I've Finished?!

So, the final deadline is here.... seems very strange!

In a couple of weeks, after the end of year show I'm going to be out there in the big bad world taking on lots of new challenges. It's difficult to concisely describe everything that has happened over the last three years but what I do know is that I have undergone massive changes as a designer and a person.

I've specialised, focussed and gained a greater understanding of the industry which I have chosen to be part of. I've learnt to work with different people, utilise different skills and become much more professional regarding many different aspects of my work. I can now more confidently say that I love print based design for identity, promotion and publication and my considerate manner of working and careful attention to detail drives my practice towards high end printed deliverables.

In terms of work.... and being a graphic designer....! – I'm very much still up for setting up a studio in partnership with Rosalind. Because of the chaos that was the FMP, it's been really difficult to do much more in terms of progress after the initial research we did over Easter. But I know Roz is also eager to get going with things. I think it's going to be really exciting to see what we can do together as I'm fairly confident in my own ability now as know the standard of work that Roz produces is really high. We have also had a number of enquiries between us regarding little jobs which is encouraging since we haven't even started promoting ourselves yet – and anyway that's part of the fun of setting up! Can't wait to get my teeth into some branding and promotion for the studio. I think it's looking increasingly likely that we'll be starting out at Duke Studios in Leeds if possible using their co-working space. It's only around £60 per month for unlimited access to some big work benches where me and Roz can meet without the pressure of running our own studio space straight off. There is also a creative community there and multiple facilities to benefit from whilst James and Laura who we met there seem as though they'd give us some great help and advice if we were located there.

Most of all I'm interested in Roz and I establishing our own reputation as a quality design studio. I'm really not fussed about trying to impress other designers and studios although I have worked hard on putting together a good portfolio for the end of year show. I'd much rather get some recognition through what Roz and I design through our Passport studio and make progress that way and I'll be excited to be doing the kind of work that I want to do straight away. I'm not naive enough to think it's going to be plain sailing but at the same time I'm going to be positive and just take a few risks and see what happens...

GO!...