a-list / peter :: graphic designer :: bne
Peter :: Graphic Designer
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What sparked your passion for design?
There wasn’t a defining ‘eureka’ moment, more a steady progression building up over time with experience.
How creative were you as a youngster?
I was forever drawing and sketching. I didn’t consider myself particularly special; it was just something that I enjoyed doing. People would often assume I wasn’t responsible for the drawings, as I was so young, so it took some insistence before they accepted that the sketcheswere in fact mine!
Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My older brother followed in my dad’s footsteps and became a mechanical electrical engineer at Ford Motor Company, but as my interest was in graphic design,I decided to walk my own path.
They are very supportive in everything that I have done.
What sort of education and training have you had?
I chose to study Graphic and Typographic Design at the London College of Communication, (formally the London College of Printing and Distributive Trades), as I heard that it had one of the best reputations in the UK. I ended up doing four years there, as well as returning after I graduated to do various multimedia design courses. I have now been in the industry for just over ten years, working alongside some great people. I still try to do the occasional course when time allows, my most recent a HTML and CSS course.
Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Naturally the top design agencies and advertising companies in London caught my interest, but on leaving college, I simply wanted to find work in the industry straight away! I was lucky to go straight into work as a freelance designer and typesetter, designing and producing printed brochures.
Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first projectmust have been one of the variousprinted. It was great to cut my teeth in London on a deadline driven project and to have peoples trust in my abilities to get the job done.
What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I used to like Quarkbefore making the switch to Indesign, which I now prefer. I really like Adobe Illustrator but think Photoshop is the most liberating and powerful of the Creative Suite Applications.
Greatest development must be computers themselves- from something that filled a room, they’re getting ever more powerful, smaller and easier to use.
Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
People will always require printed materials such as leaflets, magazines, stationery and business cards. I can’t see that changing in our lifetime.
Whose work do you really admire and why?
I really admire Peter Lik, the Australianfine art landscape photographer. He will camp out for days if necessary to get the perfect lighting for his shot.
Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
When I was first starting out, a senior designer called Gurd Bhandal, his patience and approachable manner put me at ease and made the transistion from college theory to industry pratice very easy.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Emigrating to Australia, Being presented the ‘Designer of the Year’ Award whilst at Lyons Presentations
How would you describe your work?
Clean, stylish and effective.
What are your plans for the future?
To get settled in Australia, to find a supportive company at which I can progress my career.
And to get better at HTML!
What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A medium to small sized agency, that supports me and has some room for progression, would be nice!
What is your opinion of Australian design?
Similar to any country, there is good and some bad out there for everyone to see!
What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
As I have just arrived from the UK, I am yet to find out!
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Cheap outsourcing overseas.
What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I love travelling and hope to see more of Australia, but having just arrived here from the UK,I hope also to get really involved in the culture, meet interesting and fun people and join lots of groups!
What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I’m yet to visit Melbourne, I’ve visited many a bar inother cities, such as Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns and even enjoyed a beer at Uluru, yet Melbourne has escaped me, so far…
What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
abduzeedo.com
behance.net
logodesignlove.com
w3schools.com
Google.com
What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
I’ve recently put a lot of Australian music on my ipod, trying to put some time in listening to music to help me integrate.
If I was a font, I’d be...?
Helvetica. clean, timeless and adaptable.
There wasn’t a defining ‘eureka’ moment, more a steady progression building up over time with experience.
How creative were you as a youngster?
I was forever drawing and sketching. I didn’t consider myself particularly special; it was just something that I enjoyed doing. People would often assume I wasn’t responsible for the drawings, as I was so young, so it took some insistence before they accepted that the sketcheswere in fact mine!
Do you come from a creative family? Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
My older brother followed in my dad’s footsteps and became a mechanical electrical engineer at Ford Motor Company, but as my interest was in graphic design,I decided to walk my own path.
They are very supportive in everything that I have done.
What sort of education and training have you had?
I chose to study Graphic and Typographic Design at the London College of Communication, (formally the London College of Printing and Distributive Trades), as I heard that it had one of the best reputations in the UK. I ended up doing four years there, as well as returning after I graduated to do various multimedia design courses. I have now been in the industry for just over ten years, working alongside some great people. I still try to do the occasional course when time allows, my most recent a HTML and CSS course.
Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
Naturally the top design agencies and advertising companies in London caught my interest, but on leaving college, I simply wanted to find work in the industry straight away! I was lucky to go straight into work as a freelance designer and typesetter, designing and producing printed brochures.
Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
My first projectmust have been one of the variousprinted. It was great to cut my teeth in London on a deadline driven project and to have peoples trust in my abilities to get the job done.
What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
I used to like Quarkbefore making the switch to Indesign, which I now prefer. I really like Adobe Illustrator but think Photoshop is the most liberating and powerful of the Creative Suite Applications.
Greatest development must be computers themselves- from something that filled a room, they’re getting ever more powerful, smaller and easier to use.
Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
People will always require printed materials such as leaflets, magazines, stationery and business cards. I can’t see that changing in our lifetime.
Whose work do you really admire and why?
I really admire Peter Lik, the Australianfine art landscape photographer. He will camp out for days if necessary to get the perfect lighting for his shot.
Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
When I was first starting out, a senior designer called Gurd Bhandal, his patience and approachable manner put me at ease and made the transistion from college theory to industry pratice very easy.
What has been your greatest achievement so far?
Emigrating to Australia, Being presented the ‘Designer of the Year’ Award whilst at Lyons Presentations
How would you describe your work?
Clean, stylish and effective.
What are your plans for the future?
To get settled in Australia, to find a supportive company at which I can progress my career.
And to get better at HTML!
What sort of company would you like to work with next?
A medium to small sized agency, that supports me and has some room for progression, would be nice!
What is your opinion of Australian design?
Similar to any country, there is good and some bad out there for everyone to see!
What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
As I have just arrived from the UK, I am yet to find out!
In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
Cheap outsourcing overseas.
What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I love travelling and hope to see more of Australia, but having just arrived here from the UK,I hope also to get really involved in the culture, meet interesting and fun people and join lots of groups!
What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
I’m yet to visit Melbourne, I’ve visited many a bar inother cities, such as Sydney, Brisbane, Perth, Cairns and even enjoyed a beer at Uluru, yet Melbourne has escaped me, so far…
What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
abduzeedo.com
behance.net
logodesignlove.com
w3schools.com
Google.com
What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
I’ve recently put a lot of Australian music on my ipod, trying to put some time in listening to music to help me integrate.
If I was a font, I’d be...?
Helvetica. clean, timeless and adaptable.
watch
Mel C - Think About It (7th Heaven Radio Edit)
Lawrence is listening to...
