2018 and the year ahead
So, another year over and a new one just begun...
A year, as I said to someone yesterday, is not a circle but a straight line... Every new year I see it as the chance to start afresh - we don't start back where we started - the slate is wiped clean and we get another chance to try and find what we're looking for, right the wrongs or reassess where we want to go. Roughly 340 days ago, I decided to plunge into the unknown a bit. It was a calculated risk, but one I was happy to make - I needed to expand as a creative and to expand as a person. I knew I had to jump from my comfort zone, and as it turned out I landed on my feet and unbeknown to me, just at the right time. Since taking the jump I've worked across some of the most recognisable brands in the UK music festival industry and for 2018 will be the lead designer for Reading and Leeds festivals, London based Community festival and the 50th anniversary of the Isle of Wight festival. How huge is that?! On a personal level - I definitely feel the rut of 2016 is well and truly left behind :) The people I have gotten to work with bring joy to my day, and those that have moved to pastures new are only a text and a cheeky drink away. The energy (and life) around London is something I wish I could bottle - the culture, the events, the exhibitions, the restaurants, the jobs - the transport system - are in abundance, and for someone from out of town are things that just NEED to be explored. 2017 for me was definitely a year of transition - I wonder what 2018 will hold? I've signed up for another year in London, well until November at least - so I wonder where I'll be this time next year...? A millionaire I hope(!), but if not, I hope to have chipped away at a few more pieces of what this city has to offer...All the best for 2018 - I hope it's a cracker
You just gotta ride it
Sometimes things can fall into place with the greatest of ease, and sometimes things can fall apart just as easily.
The world of a freelancer and contractor is a rollercoaster. There are peaks and troughs, highs and lows, exhilarating parts and frightening parts. Personally I am cruising the exhilarating rushes, whilst on the flip side of the coin I know others up and down the country experiencing the troughs I too have gone through. It's a tough place that trough. It can bring you to tears and to a place where you feel entirely insignificant, a shadow of who you really are and who you can be. It's hard to see the end of the tunnel, it's hard to believe that something entirely unexplored and potentially exciting is around the corner. But there is an end to the tunnel. For me, I was experiencing a trough of sorts early last year. I knew it was a minor blip, and believe me, I've been through worse. I decided to cast my fate to the wind and head to London. I've been here around 9 months now and somehow it's very much fallen into place. I'm not entirely sure how - but it has and it's exciting. I came to London for several reasons, to see if the streets are paved with gold (they're not), potentially seek an eligible bachelor (erm...) and to do something in an industry that I wouldn't be able to do in Manchester. This last one has very much been fulfilled. I now freelance for a company that organise music festivals. This year alone I have worked on Download festival, London based Community and Wireless festivals, and Reading and Leeds festivals to name but a few. I've worked on print ads for the tube, for Time Out and major newspapers, I've designed web banners and social media banners, and onsite signage almost a kilometre long. It's crazy. I've also recently been able to explore the animation side of things too for BBK and V Festival, and although rusty in that area have enjoyed experimenting immensely. All this has been rewarded by my being handed the Isle of Wight festival, Community festival and Reading and Leeds festivals for 2018. I'm literally blown away by this. It's mental, it's crazy and I'm psyched. On the other hand, I know others for whom it's fallen out of place. I've tried my best to be a listening ear and I know it's hard, and I know you probably find me a little bit annoying with my suggestions, but if I can help my friends achieve what they're looking for in the same way I help my clients achieve they're goals, that would make me happy :) For now I am cruising the rollercoaster, but as with all things it will come to an end of that I am sure, but for now I've my arms in the air, screaming into the wind.Good things come to those who wait
Something will always come up, and this week it really has.
In May of last year I applied for a graphic design role. I applied not because I needed a job, but because I thought it would be the coolest job I could ever possibly imagine getting in the design world. I didn't expect to hear anything back - I just wanted to make the application and throw my hat into the ring as it were. I did in fact hear back. I was asked to design something. I designed something and sent it off... Alongside this application process, I had also been contacted by a recruiter with another design role. He seemed pretty sure that I was the right candidate. He was right. I got the job and signed on the dotted line... And then I was invited for an interview at the first place - which I had to politely decline. I emphasised my regret and explained I had got a role elsewhere, but assumed on my part that it was game over. I was disappointed at missing my chance, however, I am a firm believer in what will be, will be, que sera sera and all that.That was last summer. Last week I got the call - can I start on Monday? And this time I could :)
Something will always come up. I'm glad that I took a plunge into the unknown at the end of January. Someone is always on the hunt for a designer, and it's good to know that I was in this case "the hunted." It has given me new hope to the words "we'll keep you on file," it seems that you really are. In an emergency situation, all those CVs really are locked away and scrutinised and calls do happen. Not only that, but a number of the applications I made since the end of January and last week have started to get in touch too. I have had to decline their offers of interviews, but I explained the situation and fingers crossed when my current contract ends, another door will open. It seems good things do come to those who wait.Take a chance on me
Every now and then I take a chance. I take a gamble and plunge in.
I've done this on several occasions in my life to date. I took a gamble and ran away to sea, that worked out to be one of the best things I have ever done. It continues to define me, and I hate that it might be the best thing that ever happened to me. I took a gamble and went into the world of freelance graphic design - again that paid off, allowed me to travel some more, work with some great folks and develop my clientele and professional style. Another gamble took me to the other side of the world. That one didn't work out so well. Some you win, some you lose. After retreating to the relative safety of home for a few years, I have once again taken the plunge. I have moved to London without a safety net. The city is my oyster, and I'm excited. I came because I want to learn from creatives, I came because I want to develop as a designer and I came because I want to be challenged. I want you to take the gamble on me... I know that I have done a whole load of corporate literature and B2B material, and a limited amount of truly creative projects. I know that and it's why I made the move. I also know that I don't have the best interview technique known to man, but it's something I am working on to improve. But what I do have is a strong work ethic, and a belief in getting the job done to the best of my abilities. I have a creative mind and always have, I am flexible and approachable, with a whole range of skills to offer - and I will help out anyone who asks :) Now I just want the chance to prove it. Ultimately I want to work with graphic design agencies, I want them to take a gamble on me and I want them to feel that it was worth it.I couldn’t recommend Elizabeth highly enough
Over the past 6 months, I have been working with the Institute for Public Policy Research. One particular stand out project was the recent 'Future Proof: Britain in the 2020s', a report discussing the economic, social and technological changes that will reshape Britain in the coming years.
It was decided to use a more visual approach to this report than the usual IPPR publications, resulting in my working closely with the author Mathew Lawrence. Together we discussed ideas and how best to put his and the funders ideas together, whilst getting the key data points across.
Here's what IPPR research fellow Mathew Lawrence had to say:
I worked with Elizabeth on IPPR's 'Future Proof: Britain in the 2020s', a highly designed, visual examination of the changes set to reshape the country in the decade ahead. Based on her work, and working closely with her throughout the project, I couldn't recommend Elizabeth highly enough. Her work was of consistently excellent quality, produced under considerable pressure. Elizabeth managed the design of the project from inception and storyboarding through to completion, demonstrating excellent project management skills to go with her design and visual skills. Her attention to detail and skill in both design and layout undoubtedly were key to the report being the most widely downloaded report produced by IPPR in 2016, generating over 18,000 website interactions and almost 4,000 downloads within the first ten days of publication.
Alongside being excellent in her role, Elizabeth fitted in to the office immediately and was a valued member of the team overall.
Thanks Mat! It was great to work with you on this project and hope to work with you again in the future :)2016, a reflection
It has to be said, 2016 has been a turbulent year.
On a personal level, I feel that my life as I would have liked to have lived it has been altered forever by 17 million Brexiteers, I feel that my dreams and hopes have been dashed by Trump supporters, and more personally I feel like my compass point has been lost. It is this last point that I struggle to deal with the most - I am no longer wanted or required, I have been replaced, but as with all of the above, it is something I have to accept however bitter the pill. On a professional level, this year has also been a journey. I have finished in a very different place than I started both in terms of work style and location. All my previous freelance work had been carried out in my home office, working directly with clients of their projects, however, having noted a slow down of work coming through, I decided to take a full time contract with the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR). This proved a fun experience, I gained some colleagues, office banter and socialising events - plus I got the chance to work on projects that could really shape the UK. However, the plan was always to move to London at some point in 2016 in order to pursue a more creative direction of work for my design portfolio, to work with experienced designers and to learn and develop as a graphic designer. Luckily for me the transition has been made a lot easier and smoother due to my contract with the IPPR who have offices both in Manchester where I started, and London where I am now based. I will be working with the IPPR until the end of January 2017, but after that, the world (well London) will be my oyster! I have started on the job/freelance hunt - so wish me luck!I feel privileged to have worked with my clients
As I am sure many a freelancer feels, I feel a sense of pride in the fact that out of all the graphic designers in the world, people have chosen to work with me. Just as I reflect on 2016, I am proud to have had the opportunity to work with the likes of the IPPR, Equality and Human Rights Commission, JustLife, Leica Geosystems and the Cordant group to name but a few. I genuinely enjoy bringing projects to life and presenting something beyond the expectations of my clients, and although I have relocated this is something I aim to continue and build on.To all my clients, friends and colleagues, I hope you have had a peaceful Christmas and wish you all the best for 2017 whatever it may bring.
Tags: 2016, Brexit, creative, freelance graphic design, graphic designer, IPPR, London
From the outset was enthusiastic about the project
Justlife, a leading organisation working with vulnerable people living in temporary accommodation in Brighton and Manchester has been working with the IPPR for the last 3 years. The final package, 'The Journey Home' contains not only a research report, but a handbook and a wall chart which visualises the journey of a person working through the temporary accommodation system, detailing the psychological impact of that journey.
The iceberg was a visual concept conceived by the Justlife team who were keen to produce a visualisation of their findings, having interviewed 45 homeless people and found similarities across all of their stories.
Charlotte Snelling, IPPR's lead researcher on this report, managed and co-ordinated the process between myself and Justlife, and here's what she had to say:
I worked with Elizabeth to develop a wallchart, to present the findings from a three-year research project examining the experience of individuals’ journeys into and out of unsupported temporary accommodation. At IPPR, we are always looking for new and innovative ways of presenting our research, to be able to engage with a wide and diverse audience and enjoy prolonged impact, exploring creative outputs which go beyond a traditional report structure. The wallchart designed by Elizabeth used the metaphor of an iceberg to demonstrate the different stages in one individual’s unsupported temporary accommodation journey. It was important for us to ensure the all our research participants were included – to reflect their contribution to the research and the variation in their experiences – and Elizabeth was able to manage to include this large amount of information in a way that was clear, visually appealing, and something organisations and agencies would want to put on their walls! It was great working with Elizabeth who from the outset was enthusiastic about the project and able to bring numerous ideas to the table, while also being responsive to the ideas from the research team.
Having seen the visuals that Justlife were inspired by, I couldn't help but think this project would turn out successfully! I'm glad that the outcome went down well with both the IPPR and Justlife teams.
Tags: freelance graphic designer, IPPR, Justlife, London
London calling
So I decided to head south for the winter...
As of November I became a Londoner. I have been in somewhat of a personal rut for a good few months now, and as my oldest and wisest friend declared, I was in need of a change. I therefore decided to pack up my laptop and relocate to the big smoke in seek of my fortune, a change of pace and to see if the streets are actually paved with gold... Luckily for me I was able to transfer to the London office of the IPPR with whom I am currently working, and with my contract ending in January I am all set to find a new design role or freelance design work - which is exciting and mildly terrifying all at the same time.So what is it I'm looking for?
Well, the ultimate job would be to work on the next 4 Fantastic Beast films with the folks at Mina Lima a fantastic exhibition of their graphic design work I was able to catch just this week. A definite must see for the Harry Potter fans amongst us... That aside, I would love to let my creative juices flow, be it with a graphic design or media agency, or working in house with a marketing or communications team. I definitely feel that my options have opened by ten thousand per cent now I am in London, and that the world is once again my oyster. Fingers crossed it turns out as awesome as I hope it does... I'll keep you posted ;)
Tags: Freelance designer, Graphic design, London
A creative crossroads
Back in May I was at somewhat of a creative crossroads on the freelance design front. I was thoroughly enjoying working with my clients (they are all and continue to be lovely people) however, I was finding the solitary nature of my working life a bit lonely - I was in need of colleagues, water cooler chat and office banter.
Luckily for me, my latest role turned up somewhat out of the blue as I was lazing around a hotel pool in Croatia. Upon casually checking my phone, I realised I had two missed calls, an answer phone message, a linked in message, text message and email from a recruiter with the perfect role for me. Long story short, I got the contract and have been working at the IPPR since July. Since then I have rediscovered the good, the bad and the ugly side of commuting, the office banter and the enjoyment of being part of a team with folks to bounce ideas with. It's been proven that I am a high level tea drinker, yet creative thinker and have worked on a whole range of projects from research publications to e-newsletters to Nicola Sturgeon lectern stands to branding to website maintenance and magazines. It has indeed been a busy couple of months!
Tags: freelance graphic design, IPPR, manchester