Pass it on

Within six months of graduating from University, I was fortunate enough to find myself working as a junior designer in a small studio that was part of a large ad agency.

Having relocated from Canberra (yes, it’s dull to you but it’s home to me) to Sydney, I couldn’t have been more excited.

However, I was unaware at the time of just how lucky I was. It wasn’t until years later that I realised I had been fortunate enough to have been mentored. And, to top it off I was mentored by not only one, but two designers. I was spoiled.

They went by the names of Julian Melhuish and Kevin Finn. And still do.

Now when I say mentored I don’t mean in the ‘I had a great boss’ way but rather in the truest sense of the word. I guess I knew it was happening at the time but only in the last few years have I really understood the value of it.

Kevin and Jules had 15 years on me in terms of experience, were internationally awarded and they gave me everything.

Every lesson they had learned, every trick they knew, every tip they had, they happily handed it all over.

They were never too busy, and no question I ever had was too stupid. They taught me lessons that have shaped who I am as a designer.

First and foremost, they introduced me to ideas–based design; not concepts, like ‘light’ or ‘positivity’ but real, strategic ideas.

And, they taught me how to have these ideas, or at least about the processes that help you have them. They made me read 'A Smile in the Mind', constantly reinforcing to me that I had to have an idea before I could design anything.

They taught me that humility is king, that arrogance is never an attractive trait, and the value of the right amount of self deprecation.

They taught me about the power of writing in design, always maintaining that the best designers are also great writers. They reminded me often that design, while it ran furiously through our blood, was a job.

And, that family and friends were far more important. In return I worked as hard and as long as I could.

While we have not worked together for some years we speak often and see each other whenever we can.

Now, while explaining my ideas or critiquing work, I often catch myself using phrases or theories that were constants in the studio all those years ago.

Every lesson is stored safely inside my head, there for whenever they’re required, by me, or anyone else who needs them.