As the offspring of a textile artist and an engineer, the combination of aesthetic expression and methodical problem solving led me to a career in graphic design, and is without a doubt where I belong. Pre-degree, I came from a more art-focussed background, and my course at University of Cumbria embraced this, and enabled me to develop both a conceptual and analytical way of creative thinking, whilst providing the perfect setting to explore the expansive subject of graphic design. This was a great starting point, as to me, concept is key, and I strive to produce intelligent, effective and conceptually inspired visual communication at all times.

Versatility is also something I strive for in my creative output. I don’t have what you’d call a definable ‘style’— which I’ve found is both a blessing and a curse — but I like to embrace the fact that I don’t. I aim to start each design brief with a clean slate and tackle the problems within. I usually find that a functional and effective visual treatment emerges from the creative process, without having had a stylistic approach in mind to begin with. This isn’t to say that all design briefs can, and should be approached this way, this is just how my process has evolved and how it works for me.

Manifesto Zine Contribution

East End Transmissions Exhibition Identity

Don’t Mention Dementia

I am very passionate about culture and the arts, and work on a freelance basis with cultural based organisations and individuals (as well as for clients and on projects outside of this sector) but I definitely get a buzz when I can combine my two passions — design and culture. Art and culture are intrinsic to life. Without the resources of our libraries, museums, theatres and galleries, and the creative expressions of music, literature and art we would find ourselves static and sterile. It is because of this I aim to provide these organisations with the ability to engage and interact with audiences through the power of design, to not only keep the interest in the institutions alive and economically strong, but to share, stimulate and enlighten our social well-being.

Being freelance is fantastic. I get to work within my own creative space one day, then join another design team elbow-deep in a project the next. I have to be quick and able to pick up the elements and create something brilliant, and then head back to my desk at home, to be called upon again for another challenge over in Edinburgh the following day. No two days are the same and it’s not something I would change. I love a good challenge and get a kick out of working under pressure, so I feel pretty fortunate to be in an industry that generously serves both. In addition to my freelancer lifestyle, my current alter-ego is as the sole designer at The List, working across both their website and bimonthly magazine. The most recent issue was out on 3 June, so get your copy of this snazzy dose of arts and entertainment news! (#shamelessplug)

The List

Having the odd personal project on the go is also definitely an asset. I flit between digital and print in my day-to-day work as a designer. I do a healthy dose of front-end development as well as graphic design, so my side-projects tend to encompass them both as well. Currently out and about in the public sphere on my Etsy shop thingsbyJD, are a series of Risograph prints and postcards, which were influenced by the artwork I produced for the Bauhaus: Art as Life exhibition at the Barbican. They were the outcome of an exploration of composition and colour, and my first hands-on experience of the riso process. The quality of this type of print is something special, and one I recommend having a go with!

Risograph Prints

Composition Postcards

To me, being a designer is not just a career choice, it’s a way of life. Design is about communication, and by tuning in to the details of the everyday; from colours to textures, from sounds and interactions, and by appreciating both the visceral and the visual, I attempt to draw on all these experiences and infuse them into my design to communicate in strong, beautiful and effective ways.

See more work by Jen on Central Station here.

More: Website | Instagram | Etsy | Twitter

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Self-portrait for Movember

Alexander Jackson is a UK based artist, illustrator and writer. He holds a degree in illustration from Edinburgh College of Art. His work has been featured in comics, children’s books, short stories, magazines, newspapers, as well as on forms of commercial art and murals. Here he discusses the realm of editorial illustration work.

Song and Dance Man

Since graduating with my illustration degree I’ve been involved in a number of projects. Most of these projects have taken place within the editorial realm. Shortly upon completing my course, I provided illustration work for The Skinny magazine. I was then approached by The List magazine to provide all of the illustrations for the cover feature of its supplementary guide to the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, which took place last summer. The work featured on the front cover and throughout the guide. As well as this, I have worked on several publications for The Other Publishing Company, providing a number of illustrations for some of their short stories. These will be featured in the newly launched Cracked Eye magazine. Recently, I’ve been approached to provide illustrations for a manuscript for a children’s short story.

Log Lady

Saul and Jenny

As well as the previously mentioned commissioned work, I have been in the process of self-publishing a children’s book called Jenny’s Bath, which I have written and illustrated. It was recently acknowledged by 3×3. I have also been recruited by Phosphor Art agency.

I took part in Saltmarket Design’s Fringe exhibition at the St. Andrews Square RBS building in August. I’m currently planning on taking part in their collaborative show with Redcoat in December. At events such as this and along with my online shop, I’ve been able to make my work available to a larger audience, mostly though selling digital prints of my work. My work is very much inspired by pop culture, character and narrative so it seems to engage with a large mainstream audience. My images have been shared on Twitter by celebrities such as Jonathan Ross and Edgar Wright.

Bill Bailey

Despite originally having trained in traditional painting techniques, my work has a fairly graphical style. However, I have still managed to find private commission work for paintings, and I hope to introduce more painting into my illustration work.

Burns Night

My plans for the future include more editorial work. I find these projects can be somewhat simplistic but with a tight deadline which I seem to enjoy. However, I’m still working on broadening my clientele in order to diversify my portfolio, which should bring in some exciting new challenges and add some variety to my portfolio. I’ve also been working on a manuscript for a graphic novel, which I plan to illustrate.

My advice to anyone looking to get into this field would be to put together a good strong portfolio that is easily accessible. Your own website can be accessed by people very easily and has the potential to make you look very professional. People often ask me where they can see more of my work and having a portfolio website is a great place to direct people. Also a strong online presence whereby people can be kept up to date on new work and projects in progress (via social media, blogging etc) can be effective. It also shows viewers that to have a passion for what you do. Most of my work has come through my online presence and using various online platforms to promote my work.

Comment below or on Twitter using #LifeAfterArtSchool & mentioning @CenSta with your experience after art school.

Stay tuned for updates from art school graduates all this week. In the meantime see a what to expect from the upcoming Life After Art School features here.

More: Website | Twitter | Facebook

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