"Look on the bright side..."

So, fellow high-achiever, Mandi Goodier and myself were invited back to MMU last week to give a talk entitled 'How to do 3rd Year' to Graphic Design and Illustration 3rd Years. We rather enjoyed ourselves - chattering away about our favourite year wasn't too taxing. And we were quite popular in the aftermath: "What are you doing now?" was the prevalent question. Erm...don't ask. You might wonder the point in getting a 1st. No, instead I explained the need to get back on your feet and try to get yourself 'out there'. I was there to inspire, not make half the year drop out.

I am ever realising that you have to do some not-so-great-things in order to be able to do the great stuff. The not-so-great phase I am experiencing at present is all part of the process. Smiling fakely at guests whilst working at a hotel, cutting up fruit and buttering bread in a sandwich shop is the reality of a recent graduate, I suppose. That I continually want to scream "WHAT AM I DOING?" just has to be pushed down.

I am trying my best to be patient.

It could be worse. As my Mum recently said "look on the bright side, you could have a disability". Yes, Mum, yes I could.

Image: book and illustration by NJ (2008 Design and Art Direction graduate)

Good talk

Thoroughly enjoyed my half and hour with Sam Winston.

Shout PENIS at the top of your voice!

I adored 500 Days of Summer. The blackboard wall with a headboard drawn in chalk; the days counter which appeared over the illustration of a tree, shouting PENIS at the top of your voice! Zooey Deschanel's outfits and hair were also rather lovely to watch throughout, as was Joseph Gordon-Levitt.

Trailers before the film included 'Where the wild things are', 'Fantastic Mr Fox' and 'Toy Story' in 3D. Oh sweet. My cinema blanket/shawl shall get a few outings in the coming months.

Who needs a studio?

I spent the morning re-photographing all my work so that my website is viewable. However, with no studio or lighting, my garden was my make-shift shoot area.

After having to re-wash all my clothes after a bad bird excrement/washing line incident not so long ago, I did fear for my new photography area, or worse, work. Luckily I was not in their firing line today.

Have a look at my website with all new images. www.libbyscarlett.co.uk

I think I grew up

My (temporary) move back to my parent's house was made even more traumatic by my bedroom that was still 16-year-old Libby. No more: new and old things on my walls, bare floor boards, organised boxes. Somewhere during university, I think I grew up.

My room is me once more. I am now ready to work.

Collaboration with The Vann

Done. Trip posts finished.

Today, Lucy and I begun to do some project work with our travels acting as the content. Exciting.

Already it is good to look back on our rather extensive journals. We don't do things by halves, you know. And neither will we with our first collaborative project. I'm not giving anything away just yet...

Darlin' its better down where its wetter

31st Aug '09: KORCULA

Croatia has whoa sea (super clear, super blue) so Lucy and I became obsessed with purchasing an underwater camera. On the last day, I spotted a Kodak shop that stocked just the thing. Here are some of the results.

I imagined we would resemble Ariel (as in the mermaid). As can be seen, we did not. Water does strange things to the human body.