of ALUMNI

Hello

Fond of Alumni

Hello & welcome to Issue 4, Fond of Alumni

It’s been some time in the making, but as they say, something good

is worth waiting for.

This Issue is about leaving university and the comfort of education to

embrace the professional world. We got in touch with designers to find out how their first year in the industry panned out. Each has their own story and we

hope you enjoy reading them as much as we did.

Fond.

Contents

Issue #4

6Fond of those who Travel

8Photography by Flore Diamant

10Interview with

Gavin Boorman

14Photography by

Ailbhe Ní Chaoimh

16 Interview with

Judith Hunziker

20Q&A – What is your ambition?

22Fond of those who DIY

24Interview with

nonstopcollective

28Q&A – How do you finance yourself?

30Interview with

Josh Morrison Hughes-Games

34Interview with

Femi Idowu-Read

38Fond of those who Learn

40Photography by

Keelin Coyle

42Interview with

Rob Ashley

46Interview with Henry Brown

48Photography by

Chris Price & Jen Gardner

50Q&A – What advice can you

give to recent graduates?

Travel DIY Learn

Photography & quote by Myrna D'Ambrosio

“I identified that moment with the uncertainty

of what lay ahead for me, and at the same time

it held this incredible feeling of unbearable excitement

for the future: anything and everything

was now possible”.

6 Travel

Interview 7

After spending three years at univer-sity, for most students in the same city, we found that many of our graduates’ stories from the past year involved travel. Whether it was a summer abroad, a few months exploring new countries, or for the likes of Gavin and Judith; whom you will meet in this section, last year brought them the experience of working abroad. A new culture, a new city and a different language to evolve to have brought them many new influences and challenges. This section also includes the beautiful photo-graphs Flore took on her travels through Australia and moments Ailbhe captured in Brazil. We hope this brief change of scenery will spark your own ambitions.

Section one

FOND of

THOSE WHO TRAVEL

8 Travel

Flore Diamant

Photography 9

up & down under

10 Travel

Gavin Boorman

A YeAr In MoscowThe experience

of working abroad

Graduated from: University of the West of England, Bristol

Gavin Boorman has an interest in design that is research led, where the outcome and its form is dependent on resolving or improving a problem. He graduated from

UWE, Bristol in graphic design last year and is originally from Tunbridge Wells in Kent. His current home of

residence consists of a suitcase, as he has recently set off backpacking around parts of the globe. We caught up with him before he boarded the plane to find out that his interest in travelling is also clear from what he has been

up to in the past year…

Interview 11

Originally from: Tunbridge Wells, Kent Currently lives in: between places… Age: 22

12 Travel

Can you give us an overview of what have you been doing since finishing university? The first month following my final university deadline consisted mostly of time spent locked away in my bedroom at home surrounded by boxes full of post student housing clutter, tailor making CVs and firing out a freshly polished portfolio to the various studios and contacts acquired through my studies. After some pestering, I was invited for an interview with Bristol based wayfinding design and strategy company City ID. Things clicked during the interview and were followed up by me being asked along for a trial period as they began a new project. This project came with a slight twist however, as it was based in Moscow. I quickly packed a case and before I had the chance to learn a Russian phrase, was plunged head first into a big project and big city life. The following year has been one wicked blur of adaptation, learning, laughing and tiredness. My trial period soon came and went and I have since found my feet in the company and have predominately been based in the Moscow studio, engaging in the various roles and tasks that a large city wayfinding project can offer. What were your expectations after university?My honest expectations following university were that it was going to be a struggle. I’m unsure if this comes from a fear of the unknown or simply my preparation for hard work and maintenance of a positive, committed mind come what may. I didn’t have a game plan as to how things would unfold, so I followed up my initial expectations of struggle with those of having to role with the punches. Both have been of value to me during the past year.

What has been tough?Russian winters are fairly brutal. Removing the icicles that had formed on my beard during the morning commute ahead of a 12-hour studio session became routine. Combining this with 5 hours of sunlight and no home base to return to took some getting used to, but never the less made for some memorable experiences. Your biggest interests from school, have you found that you are able to implement them in the industry?Joining City ID felt a natural progression not only because they focus on the topics and areas of design that I had specialised in during my studies, but because of my general fascinations with the world. My student work predominantly focused on people and the environment and I’ve always attempted to be involved and study a subject in order to create work as a reaction. This process has been my biggest interest. The past year has enabled me to work on a project with a large scope, where design is built as the result of thorough study and understanding of the audiences needs. The project is related to the Metro system in Moscow. It has been developed to aid the user during the ‘Transfer and Exit from the Metro’ scenario. We focused on two Metro station clusters within our designated pilot area for this phase of the project. Our products in turn reflect and aim to resolve the challenges the users of the monumental Moscow Metro face, and aim to connect them to the awe inspiring city that surrounds them, not only through navigational means, but through design itself.

Gavin Boorman

Interview

As with any City ID project, legibility is at the core, seeping through to all detailing and styling, allowing the content and what the city has to offer speak for itself.

What are your ambitions?I want to be able to combine my personal and professional ambitions. I want to learn about the world and everything that is happening in it. I want to use design as a tool to benefit people and enhance communications. I want to chuckle and smile and I want to make others

do the same. The only thing I don’t know as yet is specifically how or who. So I’m going travelling for some months with the money I’ve earned over the past year to have a think about where I go next.

“Ru

ssianw

inters

are fairlyb

rutal...

remov

ing

iciclesfrom

my

beard

becam

erou

tine”

14 Travel

Brazil

Photography 15

Ailbhe Ní Chaoimh

16 Travel

Judith Hunziker

DesIgn for cHAnge The pursuit of

social sustainability

Judith Hunziker is a particularly inspiring young designer with a passion for how design can help social and

sustainable developments. Judith has focused her first year since graduating exploring how design can be used

as a tool to improve some circumstances of life. She studied at HEAD, Haute Ecole d’Art et Design-

Geneva, Switzerland as well as a semester at WDKA, Willem de Kooning Academie in Rotterdam, Netherlands; and has since interned in Spain for a social organisation

and in Geneva at the United Nations, using her skills as a designer to combine her interests in social and

sustainable change.

Graduated from: Haute Ecole d’Art et Design Geneva

Interview 17

Originally from: Geneva Currently lives in: Geneva Age: 24

18 Travel

Can you give us an overview of what have you been doing since finishing university?After graduating I went to Spain to do an internship in a small organisation, whose work is focused on helping migrants and developing activities in order to reinforce solidarity. I worked there as a graphic designer, an organiser of events and a French teacher. I then moved back to Geneva and started another internship as a graphic designer at the United Nations in a sector where they assist developing countries with access to trade and sustainable development. The overarching goal of their projects is to empower women by creating work. What were your expectations after university?I always wanted to find a way to merge my interests in human rights and visual communication. This is why I chose to do internships in organisations where they are addressing human rights, instead of doing them in graphic design studios. This way I knew I could be more involved in the research and

therefore in a better position to use design to combine both interests and advance towards a more positive future.

What has been tough?Waiting several months in order to get answers from the places I applied to for jobs or internships, without knowing what my life would look like in the future months. How did you apply for these internships?I contacted some people I had in mind because I liked the work they were doing, on a visual level as well as the missions/philosophies of the organisations themselves. I sent emails and called them, I found it very important to do a follow up after having sent emails. Have you found that you are able to implement your interests from school in the industry?During my studies I learnt how to create con-cepts as well as visuals to express them. We ex-perimented a lot, working with many different techniques, but we didn’t specialise. We were

Judith Hunziker

Interview 19

encouraged to focus our work on our own motivations. The result of this was that we all had very personal projects. It’s a great way to express yourself, but it can be difficult to imple-ment a personal touch in existing organisations that have strong graphic guidelines.

How have you found working in the industry opposed to studying graphic design?While studying, I knew that we were in a privileged place, with very interesting assignments and above all a lot of freedom. Now I can’t decide which project I want to work on, but on the other hand it is rewarding to see your designs used in real situations, to be part of a team where people count on you, listen to your ideas and even start projects based on them. However there are huge differences among internships or jobs you do. For example I had a lot of freedom in the organisation in Spain and people considered me as an Art Director. My role at UN involves more execution than creation whilst following strict rules. The bigger the company, the less freedom you have but I see this as a new challenge; a way to develop my skills and creativity in a company that has a strong corporate identity. In each situation you learn something, and that’s what is important when interning in the end. What are your ambitions?I would like to build up my own studio, and launch social projects working with other designers, social workers, associations and enterprises. With a group of university students we recently started a project related to the right of asylum in Switzerland.

How do you finance yourself?In Switzerland we receive a scholarship up to the age of 25, if you are still studying or doing an internship, so for now, I am financing myself thanks to this system. I also do small freelance jobs from time to time.

Do you have any advice for students that have recently graduated?You should dare. Dare to send your portfolio to every studio you admire the work of and above all never stop doing personal projects, they will give you motivation and help you go in the direction you want. Stop comparing yourself to others and go go go! Have you carried on doing personal projects since finishing university?During these past few years in Switzerland, Right-wing politics has been more and more tough towards foreigners, in particular with its laws about migration; spreading political campaigns based on fear. I’ve started to work on an interactive website on migrant issues, illustrating and explaining real cases, where Swiss people can understand the importance and consequences of their vote on other peoples lives. Do you feel that university prepared you for the professional world?Not really, even though we were working on some real assignments, deadlines were too long and we weren’t prepared to present and defend our work. It should have been compulsory to do internships during studies.

20

Travel

QWhat are your

ambitions?

&

Q&A

What are your ambitions?

&A

Ailbhe ní chaoimhI am really inter-ested in a green environment and social justice and I am also very passionate about music. If I could merge my art with these interests in any way I think I would be a very happy lady.

Daan KempStarting my own com-pany within a couple of years.

flore DiamantFirst step is to move somewhere else. From then, challenge myself to create better work, meeting other great people and take it step by step. I’m not great at planning so if I start thinking too much in advance I end up doing nothing. Things are starting to come together; it just takes time and a lot of patience.

greg swanComplete a master, possibly a doctorate; research materials,

sustainability, and efficiency; work with spaces, interactions, and usability.

Jen gardnerI still have a lot of as-pirations; sometimes I think to myself I’d like to start up my own company, maybe with a few other crea-tives that I know.

Myrna D’AmbrosioMy main ambition is to become a well-rounded, multi-dis-ciplinary designer. I want to keep learning and exploring, con-necting with other like-minded individu-als along the way.

Arthur HirstUltimately I would like to be in a position where I had creative control and worked with a shit hot design-er who could help me visualise my ideas.

chris HelingoeWho knows, its all so new still! I’m not sure what the future will hold. But I’m driven

to keep learning and expanding my skill-set as a designer to further my career.

claire MitchellI am keen to learn more about bio-mate-rials and explore the possibilities of using them within design to reduce waste. My 10-year plan is to be a part of an initia-tive with its heart in sustainability, perhaps using these smart materials in product design.

Keelin coyleAs of yet, I have noth-ing set in my mind, but that’s how I like it for now. My main process is to keep pushing myself out of my comfort zone, and so far good things have come of that. I’d like to say I have a plan. But I don’t.

Monica giunchiComing from a country where at the moment a job seems to be a benediction from God, I don’t

think I had many expectations when I left uni, but I had a lot of ambitions and I still do. It may sound silly but my main is ambition is to be a great designer and to produce great work, no matter whom I am working for studio wise. To keep grow-ing as a designer and as a person.

soraan LatifThe ultimate goal is to be the guy in the background pulling the strings; I’m not one that particu-larly enjoys being the centre of attention. I have started up my own agency within the past month or so and want to find and help aid an artists development.

natasha BeesleyMy main ambition for the near future is to travel. There are so many places that I need to visit and experience.

D Y

YThe question that every graduate faces, after that last bit of his or her student loan vanishes, is - how do I finance myself by doing what I love? In this section we feature design graduates with a huge determination to enter the design world on their own terms. Thomas & Suzanne whom have set up their own design studio in Holland, Femi Idowu-Read who is filling Bristol with custom made light boxes and hand painted signage and last but not least Josh Morrison Hughes-Games who has a relentless work ethic and passion, which keeps him more than busy in London! It’s not an easy ride bringing a roller coaster of pressure and stress but also a lot of positive enjoyment; here you can read how they have made this year a successful one.

Section two

FOND of

THOSE WHO DIY

24 Do It Yourself

Graduated from: Willem de Kooning Academie, Rotterdam, NL

nonstopcollectiveThomas & Suzanne

The Urge To Have full control

Interview 25

Can you give us an overview of what have you been doing since finishing Willem de Kooning Academie (WDKA)?Once we left the academy we started our design agency nonstopcollective and have been working on very diverse projects, varying from screen printing workshops to organising our own parties in Rotterdam, next to some really cool projects for museums and our former academy. For the past year, we haven’t sat still for a day and have been pushing some urgent stuff forward and forward like finalising our website and organising our finances.

Do you have a studio space where you can work together? As we nomad between Amsterdam and Rotterdam it’s not that easy to settle down in a fixed base. So for now we’re on permanent vacation, working and sleeping in trains, living rooms and cafés. But that keeps our weeks very diverse and dynamic, providing us with a lot of impulses and creative input.

What were your expectations when finishing university?Thomas: I expected to have more time for personal (unpaid) projects, reflecting our personal interests in both aesthetically and conceptually independent ways. Suzanne: I thought we would end up having more contact with our former classmates, especially since we were such a warm group. Exchanging ideas to inspire one another like we used to do in art academy. We are thinking of ways to collaborate in future projects, though. For our business I expected to spend more time

Thomas Chico van Asselt and Suzanne Hoenderboom are the founders of nonstopcollective, a graphic design studio that they set up fresh out of art academy in Rotterdam last year. Thomas now lives in Amsterdam with Suzanne still in Rotterdam; the two have an extremely dynamic working relationship, which filters through to their design outcomes. Their projects extend from hosting screen printing workshops to creating full identities for cultural events and institutes; the pair has had a successful first year. We had a chat with them to find out how they have accomplished this, as let's be honest, it’s really impressive!

Key design interests:Concept, type and experiment. We try to challenge ourselves by trying new things and exploring new approaches constantly. That is for us the best way to stay sharp and make every project different and exciting to work on. If necessary we end up baking cakes or building tree houses if the process guides us there.

Originally from: Leiden/ Winterswijk Currently live in: Amsterdam/Rotterdam Age: 24/28

26 Do It Yourself

designing, but the reality of running a design agency is writing emails, making phone calls, explaining the same thing endlessly and organising the past, the present and the future.

What has been tough?We put a lot of hours into producing things ourselves, finding compromises between the small budgets and our big ideas. We still do all the art academy stuff like screen printing, riso printing, fighting with A3 printers, folding, stitching and gluing; but now on a professional production scale. It does pay off in unique results and an original portfolio but that thought sometimes slips away when stitching A3 papers to each other, all night, a week long, for instance.

Your biggest interests from school, have you found that you are able to implement them in the industry?Our biggest interest at art academy was always the research and concept phase. For now our research and concepts have been mainly aesthetic, since we work for clients who - to put it bluntly - in the end decide what we will be making. However we are soon to be starting some projects for ourselves, half personal, half

commercial. We are exploring ways to get our projects funded by external parties in a way that it is interesting for them as well as allowing us to have more freedom to decide why, how and what we are going to make.

How do know what to charge your clients? It depends on many things, most important is that you gain something from the work that you’re doing. This could be anything varying from money to friendship, pleasure or potential future projects. Each time we weigh the hours a job would take us, against the profit it could bring us (no matter in what form it comes), and what other projects we could be doing in this time.

How have you found your clients’ reactions to your fees?This varies a lot, as it depends on many factors. Professional institutes understand the (financial) value that we’re adding to their products or services. But young entrepreneurs and students with big dreams expect logo’s for €50 and websites for €100... Sometimes it seems that we’re getting mixed-up with the cousin of this neighbours friend who has Photoshop on his Acer and makes great birthday cards, wedding invites, posters for local talent-shows and even websites!! Yeah, what to say about this guy. We love him.

Is your studio financially sustainable at the moment?At the moment it is. We could never have wished for such a good first year. We have very little fixed expenses, and are very flexible in time and space. Therefore we can invest both time and money in our personal projects and productions, which is an enormous luxury to us.

It’s really impressive that you have set up a studio straight out of art school. Did you feel prepared to do this from your education? We feel that it doesn’t have that much to do with education. We just felt the urge to have full control and do exactly what we want, when we want.

nonstopcollective

Interview 27

F*R*E*E* tips applying to everything, anytime

courtesy of nonstopcollective

28

Do It Yourself

QHow do you

finance yourself?

&

Q&A

How do you finance yourself?

&A

Ailbhe ní chaoimhPart time work & parents.

chris PriceFreelancing & a grant for a studio space at spike island.

Daan KempFull time design job.

flore DiamantParents, savings & small freelance jobs.

greg swanWith difficulty.

Henry BrownI’m fortunate enough to get paid a salary to do what I love.

Jen gardnerWhen I first made the move to London I had some savings and some help from my family. I then managed to build up some freelance work during internships, which helped a lot, and now I earn a full time freelance wage.

Judith HunzikerScholarship.

Myrna D'AmbrosioParents, family & now a full time job.

nonstopcollectiveWe could never have wished for such a good first year. We have very little fixed expenses, and are very flexible in time and space. Therefore we can invest both time and money in our personal projects and productions, which is an enormous luxury to us.

rob AshleyParents- Lives at home & freelance jobs.

Arthur HirstI shovelled chicken shit for 10 hours solid once. When I moved to Bristol for the internship my friend, who owns his own flat, let me stay on his sofa for the cost of 175 pounds a month.

chris HelingoeI was fortunate enough to get a job early on so its not

something that I had to worry about too much.

christopher van wilsonFreelancing.

claire MitchellSavings, job seekers & freelancing.

femi Idowu-readBy being poor. Maxing out a credit card. Working anywhere you can. Having understanding housemates.

gavin BoormanFull time design job.

Keelin coyleI work full-time as a Junior Designer and take on freelance work whenever I have the time. Doing both is more for self-development reasons, than for monetary value. I find doing any work informs my practice and so, is beneficial in my development as a designer, for now

at least, while I don’t have too many debts to pay.

30 Do It Yourself

Josh Morrison Hughes-games

Graduated from: University of the West of England, Bristol

The Hard worker

Interview 31

What have you been doing since graduating?I moved to London, and spent a glorious five months, being unemployed, freelancing, exploring London, which was amazing but kind of stressful in its own way, because of money etc. I was enjoying freelancing but felt that I wanted something that was steadier just for a while; a bit of an anchor, knowing that I would be secure financially for a while so I started looking for a studio job. I currently work as a fashion and textile print designer for a studio supplying a variety of high street and boutique outlets, it’s good financially and some of the work is really interesting, but I have kept my freelance work going on the side, which often has a more creative or explorative side to it. How did you find the job?I actually saw that they advertised on, I think it was It’s Nice That. Through that I contacted them, as I was interested in working on the edges of fashion. It was not necessarily what I saw myself going into when finishing university but it’s good for the moment. What type of freelance work are you doing at the moment?A big mix of stuff really, I have been working a lot with film lately, mainly with dancers and choreographers. It has derived from a project that I started in my final year working with Northern School of Contemporary Dance. I contacted the artistic director asking if I could do some recordings and take photographs of their rehearsals for my end of year project. He was positive about it but asked if I would also be interested in making a small promotional video about them.

Josh Morrison Hughes-Games lives in London but is born and bred in Bristol. Having graduated in graphic design from UWE, Bristol he was in need of a change and the capital has always excited him. Just under a quarter of a century old, he is not afraid of jumping into something totally new. Instead Josh embraces challenges, currently being involved in more projects than most of us could keep track of.

Key design interests:The work I enjoy the most is when I have as much physicality in my work as possible. The work that I’m most happy with is when I have been entrenched in it all, and have some physical connection to it. As for example screen printing and riso printing where you can see the process, and possible mistakes and alterations made during that. It’s possible that I’m more interested in the process than the final outcome.

Originally from: Bristol Currently lives in: London Age: 24, almost 25

32 Do It Yourself

I didn’t know too much about editing then but said yes, which led to a fast learning curve. By doing these videos I have got in touch with other choreographers at the school, which have led to other collaborative outcomes.

The work with dancers is great, as I feel that I am still very much on the edge of film and it is certainly not something that I have come to grips with yet. However, I am lucky enough to have very talented people around me that I can ask for help. Together with my brother we have set up a small film company where we make dance and music videos. We recently worked for the music collective Young Echo and the musicians Kahn & Neek on various projects as well as the pleasure of working with Ben Wright and his dance company ‘b-group’ on a research and development project titled ‘Spectrum’. Do you work on any other freelance projects?Yes, I also have the print side to my business where I create custom screen prints for a variety of my customers and have been lucky enough to provide art direction and conceptual development for a couple of music labels and musical projects.

How do you direct your clients to more labour intensive printed outcomes?Luckily for me the work that I have been doing on the edges of the music industry has given me a bit of visibility and the record label that I art direction for, Bandulu Records is an all screen-printed, vinyl only record label. Through their musical talents, the records have become well known, which has a good knock on effect for me. So quite often I find that the people approaching me for work are looking for something more tactile, however I try to tailor the work that I do to make sure the medium fits the purpose, some projects work amazingly with a physical labour intensive design process but others will require something completely different. What was your reason for taking a studio job rather than solely pursuing freelance work?I think the security of a regular income was quite appealing about a studio job. Also I felt having recently moved to London it would give me some closer connections to the city and allow me to discover it in a slightly different way. Being freelance and not having the money to afford a studio, you spend a lot of time working from your house. It’s nice to have a routine that makes you get up, go out and do stuff. It has made me connect with other designers, as well as with the city and the design scene as a whole. But who knows where the next year will take me! Did you feel prepared for industry life when graduating?Yes, I kind of did because I tried to keep as much freelance work going as possible, whilst at university, as well as reaching out and networking through my graduation project. It felt like a natural progression to go from that to working full-time. The most powerful thing about university is that it gives you the time to really explore stuff. That’s what I miss the most, but I was also expecting that. I knew that’s the reality of trying to make money.

Josh Morrison Hughes Games

Interview 33

"I am pretty sure all designers have

done something for free just because they really fucking love it."

How much do you charge when it comes to your freelance work?It is still something that I struggle with, but for me, it really depends on whom I am working for. If I am really interested in the project, see a future in it and feel that I can trust the people behind it, I will work within their budget, but the feeling has to be really strong. There are projects like this, which nurture your creative side a lot more than your wallet. Equally I sometimes get projects from much bigger companies and I know they have the budget to pay what can be expected as a freelance rate; so I will charge them that.

What has been tough this year?Times of very little money are always difficult and being

massively thrown out of your comfort zone. For example at the studio where I am in at the moment, they wanted a cute drawing of a monkey for a t-shirt print for Topshop. I don’t do cute drawings and when showing them the first drawing they told me that they needed something cuter and I was just like ‘ahhhh’. So I scrolled through Google and Pinterest trying to find some references for a ‘cute monkey’… What has been easy?Still being excited about working, I’ve never lost an excitement about working. What is your advice to people graduating this year?I don’t think I am in any position to give people advice. [silence] I think making sure that you are passionate about what you are doing is massively important. And if you don’t know what you are passionate about, find that out. Or you experiment further. Taking your own personal risks. Say yes to things that you are not entirely sure that you can do and just try to do them!

34 Do It Yourself

femi Idowu-read

Graduated from: University of the West of England, Bristol

The freelancer

Image: "never to be too precious about your work. Especially on Stokes Croft!"

Interview 35

Can you give us an overview of what have you been doing since finishing university?After graduating a year ago, I jumped straight into the world of freelance, supporting myself with restaurant and bar work. I had my first major commission during the summer with Shambala Festival, designing and building signs for one of their stages. I then went on to build an “on AIR” light box for a party that I was involved with, the word spread and more people wanted me to make them a light box. I ended up making a light box for the international DJ Eats Everything, which was amazing and helped massively with exposure!

As well as sign building and light box making I also do sign painting. It’s really fascinating learning a traditional craft, YouTube has been a massive help, but I still have a lot to learn though! I recently completed the signage for a new pub in Bristol called “The Christmas Steps”. This has to be my favourite commission yet, it was blissful sitting on top of the scaffolding painting in the sunshine...although it did rain one of the days. I’ve now quit my bar job and am attempting to go freelance full time! As well as beginning to create my own artworks, something I’ve been dying to do since graduating, which I need to start as I intend to have an exhibition around February next year!

What were your expectations when finishing university?I just knew it wasn’t going to be easy and that it was going to take a lot of hard work to do the things I want to do.

Femi Idowu-Read graduated in graphic design from Bristol, UWE last year, since then he has been running his own practise making custom light boxes and signage. Standing strong in Bristol he has made use of his network to receive a number of commissions. Local and smaller projects have increased his reputation leading to larger and more visible ventures, such as a light box for Bristol's own, now international DJ Eats Everything. It has not been the smoothest of rides, but his passion and drive have brought him leaps and bounds since graduating.

Key design interests:Typography, signage, architecture.

Originally from: Leicester Currently lives in: Bristol Age: 24

36 Do It Yourself

Femi Idowu-Read

“HOW MUCH DO YOU

VALUE YOUR TIME?”

Interview 37

What has been tough?Money. Money is always an issue, but if there were ever a time to be poor and work it’s now. I see it as an investment.

Your biggest interests from school, have you found you are able to implement them in the industry? In the end my final exhibit involved a lot of signage and light boxes. Which is exactly what I’m working in now so I guess I have implemented them quite nicely.

How do you finance yourself?By being poor. Maxing out a credit card. Working anywhere I can. Having understanding housemates.

How did you decide on your freelance rate? This has been, and still is, a real hard one! In the beginning I definitely undersold myself a lot. You need to ask yourself how much do you value your time, whilst remembering that people will often pay more that you expect. On the other hand, if the jobs good and you really want to do it, it’s worth selling yourself short a little. It’s always worth thinking about the bigger picture. If you help someone out they’re more likely to use you in the future and also suggest you to their mates (who you can charge full price).

Right now I generally try to work for no less than £15/hr. Some jobs I can get more than that, some I only just make that. But as I’m building a lot of things myself, in the beginning it was hard to gauge how long things would take. But the more I do, the clearer this is becoming.

How are your clients reacting to your fees?For the most part people have been fine with my fees. You have to quote based on how much you think your client can afford. For example I do a little bit of work for a popular energy drinks company... which I know have a lot more money than any of my clients. Therefore I’ll charge them more! Got to be done to pay those bills!

Where have you been working whilst producing your signs?I managed to get myself a nice little studio space, it’s basically an office space, but it beats working in my tiny room.

Do you have any advice for people that are graduating now? Now is the time! The time to work stupid hours, time to be poor and steal from Tesco so you can eat dinner (I don’t condone this), time to focus on you and your work. If you want to be freelance, then you have to commit. There’s no bigger inspiration for finding work than being poor and hungry!

Finally, you have to remember to sell yourself. Most creatives (including myself) are never really happy with their work, which can be good, as it makes you push for better. But clients are rarely as critical, so if you act confidently you can convince them even if you aren’t convinced yourself.

Section three

FOND of

THOSE WHO LEARN

Leaving the comfort and security of university, with a great degree in your pocket, it can be hard to find a job amongst the many other graduates on the hunt. Its easy to feel like the smallest fish in the ocean of great design. There are many studios and designers you admire and would love to learn from, but how do you get a seat in their studio? Henry Brown put himself out there whilst studying by doing several internships, which paid off as he was offered a job straight out of university. Rob Ashley has stuck out the past year partaking in five different internships, all enriching in different ways. In this section you will learn where their experiences have brought them and we will bombard you with advice from the many graduates who have experienced a year post study.

40 Learn

This was a photograph taken at Burning Man, Nevada. I was involved in the building of an installation called ‘Brigid’s Crossing’ as part of a team of 8. The piece was partly built in Reno, Nevada and the remainder on site in Black Rock City.

Keelin Coyle

"I think, as a race, what is most important for our sanity and

health is to keep learning. I don’t think I’ll ever feel

wholly satisfied with where I am as a designer, and I’m

happy with that. It means that I keep striving for more."

Photography 41

42 Learn

ROB ASHLEY

The Intern

One year interning at 5 studios

Graduated from: University of the West of England, Bristol

Interview 43

Rob Ashley graduated in graphic design from the University of the West of England, Bristol last year. He has since moved in with family in Romford, on the outskirts of London. His interests’ lie within branding, editorial, digital design as well as designing for print. Over the last year, since finishing university, Rob has done an impressive 5 different internships and some freelance work. The first placement was with a fashion brand called Wool and the Gang, lasting a few months. Then wanting to gain experience of working for a design studio he ventured on to do some great intern-ships with the likes of Mind Design, Burgess Studio and Why Not Associates. More recently he has focused on freelanc-ing; independently and for a studio. He’s now on the hunt for a permanent studio position — role up role up!

Originally from: Essex Currently lives in: Romford, Essex Age: 24

44 Learn

What were your expectations after university?I expected it to be hard to network and make contacts in the industry; but it isn’t as difficult as you think. People know each other and opportu-nities to meet them often arise. However what is hard is to make those contacts actually mean something. The design industry is a pretty open community but getting it to work to your advan-tage is tougher than you expect. How did you get the internships?They all have their own stories, but mainly from making direct contact with studios, rather than job adverts. I contacted a lot of places, but was selective in who I approached. How did you get in touch?Generally via email with a PDF portfolio. I tailor the work in the portfolio for the company, rather than sending the same work to everyone. Occa-sionally a conversation is started on Twitter or LinkedIn if you reply to a post. I sent a few physi-cal portfolios when I first graduated, but they can be quite expensive and time consuming to produce and surprisingly hard to keep up to date. You add new work to your portfolio so often that a printed version becomes dated really quickly. How many studios do you think you got in touch with in total?For internships, probably over 20.

What has been tough?Learning to compromise. So much of graduating is about compromising – whether it’s compromis-ing on the direction of a project or where you work. At university you dictate almost everything. When you’re starting out, you don’t have the final say on project ideas or aesthetics. It’s the same in terms of which internships you get or where you end up working. Everything doesn’t always work out the way you had expected and I’ve found that tough. Your biggest interests from university, have you found you are able to implement them in the industry?My interests during university focused on print processes as well as digital design. There have been a few chances where I’ve been able to imple-ment these, but there are always constraints from clients, budgets or even just whether an approach is relevant. I’ve worked on a couple of interactive projects, one being a display at Cannes Lions fes-tival; another was an experiential project, based around prehistoric cave-art. Were the internships paid?All except one were paid or did at least pay my expenses. My placement at Why Not Associ-ates wasn’t paid, and I think there was a slightly different emphasis on my time there because of this – I had less specific tasks of my own and contributed more to a pool of ideas for various projects, which in a way enhanced my experience.

Rob Ashley

“Remember that your aim, ultimately, is to get a job”

Interview 45

However, there’s always a case for being paid your expenses as not everyone can afford to work and travel for free.

How do you finance yourself?Luckily, I have supportive parents and am living rent free with my dad. I have a super flexible part-time job for times when I’m not getting paid at internships as well as receiving some money through freelance work.

Do you feel that university prepared you for the professional world? My course did a great job preparing me crea-tively for the industry, but I think the professional /practical teaching could have been better – with topics like legal ownership of work, tax, contracts and normal working practices. I would feel more confident about doing more ambitious freelance projects if I knew more about the legal aspects. This is especially important now, when jobs are hard to get and graduates have to be more entrepreneurial than ever before. Do you have any advice for recent graduates?Make sure you have a reason for doing intern-ships and use every experience as a chance to learn more and expand your knowledge. Don’t wait around for the perfect job to come up, be pro-active. Lastly, make meaningful connections, they end up being more useful than knowing a lot of people very loosely.

What where your reasons for interning after graduating rather than trying to find a job?I wanted to experience working in a few different environments before getting stuck in to a job. Every place has it’s own dynamics, hierarchy and approach, so it’s good to see that. Also I hoped it would make me more of a catch, employment wise. Would you advise people to take internships after university?Yes definitely, if you’re interested in developing your creative thinking and experiencing studio cultures. But remember that your aim ultimately is to get a job. How do you feel it has benefited you?My time interning has given me a good insight on how projects develop and how general studio/agency life works. I think I’m more prepared for working as a designer, now that I’ve had these experiences. I also have a flavour of what it’s like to work in different sized teams and how your responsibilities change depending on the make up of a team. Also, I understand working on one brand with on-going projects and small design tasks as opposed to working with a variety of clients with a few clearly defined projects.

“Remember that your aim, ultimately, is to get a job”

46

Learn

QWhat advice can you give

to recent graduates?

&

Q&A

What advice can you give to recent graduates?

&A

Ailbhe ní chaoimhDevote time to focusing on build-ing up your style or styles and looking for opportunities and jobs etc. I also think it is important to have other passions. Having other pas-sions and activities/interests in your life, keeps you busy, keeps you inspired and can inspire your work in ways you wouldn’t think.

Daan KempContact all your friends if you want to get a nice job as a designer. You’re not going to find the cool job if you only look on the Internet. Keep making awesome stuff for your portfo-lio; the school stuff is just not enough.

Myrna D'AmbrosioIf you enter the industry with a pro-active, enthusiastic and positive attitude, you’re already one step ahead.

Jen gardnerMy main advice (which my Dad gave me) is “Keep all your options open. Never say no”.

claire MitchellDon’t work for free!

Keelin coyleTry to keep and even accelerate your cur-rent level of produc-tivity, as the more you create and get involved in, the more opportunities will come your way.

flore DiamantBe prepared. Being at University is like liv-ing in a bubble that’s comfortable and nice and cosy, until it pops at graduation and you end up very lost. It is all great, until you get too wrapped up in the uni life and tend to forget about the ‘real’ world until the very end, then run out of time to plan something.

soraan LatifConstantly try to

improve your work and yourself because you’re very far from the finished product. Senior designers are still learning, you will be in shock in how much you will learn when you get a job.

femi Idowu-readIf you want to be freelance, then you have to commit. There’s no bigger inspiration for finding work than being poor and hungry!

Josh Morrison Hughes-gamesExperiment, take personal risks. Say yes to things that you are not entirely sure that you can do and just try to do them!

nonstopcollectiveDon’t hesitate,Seek the unknown,& push it real good!

Judith HunzikerYou should dare. Dare to send your portfolio to every studio you admire the work of and above all never

stop doing personal projects, they will give you motivation and help you to go in the direction you want.

Henry BrownIf you want to learn and develop as a designer by working for an agency and you haven’t already applied for as many internships and jobs as you can, then DO IT NOW!

rob AshleyMake sure you have a reason for doing internships and use every experience as a chance to learn more and expand your knowledge. Don’t wait around for the perfect job to come up, be pro-active.

48 Learn

Chris Price

Photography 49

Jen Gardner

50 Learn

HENRY BROWN

The Junior Designer

The art of smooth sailing

Graduated from: Falmouth University, Cornwall

Interview 51

After graduating from Falmouth University, Henry Brown stepped straight into a full-time position as a graphic designer, which doesn’t happen often in today’s competi-tive environment. His proactive years at university, having undertaken several internships, paid off as the London based branding agency Unreal offered him a job even before he had finished his third year! As soon as he handed in his final years work for assessment, he packed up and moved to London. Since then, he has been busy working on both big and small projects; national ad campaigns, rebrands for global corporations and branding projects for start-ups. Originally from a sleepy little village in the Yorkshire Wolds he now lives in South London; still exploring the city he also finds the time to do the occasional freelance project.

Originally from: village in North England Currently lives in: South London Age: 24

52 Learn

What were your expectations of the industry when finishing university?Because I had done internships my expectations with work were quite realistic – long hours, jug-gling several projects at once and lunchtime pub sessions. Lifestyle wise, I didn’t really know what to expect. Probably to live more central, with a network of friends nearby and an easy, pleasant commute... how ignorant of me.

Do you feel that university prepared you for the professional world?Absolutely! Falmouth could not do anything more to help you achieve a career in most areas of design. I have friends from the course who have gone on to do so many diverse and interest-ing things in design from art direction in large ad agencies to multi-disciplinary design in small boutique studios.

What has been tough?The hardest thing has probably been staying motivated and excited by design and not burn-ing out. Being subjected to a steady routine with millions of other people in the capital for a while can really separate you from what’s happening outside your little bubble. However, checking out exhibitions, music and frequently getting away from the city for a weekend helps.

Your interests from school, have you found you are able to implement them in the industry?As a student my main interests were typography, branding, identity design, surfing and photogra-phy. Aside from surfing I can say that my interests are satisfied in the industry. I also got quite into motion graphics, which has proved to be very useful at work for putting together case studies

and mocking up digital ideas for client presen-tations. I do however miss the hands on side of design – I used to love screen-printing.

Have you carried on doing personal projects since finishing university?Working on personal work alongside the day job is something I find really important for staying inspired and motivated. I have started many pro-jects, thinking they’re all brilliant and amazing, but as time goes on I get distracted and start another project. Some projects that have fallen by the wayside include (but are not limited to) a collaborative magazine with fellow graduates, websites that have failed to go live and typeface designs that have stayed in vector form. However, I am currently working on a screensaver idea (I know, it sounds a bit 1998) and a zine collating together a series of photographs I’ve been collecting.

What are your ambitions?I would one day like to run my own studio, maybe in San Francisco or Portland... But more realisti-cally I would like to learn as much as I possibly can from working in the global design centre that is London and one day be in a position to set up my own team somewhere new and inspiring.

How do you finance yourself?I’m fortunate enough to get paid a salary to do what I love.

Has your role within the studio evolved since you started? This is a hard one to answer because any progres-sion has felt pretty natural especially as I came in as a Junior Designer straight from university. Working in a small team means I’ve always been

Henry Brown

Interview 53

involved with the larger projects as well as the smaller ones. However, as I’ve improved and become more confident in my ideas and pre-senting, I notice a lot more of my contributions on work going out of the studio – which is a great feeling. I’m also trusted with some of my own pro-jects, which is scary but very creatively satisfying.

What are your working hours?I usually get into the studio for half 8 and leave work at half 6. There is the occasional late night when things get super busy but that just goes with the territory.

Do you have any advice for those who have recently graduated?I don’t want to preach so I will keep it short and sweet. If you want to learn and develop as a designer by working for an agency and you haven’t already applied for as many internships and jobs as you can, then DO IT NOW! Don’t put it off because once you stop, it will be harder to start again. If you’re not sure what you want to do, then there’s no harm in interning at a couple of places. Also, try to work on your own personal projects alongside a job, it’s important to work out your brain creatively as much as possible.

“I’m fortunate to get paid to do what

I love”

54

Fond of Graduation

fond would like to thank the following people for making this issue

possible:

Arthur HirstAilbhe Ní Chaoimh

Claire MitchellChris Helingoe

Chris PriceChristopher van Wilson

Daan KempFemi Idowu-Read

Flore DiamantGavin Boorman

Greg SwanHenry BrownJen Gardner

Joep BrouwerJoran Koster

Joseph CarterJosh Morrison Hughes-Games

Judith HKeelin Coyle

Monica GiunchiMyrna D'AmbrosioNatasha Beesley

Rob AshleySoraan Latif

Stefan van RijnSuzanne Hoenderboom

Thomas Chico van Asselt

Thank you!

Issue #4

This photograph was taken last summer, at one of the few occasions at which Sophie & Fanny were together.

By Fanny Wacklin Nilsson

& Sophie Balch