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| Still from 'My Mother's Coat', Marie-Margaux Tsakiri-Scanatovits |
This term, part of one particular module is to record the talks and discussions that we are having with practitioners about their work, their life, and how they run their process.
So far, I've shared so much with all of you that it makes sense to share what I get out of these discussions, and reflect on what they said and how I might apply it to myself and how I think of it all. We are after all, not alone; we aren't all confident, charismatic, masters of the Internet, or even masters of our craft. And that is not something that we should all aim to be, if that isn't who we are.
Today, we were in discussion with two graduates, Nina Cosford (graduated 2011) and Marie-Margaux Tsakiri - Scanatovits (graduated 2008). It was most exciting to have two young women come in to speak to us, and I have to say that I feel like I can relate much more. Nina and Margaux chose quite different paths after graduating, and it was intriguing to know how they felt about University and their way out after.
Nina is a freelance illustrator based in Hastings. Her first job came out of her Kingston degree show in London, along with a couple of other students. After that she had various jobs that were both self-initiated or collaborated with others, and also approached by companies. Some of these were paid and others unpaid. However, those unpaid projects were very personal to her, collaborating with friends, and sharing work for the sake of making work that you love. 'Illustration is a stand along craft' was a very interesting comment, and one I would agree with; Illustrators are everything, they have to be part of the graphic design, the typography, the packaging, etc. More and more, we are asking ourselves to be able to do all of these things because we want to, and want to create something rounded at the end of it. She finds that working for herself gives her a status that is authentic and respected for that, and where you can represent yourself for who you are.
Margaux is an Illustrator and Animator based in London. She was juggling between both disciplines in Kingston, and was encouraged to animate her reportage drawings and sketchbooks. Her drawings are very abstract, and so she struggled fitting into either 'category', 'I felt like a drawer not an illustrator'. I could really relate to this (see previous posts), and it might be something I can use to bring a spark back into my experience here. It was really refreshing to hear somebody talk about struggling their way through, and really having a turbulent time, especially at her MA Animation course. She chose to do an MA because she had felt she hadn't found her way of working until quite late on in her BA, and wanted to study more; she said in hindsight, she would have liked a few years working. She felt like she had little choice because of fees being raised, but then still, she managed after graduating the get an internship, and then from there go on working as an animator. Now she is both freelance and is part of a collective called MOTH.
Both women had a lot of key advice for us. A good, solid, clean website that instantly represents you is incredibly important, and that you must keep in contact with everybody that interests you specifically. You never know who you're talking to. Show yourself as somebody who is personable, and be pleasant. This might seem like common sense, but it's important to recognise that being humble and honest is so essential. You must share a certain amount of yourself in order for somebody to share an opportunity with you. What was most important was never to do work for free. It is detrimental to yourself to do so. This might not necessarily be financial; if its a favour or a collaboration with a friend that fulfils yours personal satisfaction, or a job that has a lot of freedom, that in itself has a huge amount of value. But it is important to ' know the difference between an internship and exploitation' which is of course a huge worry for students right now, when it's so competitive. But experience isn't necessarily what gives you the most value, it is as much about you and your enthusiasm, as well as a portfolio of work and skills that means you deserve a good fee and fair treatment.
On a personal note, I think this has given me a new lease of determination. I really want to get this right, and that might not be the grade of my work, or whether I become a famous designer at the end of it all. I just have to remember who I am, and make sure I stand by it, even it is a bit scary and intimidating, it's part of a process that I can be part of changing, or at least, being an example to my peers and maybe future students if I end up teaching. Thankyou to Nina and Margaux for starting off these discussions with such honest and supportive talks, I look forward to meeting more inspiring people.
