Abby Ward is a new graduate in graphic design from the
University of Lincoln. She has a particular interest in illustration and
traditional techniques. Abby is passionate about making and producing items to
make people happy, and loves creating keepsakes that can be treasured.
The kind of design that interests her is patterns, illustrations
and painting. She mentioned how she is drawn to cute, quirky and fun outcomes
and loves to include puns and sarcasm. She told me how she feels card design
incorporates all these things in one, hence why she sways towards that area! Her main influences are Paperchase, Skinny Dip, Sighh and ohh deer. These brands all follow a similar pattern/hand-drawn illustration style - she said working for them would be a dream!
She has completed two placements, one at Lello Design, a
card and jewellery designers, and one at a branding and marketing agency in
Nottingham called RizkMcCay. She also works freelance for The Symphony Learning Trust (a trust of primary school academies in Leicestershire) and Scalford Primary School. She takes interviews and film footage in the school, and makes promotional materials for them. Abby also mentioned working freelance in the past to produce wedding materials such as menus, seating plans and so on.
Abby believes that listening skills are the most important
within the design world. She mentioned how it is imperative to be able to
listen to clients and take on feedback, even if you disagree with them. She also discussed how she struggles to set her own deadlines - something she needs to practice on throughout her career!
In terms of taking criticism from clients, Abby believes that
the client isn’t necessarily always right. She says that criticism from other
creatives can often be more useful as they have more knowledge in the area.
Abby suggested that when the client isn’t creative, you sometimes need to guide
them more than they guide you – however, you should always take their comments
on board.
Abby mentioned how
she weaned herself off her laptop. She says felt it was restricting her work
and deciding all her outcomes, so she chose to move away from digital design
and more towards traditional techniques. There is nothing wrong with computer-led
design, she says, but it is nice to explore other avenues in order to push your
work forward.
Her best tip for an undergraduate was to do what you love. She said "it took until my final year at university to realise that my style is a hand drawn, illustrative approach". She mentioned how you should never be scared to be different to else, as being different can make you stand out!
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