Getting going

From finishing college and gaining a HND (which is now a non-existent qualification) in Graphic Design, I didn’t really know how I was going to get a job in the industry.

Thankfully, a college lecturer had helped in getting me an interview with this London-based agency as he knew one of the bosses there and that they were looking for a new starter. I eventually learned that I was one of two to gain an interview and was noticed because I had a good mindset, attitude and approach to creative work with those attributes standing me in good stead for getting going with them.

Going forward

Over time, a few music compilations, albums and even a few singles of visuals and then, from a client chosen direction, production-ready artwork of finished items were created for record store release and customer purchase.

It was always helpful to deal directly with record company staff, of the relevant department, chatting over the phone for next steps and further instructions if necessary and to guide the project to its finished state. As a team we all had our own work list but when and where needed helped each other out to make sure delivery was as smooth and efficient as it could be to help maintain company presence and abilities.

A few covers (and associated back covers, sleeve ins and outs etc.) for music artists, included me making single covers for legends* like Chris de Burgh and Jane McDonald and even an album (but probably mostly artwork) for David Cassidy.

Oh, we were really brushing alongside the stars, albeit many times removed, regardless of ‘the star’ and given contracts and company working methods/rules/regulations and all that jazz, anyway!

To bring us back to the ground floor, many a music compilation was put together by the team and, the format was typically CD, but in my early days there even a double cassette was (still) required for one compilation, Celebration, by Universal Music TV and then, a couple of years later, a vinyl (which was already starting its comeback back then, if it ever really went away to have to come back anyway) record cover, Remixology.

Also worked on a few projects for the Arcadia Group. Specifically for Topshop, Topman and Miss Selfridge and their internal communications for and to staff. This relationship was helpful to appreciate and understand brand thinking and client demand, expand my skillset and confidence in working with and for those paying the bill and how interactions enable and affect production. Still, a few monthly staff magazines and a few sets of training materials were successfully put together for them.

These processes were followed, as well as a little client liaison and learning of (at the time) fledgling internet technologies to expand skillset and techniques beyond just being sat at a desk ‘colouring in’ on demand, per project.

Going digital

Put together – after a little company-funded, Highbury-based, digital training in HTML and dare I say it, Adobe Flash – company websites that would show off company work, assist and help attract new business and, at that time, slowly develop its own abilities in what it could offer to prospective clients.

It had its ups and downs and it was good I was enthusiastic about the technology anyway, just not particularly grounded at the time in the wider and more potential avenues of its ins and outs. Still, you have to start somewhere, right?

Going south

Attended a music trade show in Cannes, France, to help support the business and its ambitions for potentially accruing more work through a wider range of music-based clients.

Over the event’s days not much seemed to really happen at our stand and that we sort of operated with one of use being near it most of the time, just in case. Despite wider events, presentations and networking no doubt occurring elsewhere, little seemed to be achieved but our boss tried and attended a few interactions but not much business seemed to arrive from those efforts and unfortunately, it was all put down to not being a great experience. Still, it was a good experience to see how these things operate and learn a bit from it.

The food and drink was a good complement through and after the days’ happenings and a really nice crème brûlée was had by me (finished at our table – with what I thought was a school-era Bunsen burner – then served) for pudding – sorry, dessert! – at a decent little restaurant.

Going away

Itchy, creative feet were wanting to move on and as they were attached to me and, despite feeling all music and its instruments are valid in their own right, the quadruple CD compilation (that I took from visuals to finished artwork), The Best Pan Pipes Album in The World …Ever!, was a product confirming my own thoughts and actions that moving to another graphic design role in a different company would be good for my soul.

Achievements in this role included...

• Learning and developing client liaison skills alongside some managing of projects.
• Understanding and being proficient with QuarkXPress and Adobe Photoshop.
• Learning (more of) HTML and Adobe Flash and building and maintaining the company’s first websites.
• Making cups of tea, every now and then, for me and the team.