“I totally believe in TAFE as it shaped my future.”
— PAUL LEEMING
Some of our graduates now teach Art and Design. This week we re-connected with the Senior Art and Design Teacher at Carey Baptist College — the inspirational Paul Leeming.
Paul initially worked as a Graphic designer in the mid 80’s doing Finished Art and press ads for agencies such as ‘The Agency” Dmb&b ( work experience) and freelanced for a few agencies. Just bread and butter stuff so not exciting.
Paul’s first job was working for Bill Wainwright also an ex Perth Tech guy then an advertising agency — he explains “you learn a lot, then freelanced. Getting experience is hard, so you have to be determined, some days i worked for free was the coffee boy until I got a job.”
He later went overseas and decided to become an art Teacher “given the illustrative and design skills I had learnt at Perth TAFE – Art History also interested me.”
His advice to you is “learn the industry viable skills, photoshop, Illustrator, Sketch UP and InDesign — all things I am going to initiate myself as it will improve my technical skills. Work dam hard and be assertive when applying to get jobs good CV, appropriate to the industry you are going for. Portfolio of work MUST include digital examples.”
In terms of what Perth needs, Paul is sure that “there are plenty of great designers already out there but pick your Industry or specialist area: ie: Art / Sculpture, Architecture, Land and urban design. I like watching the show Abstract and seeing the Danish Architect push the design envelope – we need people like this in Perth.
Neil Hollace was one of my lecturers — a great and amazing talent, also Neil Sellick, Brian Mckay, Patsy and Val, David Silvester. I totally believe in TAFE as it shaped my future.
Please list some awesome new developments happening right now in the design industry.
Recruiting High school Graphic design students who believe through the Government that success comes through the sciences, English and Hass subjects rather than the Creative.
What do you think are the most important qualities in a graphic designer?
Having a great sense of Design, Function and the ability to back yourself through your skillset, also someone who has good Business sense and is comfortable communicating with People of all walks of life.
He also suggests that “Networking is important as relationships and how you approach things will put you in good stead. You have got to work hard and put away stereotypes of Baby boomers and post Millenial thinking. work hard, learn your craft and get the experience. Dream big and follow your dreams they will eventually become reality.”
What advice would you give to Graphic Design students studying at NM TAFE right now?
Get as many skills as you can within the graphic design Industry, make early contacts and get Job experience, be resilient and determined as well as Patient. Make sure your current digital footprint sells your skill set. Get rid of bad Social media images / Friends that could impair your digital profile.
What is post-pandemic Perth design in need of most?
Great Designers and Artists who make a difference to the Visual Landscape - Shepard Fairey comes to mind.
Plus, suggests this video:
Success at School vs Success in Life
https://youtu.be/-Egxm5QuW9o
This sums up an interesting paradox in our time of changing careers where flexibility and creativity are the keys and School curricula is outdated. Who are the Teachers in our society who are teaching students to think conceptually and creatively? Where are the schools that take risks and are on the precipice of innovative change with Educational processes. or, do they stick to old and conservative ideas and throw all their eggs in the one basket. Failure is an integral part of the process of life, however let us not ostracise those students, less fortunate or judge students who don’t get the required Median ATAR gold seal of approval, rather, value them, and show them other pathways where their skills and talents shine. Universities and Educational inflation as Sir Ken Robinson puts it, is alive and well.
Thanks Paul!
