Q & A with our Graphic Designer

Today on the DSM Design Blog we have a little treat for you! We proudly introduce our lovely Graphic Designer Aaron Darlington, who we have stealthily ninja attacked with 10 of questions, of varying degrees of importance! (when we see varying, we ain’t kidding!) On a Monday morning too! We’re mean, but you love it!

So, the ultimate question…Who is Aaron Darlington? Well….

Aaron Darlington, Graphic Designer

Aaron has many years of experience in cross-media design, specialising in web and traditional graphic design. He has worked on a vast range of projects. He holds a GNVQ Advanced in Graphic Design, and a HND in multimedia, and fills his spare time with a keen interest in social media, podcasting, video games and science fiction.

Aaron is an integral part of the DSM Design team, and without him, the office would lose one of its shining rays of sunshine, and would undoubtably lose some of the diamond-like sparkle we have all become accustomed too… ahem…*wipes tear from eye*

Enough of the sentimental BS, here is said Q&A, like it or lump  it…

Q1. What made you want to be a graphic designer?

I remember my father telling me about 20 years ago that if you find a job you love, you’ll never work a day in your life.

I had always enjoyed creating things across multiple mediums. I figured, hey I enjoy this, how cool would it be to do this for a living.

Q2. What have you learnt in your career to date that you wish you could tell yourself starting out?

Own your skills and make sure you know as much as possible about the applications and resources you work with on a daily basis. There is a lot of competition out there, and there will always be someone who knows, or thinks that they know more than you do. Strive for perfection, never sacrifice quality for the sake of time, and don’t be afraid to speak your mind.

Q3. Self-taught skills or formal qualifications? Or a good mix of both?

I think it’s very important for anyone working in a creative line of work to keep themselves busy by learning new skills in their spare time.

Having the self discipline to make the time to do this comes from good teaching, which is why I would encourage anyone thinking of getting into design to find a good course either at an Art College or University.

In my opinion, no design course can fully prepare you for your first day in the studio – but it will teach you the core skills required to be able to learn and adapt to the environment you’re working in.

Short answer, definitely a good mix of both.

Q4. How do you feel about the way you were taught/learnt graphic design? – Were you taught passion for design as well as skills, or just skills?

The passion for creating things has always been there, I don’t think you can learn that. Its how you shape that passion into a work method that’s important, and the biggest influence on me in this regard was my Graphic Design Lecturer Ian Reynolds. College and University grant you the opportunity to try things that you won’t have the chance to do in a work environment – for me at least, this was invaluable – and I feel privileged to have had such an inspirational person at the helm of the course I attended.

Q5. What’s your favourite part of your job?

Seeing the end result, and a smile on my clients face.

Q6. You’ve experienced working for both large and small agencies as well as working freelance, what would you say are the pro’s and cons of each of these?

Large Agency:

Working for a large agency can be a very rewarding experience. A bigger agency normally means bigger clients, and it’s great to work on projects that have greater public exposure.

However, the design teams are also larger, and it can be easy to fall into a specific role, which can be frustrating if you’re skill set pans several mediums.

Small Agency:

Smaller agencies offer the chance to work on a wider variety of work.

Your work load tends to consist of multiple jobs that have shorter deadlines, this can make your working day seem hectic – but if your good at managing your time, it can be very satisfying.

Working for a smaller agency requires you work to an extremely high level of accuracy, and to have a good knowledge of finishing standards is a must. There will be less people working on a project, so there is more responsibility on the part of the designer, this might not be for everyone.

Freelance:

Being your own boss, and dictating your own hours is the biggest draw to the life of a freelance designer. There are no office politics, no red tape, and you can work anywhere. I once had a call from a freelancer friend of mine informing me that he was drafting up a brochure on his laptop whilst sat on the beach!

Of course, the comfort of a regular monthly paycheque is not present as a freelancer, and to be successful requires discipline, and careful planning.

I have taken on freelance work in the past whilst working full-time, but I have always been completely up front about it with my employer. 9 times out of 10, it has not been a problem, and even encouraged – but you don’t want to be treading on any toes. This industry is very reliant on strong working relationships – never burn bridges.

Q7. One word answers

Logo Design – Timeless

Website Design – Clean

Brochure Design – Innovative

Exhibition Materials – Striking

Company Branding – Paramount

Q8. As a graphic designer, what is most important to you?

Visualising, realising and executing a brief to a high standard

Q9. What aspect of graphic design do you specialise in, or do best? Is this a favourite part of the job?

I specialise in traditional media, ie: printed materials. Within that I cover technical drawings, illustration, logo design, photo manipulation and the artwork of brochures, leaflet, billboards, banners & stationary.

It’s difficult to say that I specialise in one particular thing, the skills I have acquired over the last 10 years can be applied to lots of different areas – thats why my job is so exciting!

Q10. Three words to describe your life at DSM

Fast – Variety – Coffee

***Now for something completely different***

Cats or dogs? Cats

Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi

Favourite game console? What Generation? I like lots

Favourite hand held console? To date, probably the original Gameboy – I still have it

Apple or Android? Apple of course

Are you a mac or a pc? Mac ftw

Your best quality? Open to new ideas and ways to approach a problem

Your worst quality? I get pretty grumpy if I don’t have a redbull or coffee in the morning.

Favourite thing? Playing online videos games with my friends.