Designing a future career

Professional Illustrator and Graphic Designer, James Holderness, visited Pipers Corner on Wednesday to talk to A Level Design Technology students about working in the creative industry.

James has a background in graphic design and illustration and has been working freelance for the last 25 years. Along with his business partner, Peter Cornwell, he works closely with advertising and design agencies, publishers, architects and direct with manufacturers and commercial clients to provide effective visual solutions.

James talked to the girls about the huge variety of projects he has the opportunity to work on and the process of creating something – from initial brief to the final design. From illustrating children’s books, to designing medical information leaflets, drawing icons for use on websites, product packaging and even the design of the Downton Abbey board game – no one job is the same. He outlined the tools and software he uses on a daily basis and the flexibility required to work with a mix of digital and traditional media in order to produce the right results for clients.

It was a hugely interesting session for the girls as they had the opportunity to learn, not only about James’ work, but also to ask questions about life as a freelancer, where he gets his inspiration from, and all that having your own business entails. The group also made the most of the opportunity to seek his advice about their A Level coursework projects and ask his opinion of their own design work.

Head of Design Technology, Dr Bower, said “It is extremely beneficial for us to be able to facilitate sessions like this for the girls. The opportunity to gain a deeper understanding of an industry that you may wish to make a career in is invaluable, and the girls were very grateful to James for giving up his time to come and talk to them today.”