Design Lecture Series featuring Stefan Sagmeister

Stills from the Design Lecture Series of films featuring Stefan Sagmeister at Zoom-In Online.

I just received an email from the co-producer of a great website called Zoom-In Online.... She mentioned my post a while ago about the fantastic Hillman Curtis film documenting Stefan Sagmeister's ongoing project Things I have Learnt in My Life so Far, and wrote to let me know that Zoom-In Online recently posted not one but THREE videos covering an event called 'Design Lecture Series' in San Francisco, featuring Stefan Sagmeister!

I had previously embedded one of the films here, but the audio was a little distracting, so I have removed it... however please do visit the following links to watch these little films, they really are worth a look. Here's the first film... The other 2 films can be seen here and here.

What a great find! These films offer a terrific insight into Stefan's work and his background - lots of footage of Stefan himself talking to camera, slick editing, and cute animated segments throughout that clarify the chronology of Stefan's career to date. The films are edited into perfect bite-sized chunks - just the right length to watch at work with the headphones on (shhhh!).

The more I see of Stefan Sagmeister, the more I like him. Clearly he's an incredible designer, and is famed for thinking outside the square, but also, he just seems like such a nice guy! Plus - I can't imagine a more endearing accent... (not entirely relevant to his creative output, but you know).

Zoom-In Online offer daily coverage of the latest happenings in culture, entertainment and technology through regularly published videos, podcasts and blogs... well worth a thorough browse.

Lou Doillon for Lee Cooper

It all started when Adidas hooked up with Stella McCartney in 2004. H&M followed suit, and then came the Designers for Target juggernaut - including a Christmas homewares collection by Tord Boontje, and a string of high profile collaborations, still going strong with their current lingerie range by Collette Dinnigan.

Top Shop's got Kate moss, Lover loves Levis... and now - Lou Doillon for Lee Cooper.

Personally, I'm not that taken with the collection... but the website is fantastic! I know its not entirely original, but I love the eclectic scrapbook and turning pages... cute concept and well executed.

travel tickets

Oh I am having crazy busy times at work this week... feel like I'm running running all day long. Can't seem to keep up with everything! Hope you'll forgive my briefness over the next couple of days...


I love these travel tickets I saw on Black Eiffel... actually Black Eiffel is a recent discovery but it's one of my current favourite daily reads... don't know why it took me so long! check it out. :)

Design*Sponge guest blog - stationery

beautiful wedding invitation by Brooklyn-based design studio Linda + Harriett (who also have a lovely blog)

As always, there is much gorgeousness over at the Design*Sponge guest blog this week. The current guest blogger is Brooklyn based interior designer Vane, of Brooklyn Bride, and you guessed it, there's a bit of a wedding theme going on there at the moment....

I always love looking at images of wedding styling... BUT before all the anti-marriage people pounce on me, it's not because I am itching to walk down the aisle myself (far from it!)... It's purely an aesthetic interest! I think it's just the girly girl in me that gets excited about things like lavish flower arrangements, custom-designed stationery and decorative table dressings...

Vane's stationery round-up is especially gorgeous.... My favourite images are below. (more over on the guest blog). Beautiful beautiful beautiful.

invitation by Brooklyn-based design outfit Swayspace

another lovely invitation idea by Swayspace

This gorgeous calligraphy by Jenna Hein of Love, Jenna - original article here

Claire Nereim

Claire Nereim's 'forever' calendar (ie no dates) screen-printed on recycled paper. Available on Etsy.

I bookmarked the website of designer and artist Claire Nereim a week or more ago now... I wish I could remember how I stumbled across her site... anyway.... she does lovely drawings, illustrations and screenprints... Her screenprinted posters are particularly lovely. If I had to summarise her aesthetic in 5 words they would be :

- retro
- thoughtful
- playful
- restrained
- clean

Let me know if you agree :)

A variety of Claire Nereim's screenprinted posters - I love these! They remind me of old paperback covers from the 60's or something. Really restrained and carefully composed.

Another 'forever' calendar with no dates - hand-printed on recycled paper. Sold out

I think my favourite thing is that her work is so un-fussy, and not over-done as is the case with so much graphic work these days. Also her fantastic sense of colour and the mix of muted and vibrant hues is really unique I think. Stunning stuff.

Interview - Lara Cameron

Melbourne textile designer Lara Cameron - photo by Marcel Lee at Bulb Studios

Lara's latest pattern design (just posted on her blog last week)

my favourite of Lara'a patterns - 'Riverside Birch'

more pattern design - 'seaweed'

cute kitchenny pattern design

a gorgeous lamp Lara made using one of her own prints - this pattern is 'adventures with riverside friends'

'Riverside Birch' lamp

gocco-printed notebooks printed by hand

Somehow, Lara Cameron slipped under my radar until only a few weeks ago. I've seen her stunning work around town and on the web... but for some crazy reason, it took me a little while to stumble across her blog. How does this happen? Shameful! I must make more effort to keep in the loop!

Lara studied Multimedia at Swinburne in Melbourne, and after graduating started work as an interactive and graphic designer. She still does all that grown-up computer stuff... but her true love is fabric design, and her stunning work is gradually gaining her a lot of fans. Her work is a careful balance of Japanese-influenced playful illustration, with Scandinavian-inspired clean lines and unfussy patterns. Her colour combinations are always spot-on - my favourites are her mustard yellows and deep teal greens... but I've always got time for a bit of dusty pink too!

Melburnians (and possibly Sydney-siders too?) probably saw Lara featured in The Age's M magazine last weekend in a feature about young Australian designers to watch! There's also a lot of Lara on the web.. get your fix at her gorgeous blog, her online shop, or trawl her beautiful photos on Flickr. But first - read the interview! An insight into Lara's creative inspirations and her blossoming business, plus, of course, a round-up of her favourite spots in Melbourne.

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I started off studying for a Bachelor of Multimedia majoring in Media Studies, at Swinburne Uni. Once I graduated I worked for myself as an interactive and graphic designer, which I still do on the side.

Then about 2 years ago I started a design blog, where I was posting about random creative stuff that I was doing. It was supposed to be a means of encouraging myself to experiment more – I was feeling a bit stale. I began experimenting with pattern design, and really enjoyed the mix of creative & technical skills that it required to get a design to repeat seamlessly.

Anyway, I got so many positive comments from my blog reader about my patterns, that I decided to do something about it! Textiles was actually the most viable – I could start off with a short run, unlike other printed products. And hence my textiles business began!



Your work is so varied! From illustration to corporate graphic design work, to working on your own range of gorgeous fabric designs… How do you balance these different elements of your business? Do you find they complement each other well?

I really enjoy working on a wide range of projects – it keeps me on my toes. Currently it’s a good mix of the more ‘boring’ work that pays well, and then the more rewarding, personal work that doesn’t pay quite so well. There’s a lot of overlap in the skills required which is good.

Lara's workspace - photo by Marcell Lee at Bulb Studios

You are one of a growing number of home-based designers with popular blogs! Do you see your blog as a way to connect with other like-minded designers, or with potential customers/clients? How much of your web-presence is a personal outlet, and how much of it is based on promoting your work?

My blog is definitely a key way that I connect with both like minded designers, also potential customers. I’ve met some fantastic fellow textile designers through my blog (Shannon Lamden, Kristen Doran, Bianca Van Meeuwen, Danielle Smeets) and heaps of other lovely creative folk around the world. I do also use it as a way to connect with potential customers, but I try to just be myself at the same time. I don’t use it as a place to talk about my personal life and problems, but I do try to keep it from being too salesy.

You have had some really interesting international collaborations – such as your letterpress cards printed in the US, and your work available through Moo in the UK. How have these international contacts come about? Do you have plans for any other creative collaborations in the future?

All of my international collaborations have come about through blogging / online communities. Lynn from Satsuma Press and I used to read each other’s blogs. As for Moo, I uploaded a photo of some Moo cards I had printed to a Moo Flickr set, and they contacted me as a result!

How do potential clients/customers find you? Do you ‘market’ yourself?

Apart from posting on my blog, I do no promotional work at all – it’s great! People find my blog and my work through word of mouth. If they like it they keep coming back and tell other people. ‘Sidebar links’ on other people’s blogs also help people to find my site.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

All of the other designers in our little fabric mafia (Shannon Lamden, Kristen Doran, Bianca Van Meeuwen, Danielle Smeets). Also Cloth Fabric Australia, Spacecraft, Holly Daze and Heather Moore (Skinny La Minx) from South Africa.

Where else do you find inspiration?

I’m generally inspired by Melbourne city: it’s people, architecture, cafes and fantastic art/craft/design communities. I’m also inspired by nature & organic forms, and urban environments. Most of all I’m inspired by all of the fantastically creative folk in the blogosphere.

some of Lara's sketchbook pages

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Ooh I’m not sure if there is such a thing as a typical day! When I’ve just received some fabric back from the printer my days are spent rerolling bolts of fabric, taking product photos, listing items in my shop, cutting and packing orders and lugging them to the post office. It’s a nice change from the other days where I spend a lot of time at the computer.

What are you most proud of professionally?

Hmm that’s tough! I guess I’m most proud of how much I have developed professionally in the last year. Where I was then and where I am now are two completely different places – it’s changed me as a person too. I’m a lot more confident and content in myself.


What's the best thing about your job?

Complete creative freedom and control :)

And the worst?

Currently, probably the isolation of working alone. But that’ll change soon when I finally move into some shared studio space.

What would be your dream project?

Oooh, probably to collaborate with someone like a wood worker who I could make awesome homewares products with. Like beautiful wooden handmade benches with printed seat cushions on them, and lampshades with beautiful wooden bases or lampshade frames.

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

Just seeing where my business goes next. I can definitely see how it could grow and improve, and I look forward to making that happen, bit by bit.

Melbourne Questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

It wasn’t the fanciest meal ever (still delicious), but it was the environment that totally did it for me – a bowl of soup for lunch at the new Auction Rooms café in North Melbourne. The fitout is awesome.

Best fabric shop in Melbourne?

Hmm, I don’t actually frequent fabric stores that often! Some of my favourite crafty stores in general though are Meet Me at Mikes, Thread Den and Patchwork on Central Park (they’ve all been very supportive).

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Ideally, having brunch with my girly friends at The Hot Poppy in North Melbourne :)

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

The derelict yet beautiful, parquetry floored ballroom inside Flinders Street Station. I’ve only ever seen photos but I would LOVE to set foot inside that room one day.

Thanks so much for your time Lara! - Lucy :)

Julien Valee

Stills from an animation made for Black and White (a division of Montreal ad agency Bleublancrouge.)

Custom image for manystuff.org - created in response to a brief set by Manystuff, questioning the relative roles of the computer and hand-made processes in design.

If I spoke better French, I would know more about Julien Vallée. As it stands, all I know is that he's a graphic and motion graphic designer based in Canada, and he does some super-cool stuff with paper and cardboard. I hope you'll excuse the sketchy details and settle for a peek at these gorgeous pictures from his website, and the FANTASTIC little video he made for Black and White. His many talents include:

1) Incredible animation combining computer and in-camera animation techniques:

animation made for Black and White (a division of Montreal ad agency Bleublancrouge.)
via notcot.org and viacomit (and lots of other places)

2) creating fantastic 3D models from cardboard and paper:

Cover for Grafika - the 2008 Quebec annual graphic design studios guide

Custom images for manystuff.org

3) ...and displaying large collections of items in neatly ordered patterns:

Cover for Print magazine

This mag cover was also Published in Tactile - High Touch Visuals (A book from Die-Gestalten - Berlin - 2007)

Wow! I love this combination of hand-made elements with computer-based techniques!
Or perhaps I am just obsessed with paper.

hmm. I worry this blog is in danger of becoming all about paper and fabric... ;)

Head Case - Call for Submissions

My friend Skye Luckins is organising / curating an art exhibition called Head Case, to raise awareness about Acquired Brain Injury. The exhibition is a collaboration with Brain Injury Australia, and will take place in September at the Sofitel Hotel in Melbourne. The artworks will be auctioned to raise funds for vital research into ABI, and there will also be a People's Choice Award with a cash prize of $5000 for the winning artist.

If you're in Melbourne you may have read this article about Skye and her Mum, Carol, in the Saturday Age over Easter. The article tells the heartbreaking story of the Luckins' experience with Acquired Brain Injury. Five years ago, at age 55, Skye's Mum, Carol, was struck by an extremely rare virus — herpes simplex encephalitis — which attacks the brain. The virus can occur any time, at any age, and affects one in 500,000 people. Because the virus is so rare, diagnosis can be difficult, especially when the onset is rapid, as was the case with Carol. The virus nearly killed her and left her with an acquired brain injury. She slipped into a coma for 3 months, and when she opened her eyes again, Carol could no longer recognise her family, could not swallow, chew, speak or walk.

Skye's experience with this debilitating illness has driven her to raise understanding and awareness of the condition. She is inviting artists / designers / illustrators and photographers to respond to the theme of loss, with works that are inspired by the experiences of people affected by acquired brain injury. A panel of judges will select the best 30 pieces to be exhibited at The Sofitel, Melbourne in September.

The Head Case website is under construction but should be up later this week. In the meantime you can contact Skye (skye@buronorth.com) for more info. If you're a creative person please consider donating an artwork to this very worthy cause.... You'll be in the running for a generous cash prize, your work will reach a wide audience, and you'll be supporting a fantastic initiative.

Stefan Sagmeister - Things I have Learned in My Life So Far

Images from the Hillman Curtis film which documents Stefan Sagmeister's exhibition in New York
(that 'Self Confidence' billboard is made up entirely of bananas!)

Stefan Sagmeister is a supremely talented designer, whose work blurs the distinctions between art and design. He also seems like an incredibly humble, thoughtful and generally nice guy. His ongoing project 'Things I have learned in my life so far' is such a simple, powerful idea. In its simplest form, its been described as a 'typographic project'... but its become more than that.

Stefan's design studio in New York have transformed these simple sentences into typographic works, from billboards in France to sign-toting inflatable monkeys on the streets of Scotland. People from all walks of life have also contributed their lessons learned on the website. It seems these simple truths have resonated with many, and have in some ways taken on a life of their own.

A reader sent me a link to this amazing little film by Hillman Curtis, which follows the set-up of Stefan's exhibition in Soho New York, as part of this ongoing project.

There's something incredible about this little film. The universality and sheer simplicity of Stefan's life lessons? Stefan's delicate voice-over, that sounds somehow like the voice of an old friend? Or is it the glimpses of New York reflected in the gallery windows?

They seem elementary, but there's something in the re-telling these age-old lessons that gives them more meaning...

Worrying solves nothing
Self confidence produces fine results
Helping other people helps me
Having guts always works out for me
Starting a charity is surprisingly easy
Being not truthful always works against me
Everything I do always comes back to me
Money does not make me happy
Trying to look good limits my life

Such lovely ideas to start your week...!

watch the film here
buy the book here

Interview - Seesaw Design

Poster and website design for Kate Alexa (Liberation Records). I really love that yellow diagonal stripe with the black and white...

Globe promotional material

Gallaz print campaign

Corporate identity and signage

Mode promotional material

Wrangler print campaign

Seesaw Design is a boutique graphic design company based in North Melbourne. It was set up in 2003 by Anita McArthur and Matthew McKenzie, who met whilst studying at RMIT. I'm always interested to hear the story behind creative start-up businesses, and the point at which they took the plunge and went out on their own. In Anita's case, I was interested to hear that only 2 years after graduating, Anita and Matthew were already gaining so much freelance work that they didn't have time to continue working 9-5 for somebody else! This is a testament to Seesaw's talents and professionalism in looking after their clients.

Seesaw handle a real variety of projects and clients - everything from fashion and T-shirt graphics, to web design, advertising and print media, and film graphics. I first came across Seesaw whilst working on Channel 10's Thank God You're Here... they used to do a lot of our graphics... which was an absolutely endless task - often with quite unrealistic deadlines! Each week there'd be at least 2 if not more scenarios that would require a lot of graphic signage... Anita would often get our brief with only a couple of days to complete the job... then they'd do a range of logos etc, and we'd print these on adhesive vinyl or canvas to dress in to the sets. Seesaw were so patient and professional in dealing with all of our endless demands and last minute changes... and no matter how crazy our requests, Anita always came through!

Read on to learn more about Anita's creative inspirations, the challenges she faced in setting up her company, and the perks of running your own business - like having pets in the office!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I originally completed a Bachelor of Biomedical Science straight after High School. A few of my friends at the time were studying graphic design and I knew that was what I really wanted to do. So I went on to study a Bachelor of Communication Design at RMIT. At RMIT I met my business partner Matthew McKenzie and we always dreamed of one day opening a studio together. About two years later after collaborating on many freelance jobs and working together at another studio, we started Seesaw.

What were the main challenges you faced in starting up your own company? How did you take the leap from working for someone else to going out on your own?

I think the decision to go out of our own happened pretty organically, we both started receiving so much freelance work that working nine to five for someone else just became too difficult. Initially the hardest thing was trying to be creative while attempting to run a business. We figured out pretty quickly book keeping wasn’t our forte.

What are some of your projects/clients that we might be familiar with?

We are really lucky to have a diverse range of clients, from fashion and music though to finance, not for profit, architecture and engineering clients. Some of our more recognisable clients include Wood Marsh Architecture, Wrangler, Body Bronze, Gallaz, Globe, Mooks, Bettina Liano, Marshall Baker Homes, Liberation Music and Variety the children’s charity. We have also worked on a number of TV shows including Channel Ten’s Thank God You’re Here.

How do you approach a brief initially – Do you turn to books, magazines or websites for initial inspiration? Do you brainstorm your ideas with your colleagues or prefer to work independently?

After meeting with the client and learning about their business and direction, we start with brain storming and researching by looking at relevant books, magazines or websites. We then come up with a plan of attack and one of us takes the job through to completion while still bouncing ideas around the rest of the studio. The team is quite small so there is no real hierarchy, rather we all work together to make sure the job is completed with the best result, on time and budget.

Which designers, artists or creative people are you inspired by?

So many people inspire us, the design culture in Melbourne is amazing. We are really lucky to have incredibly talented contacts and friends who work in architecture, interior design, photography, illustration and fashion.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Every morning starts at about 9am with a coffee. Then pretty much everyday is different.

What are you most proud of professionally?

There are many jobs we are truly proud of but most of all I am really proud of our client relationships. I also love the fact we work with great charities. There is nothing nicer than knowing that the work you create directly helps someone.

Where do you find inspiration?

Gosh, we find inspiration everywhere. From friends, magazines, architecture, interior design....a beautiful chair, old signage, a colour palette, found type. Pretty much anything.

What's the best thing about your job?

The freedom to pick and choose who we work with.

Oh and having pets at work.

And the worst?

Tight deadlines and unreasonable clients. Thankfully that doesn’t happen too often.

What would be your dream project?

It would be a complete re-branding job with a completely open brief. Oh and one with an endless budget!

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

Professionally - growing our team, working on exciting new projects and moving into our new dream studio. Personally - getting married in December.

Melbourne Questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

The Aviary - Victoria Street, Abbotsford

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

Normally wake up late, walk up to Errol Street in North Melbourne, stock up on magazines and grab a coffee from the lovely Fandango.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

If I told you it wouldn’t be a secret!

Tin & Ed

Tin & Ed are Tin Nguyen and Edward Cutting. They're a young graphic design duo based in Melbourne. Their name oftens seems to pop up on lot of kooky and cool design projects in Melbourne... Things like the Crumpler ABC website (weird but wonderful), the Next Wave Festival program, and also I keep seeing their photos on threethousand.

They are also in part responsible for this lovely print campaign for Tourism Victoria.... (photo above).

They made those giant 'wool' sculptures! Now that's quite versatile for a graphic design company! Nice styling huh? I really like that giant woolball. I like the illustrative shapes - the arrows and the hand. I like that they physically made the props and didn't just photoshop them! (for proof of this you can see the giant shapes in 3D here)

Also have a look at the lovely TV commercial that goes with that print campaign - really cute art direction... makes Melbourne look so pretty!

I was all set to email Tin&Ed and see if they wanted to be interviewed but alas I have just found a fantastic interview with them here at Chaos Generation, and they pretty much answered all the questions I was dreaming up. Blah.

MocoLoco - behind the blog

Apartment Therapy Unplugged posted a great little 'behind the blog' article about MocoLoco... It's always nice to snoop into the workspaces of creative people... and there's also something very satisfying about seeing the physical world behind your favourite blogs/websites! I guess it makes the whole blog-reading experience seem more personal.

I particularly love MocoLoco's 10 foot high acrylic divider/screen featuring a stylised map of their local neighbourhood in Montreal. It was made by Montreal design outfit Rita Design Studio. I'm assuming it's a vinyl cut just stuck onto the acrylic? Super simple, cheap and so effective.

ps) OH OH I have just been looking at Rita Design Studio's website and you must check out some of their other work... such varied projects - from graphic solutions to really large-scale installations... unique concepts, and well executed too. Go look. (a couple of pictures below)

Prada

The current Prada print/web campaign features some really interesting, experimental photography and graphics... check out their website for more...

Paul Fuog - The Co-op

A little while ago I posted about the City of Melbourne 'hot spots' guide, which was gorgeously(?) art directed by Melbourne company The Co-op. Soon after, I contacted Paul Fuog from this little outfit and he agreed to answer some of my questions about his company, his job and his inspirations.

The Co-op seems like a really fun and cozy place to work. Firstly, they are based in Curtin House in the city (Seriously... how can there be enough room left in that building for any more coolness?). Also, They are a tiny team of only 3 full timers - Paul, and his wife Dan Honey, and designer Bec Worth. I feel like they would be type of company who would have breakfast all together at a communal table in the office... and make each other cups of tea all the time. And send each other home early occasionally. This may or may not be true. It's just the impression I get. :)

I would also like to credit Paul with sending me back the interview using coloured text to delineate the answers from the questions! *bling* lightbulb moment! How stupid am I for not realising this is a much better option for interview layout? What can I say... He's a graphic designer. They know this stuff.

OK read on for the interview!

Tell me a little about your background - what did you study and what path led you to what you’re doing now?

I guess I just sort of stumbled across Graphic Design. I had always loved drawing, sketching and making stuff and so I started studying visual arts at Swinburne and then a year later I discovered Graphic Design and decided that this was what I wanted to do. I think some of the art I was creating was probably more like graphic art that fine art, i just didn't really know much much about graphic design at the time. So it was really great to discover it.

What is the structure of your business – how many people work at The Co-Op? What is the hierarchy at the office? What is your role within the group?

We are a really small studio. There is only 3 of us full-time. Myself, my wife Dan Honey and and another designer Bec Worth. We are all pretty hands on and collaborative with most projects. When a brief comes in, we are all generally involved in the conceptual stage and then it eventually gets divided up between all of us to carry out the production. Despite the business being owned by myself and Dan we try not to parade authority or any hierarchal status. We instead acknowledge our strengths and weaknesses and divvy the tasks accordingly..

How long have you been at The Co-Op?

The Co-Op has been running since late 2004

Are there any particular designers you look up to or are inspired by?

There are so many great designers, illustrators and artists in this industry that I am continually inspired by the work I see. I really love swiss design, not just graphic but furniture and architecture. I love how complex and disciplined the work is, yet it has such purity and simplicity.

What does a typical day at work involve for you?

Arrive at about 9.30am.

Email someone

Design something
Meet someone

Eat something

Email someone

Design Something
Meet someone

Leave at about 6.30pm

How do you approach a brief initially - do you have a tried and tested system you usually follow with every new job or is it different for every client?

We do get a variety of briefs, some more demanding than others, so the approach does vary. Once we have read through we meet to outline the objectives and discuss how we are going to tackle it. From here we will organise a creative meeting where we keep it pretty loose and encourage one another to put forward any ideas or concepts. From this we hope to gain some direction or a path or hook to explore. We now gather references, sketch ideas and then meet to consolidate the idea and refine it. The next step is putting it together in a presentation format for the client. Then we show them. Then they tell us they don't get it and we start it all again....

What are you most proud of professionally?

I find it hard to isolate one project, especially as I still feel quite young to the game. I guess at the moment I am proud of the rooftop campaign we just finished. I think mainly because it presented many challenges and rather than give up and take an easier route we stayed true to the initial concept and I think in the end we received a much better result.

Where do you find inspiration?

It sounds a little cliche but from everywhere. From boring audit forms, old library books, science books, modern art books. I guess thats the thing with graphic design, almost every bit of collateral or signage you see has in someway been considered graphically. So inspiration really is everywhere.

What's the best thing about your job?

I really enjoy the challenge of it. I thought I would always love to have an open brief, which I do enjoy sometimes but to be honest I really love responding to briefs. It's like problem solving, trying to find that little clue or hook.

I also really love having the opportunity to work and collaborate with other creative people.

And the worst?

How serious it can be sometimes. I understand the importance of design in the community and the need to educate others of its worth but sometimes I think you just need to have fun with it.

What would be your dream project?

Wow, I really don't know. I love the variety.

As we are only small we don't often get exposed to large budgets so maybe a job with unlimited funds.....But maybe not. I might end up like a kid in a candy store and end up foiling, embossing, die cutting, stitching, embroiding, laminating some 1000gsm stock invitation. It could be disastrous, like an over decorated christmas tree.

Where do you see yourself professionally in 5 years time?

Still going through spell check on this email.

What are you looking forward to – professionally or personally?

My honeymoon, which is just a month away

Melbourne Questions –

What/where was the last great meal you ate in Melbourne?

Otsumami in Northcote.

Where would we find you on a typical Saturday morning?

In summer: 13th beach

In winter: In bed dreaming of summer at 13th beach

Best bookshop in Melbourne for design books?

Metropolis Bookstore is in our building, so it is an obvious favourite.

Melbourne’s best kept secret?

The Tuck Shop on Lonsdale St. Cheapest and tastiest salami sandwich in town.

Thanks so much Paul! :)

Mike Lemanski