1st class BA Honours Degree in Graphic Design

Wahoo! Today I got my final university result which ended up being a First! So pleased. After having my confidence knocked a few times throughout the 4 years, I've kept going and fought through.

My favourite academic year has got to be the year that has just gone. I really enjoyed the briefs we were given to do. Going with my instincts is one of the biggest lessons I've learnt. Sometimes I am quite literal in life, which I often kick myself about in certain situations, but being literal helped bring out my highest mark I've ever received in one module.

Having a few beers and cracking open the champagne soon. Here's to all of the hard work paying off!

Information overload

Wake up this morning, look at my phone, one missed call and a voicemail. Listening to the voicemail, I can't believe what I'm hearing. I've only got that job back. A few phone calls and needing to prove who I am to Job Centre, I can start.

Very, very busy week ahead!!

I love old photos of the family

My mum as a toddler.

Mum and Gran relaxing in the sun.

Mum...what a cutie!

Gran and Grandad — Miss you everyday Grandad, it's been 13 years <3

My Uncle Jim and my Papa. Miss you both everyday.

I don't know what it is but I just love looking through old photos. Seeing my roots and where I came from. What went on in the family before I was around is just so interesting.

http://www.glastonburyfestivals.co.uk/news/saturday-pictures-06-26-2011-6-06-pm-58#top

Some fantastic photos from the festival.

GLASTONBURY!!

I went to Glastonbury from Wednesday to Sunday and the festival was something I just cannot describe.

Wednesday we arrived on the coach where spirits are high and the drinking began. Queued up at the gate with our luggage dragging through the mud. Through the gate we pitched up and walked to see the festivities. Compared to Leeds festival, the Glastonbury site is huge!

Thursday we did the same and looked around some more taking in the sights. People in crazy outfits and crazy personalities. It dawned on my boyfriend and I that the whole attitude and vibe at Glastonbury is totally different to Leeds festival. Everyone is friendly and all about the peace, love and music. If someone bumps into you, they apologise and vice versa. You can talk to anyone and have a laugh with them. No queue pushing and just general politeness all around. All the drunks were harmless and didn't feel threatened at all.

Friday and Saturday the music was incredible! We saw a bit of Wu Tang Clan, BB King, saw Darwin Deez who were amazing, Biffy Clyro and Mumford & Sons. Saturday we saw Gaslight Anthem, Paolo Nutini, Battles and Coldplay.

Unfortunately, we had to leave on Sunday morning as my boyfriend was attending his grandma's funeral on Monday.

We both said it was the best and worst festival we have been to. The worst because of the mud and constant battle walking through it, the rain all day Friday, a leaky tent where we had to but a new one at the festival, my wellies snapping because of the strength of the stickiness of the mud, the bad news of the passing away of my boyfriend's gran, losing my job, stitches bothering me in my hand etc etc BUT... it was the best festival because of the things on offer there, the amount of good music, the friendly nature of everyone and the sun coming out all day Saturday.

Bad news

I got a phone call last Monday from my new job saying that the council didn't want to fund the internships so basically, I lost the job before I'd even started it. The company were so disappointed with the council because they really wanted to have me work with them and I really wanted to work with them. I'm not going to lie and say I didn't cry. The relief of not worrying about a job for 6 months was bliss. I could look forward to having some money in the bank and concentrating of other things in life. Then it all came crashing down and now I'm back to where I started.

Que sera sera as they say, I just have to carry on and keep my chin up.

Hand surgery isn't fun...

I had an operation on my hand and the stitches are very painful. I'm trying to do everything at once: start a job, move house, get ready for Glastonbury...all with one hand! I'm trying not to be pathetic and just get on with it. Luckily I have amazing housemates who helped change a dressing and cheer me up. My boyfriend also has been carrying things for me and looking after me in general. Nothing wrong with some TLC. I really appreciate all he has done. Will be quite difficult to keep my hand clean whilst at Glastonbury but will have to try reallly hard and enjoy myself at the same time!

Got the job!

Luckily the day of the interview, they told me they wanted me and to start asap. My ears couldn't have heard better news! Looking forward to starting. Sounds right up my street, helping others with getting creative!! The days are different everyday apparently which sounds ideal and non repetitive. I will be updating with how it goes! ...

www.hybridarts.co.uk

Job Interview No.2

I was just getting back into the swing of looking for jobs and filling out application forms, after having a break from it yesterday, when I got an email saying that I have an interview. Sigh of relief as I was starting to get frustrated and down about it.

I'm looking forward to this interview. I think this role is much more my kind of thing than the interview I had before. Now I am going to get prepared for it...

Degree Show Display

First graduate job interview

It happened more quickly than I thought. But then again it was all happening a bit too quickly which I was a bit suspicious of. I didn't know this until the interview.

I got a call from a sales and marketing company that I had applied to online saying come for an interview at 3pm the next day. Excited, I started to prepare myself. Once I got to the interview and we were getting underway with questions, I soon started to realise that the role was definitely not for me. Not showing this tough, I kept going as if still interested. I arrived home an my phone rang, it was the company offering me a place in the next round of the recruitment process. I turned the down politely. I knew in my heart that the role would not have suited me. The company seemed desperate to employ as many people as possible. I didn't feel like they wanted me for me but just someone who could probably do the job. He kept saying "normally companies make people into managers between 3 or 4 years but in my company it could be 4 to 10 months". This just didn't seem right to me.

I believe I made the right choice. It was my first interview of a few I imagine so I am not disheartened or upset. I see it as a practice! Bring on the next one...

June 8th — Final day at uni

Well it arrived finally. I say that but it's actually come round extremely quickly. It was nice to say goodbye to everyone as the next time we are altogether is in November for our graduation day.

Now it's packing my room away and getting ready to move into the new house just outside the city centre. Exciting times moving in with the boyfriend. As we couldn't really afford a flat for the two of us with job and money situations, we are house sharing with a few other people we know. It's great — we still get that hint of university life still with housemates but also my boyfriend and I get to be together also.

Next step in life : Job and moving house. Busy, nervous, apprehensive, exciting times!

My table display at the degree show.

(Perspex display photo coming soon!!)

Degree Show 3rd June 2011

Friday 3rd June was the opening night of our Degree Show in our art school. I was feeling a mixture of apprehension and also excitement along with a bit of sadness as this in the end of my education.

After spending just over a week preparing the room, I am wowed by the transformation. From a cluttered room full of tables with tons of work on to a classy, clean, well presented studio showcasing our most proud work. I spent a lot of time helping a group of around 6 others put the room together from screwing wires into the floor, cleaning the perspex displays, putting newly printed work into the perspex, applying a fresh coat of paint to the wall and clearing the room of items like work, kettles and mugs, tables and chairs etc. I'm glad that I can say I was involved in the process and mean it. Yes it was frustrating when others on the course weren't turning up to help but I think "too many cooks" phrase applies here. We were doing just fine with the amount of helpers we had.

Anyway, back to Friday...

Whilst trying to decide what to wear, I was going over and over in my mind what I would say about each piece of my work to anyone that was interested. I didn't really know what to expect and exactly how many industry people would be there. I didn't want to stand too close to my work because I thought it'd put visitors off coming to have a look. So I stood a metre or two away and kept my eye out in case anyone seemed genuinely interested and wanted to discuss my work.

The evening was mostly family of course mates. I managed to speak to one industry team who were recruiting so I got an opportunity which I was pleased with. They were people I was actually trying to send my work to a few days earlier. And there studio is near where I am moving to end of June! So fingers crossed...

Overall, was a great night. I don't know when I will see some course mates again so was nice to gather in Browns afterwards and get some photographs so we won't forget each other. I know I'll keep in contact with a good amount of people (collected their business cards ready to roll)!