Where do you work?
I'm a freelance graphic designer so where I work varies. I've just taken on a job for one of the UK's leading skin care providers, for a couple of days a week. The rest of my time is split between freelancing for design agencies and working directly with my own clients.
What is your role?
For the skincare job, it’s a complete brand audit. They took me on board looking to consolidate all their disjointed brand assets. There has been a degree of consultancy regarding their existing media which has lead into both short and long-term briefs. Short-term jobs like reworking existing packaging and developing marketing campaigns; long-term looking towards a rebrand to give the products the identity they deserve. Freelancing means the work I do varies a lot, including both print and digital, so there's never a dull moment and I'm always learning.
Did you feel confident about entering the world of work after you graduated?
As far as you can be when starting a new job. I think there is a standard amount of anxiety that goes along with starting anything new, but - beyond a few butterflies - I felt equipped to take on pretty much anything. I think that the variety of briefs that we did on the course at Shillington helped to encourage confidence in approaching anything new because we learned to build ideas on a solid foundation of creative thinking methods and thought development techniques.
What were you doing before the course?
I was doing a bit of web design, mainly back-end and technical.
Why did you decide to do the course?
I realised that I wanted to design as a result of a couple of years worth of lateral job shifts which began to focus less on programming and more on aesthetics. I started to enjoy my work a lot more when design was involved but didn't have any real training. I started looking for jobs that would always include some design to complement the development side of things, but most positions were looking for specialisation. So I made the decision to focus on design and get myself in a position where I had a portfolio to back me up.
What was the most valuable thing you took away from the course?
Probably the ability to accept criticism but also being able to stick up for your own work, to articulate the ideas behind your design and support why you've done something. Being able to explain why you've done something in design (rather than simply to say that "it's pretty") is fundamental to being taken seriously. However, you do occasionally need to bite your tongue when a client is adamant about changing something.
Where do you see yourself 12 months from now?
I'm looking to start working under the umbrella of my own company, with a view to growing it as time and clients permit. I'd love to work abroad with design, and I see working my way around the agencies making contacts as a good place to start making that happen.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
Probably the brand critique I'm currently doing. It's such a nice feeling having people take on board what you have to contribute and respect your capacity as a designer.
Read the next feature interview
See more graduate interviews