My experience at Creative Stirling

What I have done with CS  

I have done many things with creative Stirling, one of the first things I did was help decorate the lgbtq postbox for in-shop for Sam. The next thing I did was screenprint some bags with her to test if doing this with the LGBTQ Youth group would be a good idea. It was so I helped Sam set up the space for the group, I saw the bags the next time I was in and they looked super cool. After all that, I got asked by Sam and Ryan to help design a website for the Creative Youth Assembly. 

I would say that was the task that took the longest as I had to come up with different ideas for the colour pallet and what the theme of the website would be in general, but I got it done in the end. I was really happy with the result so please check it out: https://www.creativestirling.org/cya.

 I also helped out with setting up two exhibitions, The World Made Me Dotty and the Grierson & Mclaren exhibition. One of the last things I am currently doing is planning to do my own one-off radio show with Ryan helping me, most likely I will come in outside of work experience to do that and I’m more than happy to do that. 

What I have learned from it all

I have learnt many skills but I would say my confidence has taken a really big stride since being here as I’ve learnt how to communicate with others and my ideas better, along with pushing myself to try out new things I may not be sure on and so far it has been mostly fun. 
I have learned a lot about website design and what makes a good layout, and poster sizing. 

I wasn't expecting to learn how to vector draw but it was a welcome surprise, was difficult learning how to use it but I think I have the hang of it now. 

I have learnt how to target a specific demographic when making the posters and graphics for the website itself, along with how to make it eye-catching. 

What I have liked

I’ve loved the whole experience of doing my work experience here, I never would have thought I would love writing blogs because of this. Getting to talk and get to know the whole team has been fantastic, everyone has been so welcoming and warm. I was nervous at first but immediately me and Sam got along like we had been friends for years. I had already known Ryan from doing the CAMM course back in summer and as much as I like taking the mick out of him, he's genuinely one of the funniest and talented people I have met. Getting to learn all about helping the community and the local groups has been interesting and heartwarming. I could gush on for hours about how amazing the experience has been and how nice everyone has been.

I think my favourite day was my first one when Sam emerged out of a giant beachball that was being used in the world made me dotty exhibition, and then I helped her balance on another one. I was dying laughing at how weird the whole situation was. 

My last 3 days 

I’ve decided to come back and write a summary of the last 3 days just because I’m emotional and I want to look back on everything I’ve done. 

Tuesday felt odd in a good way though, I picked up some cookies for Sam, Ryan and Paul because I wanted to treat them. They all said they wanted to get me a cake which I did protest lol but they insisted on it. The rest of the day was me helping set up some of the weaving boards for one of the courses they are doing, it was relaxing though I did have some trouble with my movements with wrapping the wool around the board. 

Wednesday was emotional for me as the whole team ended up writing a card for me with all different messages in it, I couldn’t form any words for a bit because of how emotional I was. Once I did calm down I helped Sam, Ryan and Jade set up the CYA course for tonight, we messed around with clay which was fun, and I was glad to see that people enjoyed what we had done. 

Thursday felt weird, in the way that everything was normal no tears, just it was completely normal. I just continued editing my radio setlist and it is almost done which is nice, hopefully in the future, I should be able to get that aired at some point! 

It is sad to say that my time here is now done, but for the small number of people that have liked reading these blogs I’ve made do not worry I will most likely be back in the future! 

If you wish to continue following my journey with art and life I would suggest that you look at my Tumblr: awngelluv. 

May we see each other in the future - Dream