I just took at trip to see the University of Brighton degree shows and saw some great work. Here's a few of my favourite bits.

Richard Carey had a beautiful screen printed poster commemorating Edgar Allan Poe's cryptography work. Apparently Poe claimed in 1840 that he could break any code that was sent to him, and this poster shows his working method.

Emily Cross did a really nice series of screenprinted illustrations responding to an 'almost alphabetical' journey made around East Sussex, called From Alfriston to Wilmington.

Benjamin Phillips filled his space with loads of little drawings, paintings and etchings, and it looked great. He's got a mad imagination - some of his images reminded me of one of my favourite artists Marcel Dzama.

Nice series of book covers by Kit Humphrey.

Josh White had some great record cover designs on show for the German composer known as Field Rotation. Images were screenprinted and then possibly lasercut and burnt to give some lovely detail.

I really loved Pia Bramley's hand drawn ink illustrations. Any drawing that can mix poignancy with humour is a big winner for me - her drawings really hit the spot.

When I was making my way down to see the shows I crossed Victoria Gardens, just outside the university. The space had been filled with 700 (I counted them) potted trees, and looked really striking. It was the work of Brighton Architecture student Lucy Palmer, part of a scheme to help transform public spaces. The trees won't be staying in the gardens, but will be moved and planted in a nearby park.

Unfortunately the show has been taken down now, but it's definitely worth taking the time to look at Brighton's Graphic Design and Illustration website here, to see work from all the graduates.