As part of our spotlight on graphic design this month, we have been speaking to our team of designers and finding out more about the themes and motivations which underlie the bespoke designs they create. Today I spoke with Amelia Marsh who has been a part of our graphic design team for over nine months.

How did you first become interested in graphic design?

“I have always been interested in art and design, but it was at GCSE when I studied graphic design as a subject that I realised it was something I was interested in studying further so I went along to an open day course at college, looking through all the past students work and what the course entails. It was then when I knew it was something I wanted to pursue.”

What route did you follow to become a graphic designer?

“From GCSE I went onto College to study a BTEC in Graphic Design for two years where in my first year I achieved student of the year, I then went on to study graphic design as a Dip HE for a further two years at the same college with my final year at University, which I finished with a BA (Hons) in Graphic Design. After leaving University to build up my portfolio I went onto working full time for my father who is self-employed and took on the design and marketing material for the company.

“Working closely and regularly with local printers also enabled me to occasionally gain experience working with customers, with this I found I built a good working relationship and gained knowledge and experience within the industry more.  After a couple of years of working with my father and part freelancing to build my portfolio, I then felt ready to begin applying for permanent positions within the industry. Upon finding the job advert for Go Displays, I applied straight away and was invited along for an interview and soon after offered a full time position as a Graphic Designer for the company.”

Where does your inspiration come from when creating designs?

“I regularly look through magazines, the internet, blogs etc. There is design everywhere, so subconsciously I get inspired throughout daily life. Anything I see or find inspiring, I like to capture and keep for when it may inspire a design for something else.”

What processes do you follow when working with customers on graphic design?

“Upon receiving a customer order, it’s always best to talk through the brief with them to get an understanding of what the customer is initially thinking and also to go over any corporate branding that is already in place. After doing this, I will put together a few design concepts for the customer and then send these over to them for any feedback or approval.”

Is there any design you are particularly proud of after working in the industry? 

“Since my time at Rap Industries, I’d say one of my first designs I did for a customer was one I am most pleased with. This customer was ‘Thames transformation partners’, this is because although my customer had a brief in mind, I decided to develop a concept with introduced some of my own ideas to make it more creative and that stands out. Ultimately, it was this concept that my customer chose and was very happy with.” (PHOTO1)

What kind of graphic design work would you love to be doing in the future?

“As a designer, you are your own inspiration as they say, so I’ll never stop learning and growing as a designer. With the many trends that come and go, I look forward to continuing to work for a successful design team but one other area I have always been interested in is magazine / brochure design and advertising. There’s nothing better than seeing your design in the eye of the public and being enjoyed by all!”

To see our interview with Graphic Designer Graeme Cruickshanks click here