Part one of grads catch-up feat. Billie Muraben, Pat Bradbury and Hannah Blackmore

As we launch our annual call for submissions to The Graduates 2012 supported by Represent – a showcase of the brightest new talents emerging from UK universities – we caught up with last year’s crop to get a quick sum-up of their first year out of education and into the real world.

Asked to pick an image to sum up their year and give a quick description of it, the class of 2011 also told us what is next for them. First up, illustrator Billie Muraben who’s just been accepted into the Royal College of Art, photographer and documentary maker Hannah Blackmore who received the Creative Review bursary and illustrator Pat Bradbury who has been teaching art in Vietnam for the last year.

Hannah Blackmore

The photograph I’ve chosen is one of a series that I exhibited last month. I was commissioned by Aspex Gallery to make a documentary and a series of photographs about the community of Elm Grove in Southsea. I really enjoyed the project, and I think it represents my year working freelance.

I’m currently working on a few projects, mainly film and video, and have been researching for my next documentary, which I’ll be filming over the next few months. I’ve really enjoyed working freelance this year and having the chance to work with different people.
The Graduates 2011: Hannah Blackmore
www.hannah-blackmore.com

Billie Muraben

I’ve been producing self-indulgent comics, odes to Monty Python and occasional pieces of purposeful editorial at a studio I’ve shared with a changing cast since last July. This is my desk. It was once blissfully tidy and tastefully minimal but having abandoned the popular “day off” in favour of sappy electric heaters, pastries from ill-moral supermarkets, light boxes and pencil sharpeners, the glory days of the tabletop are a thing of the past.

After months of nail biting, hot and cold sweats, compulsive snacking and general high anxiety I found out a few weeks ago that I got a place at the RCA, so I’ll be enjoying the consequential deep joy until the fear sets in come late summer.  Meanwhile I’ll be compiling competitive Desert Island Disc playlists, driving down the Pacific Coast Highway and saving up for new stationary.
The Graduates 2011: Billie Muraben
www.billiemuraben.com

Pat Bradbury

Two months after graduating I flew to Ho Chi Minh to start work as an art intern at an international school. I’ve chosen this photo of me falling off a waterfall in central Vietnam as it represents me throwing myself into an strange and scary situation with no real understanding of how to handle it or what results it will yield. Luckily this leap into the unknown paid off and I’ve had an incredible year of teaching art and travelling.

I’ve recently renewed my contract so will be in Vietnam until at least July 2013. In this time I’d like to teach art, make pictures, take pictures, scuba dive, ride my moped, eat noodles, swim in the sea, rock climb, sip from a coconut, sleep in a jungle and try to learn more than five Vietnamese words.
The Graduates 2011: Pat Bradbury
www.patbradbury.tumblr.com

Represent

We are delighted that once again top creative recruitment agency Represent has teamed up with us to support our search for the cream of this year’s crop. Represent Recruitment Limited help some of the worlds most talented graphic designers find new work. We work with designers at all levels, from Junior through to Executive Creative Director. Our business thrives through the networks we develop and our impeccable eye for great work. Formed in 2003 Represent operate out of offices and gallery space in London, EC1.
www.represent.uk.com