Who am I?

Hi all – Just a small blog post to introduce myself and discuss further the topics highlighted in Week 1 Workshop Challenge.

Who am I? I am a photographer and designer from York, I love photography and where it’s taken me so far in my life. I am an avid reader, and making the most of having more time to read books that interest me and fascinate me. Currently loving Am I Overthinking This by Michelle Rial. Not 100% Graphic Design based but I feel it’s necessary for me to read!! I am an overthinker, I spend too long mulling over thousands of ideas and thoughts and write them down in a crazed manner, meaning it never makes sense. Perhaps this is art in itself but it frustrates me and so I am focusing, over the next few workshop challenges to learn to clear my mind as much as possible and let go of my typical over-thinking nature a bit!

What drives me? Throughout my life I’ve had multiple careers in many different vocations and have never fully enjoyed them. I was a Primary School teacher initially thinking this would drive out my creative spirit and be able to use this creativity to help children. Not exactly true and a very rose-tinted outlook on the teaching industry in this country (don’t get me started!!). I then became an Estate Agent – disliked and judged by all who met me through my job. Not being able to use my creativity and skills meant I was like a locked up bear. Frustrated, with no creative output and no time to go out and do the things I loved. I stuck at this job for 7 years, working as much as I could on my photography and editing skills. It was through this that I realised I was good at editing and digital creations. Fast forward another couple of years and here I am!

Why am I doing this? For me, working in many unfulfilling careers left my creative spirit bereft. I lost my sense of identity and ‘who I am’. This reflected negatively in my work and, although I am proud of my portfolio, it has also reflected here too. I look at my portfolio and don’t feel a sense of connection or identity. This word is key for me now, and is something I’ve been focusing on for the past year. I need to find my identity in my artwork again. In order to do this I need to go outside my comfort zone, stop ‘over thinking’ and encourage discussion on my creations!!

Where am I? I am based in York in England – albeit a very quiet and traditional city, it has some creative outlets. However being so close to Leeds (a metropolitan hub of creativity) I am keen to explore this more and utilise this. In York, there are smaller Design agencies and more freelancing designers. As a budding designer for me this was extremely tricky to break into with no solid agency work or education to my name within this sector. I have also realised exactly how every agency is different – in it’s values, products, creative spirit etc. I was offered a full time job at a fab Agency but I knew that I wouldn’t be able to explore my own creativity and find my identity – hence my reason for this course!

Anyway – that’s me! I really hope I get a lot of feedback on my work and my progress and I can’t wait to start exploring other designers and their work.