artwork by Kiran Patel/Illustrating Rain - www.cargocollective.com/illustratingrain
Rhea Babla
Rhea Babla recently graduated with a degree in Graphic Communication, specialising in illustration and image making. She currently works in a secondary school as an art technician and does freelance illustration whenever she can, as she hopes to pursue this as a full time career. She has always loved being creative and wants to see young people become passionate about their futures.
Rhea went to a grammar school for her secondary education, where she felt pressure to study an academic subject. However, she realised that her gifting and desire was for illustration and so decided to pursue this instead, a decision she has never regretted. It was this that led her to want to change the reputation of non-academic subjects and encourage young people to explore alternative routes to careers. She believes that people have different learning styles and are not all suited to university type education, so would be better off doing something like an apprenticeship where learning is more hands on.
Currently, Rhea lives in London and fills her spare time with making cakes (she recently entered the Stylist Bake Off with her sister*), drinking tea, reading and singing her heart out to cheesy old-school tunes. Rhea took part in our Futures Illustration project, bringing to life the words of Leonora Oppenheim‘s “The Future I Choose is one where all designers use their considerable creative skills for the greater good, to produce beautiful, useful and sustainable products and systems for all to enjoy.”
?!X: What’s the Future You Choose?
RB: The future I choose is one where everybody’s skills are nurtured so they want to contribute to society. In this future, people will find dignity in what they do and be filled with a sense of purpose.
?!X: What’s a ‘think’ to create this future?
?!X: What’s an ‘act’ to create the future you choose?
RB: If you spot someone doing something well, be sure to give him or her a compliment! It can be easy to find faults and we often only speak up when we have something to complain about, so I think it would be a great idea if we could be more open about the good stuff too.
?!X: What’s a ‘vote’ to create the future you choose?
RB: Anything that supports the education sector, apprenticeships and the arts.
?!X: Future Soundtrack – What song would you take with you into the future?
RB: It has to be ‘Send Me On My Way’ by Rusted Root. It’s just so upbeat, even if you’re feeling gloomy you can’t help but smile. Also it’s from Matilda (the movie based on Roald Dahl’s novel) – the storyline is conveniently related to my ‘future’.
?!X: Can you share with us up to 5 weblinks that you find interesting and inspiring?
RB:
pinterest.com – great to save/find inspiring images.
printpattern.blogspot.com – lovely patterns
etsy.com– great advice and ideas
redlemonclub.com– tips for creative freelancers
Follow Rhea on Twitter @Rheablah
How can we Create the Future you Choose? Take part here.
Love the Futures Interviews? Help Create Our Collaborative Book – The Futures Project (donate or get involved!)
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