Since officially joining the team in Autumn 2014 it’s safe to say that I am having the time of my life here at Girl & Boy studio. It’s not often you land your ideal job a couple of months after graduating from University, definitely counting my lucky stars.
From starting out by doing a few weeks work experience in the studio to being a fully fledged employee I have already gained a lot about being involved in a successful, working design agency. It’s great to be part a studio that has a clear idea of who they want to be and are not afraid to go out of their comfort zone to achieve results. For me, the biggest learning curve i’ve experienced so far was the transition between University work and the real life world of industry. Although University teaches you the theory behind design and allows you to explore many different design choices in yourself, it doesn’t necessarily prepare you for the world of work. This is where I am very grateful to have two brilliant mentors (3 if you count the furry, four legged one) who give me their time and guidance if I ever need it.
Day to day studio life is never a bore and working in such a well thought out studio space makes it even better. The studio itself has constantly evolved in style since I started last year with lots of shifting about and the addition of some really cool prints going up around the place. I often think change is good and having a studio that has the ability to transform and adapt around you definitely keeps everything fresh. The fact that the studio is based in Barry is also another bonus, it’s nice to be out of the hustle and bustle of the City but still close enough to be in the loop, proving a City based location isn’t everything. Plus having a beach less than a 5 mins away is always a benefit, especially in the summer. Flake 99’s all round!
One of Hollie's first projects with us was to create a series of infographics and illustrations for a report, for Creative Skillset.
One of my favourite things about working here is the encouragement in going back to basics and picking up pen to paper before starting projects. It’s so easy to get into the habit of going straight onto the iMac and ignoring your sketchbook. Also the idea of trying out new materials when considering a project and not always producing a computer based outcome is always exciting – in particular the creation of our 2014 Christmas card. Endless trips (and I really mean endless!) to hobby craft was well worth the end result and also the experience of learning a new skill in paper stop motion was a massive positive. Alongside the fact we were able to get ultra festive early November when we started the project. Christmas starting in November is always a winner.
So I guess you could say that was just a mini summary of my time here so far at Girl & Boy studio. It’s crazy how fast time has flown since I first joined. Almost as crazy as how many cups of coffee Lex drinks a day! I am chuffed to be part of the gang and look forward to seeing what new exciting projects are in store for 2015. Bring it on.
