a booklet (showing off student awards) that folded out into an A1 wallplanner for Leeds College of Art. I am currently working with photographer Tom Bing and the Manuel Bravo Project on an campaign and exhibition in The Light (a shopping centre/cinema/other stuff in the center of Leeds) called Far From Home? that deals with the issues surrounding asylum seekers. I am also working with Merlin Mason to design my own graduation ceremony (banners, invites, certificate holders, programme, etc).

That's about it. I will try and keep my blog fairly up-to-date from now on...