The Portfolio and Essay (Behind the Masters)

While working as an illustrator I am studying for a Master’s degree in illustration.

That is the thing about life, once some barriers are removed, you can get addicted to flying!

Or maybe is me making up for lost time…

I made a promise, that I was always going to be transparent with what it means to be a deaf illustrator, get an education and building a career. (this is just one deaf girl's view of the world)

First, I went to mainstream, wearing hearing aids and lipreading. I got one hour a week with someone for support… and that was it.

I had teachers talk with backs to me, expecting me to copy, write notes… I would spend the lessons just making sure I copied from a peer (if I was lucky) not taking in a single thing.

It created gaps in my core knowledge and I didn’t finish school with the grades expected of me. I was embarrassed by this and felt I let myself down. It took me many years to realise the system was never designed with me in mind.

Older, somewhat wiser and respecting my own access needs.

I am giving education another go, by doing this it has become something more, my whole identity as the girl in the gaps is influencing my work.

I am picking topics that are worthy of a PhD study, a study that will represent all children, the good and the bad in picture books… If possible take picturebooks to a multi-layered approach to accessibility.

Below is my portfolio.

Used another emotional topic and embedded into a story and picture book. I got great feedback and a few areas to improve.

Next is my Essay

This did not do as well as my portfolio, but, didn’t do too badly. I have to set up my game if can ever dream of a PhD! Few issues with referencing (already looking into additional help) and the image layout needs work.

(But not bad for the girl who struggled to get her English GCSE)