Graduate showcase - Scott Booth

Insta: scotttbth
Website: scotttbooth.com

I’m Scott Booth and I graduated with a First Degree, BA (Hons) in Graphic Design and Multimedia from the University of Worcester in 2017. The course consisted of the fundamentals of design, including web-design, typography, and green design. The output of my work is design work for both print and digital, as well as photography and videography.

What first interested you to pursue photography?

My interest in photography stemmed from the desire to artistically document the places that I had traveled to. Following primarily from a graphic design background, I already understood composition and editing software quite well, I just didn’t know how to expose a photograph. I attended a module in second year for the basics of photography and couldn’t quite wrap my head around it. I persisted (through frustration) until I had a better understanding and at that point, it had become a major passion of mine and something I had found to be quite therapeutic.

How would you sum up your ‘style of work’?

I like to vary the kinds of photographs I take and I don’t really have a preference as to what I shoot. My style’s changed over the years due to looking at various forms of inspiration. I mostly take photographs of a documentary-style such as street photography, candid portraits, etc. but try not to limit myself to that. I’ve photographed in studios for both my workplace and for personal development and my editing style usually changes depending on what feelings I want the photograph(s) to evoke.

Has your photography taken you to any exciting or unusual places?

Photography actually helped me edge my first job as a Junior Graphic Designer because I’d shown a variety of skills beyond what was required. In a similar fashion, I traveled to Paris for an internship in 2017, which was initially a graphic design position working for a non-profit organisation. Further to this, I’ve also photographed weddings in both Spain and Austria. The buzz of getting the right shot and also the desire to create has helped to push me out of my comfort zone, allowing me to travel independently to both Copenhagen and New York.

What tips would you share for anyone interested in taking up photography? 

Photography is a highly-saturated industry and not everybody’s work will be a favourite of yours. Equally, your work will not be the favourite of everybody else but so long as you create something that you’re happy with, there’s no better feeling. Use other people’s work to inspire you, not to deter you and understand that there’s a beauty in the process of always trying to see things differently.

Do you have any short-term or long-term goals for your work? 

Personally, I’m hoping that someday I can live in Canada, working as a Multimedia Designer, photographing the country at the top of my bucket list. I think as a short-term goal, I just want to make my next photoset better than my last.

P.S. Post-production is a blessing, not a curse, you can save some real average photos and some you didn’t even look at twice may turn into some of your favourites.

Graduate showcase: Frida Cooper

fridacooper.com
Insta: fridacooper

I am a ceramicist working from a studio in Manchester. I produce hand-built and thrown stoneware ceramics, mostly functional tableware. I strive to make minimal, functional, utilitarian pieces that I hope can be appreciated and used every day. I studied a postgraduate degree in Visual Arts at Salford University, graduating in 2013. From this, I also won the graduate contemporary art prize which was a huge opportunity leading to my first show at the Curwen Gallery in London. 

How long have you been creating your artwork? 

For as long as I can remember I have wanted to create or had some form of art material in my hand. Having creative parents has always had a huge influence on my way of thinking and I see myself as extremely lucky to have been exposed to art at a very young age. The work I created in university to my practice now has really diversified, moving from contemporary art to craft. I have always been fascinated by ceramics from childhood, my father was a huge influence in this too growing up, with his excitement for beautiful ceramics and Japanese tea bowls. I think from a young age I realised how much nicer it was to eat and enjoy food off handmade ceramics and wanted to learn more about the craftsmanship. Two years ago I decided to sign up for a pottery class and finally put into action my need for wanting to create tableware, I had some wonderful teachers at 7 Spot Pottery and my love grew from there. 

What would you say was your main inspiration to begin creating? 

I have always had a fascination with design, objects, and how items fit into people’s everyday lives. I’m extremely interested in what objects people decide to have in their everyday surroundings and why. I find a lot of inspiration in simple forms striving to make objects that are minimal yet functional. I think making objects that people enjoy, share moments with, and being able to create objects that help elevate people's enjoyment towards food is inspiring. 

What has been a highlight for you in your creative journey? 

When I first graduated it seemed like a huge step and extremely daunting to go and work in my own studio carrying on an artistic practice, I think that was one of my first hurdles but the best step towards the beginnings of my creative journey. Highlights for me have been the amazing opportunity of collaborating with some wonderfully talented people to create bespoke pieces that people are eating off in cafes and restaurants. Really inspiring projects have been with Blendsmiths, Trove Foods, Cultureplex, ERST, mother espresso & AOI.project. Working on projects like this are some of my favourite times in the studio as it often pushes me out of my comfort zone.

What keeps you going? 

Having people around me to discuss ideas is such a valuable experience that I have always valued in university and now in my practice as an artist, working in a group environment is definitely something that keeps me going. Often you become so immersed in what you're making, there are aspects only fresh eyes can see to help you develop your ideas. I think often I can beat myself up about not being as prolific and productive as I want to be but I’m slowly learning it’s important to have time to reflect and think about where you want to be, to allow you to grow and achieve the things you want. 

What vision do you have for the future of your work? 

Every time I sell a piece there is a rush of excitement that someone will be enjoying my work, that feeling never goes and I feel so lucky that people choose to have my objects in their homes. I would love to create more works for cafes and restaurants that people can enjoy amazing food and moments with them. In the short term, I would love to run some workshops and teach people more about ceramics as I think it’s such a wonderful medium. In the long term, I’d love my practice to not only be a part-time venture but grow and expand my practice into something I can sustain myself with full time.

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