Business Card

In preparation for the PPD Interviews on Monday, I've used some of the branding from Paul just to mock up a really simple business card. I have plans to consult with Paul and finalise my design, then print the cards on high quality paper and print press. This will give a really tactile and handmade look, but with a highly professional finish to the business cards, reflecting the nature of my work.

A simple design I've used in preparation for tomorrow:
[Front/Back]

Cockburn ... The Big Draw

Some of the work that came out of the day workshop at Cockburn for 'The Big Draw 2010'....

The students were asked to create wall murals inspired by Keith Haring figures and fill them will images of fruit and vegetables, which was the chosen running theme for the event.

I helped out doing some simple screen printing with stencils made by the students, again using a theme of fruit and veg...

Also, taking an example of Damien Hirst's diamond-encrusted skull, the students made large shapes of fruit and veg, which were then painted silver and covered in silver mirrored squares, creating a mirror ball effect. The results were absolutely amazing, and it was such a good day!

The Learning Disability Qualification (LDQ)

This was mentioned in my quick meeting at the Bloxham centre, just dug out my notes about looking it up! Lots of info about the award here .....  http://www.ldq.org.uk/
To be able to complete the induction of the awards and the further levels, you need to be registered on the award and have your 'learning assessed, marked and monitored by either an Awarding Body or an Approved Training Provider.'

Not sure how I'll go about doing that unless I get a more permanent volunteering post?

The Plan for my Final Year.

After a chat with David today after my concerns on 3rd year, I've got a slightly more straightened out plan rather than a patchy overview of what I like and what I don't.
I've made my interests on Art Therapy clear so this will be the basis for my PPD3 project, that I'll keep updating by researching courses/training/relevant info that might come up. (Such as the Paul Digby lecture, An Arrangement of Knowledge: Contemporary Art Practice and Mental Health, of which I'll be attending at the Huddersfield Uni in a week or so... more info here).

I've realised that as it's my last year at the college, I want to make the most of my creative self while I have access to all the facilities. With this in mind, I've decided to continue with my 'Curleycakes' project. Initially I was worried as I've felt it's always been more like a hobby than a practice and I don't want it to be something that feels easily accomplished - I want to aim high, push myself, push my ideas and come out with some incredible work that will make people stop and take a second look at.

I want to pursue the design and branding of myself and my products rather than the possible business/economical side of things; ie. Rather than working out the best strategies to get my work into shops or sell my cards to craft fairs, (which I can do anyway,) the aim of my Professional Project will be to create work that is made to be noticed and stand as a representation of my achievements and what I can really do.

The most important thing for me is being able to run with a project, get stuck in, involved and feel like I'm meant to be doing it - not feeling like I have to.


PS.My interest in animation isn't gone, I'll continue with it in the background, but I've realised as much as I enjoy it, I'm not an animator... I'm still not sure what I am, but that's the whole fun of life. Right?

PPS. I'm trying to cut down on the length of my blog posts... I'm fed up of seeing so much writing on here! I want to enjoy blogging, not feel like it's a chore... basically I'm sorting my life out this year. Here goes :)

Cockburn College Update

The teacher I worked with before the summer at Cockburn college has been in contact with me again to see if I'm up for working with some of her classes this year doing some animation sessions with them.
It's pretty exciting as there won't be an animator there to lead the workshop this time, so not sure if I'll be left to lead the class or just support the children whilst the teacher takes charge... I'm waiting for an update to see what the plan is on the timetable front, so will find out update and plan some ideas out when I can.

People in Action/Bloxham Centre Update

The Bloxham Social Education Centre is based in Rugby and provides a day service to adults with learning disabilities. I met Sarah who runs the centre and a few other members of staff this week and felt really welcomed even though I was pretty nervous and apprehensive at first.Sarah gave me a tour of the building and I was introduced to some of the adults using the facilities on the day as well. I've been welcomed onto the volunteering team and I'm now able to just give the centre a call and let them know when I'm home for the day if I'd like to help out.

Sarah also mentioned the LDQ award, which is a qualification recognised by most volunteering establishments. As an induction award in supporting people with learning disabilities, it'd be a great little extra to show on my CV, so it's on my list to read up and find out more about.

Also on the agenda is a meeting with Chani a week on Saturday for my first session with People in Action. It's a weekly afternoon group session for young people with learning difficulties and disabilities, who meet up and join in various activities. I've agreed to at least a fortnightly commitment for helping run the workshops on a Saturday, and I plan to find out any other available roles throughout the week now we have our timetable in place.

Everything's slowly slipping into a nice little plan for me :)

People In Action, Leeds

As experience in preparation for my interest in Art Therapy, I've started to apply for volunteering opportunities ready for me to arrive back in Leeds in September as I've had little-no luck so far at home!

As I'm specifically trying to find experience with people with learning disabilities and difficulties, People in Action seemed like an excellent place to start!
People in Action is a charity who strive in ‘creating barrier free communities with and for people with learning difficulties and disabilities.’ They offer community based activities providing members with opportunities such as social, leisure, walking, swimming, learning to cook and personal care.
I've got a meeting with them this week while I pop up to Leeds for a few days before I head back for the start of term, so fingers crossed I'll be able to make it onto the team.

Update on me and what I want to do in life. Kind of...

Over the summer I’ve had the chance to sit down and think about the last 12 months and what I’ve learned in my second year of Visual Communications. Not just in the respect of skills and understanding of different practices, but understanding myself, what I want to do following this final year.

I was massively disappointed with my final couple of grades after a strong start earlier on in the year, knowing that if I understood what I wanted to do then I would have probably turned out some higher achievements. At the same time I’ve found I’m hugely frustrated that just because I’m unsure of what I want to do that I have lost out on marks or been marked down on projects that I feel I’m worthy of a little more credit.

I’ve realised as much as I have enjoyed exploring and experimenting in the world of animation and other practices, I’m not able to commit my full time and dedication to it, because I just find it unmotivational and lonely working on my own. I much prefer the communication and interaction with other people, continually learning in an interesting environment, and being able to help others at the same time. This has really sstood out for me since the workshop day at Cockburn College, and the occasional Green Team lunch times I did with Charlotte at the school in Harehills.

It’s become clear to me that my interests lie in working with people, rather than for people… I like the idea of teaching, but I wouldn’t want to limit myself to that just yet and would rather keep that as an option for a possibility in the future.

I mentioned in my PPD interview that I’ve started to look into Art Therapy, which seems to tick all the boxes of what I’m about and what I would like to do. (I’ll follow up with a post all about Art Therapy, what it’s about and how I plan on getting there).

As well as this I still want to keep my creative flare on the go, so I’ve been doing my Curelycakes themed cards and gifts, making cards over the summer when I’ve had a spare day or two, also I’ve had some commissioned individual cards and I’m in the process of making some wedding invitations. (Some updated posts to go up covering these).

As I want to keep in touch with the animation world, I’m now a subscribed member of Animated Yorkshire, and we’ve been promised more regular group meetings, network events, animation days etc. This is great for people such as myself who wanted a ticket into the world of animation, but need a helping hand along the way to understand a little bit more about everything. I look forward to catching up with Kath and the team, and will keep updated on any events/projects/networks that come about.