I graduated in 2005 from Limerick School of Art and Design with a first class B.A (Hons) in Graphic Design. Right after graduating, I worked part-time for six months in Limerick to save for London. During this time I also working for free on a culture magazine based in Cork where I was responsible, along with two other designers, for the art direction and design of the magazine. We had the valuable opportunity of working with artists, photographers and writers who contributed work on a wide range of subjects.
I then moved to London where I was offered a two week work placement with an award-winning company Rose Design (www.rosedesign.co.uk). My responsibilities included preparing designs for client presentations and completing artwork for print. During my placement, I worked on projects for The Royal Mail and the Tate Modern. Then I started a permanent position at ‘i-am’ associates, a branding and design consultancy (www.i-amonline.com). My job involved taking an overview of both 2D and 3D aspects of a project. I conscientiously applied myself to team projects whilst simultaneously managing solo jobs right from developing concepts, to design, through to print and delivery. I worked here for 3 years and found it a very valuable experience as a Junior Designer.
In 2010, I decided to freelance as I felt that I would have more varied opportunities. I have also set up a Design Collective called Bags of Joy (www.bagsofjoy.net) with two other designers who did the same degree in LSAD as me and another interior designer. Our projects range from identity, print, interiors, digital and film. We have also been featured in two publications: ‘3D Typography’ (2009) Book Publisher – Mark Batty and ‘Green Patriot Posters Book’ (2009) Book Publisher – Thames & Hudson.
advice for students:
What advice would you give to students who are beginning their studies?
Try and make every project your own and try and bring in an aspects of design or anything that really interests you into each project. This may the most personal you can be in a project be so make sure you make the most of it.
And for students about to graduate?
Go for as many interviews as possible even just for a chat, most companies want to see people even if they don’t have a position for it, its always great to just talk to other Design Studios and show your work and to see how they work. Also if you do get a design position try and do some personal design work if you feel your day job is just not enough, do open competitions, get into groups.
What are you up to now?
Freelancing and working on projects with Bags of Joy which we are hoping is something that we can eventually make a living off and have our own studio.