my top 5 stands at pick me up 2016

 Pick Me Up, London's Graphic Arts Festival, based every year in Somerset House, starts today. I was at the private view last night so thought I'd bring you a little sneak peak of what to expect and look forward to if you're planning a visit. Pick Me Up runs from 21st April - 2nd May and is well worth checking out if, like me, you love a bit of illustration, typography and colour! We were there with friends from Studio Moross and bumped into Urban Outfitters people Danny knew as well as friends of SMUG like Lydia Shirreff and Polly and Chris from Wrap which was a lovely treat. It's at the Pick Me Up private view that you really understand how small the London design world is. It's a nice thing. We spent the evening perusing the graphic art, catching up with the above and munching on every flavour of Proper Corn pop corn we could get our hands on! Here are my top 5 favourite stands/exhibits from the show.  1.  C H A R L O T T E  M E I The work of illustrator and ceramic artist Charlotte Mei was a real highlight for me. I particularly enjoyed her piece 'Reclining Worm'. Genius.charlottemei.com  2.  P E S O  P R E S S A letterpress and printmakers studio based in East London and brother company to Sope Studio, Peso Press are in residence at Pick Me Up, creating customisable artworks for the general public. I got involved and did one of course.pesopress.com  3.  W E  A R E  F A C I L I T Y I'm always looking for new places to get works framed so thought I'd flag these guys up as I plan to give them a try some time in the near future. Blog post all about framing prints coming soon.wearefacility.co.uk  4.  B E A C H  L O N D O N "Beach London is a creative laboratory. It’s a space for London’s most exciting illustrators, designers and more to test the creative boundaries – and transform their results into unforgettable experiences for global brands.” Beach also have a shop and it was the Stay Home Club 'I Will Get Out of This Alive' Patch that I particularly liked. Possibly my favourite thing at Pick Me Up.beachlondon.com  5.  A L A N  K I T C H I N GA Life in Letterpress is a major retrospective exhibition of Alan Kitching’s life and work at the forefront of typographical design and a very nice way to finish off your visit to Pick Me Up.pickmeup/alankitching.com Were you there too last night? Are you planning a visit? If so do say hello by letting me know your favourites and best bits from Pick Me Up this year in the comments below.