Born in the rural town of Frome in the West Country of England, Charlotte Knibbs is a freelance graphic designer. Upon graduating with a First Class Honours degree from Portsmouth University, Charlotte started to work with Aardman Animations designing the product and packaging range to accompany the release of Wallace & Gromit: A Matter of Loaf and Death. Charlotte is now undertaking a Masters in Graphic Design at London College of Communication. Notes on Design spoke to Charlotte this week to find out about her academic journey.

Notes on Design: Can you tell us a little about your academic and professional journey to date?

Charlotte: I studied a BTEC in Graphic Design but found the west country far too sleepy and craved something different… but at the time, I wasn’t sure what. I moved south to Portsmouth Uni to do my BA in Communication Design. Bachelors degrees are certainly different for everyone, but for me I found the new found freedom quite addictive, and quite honestly I slacked off playing World of Warcraft until the sun came up. Eventually, by the end of first year something clicked and the real possibility of being kicked out of uni scared me into pulling my socks up, and subsequently I graduated with a First Class in 2007.

I was lucky enough to start freelancing during my second year at University, and got my first major job with the brilliant Aardman Animations upon graduating. I’ve been freelancing for Aardman for 2 and a half years this month and it’s a perfect job for me, as a freelancer. On top of my freelance work I’m also studying my Masters at London College of Communication (LCC), which I’m due to finish towards to the end of the year. Read the rest of this entry »

Graphic Design graduate Gareth Dunt has studied art and design for most of his academic life. Three years ago he moved to Wales to study an honours degree in Graphic Communication at the Cardiff School of Art and Design. Gareth is also the founder of design blog Black Maths and since graduating this summer has moved to London to work for design consultancy Elmwood. As part of our Graduate Season, Notes on Design spoke to Gareth this month to uncover more about his academic experience and plans for his future career.

Notes on Design: When did you first realise you wanted to be a part of the creative industry?

Gareth: I think it was when I realised that you can make an equally respectable career from art and design, as you can with anything else they teach you at school. Until this point I was under the misguided impression that art and design was something you do in your spare time, a release from the day job if you will. How wrong I was.

Notes on Design: What is it about design that motivates and excites you?

Gareth: It’s how good design can make people feel. How they interact with it, and how it interacts with them. It’s relationships I’m fascinated with. Whether it be a book, chair, brand identity or installation we can’t help but be affected by the messages it gives out. Read the rest of this entry »

That time of year is upon us again, as thousands of creatives leave the confines and relative comfort of academia and head towards industry. For those of us who have already been through this process, we are reminded that the transition from graduate to professional is not always an easy one.

Recent UK figures, published by The Guardian warn graduates that for every application they make there could be up to 70 other graduate applicants.

At a time when competition is fiercer than ever, knowing how to react and what to do next can often be the difference between “Sorry we haven’t got any positions available…” or “Would you like to come in for an interview?”

For those of us who have already been through the process this is a chance to see how four years of study has turned design students into creative individuals. We know this is a major transition in the life of a designer and for some it’ll be a pretty scary time, so we’ve decided to give a little bit back and try and impart some wisdom and insight for those beginning their journey this summer.

To coincide with the industries newest recruits, Notes On Design will be running a special series over the next four weeks dedicated to graduates. We will be featuring some of the most promising design graduates, finding out what happened to last years graduates and talking to design professionals to find out how to kick start your career in the creative sector.

Are you a design graduate of 2010?

We are looking to feature some of the best design graduates of 2010 from around the world. If you would like to be considered for a feature or interview, please email kate@notesondesign.net with the following information:

1. Full name, University name and full course name
2. A short biography (150 words max)
3. A maximum of 4 projects (3 images + a brief description / project)
4. All relevant links to personal websites or blogs

Born and raised on a Suffolk farm in East England, Richard Sanderson moved to Bristol to study Illustration. After graduating last year he moved to London to embark on his career in the UK capital. Since then he’s worked with, amongst others, YCN, Zizzi’s, The Ride Journal, The Newspaper Club & Form Fifty Five and exhibited in London, Bristol, Amsterdam and Glasgow. We spoke to Richard this week to find out how his graduate year is unfolding.

Notes on Design: So, how did your career start?

Richard: I’ve been drawing all my life and thanks to the positive encouragement from my family it’s never stopped! After an unhappy experience doing Art A-Level, I reveled in my Foundation course at Suffolk College, Ipswich. All the freedom and encouragement to experiment, particularly in the screen printing, illustration and design modules, really put me on the right path. I ended up going to Bristol UWE (University of the West of England) to study a degree in BA (Hons) Illustration, where I met a wide variety of different people carrying out different practices. Read the rest of this entry »