An introduction

Welcome to my conservation diary! I thought I would begin by writing briefly about my background and how I’ve come to be here.

I started working at the University of Brighton Design Archives as a Digitisation Technician in 2002 in the midst of the ‘Designing Britain’ project. At the time I was on the second year of the BA Editorial Photography course here at Brighton, from which I graduated with Honours in 2003.

Continuing to work in the Archives as a Digital Imaging and Media Technician after graduation, my interest in archives and museum environments took off. I was so inspired by a visit to the conservation studios at the Tate whilst on an ARLIS organised conference I attended through work, that a few years later when the opportunity presented itself I applied to get on the PgDip Conservation course at the University of the Arts, London at Camberwell. My application was successful and I graduated in June 2010.

Since then I have not only continued working in the Archives, but have also been enhancing and refreshing my conservation skills by working one day a week with paper conservator Melissa Williams, who has years of priceless experience in the field and has provided me with new challenges on a weekly basis.

So that’s me in a nutshell. This diary’s aim is to talk you through any thoughts and ideas I may have while working on the Macdonald Gill exhibition and any conservation related issues that we come across here in the Archives – and I sincerely welcome any questions and/or comments.