Kyenton

Last post I talked about making business cards and other professional things.  I realised I had a little problem.  You see, I go by two names - Yoki (Nickname which gets used most of the time/people introduce me as this) and Yolanda (My real name).  In terms of printing business cards/Folio, of course, I would go with my real name.  My problem is that I don't want to leave my nickname behind!  I am quite attached to it, and rarely get called Yolanda, which has become a name I am somewhat disconnected from.  This name debacle has caused quite a bit of confusion, even into the realms of blog/websites.  URL's state 'yolanda', while blog titles say 'yoki'. This little identity crisis has been toddling along for quite some time.   I always knew the day would come where I would have to grow up and use my proper name.  It seems the time is nigh…

In less whingey happenings, this week has been a GLORIOUS mid-semester break.   I took the opportunity to have afternoon coffee/beers with friends and get out to Kyenton to see one of my awesomest pals, Mel.  To get to Kyenton, you need to catch the Bendigo train from Spencer St.  I caught a service at 9:15; prime time for getting-to-work hustle and bustle, which made it even more satisfying to get away, watching the Melbourne skyline slowly recede through the train window as I escaped.

I looked out the window most of the time, and the rest of the time read 'The Language of Flowers, A Miscellany' by Mandy Kirkby. For someone who spends a lot of time drawing flowers, it was a really interesting read.  I know you shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but this one is so pretty:

 Some Kyenton shots while heading to lunch:

In my last days of freedom, I'll be heading over to Dagmar Rousset to get my hands on some Ayame socks before they run out, and have a peek at Full Drop's latest product now stocked in the store; printed tea towels featuring designs from our latest zine!

Identity

This week, I have been coming to grips with the idea of getting a bit serious about trying to find a textile design job and doing things like creating an identity/brand for self promotion.  The thing I am finding most difficult at the moment is trying to convey creativity, while still looking trustworthy and professional.  Resources such as IdN magazines, creative peoples websites and blogs have been helpful in starting this process.  Noticing that even the more colourful, far-out designers have a slightly pared-back, corporate look when it comes to identity…  I suppose their work and folios can speak for itself!  As a graduate, I am not entirely sure who my target audience is going to be when applying for jobs.  Is it going to be an agency?  Head designer of a commercial company?  A client for freelance work?     All images below are from artist/designer websites.

Themes and styles I am feeling good about at the moment include:
-stand alone fonts in distinct hand writings with interesting personalities.
-simple text set below a thumbnail design or illustration
-indication to what the person does - eg textile designer.

To Blog or not to blog? That has been my question of late.  During my uni semester, I have to write a reflective blog (not public, to my relief) as part of my assessment.  This is a weekly task, so I know I am quite capable of committing to something like this, but never get around to it…  This is a fairly common complaint/apology in blogger land, with many a post starting with the familiar cry of 'it's been so long!'.

Since I'm finishing uni soon (feels so amazing to say that… comparable emotion to being in love), I am going to make a leap of faith and start posting my weekly 'private' blogs here and a few snippets from earlier posts. 
It is really distracting being so close to the finish line with study.  Often, I trail off into daydreams about what I am going to be doing next year.  Many of these things are quite normal to most people - You see, against what most people believe, being a student is an extremely consuming, life restricting experience and seriously lacking of the constant partying of this demographic portrayed on films and Today Tonight. For the most part of my 3 years doing this course, I have been studying 5-6 days a week and working as a waitress in a few Melbourne cafes the other days.  This has meant no weekends.  I have developed a little 'to do' list for when I graduate which includes 'go to Camberwell markets'.  What a joyous day that will be!

There will definitely be things I miss eg, hanging out with an awesome/creative bunch of people who have become good friends every day; getting to take my time in the mornings reading blogs with a cup of tea and cat on my lap; being as ridiculously conceptual and somewhat full of crap in dreaming up/ creating projects that don't have to please anyone; getting student discounts and CENTRELINK! Centrelink, oh Centrelink/free government money.  We have had our ups and downs but I shall love and miss you forever. 
In my daydream state, 'Pinterest' has become my greatest friend.  I see it as 'visually planning for the future', plus, it sounds more productive in this context than what it really is.  This week I have been particularly consumed with the idea of holographic stationary, image shopping in anticipation for Full Drop Collectives Harvest Residency (happening in February 2013!) and delicious knit swatches.

 

via Sheila Hicks

 

via Knitloop

 

via Tin and Ed

Besides my constant pottering about, I have been doing some real life work and fabric swatching.  I really, really love the project I'm working on a the moment- It's for interior knitted outcomes.  I'm thinking blankets at the moment, all jacquard knitted with beautiful space dyed yarn.