GUEST VISITOR: Adam Higton

Adam Higton came in to talk to us today about his first year after graduating and his career/life since. I'll admit that I didn't know who Adam Higton was before this, but I had seen his work before (specifically on Anorak magazine).

Momentum is important - line things up for once you finish and have something to work towards.

Yule Bringer Saga
Joyful Bewilderment - alongside friends and illustrators

Teaching fellowship - I've considered teaching/tutoring at art college as something I might be interested in. Finding a fellowship like Adam did, which was one year, might be a good way of seeing whether I enjoy it or having the chance to do it for a while and then move on to the next thing.

Adam mentioned this 'onto the next project' momentum again when discussing making small editions of products. He'd design something, make it, sell it and then move onto the next thing. Keep yourself busy!

I was really intrigued by the exhibition FOR CHILDREN in which Adam made rubber stamps with his illustrations and at the exhibition, children were encouraged to play and make their own images with the stamps. This is a really innovative, interactive and engaging idea.

Cosmic Neigbourhood - this is Adam's world filled with mythical characters and people.

Adam's website is a portfolio, a long trail of images that art directors can just scroll down through and see everything. I asked whether he ever thought about putting it into sections (not that it needs them, but it's an alternative approach to organising his work) and he said that it works for him to have it all together so clients can SEE EVERYTHING and pick what they enjoy. He has at least 3 different ways he can approach briefs and clients like to have a choice.

'Build a network of people' - this was really important to Adam, he said that he keeps in contact with friends and fellow makers, people whose service and skills he can use and work with.

Adam's advice for graduates:

• Stick together
• Utilise each others' skills
• Keep up the momentum
• Spend the Summer MAKING
• LOOK for experiences
• There's no shame in working part time
• Don't give into pressures - believe in yourself
• MOVE OUT 
• Organise an exhibition / launch a product / play gigs
• Keep on top of portfolio. How can I push this?
• Get a simple website
• Instagram is your shop window
• Take part
• Think about making things people can take away
• Register with HMRC as freelance
• Research agencies and companies you might want to work with
• TRAVEL and find out what's happening around the world
• See exhibitions
• Develop your skills
• Move forwards!