Kate was one of the few people who entered the Design Splat Logo Competition. Kate is 3rd year Graphic Communication in the Atrium and has some very good ideas when it comes to graphics!
Read on for the interview!
-Interview
Hello Kate and Welcome to Design Splat!
How did you get into Graphic Design?
From a young age I knew I wanted to do something within the design field, but I actually discovered I wanted to be a graphic designer only 4 years ago, I initially went to uni to do an interior design course, but after spending a year on a foundation course I got introduced to Graphic Design and have not look back since.
When creating graphics, what to you is the most important aspect: planning design or implementation? and why?
Planning is a big part of design, you always have to know exactly want you aim to do and how you aim to do it, but also I think implementation is very important too because after all what good is a plan if the finished product doesn’t match the idea you had to begin with?
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Um.. hopefully happy, in a stable graphic design job with a good company, and able to afford a lot more things than I do now haha.
Own Business or working for a company?
Initially I want to work for a design company, but I do have dreams of running my own company one day, i do know though that it is important to spend time working for other design companies before getting involved in setting up on your own.
Any specific company you would like to work for?
There are so many great design companies in Cardiff at the moment its hard to choose one, but here are five I would love to work for:
Black Sheep
Burning Red
Sequence
Spin Dogs
and of course Golly Slater.
Does fame attract you?
To be honest I’m not getting into the industry for the fame, I think I will just be happy if I got a job where someone was paying me to do the thing i love doing, that’s enough for me.
How do you rate yourself as a designer?
Um.. that’s a hard question, as I’m just a student at the moment and have only done a small amount of freelance work I don’t think I’m in a position to rate myself, I’d like to think that I meet the standards that other graduates are at, but I wont properly realise my true potential until in out in the industry.
What makes a good graphic designer?
Some one with a good eye for design, a great imagination, able to use the software when available and someone who can see no limits in design and wants to do ten times better than their last piece of work.
Do you think the Graphic Design Industry will be difficult to get into? Are you worried about the amount of competition?
To be honest I’m trying not think about the competition, I think the industry is difficult to get into but only if you expect a job to come to you, if your a real go getter and always willing to peruse what you really want to do, I think getting a job in the industry will be difficult but worth it in the long run.
What do you think it takes to become successful in the Graphic Design industry?
You need to be able to think on your feet, see an idea straight away and not be afraid to run with it. Also confidence is the key I think, you have to be confidant that your idea will work and be able to convince the client it will work.
Three words to describe yourself?
Head strong, optimistic, independent.
Hobbies and Interests?
I’m a big fan of music and I like to play guitar when I get the chance.
Favourite Designer?
I really like Jamie Reid as a designer, his work for the sex pistols was awesome, I love that kind of rugged and seemingly carefree design.
Tools of the trade?
Layout pad, fine line black pen, pencil, my mac book, adobe master suite, and lots and lots of design books.
Best and worst piece of work?
Most of the work I did in my first year of uni I hate, I look back now and wonder what I was thinking but I guess everyone is a bit like that. As for my best work I have two favourites, the first is a project I did in uni to design a logo for Cardiff airport, for my logo I took inspiration from the shape of a daffodil and used blue colours to give a calm effect. My other favourite piece of work is a logo I designed for an idea I submitted to the young entrepreneur awards 2009 of a company I want to eventually set up called Prop Box.
Any Tips or advice to share with aspiring designers?
Be confident in your work, I learnt this the hard way, if your not confident in what you do your work will reflect that.
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Contact Info:
Email: kategribble88@googlemail.com
Website: Do not have one as yet but watch this space
Facebook Link: http://www.facebook.com/kate.gribble?ref=profile
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Images of Kate’s Work:
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