23 questions!

From a set of Derwent pencils all the way to Emery and London - without the fear of ever becoming a truck driver - you have to love a lady with talent. And that's exactly what we have with this latest A-List - pure talent! Allow us to introduce Lucy!

What sparked your passion for design?
I think my first set of Derwent colour pencils pretty much did it.

How creative were you as a youngster?
I remember drawing a picture of cats sitting around a campfire when I was in grade 2 and my teacher was so impressed she showed all the big kids – still one of the proudest days of my life!

Do you come from a creative family?
There are a few artists floating around the family tree, but my mum’s a natural therapist and my dad’s a lawyer, so it’s a bit of a mix.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Very. I’m pretty sure they would have supported me even if I wanted to be a truck driver. (Ed note: No disrespect to any truck drivers reading, of course!)

What sort of education and training have you had?
4 years at RMIT, Bachelor of Communication Design with Honours.

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
No one. I was terrified.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
It was a merchandise catalogue for Holden. I loved it. It was a great first experience and it’s still in my folio today.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years? Illustrator for sure. And I find blue glue sticks pretty revolutionary.

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
I certainly hope not. There’s no doubt that digital technology is growing and for good reason, however there will always be a demand for beautifully crafted, well-finished print.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
No one you know, but Carly, a senior designer at theFarm studio who I worked with in London. She is truly amazing and I loved working with her and seeing what ridiculously good-looking things she created.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you? Garry Emery – he taught me never to f*ck up.

How would you describe your work?
Clean. Relevant. Fresh.

What are your plans for the future?
I would like to continue freelancing, start screen-printing and eventually start my own import business.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A friendly studio full of lovely people and interesting work.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
Unpretentious and confident. We are relative new comers which I think gives us a lot of room to move.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
After having worked in London, it’s safe to say the best thing is not going to and from work in the dark. However the worst thing would be the limited amount of work available.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future? I think we already have respect within the design world, however our challenge lies in validating and enhancing that respect.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
Expanding my record collection. You just can’t beat the sound of a well-loved vinyl!

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I went to Siglo recently above Melbourne Supper Club, it has a beautiful backdrop of the Princess Theatre. Also Little Creatures – it’s massive and filled with beer, need I say more?

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
keepcalmgallery.com
itsnicethat.com
printliberation.com
thelonelyisland.com
amybennett.com

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
Florence and the Machine’s new EP, and yes I love it.

If I was a font, I’d be…? Well my left leg’s slightly longer than my right, so maybe I would be set in italics.

Do you need an A-List Artisan like Lucy in your studio? Would you like to know more? Contact Mathew NOW.