I went to Birmingham Design festival this year and it was incredible. I made the decision a few months in hand to sign up as a volunteer for the festival, seeing that I was planning to attend for the first time, on my own, I thought I would get more out my time and give something back to running of what turned to be such a fantastic week/end.
That choice was a good one. I had an absolute blast and met some fantastic people, saw some amazing work and heard from some of the best artists and designers in the world.
I left feeling truly inspired; by people's work, the people themselves, by the sense of community, the passion for design, and creativity, and again, the people. Most of all I left feeling inspired about my own journey as an artist and creative, and my ability to realise this in whichever way I choose. Not to mention the sheer amazing different ways of creating work as well!
I found a place out there in the world with people that get it. That I want to be a part of and felt that I belonged to. Feelings I have not felt for a very long time. My sincere thanks and friendship to everyone that I met and was involved this year.
Here are some highlights from the web-o-sphere.
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/a3f1ee72-17eb-4d99-b345-11575aec4c6d_rw_1200.jpeg?h=a37a9b068f9a6963f1a789ffd8231c36)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/d98c6e0d-d9db-4248-b2dc-e121e74337d3_rw_1920.jpeg?h=3683141b5481430950285d07d488c4a9)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/4ed37646-ca07-44a5-b761-3f8cb4a0f987_rw_1920.jpeg?h=e5d2fa1c9b213afefc53e0a7bdf6b20b)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/470aa529-39e5-4b12-9374-9ddd3beb170d_rw_1920.jpeg?h=c2bcfe1e1d28590a830048989a68f203)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/7b326385-aaf1-4c9e-85d1-d48cca508a67_rw_1200.jpeg?h=9826135d32b9fc2e9f2103c6511e1982)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/d8d9b112-e424-4d5f-bbfb-15131aa5b7a2_rw_1200.jpeg?h=77853e1bee93658a25506dc3be813d57)
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/bb731d6d-42e4-473a-a4c8-cad214123d77_rw_1920.png?h=b96b14da8e283907912688861003e355)
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/a62880d0-e3ea-40d7-b9c5-073cc230f562_rw_1920.jpeg?h=908b7d5320123358946ee0bc9f8cb36d)
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![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/47b43c5e-6ed8-4698-9070-52e5adacca09_rw_3840.jpeg?h=629fc52a0b86e33db69d5c63f5c859f1)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/743358bf-0e0c-472e-9b25-82d5e02f86ae_rw_3840.jpeg?h=cc9f8838705aa650988d08f8b38564f7)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/88d4593c-d9bf-4a70-a943-92ab89f49553_rw_1920.jpeg?h=e8c61126070ea86b91967b8aa2482f5b)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/bed42f23-32a4-4bc6-9cf3-2466dd606bad_rw_1920.jpeg?h=815acfe07826658e74480be0265f9089)
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And a little souvenir to myself...
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/dddf3b4a-5f96-48ff-9fd2-71275c16da51_rw_1920.jpg?h=97b4c72b098a9f6fefac0f09f960edb7)
![](https://cdn.myportfolio.com/3ae4623e8f3c4d4ebd2b11095e48c58b/12fe4691-4ad6-4133-ae10-9cf17475d119_rw_1920.jpg?h=73a1765341fcbcf78a0e151991096890)
Photos thombartley.com, Birmingham Design Festival, various twitter users