23 questions!

It's clear on meeting this Artisan Alister, that no job is too big or small, and that graphic design really is a passion. Having lived all over the globe from a young age, Sarah posesses a colourful journey and great perspective on the bigger picture.

What sparked your passion for design?
I grew up in Asia (Nepal, Laos and Thailand) due to my dad's work in the field of environmental conservation. As a teenager I would take the bus along a massive Bangkok highway to my international school on the outskirts of the city. To entertain myself, I would analyse the hundreds of massive billboards that passed by my window on that route. I loved the fact that you could take something as big as a lifestyle or philosophy, and distill it down to a short slogan, a photograph or a simple graphic.

How creative were you as a youngster?
Being creative wasn't really an option when I was a kid, it was a necessity. We lived in Nepal where we did not have access to TV or fancy toys. Entertaining ourselves meant coming up with elaborate imaginary games, choreographing dances, making hilarious short films on our family video camera and always drawing.

Do you come from a creative family?
My family home was always a creative space. Whether it was making music, dancing or performing stand-up comedy routines, the people in my family were always each other's greatest audience! My mum is an amazing painter and photographer, and my dad has a brilliant and innovative mind. What they both taught me was that being creative is an approach to life rather than a means to an end. It is about a healthy disregard for limitations, and above all taking joy in what you do.

Were they supportive of your desire to be a designer?
Absolutely. No matter what path I had chosen they would have supported me, so long as I was passionate about it and did my best.

What sort of education and training have you had?
After completing the International Baccalaureate at my school in Bangkok, I moved to Melbourne to get a Bachelor in Media Studies at RMIT. During this time I became really excited about art direction and realised that being visually artistic was my natural path, so I followed the degree with a Graduate Diploma in Graphic Design (RMIT).

Who did you want to work for when you first entered the industry?
I didn't have anyone in particular in mind, I just wanted to work for a business that would really enable me to improve and develop, and obviously one that produced high-quality, creative work.

Tell us about your first project and what do you feel about it now?
I was incredibly lucky when, fresh out of University, I was offered a freelance job designing a CD Booklet for a Melbourne Symphony Orchestra recording of the music for The Glass Soldier, a Melbourne Theatre Company production. It was incredibly daunting. Because I have greatly improved as a designer since then, I now look very critically at the end product. However in retrospect, I worked so hard and learnt so much from the experience that I am really proud of what I did.

What is your preferred software to work with and what has been the greatest advancement in technology over the past 5 years?
It's hard to pick a greatest advancement but graphics tablets have become so sensitive and accurate. I love my Wacom Bamboo- it is awesome to be liberated from the mouse when drawing in my two favourite programs- Illustrator and Photoshop!

Is digital technology going to eliminate the need for print?
No, definitely not. However, I think digital technology does need to gain more dominance because design has to become more sustainable than it currently is. Gone are the days when people can afford to print truck loads of junk mail. I think there will be some great future innovations in print that will minimize its impact on the environment, but designers will increasingly need to consider this impact when approaching a brief.

Whose work do you really admire and why?
An obvious choice would be Stefan Sagermeister for his ideas. I love Tomer Hanuka's illustrations- the creation of mood through colour is something I have always been fascinated by.

Who has been the greatest person that you’ve ever had the pleasure of working with and what have they taught you?
Diane Drysdale at Wines by Design is a great person, one of the warmest and most affable people I have ever met. She has an impeccable standard in customer service and has taught me great professional skills, particularly when it comes to dealing with difficult clients.

How would you describe your work?
Layered, fresh and versatile.

What are your plans for the future?
First and foremost I want to master my skills and become the best designer I can be. I'd like on to work a huge variety of projects. A long-term personal goal is to work for clients in the non-profit sector, such as conservation and humanitarian organisations.

What sort of company would you like to work with next?
I would love to work for a company that produces really creative work and has a talented team of professionals that can help me continue to learn and develop as a designer.

What is your opinion of Australian design?
I'm really just starting out so I honestly don't feel like I can give the most informed opinion yet. I think we have a lot of creative talent and that our design is becoming increasingly more influenced by other cultures, not only because we are a multi-cultural nation but because of our connections to other design communities via the internet.

What is the best/worst thing about being a designer in Australia?
We are generally very blessed over here. In comparison to other countries, we have an incredibly high standard of living and education as well as plentiful opportunities. Budding designers have the freedom to pursue their dreams- this is not something that should be taken for granted.

In your opinion, what is the greatest challenge the Australian design industry has to face in the near future?
The greatest challenge will be creating greener design solutions as the world around us rapidly changes.

What is your creative outlet outside of design?
I've been a bit obsessed with cooking lately. I also love dancing and I sing in the shower every day, very loudly.

What is the best designed bar in Melbourne?
Honky Tonks on Flinder's Lane, which closed down, was beautifully set up. I actually generally prefer bars that are more daggy than slick- so long as the wine, company and music is good, I'm happy!

What are your top 5 websites at the moment?
goodnewsnetwork.org
colourlovers.com
juxtapoz.com
templeofthai.com/recipes
margaretingles.net

What CD are you currently listening to and is it any good?
My Favourite Letters by Alice Russell. She is a neo soul singer from the UK. She has one of those bluesy, gutsy female voices. I love her.

If I was a font, I’d be...?
That's a hard one- maybe Museo, because it is professional but fun. I think I keep changing...I could be a script one day and then a bunch of wingdings the next!

For more information regarding Sarah's availability, call us here at Artisan on 9514 1000, or email Erica today!