Rosie MacCurrach
Textile ArtistWhat have you been up to since leaving University of the Arts London?
I've worked as a textile artist on a few films, print designer for fashion. I’m currently working as a dyer printer, plus break down at the national theatre, just illustrated a children’s picture book, and am working on some interior prints.
Are there any particular skills that you have come to rely on?
Photoshop and design interpretation - being able to take someone’s ideas and designs and bring them into being. Working in a team and not getting offended. Not just being able to screenprint but knowing all the different dyes and materials, chemicals - being a technician as well as a designer.
What, if anything, would you do differently?
I’d have made more use of tutors experience, asked more questions, and done a lot more research of what is out there and what is available.
Did you feel prepared when you graduated? If not, was there anything else you wish you’d done, any opportunities you wish you’d seized?
I wish I has studied some kind of business studies. Most of the time I've been freelance and I'm pretty dyslexic, so learning to deal with accounts and tax returns etc has been quite hard. Learning how to market yourself, make contacts, all the business side of things, I just didn’t have a clue. Pricing, contracts, navigating the world of royalties and copyright etc.
What would be your advice to a student graduating now?
Do as much work experience as possible! Just to be in lots of different business environments and to see how they operate, and how your skills could fit into the professional world. You can learn so much and meet some amazing people. Every job I have got pretty much stems from work experience and people recommending me for a job. Throw your self in there, learn to serve other people's vision and just soak it all up!
