Where do you work?
I'm currently working at a small studio called Messy in Surry Hills.
What is your role?
I've been hired as a Junior Graphic Designer, but because we're just a small team I'm assuming I get
more freedom over projects than I would working at a larger studio. Messy actually advertised
for a mid-weight designer but I managed sneak in and get the position!
Did you feel confident about entering the design industry after you graduated?
I think I should have been more confident in myself seeing how easy it was for me to get a job! A week after
graduating I got some work experience / freelance work for six weeks at The Creative Method and shortly after
I applied for the position at Messy. I had my interview and got the job the next day!
(Everything happened so quickly. I'm still in shock!) Even a week after starting at Messy I was offered a freelance
job at another studio. If only I could be in two places at once!
What were you doing before the course?
Before starting at Shillington I was unemployed for a little while (I blame the GFC) but prior to that I worked in the
printing industry for four and a half years where I was exposed to the world of graphic design and fell in love with it!
Why did you decide to do the course?
I've been interested in graphic design since I was 16, and as life goes, I had a bunch of ups and down so I never really
got to fully explore this interest. I had to learn the craft and challenge my gifts. Shillington really seemed like
the only option. I looked around for ages at a bunch of different schools / colleges and nowhere else seemed to be able
to produce such excellent student work in such a short amount of time. Even some courses that took 3-4yrs didn't seem
to have the same standard as Shillington.
What was the most valuable thing you took away from the course?
It's hard to pin point it to just one thing but in all honesty it's probably something we were taught from the very
beginning, which was to always have a reason for everything you do. Whether it be sticking to a grid, obeying design
principles or making sure there is a reason for a concept. Not just ‘plonking’ things on a page and pushing things
around because you think it looks pretty. The whole process of how Shillington teaches how to tackle a brief is pretty
valuable too, from brainstorming to generating ideas and ‘nutting it out’ with your peers to create the best outcome.
Where do you see yourself in 12 months?
I'm pretty sure I'll be working! It's still a massive learning process once you get out into the design world so
I'm thinking I'll still be here but with more knowledge!
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Well, I've only been at Messy for a short while and lately we've been exploring some new creative projects but I
have to say the highlight so far was actually during my work experience at The Creative Method. I received a brief
on something I'd never really thought about before, which was to create an identity for a product new to Australia
and included a bottle design. It was a challenge! I did have a couple of sleepless nights trying to figure it out
but in the end a couple of my designs were chosen to present and one of these designs was kindly remarked upon by
the client. Of course mine wasn't the only one but it was in there along with the designs of some very, very talented
designers at The Creative Method. I was pretty stoked!
Read the next feature interview
See more graduate interviews