Michael runs a studio build that’s a brand Leeds company, Micheal has as a “love & hate relation with graphic design” this really points out all designer will often. go through stages od hating some design areas but also love some areas design this is normal to have Michael got into graphic design because he was into music he found music covers and the typography really stood out to him and he was drawn into the design, when he found this love he went off to college to follow his dream of making typography designs, where his art teacher introduced him into graphic design.
He applied for an OND for a two year course, his love of typography became more sophisticated. He not into the typical ‘pretty’ graphic design, he likes things to be more put together and expressive thwarts type based outcomes as they express and stand out more than other design An example of this style is below that designed in this time .
his placement – he applied for another Graphic design course in Newcastle after his learning. He really hated this course, he realised that commercial Graphic Design wasn’t for him. He liked more evocative work like Vaughn’s. He did however really like his placements which made a huge impression on him as a young designer, Michael first job was with Trevor Jackson in 1991 he was designer/ musician Micheal loved design covers for others but he disliked working in London so moved back to the north in 1992 where he got a job from his work placement where worked there 8/9 years most of. the designs were covers/ editorial typography based, this points out as designer to always follow yours roots and go with what makes you happy.
while Michael spoke about a lot of his work and type and how designer should all be themselves he did say never let anyone push their aesthetic on you, t is important to experiment and think for yourself, you’ll never stop learning. You don’t want yours to be the same and just copy, thats boring and every designer is amazing in ability of their own , take everything in everything is always learning, we are always influenced.
Before Michael went on to talk about opening his own studio he spoke about how he went travelling for a year with his wife, he highly recommend this to everyone because it gives you a break but by exploring it can inspire in different areas that you wouldn’t ways get from home.
studio work
The studio is a team of 5, Michael said having a small team for his studio really works well and their enough support and care for the team and getting the best for the clients, the studio has designed many different outcomes from event promotions to editorial outcomes, he likes to give the studio a challenge to take on, while the brand has work with huge companies such as ,Nike they do like to help small local business to see what they helping with behind the closed doors as helping a small bunnies can really change the business life compared big companies, the studio motto is “Do good work for good people” I feel this is a really powerful motto as design can really be helpful for good people.
question for advice
Q – What would be your top tips for students who are almost graduating and how might they approach the design industry during a pandemic? A – make yourself known by studios and get to know people, don’t just contact email like deer this cons, research into the brands and connect people for advice build a relationship, this doesn’t always have to be a studio it could be local business and helping people around them.
Q What is your favourite/most memorable project you’ve worked on and why? A – Micheal was children channel as they got backlash as it didn’t go that well but once they fixed it was rewarding was once they fix and helped them, designing for smaller business and giving them director help for the business in away can be rewarding .
Q -How was the transition from working for a design company to running your own? A – Michael says running a studio is hard and his best advice is work for someone else before going freelance as you will learn about the business before going into yours as it could really benefit you and teach you how to charge and costing of design stuff.
Georgia Smith 