What is your role at Clever Ghost?
My role here at Clever Ghost is junior designer, and I’ve been in this role now for 1 whole year!
How have you found your time at Clever Ghost?
Where do I even begin? I was so lucky to come straight out of university and immediately find the most incredible little team ever to work with. I feel so lucky to be a part of a genuinely creative, purpose-driven, enthusiastic group of people who align so well with my core values and love for design. It’s been an amazing year that has absolutely flown in, whilst seeming like I’ve been here forever because we all mesh so well. I feel so valued as part of the team, and to have an equal choice to design and create as everyone is such a dream to me. I have nothing but high praises to sing about us ghosties, and anyone who knows me knows I do – regularly!
What do you like most about working at Clever Ghost?
The silliness. There isn’t a day goes by where I haven’t been doubled over with laughter at least once. This is just such a lovely part of work and it keeps all our spirits fresh and I love coming into work because of it! Another thing is our shared care for the world. I feel like we are perhaps slightly more than graphic designers because we all have rich lives outside of our working world and this really has such a positive impact on how we see our industry as well as the wider world. I love coming together and having these really good, real and honest conversations about design and the wider industry. I love solving design problems and figuring out a brief with these guys, it’s honestly so fun and rewarding and makes me happy that we are all likeminded people with a genuine care.
Do you have any fav projects?
I have had the opportunity to work on some amazing projects since my time here. Two that stand out are Campbell Financial and Arcade Bakehouse. These two projects were ongoing at the same time and I just loved flowing between both as they were two very different subject matters and both a challenge. I was able to help out with the illustrated patterns for arcade, and the Campbell Financial animation on our website which was super fun!
What is one piece of advice you would give to someone starting out in the industry?
Find other ways to be creative other than graphic design. It’s easy for designers to make it literally their everything because I think that’s what you are taught – to eat, sleep and breathe design. While I definitely think it’s beneficial to keep learning and to stay informed, I think time away from the screen in other creative ways is so important. Read a book, write some, plan a holiday, do a random class, take photos. All these things feed your creative self and will help you to approach design on a deeper, human level and get your head out of our sometimes all-consuming industry. Don’t take life too seriously. Keep playing and feed whatever parts of you that feel childlike and silly and curious.
Have you learnt anything new during your time here?
I think I’ve learnt so much from being here. I’ve been able to work on my practical graphic design skills and have enjoyed trying my hand at branding, illustrating, animation, typesetting, but besides this I think I’ve learned to live a more balanced life. Being part of a B-Corp has allowed me to appreciate design even more, but also understand that it doesn’t have to be the be-all and end-all. Healthy boundaries with the things I love has been a fun lesson to learn this year. Life is short and we’ve got to learn to enjoy it in order to keep enjoying what we enjoy so much every day! This has meant for me this year trying new little silly things, discovering new music, learning to be healthier whilst being able to treat myself! It’s fun being a designer for a company that values me as a person and teaches us all to value ourselves in that same way.
What are your goals for the year ahead?
For the year ahead, I’d love to just continue to learn and explore more. I feel I’m only just getting to understand myself outside of who I was after years of education, so I’d love to continue this streak (or rather delicate balance) of navigating work and life and creativity and all its’ overlaps! I want to continue to design things not just for aesthetic value, but really learn to dive into the purpose behind whatever I design – the storytelling, concept and meaning. With that will come the challenge of learning whatever physical skills I need to achieve what I want. I also want to continue getting to know myself in my own personal life; to put myself out of my comfort zone and just see what happens! I know being out of my comfort zone will only fuel my creativity further, and feed into all aspects of my life and my design.
What do you enjoy doing away from the studio?
Away from the studio I enjoy reading, writing, sea swims, being in nature, having a little boogie, thrifting, cooking, spending time with my friends, going on trips and laughing (a silly amount). I’ve also recently started learning Irish and dabbling in Bodhrán lessons! I’ve been playing in whatever little ways I can, trying lots of new things, and keeping an open mind to just doing whatever silly little side quests crop up.
