What does graphic design mean to you?
Good question. To me, graphic design is all about communication it is also both art and problem solving combined. The art of arranging text, images and various other elements in the correct context for the job at hand. This in my opinion can often lead to problem solving as it needs to be well thought out for it to communicate effectively and thus being good graphic design. I personally always approach identity design jobs as a visual problem which I the designer must solve.

How did you get interested in this type of work?
Fortunately for me I discovered graphic design fairly early – before I had even thought about it as a career. I was in grade 10 and living in a small country town west of Brisbane. It was compulsory for all students to do some form of work experience. Me not having any idea of what to do I looked to my friends for help. One suggested I try a local printing company where his sister was working at the time as a graphic designer. He knew I had dabbled in Photoshop in my own time for fun. I was lucky enough to be placed at the printing company which I thoroughly enjoyed. Completed my compulsory time and was then offered a part time job after school two days a week, which I gratefully accepted.

How long have you been working as a graphic designer?
Haha, another good question! I’ve been employed full time as a graphic designer since 2008. Once I finished high school the small printing company I was working part time for offered me a full time job / apprenticeship in graphic pre press. I completed the first year of my apprenticeship however I realised that a qualification in graphic pre press was not what I wanted. So in 2009 with no qualifications or formal training, I very optimistically applied for a job as a Junior Graphic Designer with Crystal Media Group. However, I would only say I’ve been a “real graphic designer” since I completed my course at Design College Australia in July, 2010 which ran for a year part time.

Where did you study and for how long?
Formal qualification so far has only been a 1 year course part time which was a Certificate IV in Visual Communication at Design College Australia. I am forever studying really – as any designer should. I love to read design books, blogs etc.. oh plus on the job training…

Did you work somewhere else before joining / forming this company?
I need to learn to give shorter answers, I worked for “A Betterway to Print” in Stanthorpe – I cannot thank them enough for the head start and opportunity they gave me.

What advice would you give to a person starting in this industry and why?
Find a good place to study – Then regardless of what area of Graphic Design you want to specialise in find a good small printing company to work at part time (paid, un-paid – it won’t matter). Just get that experience so you will at least have an appreciation and a mild understanding of the production environment.

Is there someone you look to in this industry for advice or inspiration?
Other than the books and blogs I’ve read.
Clint Harvey – Head of school at Design College Australia.
David Airey – Graphic Designer and Design Author.

Do you have an example of your favourite project so far, and why is it your favourite?
I have two favourite projects both freelance identity design jobs. One being for a musician / producer called “Wolfwolf” and the other being for a friend of mine who is going to be an amazing interior designer once she completes her university studies.

Any drawbacks in this industry? Why do you think so?
Spec work. If you are unfamiliar with this term head to www.no-spec.com I’ll keep it short and use someone elses words “In a nutshell, spec requires the designer to invest time and resources with no guarantee of payment.”

Do you find this career as one that is high pressure and one that you find difficult to disconnect from after hours?
It can be a high pressure job and I have woken up several times in the middle of the night terrified. It’s just so rewarding though. Me personally I find it easy to relax and take time out through other creative outlets.

Could you explain your process of approaching a project and your steps from start to finish?
I’ll restrict this to identity design and try to keep it short: Getting my head around the project (once a clear brief has been defined), research, pencil & paper, note taking, word association, visual idea generation (sketching), revisiting the brief / research while looking over sketches, making a decision on the best options (restricting it to a maximum of 3) and pushing them further into illustrator.

Do you work as a group or individually on projects?
I’d say I am always in a group of some form even on my freelance work as I will liaise with the client the entire way through the project, effective communication is the key. When it comes to my work at Crystal Media, I can comfortably say 100% of the work we do is as a group. I am always talking to our team (in no particular order… printers, binders, dispatch, production managers, senior designer etc).

If you didn’t become a graphic designer, what would you have chosen to study?
Either nursing, teaching or went to uni straight after high school to study a bachelor of mass communication.

What goals do you have now that you are an established, professional graphic designer?
Art Director at a reputable advertising agency or a successful freelance brand identity designer – Actually I intend to do both.

Where do you see this industry going, for example technology wise, and why?
Well the print industry is pretty interesting at the moment, Digital has come a long way even in the short time I have been in the industry. Especially with project deadlines getting shorter, I’d say if digital printing keeps getting better (which it will) it will be a really major player. With Graphic Design if you’re good enough at what you do I think you will be alright even with crowd sourcing / spec work becoming increasingly popular etc… At the end of the day, nothing beats a good idea.

And lastly, just for fun, what is your favourite font?
My favourite typeface is Akzidenz Grotesk (Berthold) and favourite font would be Akzidenz Grotesk Bold… Man that was tempting to respond with “Comic Sans”

Born into the depths of an electronic funk era, the phenomenon that is Wolfwolf (26yrs old) recreates the music of the 1980’s with an upbeat and positive modern twist.

From the notebook:

Logotype:
Custom logotype Pantone 485

Promotional CD sleeve:

Photo Credit

AGDA developed a brief for students to pay homage to the milestones of our typographic past, by creating a poster about optimism. In today’s world, travel presents unlimited opportunity. The optimism inspired by travel is demonstrated by A poem that I have written. Frutiger was chosen as it was designed in 1968 for the Charles De Gaulle International Airport in France. The lines featured on the poster represent flight paths around the world. These create letter forms in the negative space – often found in swiss graphic design.

———-

I want to jetset off to a land that’s new
I want to bite off more culture than I can chew
I want to tantilise my tastebuds foreign foods I will consume
I want to meet all creatures great and small not just a select few
And I’ll be happy without the creature comforts
Time to make and take my own track
Writing rhymes from the edge of my back pack
Although I know going home will be the highlight of this show
Mum, Dad, friends and fam thankfully I’ll be back in a year or so

———-

Within this piece I have built the poster using the typeface “Frutiger” which was originally designed by Adrian Frutiger. Adrian was commissioned to design a typeface for the newly built “Charles De Gaulle International Airport” at Roissy in France. Frutiger is also used across the road signs throughout Switzerland so naturally it made sense to develop artwork which was inspired by swiss graphic design styles.

Photo Credit

Brand development and application for the Marlowe Hotel — a luxury hotel with Art Deco inspired architectural features. The Marlowe Hotel offers guests a unique experience of art, style and luxury. Catering for wealthy business executives, celebrities and those who appreciate the finer things in life. The logo incorporates Art Deco’s striking use of geometric forms, in designs and colour. Also reflected within the logo is the skyscraper in which the hotel is situated. Combined with a colour palette complimenting the luxurious experience that is the Marlowe Hotel.

From the notebook:

Logotype:
Crown symbol stacked

Crown symbol inline

Tower combination mark stacked mono

Tower combination mark Pantone 425 (100% and 55%) + Pantone 195

Corporate stationery:

Specifications:
Inks: Pantone 425 (100% and 55%) + Pantone 195
Stock: Spicers Splendorgel 115gsm, 340gsm

Brand re-development and application for Passion Pasta — a quality hand made organic range of pasta’s. Passion Pasta uses natural ingredients and is featured in high-end Deli environments. The new identity needed to communicate the organic hand made nature of the pasta; whilst conveying modern sophistication. The logotype developed reflects the modern, high-end Deli environment; but also pays homage to the historic nature of hand made pasta. Support graphics reinforce the organic ingredients and the handmade natural element of the brand.

From the notebook:

Supporting elements:

Dieline + Artwork:

Product shots:

Specifications
Inks: CMYK – Offset
Stock: K.W. Doggett Impact 350gsm

Logotype:
Pantone 393 (25%) + Black

First, I would like to thank David Airey for creating this gorgeous theme your advice has also proved invaluable.

Now, I know there is nothing really for you to look at, but I promise you. In the next couple of months I will post Graphic Design projects I have worked on. These posts will feature, freelance work and projects I completed whilst studying at Design College Australia.

I aim to show my full design process by having a short description of the brief, inspiration images, mind mapping, conceptual sketches and finished work.

I hope you enjoy my work as much as I do; please don’t hesitate to leave feedback

Photo Credit