Emma Barber recently graduated from UCLan, Preston, is now living and working in London as a Junior Designer. She is a film lover, tea drinker (hard grafter) and creative thinker. She loves simple ideas in design that evoke positive change in society and the environment. She is also a winner of a Gold award at this year’s Creative Conscience Awards and had her portfolio featured a couple of times by D&AD New Blood. She is always inspired by people’s creativity and would love to help others who want to break into the industry.
So let's start at the beginning, why did you decide to become a graphic designer, and how has that evolved over time?
Very recently! I actually found out about Graphic Design when I decided to stop my career in dance. I lived and trained as a dancer at a vocational school in Chester for 6 years. After moving to Birmingham and getting a taste of the professional ballet industry, I decided it wasn’t for me and moved home, not knowing anyone or what to do with myself! I knew I wasn’t academic but I was creative, so I joined a local sixth form and did Graphics, Photography and Art at A-level. Leaving there with pretty good marks, I went to UCLan in Preston to study Graphic Design as a degree. The change in direction was scary, but I’m proud that I built up the courage to try something new. If you don’t try you’ll never know!
The change in direction was scary, but I’m proud that I built up the courage to try something new. If you don’t try you’ll never know!
Huge congratulations on graduating! Has the COVID19 pandemic impacted your post-university life at all?
Thank you and absolutely it has, but it’s not all been bad! I guess the good thing to come out of all of this is the way in which we communicate now. Setting up a Zoom meeting was a lot cheaper than getting the train down to London (and less time consuming). This was much easier than trying to squeeze everything into a couple of days. I had back-to-back interviews at one point and I didn’t need to leave my room! Working from home is something I’ve become used to, throughout and after leaving uni, so I am still to experience working full time in a studio.
The class of 2021 sadly missed out on a lot, including internships. Did you do any interning before starting your full time role? If so, can you tell us a little bit about the process of getting the internship(s)?
My time at uni was cut a year short, so we didn’t get a chance to go on our placement year :( I applied for internships towards the end of my course (around May time last year), emailing my portfolio to every agency I admired and hoping for a reply. I’ve learnt to always send a follow up email if you don’t hear back, be the person they can’t ignore! A few places did get back to me and I had some internships lined up for the summer, although I only did one of them due to getting a job offer.
You started a new job last year as a Junior Designer, right? Congratulations! Could you tell us a little about the transition from being a student to starting your first design job?
Thank you so much! The transition was exciting but challenging as I had little experience of the industry. I was offered a job at Turner Duckworth in London, before I had a chance to really test the waters. I would have liked to see other agencies but I couldn’t turn down my dream job! As a newbie, it was interesting to learn everyone's job roles in the studio; something university didn’t really talk about - not everyone is a designer! Also, moving to London was a huge step, although I’ve lived away from home for years, London was a different kettle of fish. Finding a place to live may have been the hardest part!
How would you describe yourself as a designer and your design work?
Tough question… I’d say my design approach is quite simple and direct? I’m a very honest person in general, I wear my heart on my sleeve and I question everything. When designing, I like to strip everything back to a core emotion or word, that then naturally translates into a visual language. Every project I’ve done delivers a message that I feel strongly about, whether it’s championing the underdog, challenging people's perspectives or fighting for equality when things are unfair. This might have come from my experiences as a dancer. I like tackling social issues head on, driven mostly by gender equality and giving people a voice.
Aesthetics comes second, always. When the feeling/idea is nailed down, that’s when you start to play around with the design. Something that’s straightforward and impactful works the best. I do like bold shapes and letters, anything that can deliver the message quickly, using graphic devices to link everything together. My execution visually may not be the best, but I believe in everything I say. Substance over style, anyday.
I like tackling social issues head on, driven mostly by gender equality and giving people a voice.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known at the beginning of your graphic design journey?
Knowing that I could do it. I doubted myself at the start but if I’d have known where I am now, I wouldn’t have worried so much. The end goal was to get a job but I didn’t know if I’d be successful (given my lack of experience, mid-pandemic etc). But, by putting the hours in, taking on board criticism and staying enthusiastic, I got the job offer I wanted!
by putting the hours in, taking on board criticism and staying enthusiastic, I got the job offer I wanted!
Tell us about a standout project that you have worked on and why is it so important to you?
My favourite project to work on was my concept of the Women’s Film Academy. It won a gold award at last year's Creative Conscience Awards. I designed an identity for a women’s film school that helps graduates get a leg up into the film industry. I’m obsessed with films, but I started to notice that women were unrepresented a lot. Last year, 50% of film school grads were women but only 16% got employment in the industry. That doesn’t make sense?! I think it is so important to have women in a position of control when it comes to filmmaking, as we provide a different perspective and have different stories to men. So if we can change who’s behind the camera, we change who is in front of it. I wanted to raise awareness around the issue and encourage more women to pursue careers in filmmaking. Support female filmmakers!
So, you're a film lover? Do movies inspire your design work at all?
In a way, they do. I love to tell a story through design and creating a strong narrative is important to get your ideas across, whether it’s a short video piece or a well constructed presentation. Films definitely make me aware of the pace of my design work and knowing how to keep the audience engaged. Same goes for your portfolio when going for interviews or presenting work, think of it like a film: proposition, build, climax and resolution.
when going for interviews or presenting work, think of it like a film: proposition, build, climax and resolution.
What are your top 3 favourite films?
So on the spot, I have so many! In no particular order, I’d have to say, Kill Bill Vol 1 (Uma’s bad b*tch energy), Fantastic Mr Fox (Wes Anderson’s the king) and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off really had an impact on my life. I also love anything directed by Greta Gerwig or Denis Villeneuve, so good!
Do you have any tips for current design students/ emerging designers?
My advice would be to never shy away from opportunities. Find the confidence in yourself and your abilities to try new things, meet new people, grow your network and promote yourself as creative. I found saying yes to a lot of things has helped me gain the confidence that I was lacking. My family has always told me, life begins outside your comfort zone.
My advice would be to never shy away from opportunities.
Lastly, who are your top 3 she/they crushes?
Florence Given, she’s just iconic and I love what she stands for. She also has the best hair ever. Stephanie Sword-Williams, the author of F*ck Being Humble. I admire her relatable yet professional attitude and how she celebrates the successes of others. And lastly, Reese Witherspoon (and here character Elle Woods). She does amazing work, fighting for greater representation in Hollywood of people of color, LGBTQ people and for women. Her speech at the Woman of the Year awards is so inspirational, “Ambition is not a dirty word”.
Florence Given, she’s just iconic and I love what she stands for. She also has the best hair ever. Stephanie Sword-Williams, the author of F*ck Being Humble. I admire her relatable yet professional attitude and how she celebrates the successes of others. And lastly, Reese Witherspoon (and here character Elle Woods). She does amazing work, fighting for greater representation in Hollywood of people of color, LGBTQ people and for women. Her speech at the Woman of the Year awards is so inspirational, “Ambition is not a dirty word”.
