Graduate draws from artistic talent to launch career

An illustrator who has transformed doodles into a creative art form is celebrating publication of her first book.

Teesside University's MA Future Design graduate Frances Moffatt is behind a new book to help inspire creativity and encourage people to tap into their creative and expressive side through doodling and drawing. Her book, Fashion Exercise Book: Drawing, Doodling and Colouring in, features doodles and drawings which need completing, along with creative colouring in exercises. Frances, who also has a degree in fashion marketing, said: 'Whether doing a simple colouring in piece or a more considered drawing, there are plenty of suggestions in the book to encourage the reader to be creative and make it about their own personal style.' She added: 'It's aimed at quite a wide audience and can be used by anyone looking to develop their drawing skills. Many people may say they can’t draw or might feel a bit intimidated by a blank page. I hope the book will help to inspire and encourage people to see where their creativity will take them or bring out their inner fashionista.' Frances, who graduated in 2010, studied part-time over two years. She combined study with working in the University’s assessments office in the School of Health & Social Care. She said: 'It wasn't easy studying part-time while working, but I think if you really want to do something, you find the time. Studying for a master’s degree enabled me to create a professional illustration portfolio to launch my freelance practice, and has also enhanced my career prospects as a lecturer in higher education.' Since graduating, Frances has been working as a freelance illustrator and lecturer and is excited to see her work published for the first time. Frances, 33, of Guisborough, said: 'After graduating I sent examples of my work to publishers, which resulted in leading UK publisher Batsford getting back to me with the idea for the book. It really was a dream project, as I love fashion and I had a lot of creative input. It was a great experience developing the book with the team at Batsford, as it was very much an organic process.' The book offers suggestions and half-filled pages of drawings and doodles which need completing, along with sections on designing your own fashion blog, creating festival fashions, street styling models across the globe, adding bling to celebrity pets, selfies and making your own fashion patterns and prints.

Find out more about Frances Moffatt

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