Helen Murgatroyd

Another guest lecture from a previous student, always encouraging!! I find Helen's work really interesting.  I recognised the name and the work from Sue's previous lectures.  It was great to finally put a face to these, and me and Hannah had a quick chat after the lecture about dissertations and the self direction aspect of the course.

Since graduating from D&AD in 2007, Helen has taken a year out, which at this moment in time is what my dreams are made of.  Helen is currently an MA Student in London, studying Drawing and Printmaking.  Just goes to show you how our course covers such a large area of art and design, setting you up for any aspect.  Sue introduced Helen by explaining how she used third year to find who she was as a practitioner ; through developing her interests and ideas.  Of significant relevance at this moment in time, she also explained about how her dissertation tied in with her practice, writing about the pencil as a tool and how it allows direct contact.  This shone through in Helen's methods and her interest in mapping, which presented what I interpreted to be a very fresh outlook on information graphics.

Animation and French-stitched book.

Mapping:

Helen's handmade powerpoint presentation!!

What a lovely idea!!

I remember this when I was a fresh faced college student on the MMU openday!

I love handmade stuff, I wish I had a talent for it.  I loved her Sol Lewitt quote, that the sketchbook is very much part of the final piece, I find these things the most intriguing to look at.  Evident from her sketches and online folio, Helen has explored and developed a visual language, explaining that a voice will come with time.  This was a really inspiring talk, naturally presented.