“Don't hide behind emails all the time, put a face to the website and make contact though actually talking”

— SCOTT CAIN

Tell us a little about your experiences since. Where have you worked? Where do you work now?

My first job I got right out of the final year exhibition and it was very low paying but fun and I learnt a LOT. I then worked for a design/advertising agency which was a completely different experience. I then got a job as an illustrator/editorial designer at The West Australian Newspaper.
I didn't love working as an illustrator as much as I thought I would but I did find my passion for editorial design. I art directed a magazine there which I designed from scratch and implemented quite a few redesigns through the paper, some of which are still in place now.
I took a voluntary redundancy and have been working freelance from home ever since!

How did you get your first graphic design job?

Some friends at tafe had already done some work with this design agency (before finishing tafe). They invited them to the final exhibition and they liked my stuff. I started working for them a week or so later.

What advice would you give to Graphic Design students studying at NM TAFE right now?

With access to great (and bad) design at your fingertips, it's too easy to just follow a trend. Be sure to respond to the clients needs first, then you'll be on the path to creating something truly new.

What is post-pandemic Perth design in need of most?

There is some great work coming out of Perth, I think that if clients could be persuaded to be a little less 'safe' we could have some even more exciting design.

What do you think are the most important qualities in a graphic designer?

For anyone running their own business, they need to be able to deal with people. Don't hide behind emails all the time, put a face to the website and make contact though actually talking to (and more importantly) listening to your client.

Please list some awesome new developments happening right now in the design industry.

All the new construction in Perth is leading to some really interesting design. Inspiration can come from anywhere and seeing the new museum go up, Yagan Square, Elizabeth Quay etc is so inspiring to me.

Any further comments that may assist with our course and curriculum development?

I graduated a LONG time ago so things might have changed now but I didn't lean much about setting up documents for print, creating and sending proofs etc. Now I often create a print version of a document and an online version of the same document which I optimise for consuming comfortably online. This could be something taught now.