During today’s guest seminar lecture, Scott Duffey introduced a different style of seminar than we had previously experienced. Duffey prepared a user centred experience, whereby the audience (us, the students) would go through the presentation and choose which areas/topics to talk through. This was a very different way of approaching a seminar, which worked to some varying degree, it was quite fun, however. It did keep us all engaged and switched on with the lecture; the downside, however, was that not all areas were covered. Some of the audience wished to discuss some different aspects, and as the majority vote won, those areas were not viewed. I did enjoy how it was created though, Duffey had digitally drawn the presentation to look like cartoon versions of himself, and we the audience would follow him on this path, choosing one way or another. Something different and unique, which we hadn’t seen before. 

 

Although Duffey hadn’t gone through the traditional route i.e., additional academia degrees (masters etc), he has still managed to create a career which he really enjoys, and he is proof that you don’t need to have it all figured out once you leave university. Once he had left his bachelor’s course, he took screen printing workshops at the Bluecoat Liverpool, where he was introduced to this new form of working, with a collective of like-minded artists. This broadened Duffey’s understanding and he realised how much love he had for screen printing. From this, he started his own print company, which has grown exponentially to now producing merch, album covers and artwork for many mainstream bands/artists. 

 

Duffey also gave some great advice on how to not feel overwhelmed after leaving full time education. Just because I may not have a job lined up after University, doesn’t mean I won’t get anywhere in a career I may want. He also gave a great acronym to help with progression of ideas and remain inspired. It’s something that has stayed with me since, and I can see myself using it in the future.