In an attempt to gain an internship placement I contacted Unit Editions, a publishing and design house based in London. Led by Tony Brook, Patricia Finegan (both Spin) and Adrian Shaughnessy, it has a highly regarded reputation for book design and production. Having former knowledge that they were looking to hire inters, I sent them the following message via email:
I am a graphic designer specialising in editorial design and publication production, and I really like what you do!
I know that an important aspect of your publications is about providing a space for content that is not often published in traditional media, and this is also a large focus of my own practice. I am currently a member of the collective Shy Bairns and I am responsible for the design and printing of our risograph zine series - a platform that challenges the view of the Northern art scene and provides a space for Northern artists to find exposure and connect with other creatives. We have produced two zines so far with another on the way in the new year, and I have aspirations to expand this into a small publishing house in the future!
I am also currently involved in a zine project called About Honey which focuses on history and archiving within the LGBT community. This has just launched in the UK and has previously been exhibited in Vienna. I have aspirations to push both of these projects in a more commercial direction to enable a greater platform for these communities .
Basically you're doing everything that I would like to be doing in my future career and Unit Editions has long been my inspiration to produce and create printed publications. I wanted to email and reach out to you to try and find some experience because I'd love to be involved somehow! I'd love to know if you have any intern positions available, or even whether I'd be able to come down to your studios and pick your brains about your design process and publishing.
Attached is my CV and a link to my website is at the bottom. It would be such an amazing opportunity, hope to hear from you soon!
Erin Blamire
erinblamire.com
shybairns.co.uk
Communication was also attempted via Twitter and Instagram, however there has been no reply.