I have always had an interest in the visual arts, ever since a young age when I would throw paint at a canvas in my grandfathers’ art studio. Perhaps not to the standard of his work, it was however the beginning of a passion for art.
My interest in graphics as a stand-alone subject came while on the Foundation course, I took graphics as a taster and found it inspiring. It’s the diverse selection of design and variety work produced by the people around me that excites and motivates me in graphic design. Specialising in it reinforced the feeling and confirmed my choice in the subject. I have however always had an interest in Graphic Design. A few years back when I began to get into photography and would use Photoshop to manipulate images, gradually I began to learn the other tools on it and would use them to create more 'graphic' images for websites etc. Eventually I was offered to produce a flyer for a local gig, they liked the design and used it, and I continued to do promotional work henceforth. The leader of the Green Party in my area approached me for a design for an event he was holding, this being maybe one of my bigger works. I am also working on a front cover for an upcoming local magazine. One of the most interesting projects I worked on while on the foundation has been the live competition project for Respect For Animals, Design Against Fur. We had a shorter time set for it, which made the design process more intense and challenging also being a competition brief it made me more determined to produce work to the highest standard I could.
In terms of graphic design, I have a particular interest in typography and hence the work of David Carson is a large influence. I find the unconventional type approach of Stefan Sagmeister interesting and the influence can be seen in the work I did for my CD design project. I find more unknown indie designers on the Internet and communicating with them to share ideas highly motivating and influential. As well as graphic designers, my interest in fine art influences my graphic work a lot. Surrealist artists such as Francis Bacon, the Dadaists and the abstract expressionist work of Mark Rothko are particular influences.
While in 6th form I completed a black and white photography course which gave me knowledge of dark room techniques as well as using the studio, these which have come in great use when it comes to my graphics work, photography making a key component to my style as well as being a big interest outside of college. In my second year of 6th form I did an evening course in Photoshop, which helped improve my abilities with the program, as well as a pre-foundation, which gave me skills in different printing techniques. Life drawing helped improve my drawing skills. This continued into the foundation course, having to do life drawing each week.
My proudest achievement has been getting a piece of artwork into the Ferens Winter Art Exhibition in Hull.
As well as art and graphics an important part of my life is music, it also forms a big part in my graphic work outside of college such as posters for gigs as well as album covers and photography for bands. Playing drums and piano in a band are also a keen interest for me and with some friends I present a music podcast talking about music news and playing tracks. I created various designs for the podcast such as flyers, logos and computer wallpapers. As part of the podcast, we have also helped organise local gigs and in the past have presented the event.
I take part in a lot of charity events, Multiple Sclerosis in particular as my father, a sufferer is a member of the local branch of the Society.
I feel I am an enthusiastic and well motivated person and I am greatly excited about furthering my abilities in graphic design as well other techniques such as printing and photography.




Btec registration Z170261