Eli Vaughan
Lover Of
A personal inquiry into amateurism and professionalism in art and design
"Lover Of" is a series of five risograph printed investigating the dichotomy between amateurism and professionalism in art and design. The professional culture of art and design can often be elitist and uphold exclusionary practices. The idea of appearing amateur is vilified and avoided. However, the amateur is integral to the creation of the professional, as it is how all artists and designers begin.
From the starting point of the original meaning of amateur - ‘to love’ - "Lover Of" dismantles and explores the lines between the amateur and professional, as I make this transition myself in finishing my Bachelor’s degree. Framed as a personal inquiry the resulting project is reflective, conversational and ultimately hopeful about a personal future in a professional environment.
The concepts of the amateur and the professional are intrinsically linked. "Lover Of" is a personal dissection of the dichotomy between the two in art and design. Framed around the context of the completion of my Bachelor’s Degree, "Lover Of" is ultimately a reflection and exploration of what it means to transition from an amateur to a professional.
Through a series of five zines featuring personal experiments, articles, interviews, guides and more, "Lover Of" chronicles a personal journey to understanding and finding peace within an ever-changing art and design landscape. It explores my position as a lover of art and design and feelings surrounding anxiety and non-conformity to the professional sphere. The project blurs the lines between the amateur and the professional, revealing the distinctions perhaps as arbitrary all along. The resulting publication is a vibrant, 112-page Risograph printed zine series that serves as a curated documentation of my exploration into these themes.
Accompanying the publication is a Risograph printed origami ‘Fortune teller’ template. The fortune teller introduces an interactive, playful element to the project that connects with ideas of childhood. The fortune teller introduces themes of the zines in an easy to digest and interactive format.
