Career overview
Since completing my MA in Communication Design, my career has evolved from Graphic Design to Product Design. Shortly after graduation, I secured a position as an in-house graphic designer at Hive HR, one of the companies I collaborated with on a live project during my studies. Following this, I decided to make the jump into product design and joined the design team at hedgehog lab, a leading tech consultancy in Newcastle, where I worked with a range of clients from healthcare to fintech.
What are you doing now?
Currently I work as a designer at Kindeo, a digital eCard startup, leading cross-functional collaboration between product and engineering to create an innovative web app experience. At Kindeo, I've led research sprints to develop user-centred solutions. I collaborate closely with our developers to ensure technically sound solutions that bring joy to our users' lives.
What was it about Northumbria that made you decide to study here?
I fell in love with Newcastle during my first visit eight years ago and have called it home ever since. The city offers something for everyone! What drew me to study at Northumbria was its design facilities. I valued hands-on experience with my design work, whether it was through letterpress or screen printing.
What was it like studying at Northumbria?
Studying at Northumbria was a fantastic experience. Both the Graphic Design BA and Communication Design MA programmes offered me a lot of flexibility with the way I work. Working in a collaborative studio environment alongside creative individuals from a range of disciplines was incredibly inspiring and insightful, which I think prepared me well for a career in the industry.
What impressed you most about our academic staff?
The academic staff on the Communication Design MA programme were consistently supportive, treating us as peers rather than just students. Their respect and encouragement gave me a confidence that I've carried forward into my design career.
How connected was your course with industry?
Working on live projects with real clients was instrumental in securing me my first design job. Having previous experience working and making connections with them gave me an edge when it came to the interview process.
How did studying at Northumbria help you achieve your career goals/give your career an edge?
My time on the Masters course built my confidence to transition my career towards UX and product design. It equipped me with a breadth of experience and a diverse portfolio that I was proud to show off. I would not have landed my first three design roles I've had since graduating if it was not for the foundation laid by this course.
What was the best thing about your course?
The flexibility to choose how to approach a design brief without being tied down to a specific discipline or medium. This shaped the way I work and taught me how transferable my design skills really are.
Which skills/knowledge did you learn on your course that you use most now throughout your career?
I greatly value the client relationship and presentation skills I acquired during the course. Managing challenging client relationships has been a skill I've frequently used in my professional design career since graduating.
How would you describe yourself in three words after you graduated at Northumbria?
Adaptable, Collaborative, and Confident.
What did you enjoy most about your time at Northumbria University?
The opportunity to collaborate with a diverse range of people, from students and academic staff to external clients. Additionally, the course trips and socials were a blast!
What advice would you give somebody who is thinking of studying at Northumbria?
Don’t be afraid to take the leap, embracing challenges head on is at the core of being a great designer - Northumbria could be the next exciting challenge for you!
For more information about me see:
Connect with me and drop me a message on Linkedin. I’m always happy to chat and provide advice for new Northumbria students.
