23 Questions!

What sparked your passion for design?
I enjoyed drawing as a child. My parents encouraged me to find something I loved and make that my career. When I was in year 11 my sister was working at Ogilvy & Mather advertising agency. I had a tour of their creative department and discovered graphic design and airbrush illustration. That was when I decided to become a designer.

How creative were you as a youngster?
I was good at drawing and music. I thought derwent pencils were fantastic. My school projects were always quite creative.

Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My family weren't that creative but they were definitely supportive of me becoming a designer. My Dad and sister were creative in a literary sense and one of my brothers was good at music.

What sort of education and training have you had?
HSC at a grammar school, then onto Swinburne for a 3 year diploma of graphic design. Various management courses followed over the years.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I was happy to get a foot in the door - I wasn't fussy.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
I worked for a marketing consultancy in Albert park. One of their clients was Parkmore Keysborough shopping centre. My first project was a poster and invitation for a beauty pageant for the shopping centre. Lots of line art, rapidographs and bromides. If I had a computer then, the job would have been done so much better and faster. I don't miss hand drawn finished art.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? I enjoy Photoshop, Indesign and Flash. The development of web 2.0 and mobile technology have certainly been drivers of change in recent years.

What are the various mediums that you’ve worked with and is there any that you would like to explore? I have worked in print media for most of my career. I have also done some work for inhouse TV and web. Before digital I also did some mixed media illustration (pencil, airbrush, gouache). I'd like to explore more Flash.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
The print market has contracted but will not be eliminated by digital technology. Some things are better read on screen. The cost of a print run versus putting something on a website will continue to motivate some clients to migrate communications to the web.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
Gary Emery, Mimmo Cozzolino, Ken Cato, Richard Henderson, Brian Sadgrove were/are some designers who's work inspired me. For the most part they conveyed a sense of Australian culture in their work - colour, imagery, typography and sometimes humour.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? There is not one single person that stands out. I have had some good managers that have challenged me and encouraged me to take risks and grow. I have learned you can achieve more with a good team than by yourself.

What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Managing two studios for a large corporate company, simultaneously in two different states and helping other designers to achieve.

How would you describe your work?
Clean and to the point.

What are your plans for the future?
Move back into a studio management role. Learn more about web design.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A well led design firm or corporate inhouse design studio.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
We have some really good design firms in Australia. Work from Australia competes globally.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
Our geographic isolation. Sometimes we rely too heavily on trends in Europe and America.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future? The rate of technological change and how that will influence delivery channels for marketing and design. Globalisation and competition from India and China will continue to impact.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Playing music with some mates.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Absolutely no idea. I enjoy a few beers and a bottle of red, but I'd rather hang out with my family than in a bar.

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
www.centreforbranding.com.au
www.designmeltdown.com
www.webdesignermag.co.uk
www.strangeattractors.com
http://de-war.de

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Jason Mraz - We sing. We dance. We steal.
It's OK.

If I was a font, I’d be...? Meta - useful, flexible and easy to read.


Do you need an A-List Artisan like Mik in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Charlie NOW!