Being a designer is awesome. You’re either scrambling ideas together in your sketchbook, meeting and learning about new people, or as many of us are familiar with — glued in front of an iMac curving paths or kerning type. For me this has been really rewarding — between this and my photography, I haven’t really looked back.
In 2008, there was a group of close friends / designers / photographers that graduated alongside me, and haven’t really kept up with them as much as I could have. So over the last couple of months, I made an effort to get in touch with a few of them, and see if these talented people would spill a little about what they’ve been up to, and share their successes. Here’s what they had to say…
Sarah Gray
I was part of this magical group of students to have graduated from CPIT in 2009. I was lucky to gain immediate employment at Blueprint Media in Christchurch, here I was exposed to the reality of the design world which came as a little bit of a shock after being allowed alot of creative and imaginative freedom during study!! It was also a shock to the system to be expected to produce a finalised logo in 4 hours or a website in 12 hours. What I really enjoyed was having the print factory right outside my window and to have the Web Developers sitting at the desks next to me, I was able to learn a lot about taking design concepts right through to pre-press and most importantly negotiating with the clients to get the outcome they had hoped for.
Since July 2010 I have been based in Germany, actually having a break from full time design to pursue my other love of dressage (horse riding) for a while, it’s quite good to be away from the desk although I do some freelance work in the evenings including the recent identity launch for my current employers H&H Sportpferde GMBH. We have a very successful product designer who owns a horse in our barn and she has provided some wonderful connections here, her website is www.koehlerwilms.de . My long term plan is that when my German is a bit more fluent I will aim to get a foot in the door at a design agency here in Germany.
Europe is amazing, I have been to some incredible exhibitions (the local art Gallery currently has a early Picasso exhibition) but am yet to make to “tiki tour” to Bauhaus and Weimar etc, I promise to post photos when I do! A place I recommend to anyone traveling is the “Design Museum” in London if anyone is in the area! www.designmuseum.org the of course the Tate museum is just along the river but wow I spent a lot of money at the Design Museum they have some great books.
Ok so that’s me over and out! much love to all my other fellow graduates and also to our beautiful tutors! I would like to thank them for (even after graduation) having their office door wide open and giving incredible advice and support.
XO Sarah
. . . . . .
Kelly Satherley
Wow, what have I been doing since finishing tech? Man time does fly! Well I spent 2 years in my first ‘real’ design job where I learnt very quickly how to put into practice everything we had learnt, plus some things I hadn’t. For the last 6 months I’ve been back in my home town doing a bit of freelance work while making coffees part time.
Moving forward, bigger and better things are in store… I’m very excited for our (me and my animating side-kicks) upcoming move to Melbourne where we are going to try and start living the dream! I’m going to try and get into an awesome design job while also starting my own portfolio of work. I have a vision of one day having my own exhibition combining my 3 fav things, graphics, type & drawing. We’ll see how that goes…
Cheers Andy for getting us all together!
http://www.theloop.com.au/kellysatherley
. . . . . .
Christy Butterick
What I’m up to hmmm well…
I’ve been working for Phantom Billsticker as the Retail Promotions Manager and an Accounts Manager for the last 2.5 years, I run a little team of minions running around Wellington dropping of flyers and putting up posters for concerts/gigs/shows. It’s a job, pays the rent… bit over it. Might move to Oz next year, try and achieve my dream of working for a magazine doing fun stuff.
I’ve been freelancing in my ‘spare time’, it’s a tad exhausting… I’m working for a few charities atm, for Human Trafficking and about the Famine in Africa. I’ve worked for the Health Sponsorship Council, doing layout design…boring, and Real Groovy doing flyer design, pretty boring also and then just designed a sign for Marbecks for their Vinyl Section…and that’s pretty much it…yay for life!
. . . . . .
Brooke Stewart
Hi everyone, here’s is an update of my life so far…
After finishing up at CPIT, I enrolled at Natcoll where I gained a Diploma of Website Development. I did this as largely because there were more job opportunities in area of web, and importantly, because I enjoy it! Upon completion of the course, I was offered employment at BECK & CAUL (www.beckandcaul.co.nz), a small Christchurch design agency. My role there was/is graphic designer and web developer. I have done lots of interesting and varied work, largely with businesses and organisations in the South Island tourism industry. I’ve been at BECK & CAUL for a year and a half now, and have just recently moved on to another Christchurch agency – Plato Design (www.platodesign.co.nz) in a more web development focused role. I hope to extend my knowledge and skills in the ever growing world of website development. Here’s a little sample of my web work: www.bdesigns.co.nz/portfolio/
To sum things up — I’m always busy — working, dealing with earthquakes, wedding plans (Phil & I will be getting married in Feb next year!)… and whatever else life may throw my way!
Hope everyone is doing well and most importantly, enjoying life!
. . . . . .
Alexsia Heller
After finishing study at CPIT, I moved back to Wellington and began working as an In-House Graphic Designer for Retail Institute, until present. Retail Institute develops qualifications and workplace training resources for employers and employees in the retail industry.
My role includes laying out large training resources and directing/carrying out photo shoots needed for these resources. As well as a variety of promotional and marketing material that ranges from brochures and email newsletters, to banners and vehicle graphics. I also look after our Brand Guideline document, that provides a clear vision and structure for our designs as well as ensuring our brand is maintained effectively.
At some stage in the future, I would like to move to Melbourne and continue working in design at a small Graphic Design agency or again as In-House Designer.
Our online portfolio: www.retailinstitute.org.nz/about/portfolio-of-work/graphic-design/
My personal online folio at Cargo Collective: www.cargocollective.com/alexsiahellerdesign
. . . . . .
Lindsay Yee
What I’ve been up to since leaving:
Worked inhouse at a small business called Sigma Business Consultants as well as freelancing, then started working for Fairfax Media/The Press as a designer in their Advertising Department. Left there and moved to Auckland late last year. Was freelancing, worked on contract at a couple places worked on some interesting work actually (look out for a TV show about ‘Mozzies’ NZ/Australia’s answer to the Jersey Shore set on the Gold Coast, haha). But landed a dream job at fuman (www.fuman.co.nz), now working with big clients and get to work in this cool building (www.thepaperbag.co.nz/2011/03/ironbank/).
I also do a little bit of writing (very badly, just ask Kris Sowersby) for Design Assembly (www.designassembly.org.nz/author/lindsay-yee)
. . . . . .
Hayley Trengrove
So it’s been 3 years since graduating from CPIT, boy does time goes fast!
So what have I been doing since…? Well within my first year I really struggled to break into the design industry, applying for numerous design jobs and getting turned down time after time because I didn’t have industry experience, im sure you know how it goes..
So instead I changed my focus to photography, where most of my passion and drive lies, i knew it was where i was meant to be, so no matter how hard it was going to be I knew somehow I had to do it and make it happen.
I worked part time in a office job and part time for myself doing a mixture of stencil art, graphic design and photography (www.trengroveart.co.nz) but it wasn’t fulfilling enough. I wanted to travel, see the world, yet still be involved with photography doing what I love.
I did some research online and discovered cruise ships! I had no idea what to expect or how hard it was to get a job with the qualifications I had. But it was worth a shot. Long story short I applied and got the job.
I am currently back from my 2nd contract.. the contracts run for 6 months. We work 8-10 hour days, 7 days a week for 6 months. My first contract I was a junior photographer learning about how they run things, shooting and how to live life at sea. It was becoming very unfulfilling because there was no room for creativity and my soul felt like it was being crushed! Now on my second contract, I was promoted to running what we have only on two ships right now.. A private studio, which I love and wouldn’t trade for anything. It needs a lot of work to get it where it needs to be so I have enjoyed the challenge of coming up with new ideas to further enhance it and how we can better promote it.
I’m not yet sure if I want to stay on ships or go back to living a more realistic way of life on land. However I do know once you have had a taste of the fast paced, high energy life on ships it can be addictive and leave you craving more. Perhaps one more contract which will take me to Alaska then I will look at moving to the states or Australia to settle down and get a “real” job.
Perhaps one day I will end up living back in New Zealand…Because its true what they say…home is always where the heart is…
. . . . . .
Caroline Miller
Class of 2008 | Full Time Graphic Designer | Melbourne
So far my Design career has lead me in all different types of directions. Environmental and Sustainable Design , Retail Design and now Architecture.
After 2 years under my belt in little New Zealand, I decided to make a big change in my life and career. I wanted to be surrounded by like minded people with a sense of creativity and diversity along with a cultural identity… So what better place than Melbourne?! 6 months later I found myself on a plane with a one way ticket, no job, very few contacts but a drive to make it happen.
It definitely wasn’t easy but turned out to be incredibly worthwhile. These days I find myself working alongside a very youthful bunch of respected Architects, Interior Designers and Graphic Designers. They share the same passions in one form of Design or another and my work consists of the usual everyday marketing collateral which we tend to call “ the boring stuff” along with the occasional exciting stuff like Sports Stadia Brochures, Environmental signage systems, conference banners, welcome packs and Design Journals. Architecture has definitely opened up a new insight for me and I am excited to see where it takes me. So far I’m curious to explore more Environmental signage Systems for large scale Architectural projects!
. . . . . .
Jen Edmonds
Where do I start? In the three years since we finished CPIT I’ve completed a one year course in Interactive Design at Natcoll, I have gained a fulltime job in the industry, and I have setup my own design business.
Just over a year ago I accepted a job offer to work fulltime for GirlGuiding New Zealand as the National Web & Design Co-ordinator. Here I work on a wide range of products and publications (including a book being published!) as well as controlling the website and its content. It is so great to be combining both of my passions, graphic design and website design, all within the one job.
I had been approached over the last few years by a number of people to create certain design elements for them. This is when I thought it was time to set up my own business, and JK Designs became a registered company – something I have said I was always going to do. The work is going great and business is steadily building, one day this will become my fulltime job.
I am currently in the process of updating my website so keep your eyes peeled for the unveiling…
Jen
Tags: Class of 2008, CPIT, Design School
Leave a Reply