Today four attendees were postgraduate and three of us still completing SYP.

Those who had just graduated shared their graduation stories and what they are doing now. Most are signed up for masters courses.

Neil (SYP) shared how he found his exhibition has opened up lots of opportunities for disseminating his work.

Miriam has been interviewing postgrads for her A3 (including: Sarah Jayne Field, Jack Delmonte, & David Fletcher – see his copy:, Sarah Gallear https://tracesofexistence.co.uk/, Helen Rosemier: , Anna Sellen too busy

I asked some specific questions of the group on publishing and self-publishing:

• Has anyone used book design software adobe idesign or affinity? Sue and Lynda used affinity a USA product, but some time ago – there is a 6 month free trial (https://affinity.serif.com/en-gb/trial/?utm_source=affinity_subscribers&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign ) so it is tempting. I need to investigate whether adobe idesign has a free trial.
• Has anyone used Mixam, youlove print.co.uk, exwhyzed, Blurb, Lulu books, self publish be happy to publish photo books? Some have used exwhyzed, Jack used Blurb for OCA work but not SYP, but used says their top-quality lustre paper and hardbacks are good. The advantage of Blurb is that the design software is built in. I am unsure whether it is acceptable quality for SYP – but I don’t see why I can’t explore that and exwhyzed and mixam and then maybe make a case for it on a cost basis.
• Moo was suggested as a good place to get post cards publicised: https://www.moo.com/uk/
• Has anyone used Artrabbit to publicise their work? They think was Matt who wasn’t here tonight who did- I’ll follow up with him
• How have people used Issuu? No one had.
• Has anyone any experience of obtaining funding from Arts councils? Sue tried but found it too challenging.

Once again a useful meeting for bouncing ideas around, support and provking some excitement about life after the degree!

Next meeting 22^nd August