Meet our Graduates (Graphic Design)
Beverley Pugliese
Then...Diploma of Graphic Design
Now...Production and Studio Manager
What was your reason for choosing Martin College?
I wanted to attend a course that would get me out in the workplace, sooner rather than later.
What was the most enjoyable feature of studying at Martin College?
The classes/ structure of timetable and how assignments and exams were done weren't as stressful as I thought it would be going to college. The classes were a good size too which gave that one-on-one feel that you weren't swimming in deep water. If you had any questions the teachers would always be on hand to go over it with you.
What would you say about your experience at Martin College?
It was one that I look back on and can say I really enjoyed that year of my life. I made wonderful friends from all over the world and I really enjoyed my course. The experience I had with on site training as well as the subjects covered really made studying heaps of fun.
How would you say Martin College has helped your career?
I was a lot more confident going into the workplace when I graduated as opposed to when I left school.
Tell us a bit about what you have done since leaving college?
When I graduated I pretty much landed the job that I am still in today. I am now working for a Graphic Design Studio as a Production and Studio Manager and have been here for 6 years.
What is your current role and what does it involve?
Production and Studio Manager - I oversee the daily needs of the studio from ensuring all production is up to date for the studio for the day as well as client management. I look after numerous retail clients across Australia and manage their account from start to finish.
What do you love most about your career?
That every day is a new day you really don't know what job will come into the studio. When you get those jobs where you know about that client or event the excitement increases even more.
Do you have any advice for students considering a career in graphic design?
It's challenging so would be best suited to a driven and strong minded person. In this industry you need to start from the bottom and be eager to learn all the ropes and take on anything just to get your foot in the door.
Taleah Weier
Diploma of Graphic Design
Reason for choosing Martin College?
I went to a career expo in Toowoomba, and it was there that I saw the Martin College stand and I spoke with Emma the careers consultant. I found out all about the course and it was exactly what I was looking for. The key factor in my decision was that Martin College offers its students work experience and internships.
Most enjoyable feature of studying at Martin College?
The teachers were great, and they were from the industry. They offered so much insight and they were more like mentors than teachers. That approach to learning made me feel comfortable. I really loved how my facilitators were approachable and easy to get along with. They made learning fun and interesting.
What would you say about your experience at Martin College?
I did not enjoy high school, and when I came to Martin College it was great to form friendships with people of similar interests to me as we were all studying the same subject. My class formed a close bond, and we would often socialise together. We were all really open to helping each other with assignments and we would evaluate and brainstorm each other’s work and give feedback. We would motivate each other.
How would you say Martin College has helped your career?
Having the opportunity to work on live projects in class was great as it gives you an indication of industry standards.
Martin College is also relevant to the industry: the assignments I completed as part of my course were things that I actually got to experience in my internship.
The internship program was amazing! It was great to be able to be placed with an organisation called Basis Advertising. I did this for 6 weeks and it was arranged through the Career Starter Program. I decided to undertake the internship because it would give me a foot in the door and give me the chance to network, and it was also great to showcase my portfolio.
I loved my internship placement because I got to work with a great group of people. I could ask questions because they were approachable, and they also made the workplace fun. I did not feel like I was put in a corner; I was given real projects to work on for real clients. I worked on business cards, letterheads, magazine layouts, images and imagery for TV commercials and helped out with company web sites.
I really enjoyed the photo editing and getting exposure to the CS3 adobe suite, which I learned at college. I was working at my own workstation with a MAC and was proud to be a part of a team that were working on projects for Next Bite, Audi, Poolworks, Termatrac, and Wacco.
A Typical Day (during the internship)
Although every day was different, one of my days went like this:
8:00 a.m.
Got my morning coffee, walked to office.
8:30 a.m.
Went to my desk, turned on my Mac computer and checked emails. Spoke with David (the Creative Director of the agency).
9:00 a.m.
Went to see the Accounts Service Manager who gave me a run down on changes, client alterations, and concepts to adjust.
9:30 am
Worked through the amendments and returned to Account Manager for proofing.
12:30 pm
Once proofed, I arranged to have them printed and sent to various clients for approval.
1:00 pm
Headed into Brunswick Street for lunch with work colleague. Picked up some burgers for the team from Burger Urge – YUM.
2:00 pm
Photo editing and altering adds for press.
2:30 pm
Worked on a feature ad that was appearing in Better Homes and Gardens magazine! This is my work! The ad was for Solarspan, who sell outdoor roofing, as well as patios and doors.
3:30 pm
Worked on an ad for Western Australian Tourism which will be featured in the Yellow Pages. My work again! Thought about my portfolio and the enhancements to it. Made adjustments to the “Quokka” (WA trademark animal).
4:30 pm
I love Fridays; they are fun, we dress casually, pop a bottle of champagne in the afternoon and listen to loud eighties music. My boss is partial to Wham! I rang my mum today and she is jealous.
5:00 pm
Followed up on client’s proofs and shut down my PC. Tonight I’m heading out for a BBQ with friends!
What's next?
After working at Basis I realised I really like advertising. Although it is a little stressful and full on, it is also really satisfying to see a project come to fruition. It was a great experience and really exciting. I can’t wait to enter the workforce and showcase my talent and experience.
On my last day, one of the designers resigned, and they offered the role to their previous intern – which gives me hope. They loved having me at Basis and I loved being there it was awesome – and it has contributed to my CV and portfolio.
Ricci Lawler
Then... Diploma of Graphic Design
& Certificate IV in Design
Now... Junior Graphic Designer
Ricci graduated from Martin College Brisbane in 2010 and used her qualifications to gain employment with Wilson HTM as a Junior Graphic Designer.
"I knew that my qualification would be recognised if I chose to continue study and that I would be supported in looking for work during and after I finish my course" said Ricci.
"The most enjoyable feature of studying at Martin College, learning not only how to use the programs, but also how to develop creativity."
"I had the opportunity to study with people from different nationalities which I think enriched the experience. Being able to share new and different ideas and learning more about what it is like in other countries was really interesting."
"Martin College has great teachers who have industry experience so they know what they’re talking about. I was able to learn a lot more about graphic design than in other institutions I have been to. Also, I had a lot of support in getting experience in the industry while I was studying, which really helped when I was finding employment after graduation. I now have a full time job with a good salary and am very happy with the outcome."
Yvonna Hoppe
Then... Diploma of Graphic Design (Advertising and Multimedia)
Now... Graphic Designer
Yvonne visited the Brisbane campus to talk about her time with Martin College and how she uses the skills she learnt in her career. She credits Martin College on its learning units in Web Design, Advertising and Professional Practice with building her portfolio.
Yvonne graduated from Martin College Brisbane in 2007 with a Diploma of Graphic Design (Advertising and Multimedia). She is now employed as a Graphic Designer for Bamboo Creative, a prestigious Brisbane based creative agency.
Her current role involves meeting with clients, creating briefs, writing proposals and working on the actual design and advertising. Yvonne believes that "to be successful in industry you need to stay true to yourself and don't approach the industry with a big ego… It’s all about having a passion for your craft and if you’re not passionate then you can't be creative".
She continued “never stop learning and always keep up to date with current products, services and software, network where ever you can", as she credits this to part of her success. word of mouth is how she secured freelance work while studying at Martin College and it led to her full time employment after graduation.
Students thoroughly enjoyed the session and asked lots of questions - a great testimonial to a program and product that works!
Matilda Mellergard
Diploma of Graphic Design
Why did you choose Martin College?
Me and my husband both wanted to study for a year and decided to make an adventure out of it. We found Martin College online and it seemed to be a good school for both of us.
Most enjoyable feature of studying at Martin College?
The variety of courses and the friendly atmosphere amongst students and teachers.
What would you say about your experience at Martin College?
It has been a great year, both for my education and my personal life. I have met some of the best people there is, from all over the world, who are great inspiration. I have learned a lot from my teachers that has helped me prepare for my professional life. I really enjoyed the real life projects as well. In particular the Blooming Tea project enabled me to participate in designing packaging for a company and these designs are now featured in major department stores such as Myer and David Jones.
How would you say Martin College has helped your career?
The practical learning from the teachers has been very helpful in understanding how things are at a workplace. Through good guidance I was able to get an internship as a Junior Graphic Designer at an international investment company, which was a great experience and opportunity. The best part about it was the work was paid, and this gave me spending money and extra cash. It was a great experience to see what the Australian labour market was like.
Anita
Diploma of Graphic Design
