It’s about your ideas not what software you use – it is important to keep up to date with emerging technologies and software but your ideas are the most important thing
I started BROKENLOGO in 2007 in my last few weeks of my course – undertaking my initial piece of professional design work for the University and at the same time as working on the promotions team for the Engine Shed in its debut year. This role allowed me to achieve a position at the 02 Bristol Academy undertaking a similar role quite quickly after I’d moved to Bristol.
Over the next couple of years I had a variety of roles but was always trying to push my skills and portfolio working in the evenings, weekends & holidays on BROKENLOGO. During 2010 I took on the role of Marketing & Press Manager for Oxjam Bristol Takeover, an Oxfam backed multi-city live music fundraising scheme. This involved organising & promoting the festival including a VERY early Saturday morning radio interview on BBC Radio Bristol. At the same time I was assisting on another music festival, working on BROKENLOGO and working full time.
The hard work and experience paid off, as a few months later and after a six week internship at M&S Press Office I was offered a job with the team. The role was fantastic but I was still working on BROKENLOGO in my spare time – as graphic design was always something I have wanted to focus on since completing the module in Year 1 of my Media Production degree.
After spending more than two years with the M&S Press Office team I decided to leave London and return to Bristol to focus on BROKENLOGO. Being able to have the confidence and ability to focus on BROKENLOGO full time is fantastic.
Although it has taken me six years to get to this point I would never change anything about my previous roles as I have taken something from all of them that I can use in running my own business.
My top tips for current students or recent graduates:
1) Work hard – it really does pay off. Use as much of your spare time as you can on achieving a role that you want but also leave time for yourself
2) Network – you don’t know where a conversation can take you and how many doors it can open
3) Don’t get taken for a ride – there are lots of people who will try and get you to do free work or offer work experience with the suggestion there will be future work which simply doesn’t exist
4) Learn from every job you have – whether its working in a shop and you don’t feel you are learning anything – you are
5) It’s about your ideas not what software you use – it is important to keep up to date with emerging technologies and software but your ideas are the most important thing
I am always looking for photographers, illustrators and other designers to collaborate with so please feel free to contact me as I would love to see your portfolios and offer feedback if required. info@brokenlogo.co.uk