Our next portfolio review is for those starting out in graphic design! As you’ll know, graphic design is a wide-ranging discipline that can become a gateway into so many different corners of the industry; and to reflect that, we’ve got a varied line-up of reviewers – from independent freelance creatives to in-house experts and studio founders.

So whether you’re a student, a grad or just simply in the first year of your career journey, this is a chance to meet industry professionals, get advice and feedback and get to know some fellow emerging creatives.

The session will take place over Zoom on Thursday 31st March, from 5pm to 8pm BST. There are only a limited number of places available, so make sure you sign up to register your interest.

The event itself is fast-paced: In breakout rooms of three emerging creatives and one reviewer, you will get the opportunity to show and discuss work, and get advice and feedback. This will then rotate, so you get to meet several reviewers throughout the evening.

Please also note that the session is open to those looking to work in graphic design with no more than one year of experience. You will be required to have something to show (e.g. one to two projects or pieces of work that capture what you do), but don’t worry if this isn’t a polished portfolio.

Janay Frazier, senior designer, Penguin Random House
Currently based in Maryland, Janay specialises in visual storytelling at Penguin Random House, with a focus on print design, typography and illustration. A 2015 graduate of the City College of New York, Janay started out as an art instructor, before working for companies such as HarperCollins. She has also been a judge for the NAACP Afro-Academic, Cultural, Technological and Scientific Olympics.

Read more about Janay here, and read more about Penguin Random House here.

Fox Rogers, co-founder and creative director, Cauldron
Describing himself as a “lifelong generalist,” Fox worked across a variety of creative disciplines before founding gaming start-up Cauldron. Having initially studied visual communication at Arts University Bournemouth, Fox has worked on traditional branding and packaging to web3 technologies, and with clients ranging from the worlds of architecture and fashion to banking.

Read more about Fox here, and read more about Cauldron here.

Shivani Parasnis, senior designer, Spotify
Now based in New York, Shivani originally lived, studied and worked as a public health researcher in India, before making the move to study graphic design at the Maryland Institute College of Art. Today, Shivani’s portfolio includes work for clients like WIRED, WeTransfer and the New York Times, alongside freelance projects which meld both East and West influences.

Read more about Shivani here.

Alice Cave, designer, Jones Knowles Ritchie
Alice landed a placement at Jones Knowles Ritchie after graduating from Norwich University of the Arts in 2018. Now a full-time designer at the design-led creative company, she specialises in packaging and brand design projects. From strategy and brand identity to copywriting Jones Knowles Ritchie’s recent clients include Stonewall, Ocado, Budweiser and Foot Locker.

Read more about Jones Knowles Ritchie here.

Willem Purdy, senior digital designer, Companion
Having originally studied illustration at the University of the West of England, Willem’s current work at Companion is centred around start-ups, agencies and brands, creating long-lasting relationships built on creativity. Prior to working at Companion, Willem was a designer at web design agency, Plug & Play where he worked with a range of clients on websites, web apps and native apps.

Read more about Willem here, and read more about Companion, here.

Jack Gibbons, design director, B&B studio
After studying graphic design at Falmouth University, Jack joined London-based B&B studio as a junior designer. Over eight years, Jack has grown and developed alongside the creative business, working his way up to design director. Today he specialises in brand identity creation and packaging design, with a passion for drinks branding that has seen him work with names such as Brewdog, Plymouth Gin and Belvoir Farm.

Read more about B&B studio here.

Josiah Odimah-Manson, middleweight designer, Accept & Proceed
Working specifically in digital design, branding and motion design, Josiah looks to design with both analytics and aesthetics in mind. After graduating with a BA in graphic communications from the Norwich University of the Arts in 2017, Josiah cut his teeth interning at design studios like Rufus Leonard and Interbang before joining Accept & Proceed in 2018.

Read more about Accept & Proceed here.

Yvonne Eng-Hall, design director, Design Bridge
At Design Bridge, Yvonne leads creative relationships for some of the world’s oldest and most iconic brands. Having been at Design Bridge for over ten years, she has risen up the ranks, working as a senior designer in Singapore, to design director in Amsterdam and now London, where she has led teams on campaigns for clients like Diageo, Louis Vuitton, Moët Hennessy, Heineken and Starbucks.

Read more about Design Bridge here.

Tina Jiwa, brand designer
Based in Birmingham and London, Tina Jiwa is an independent brand designer who explores how design can bring meaningful change for the future. Since graduating from Sheffield Hallam University six years ago, she has specialised in brand identity and website design. Tina also has in-house experience, working for Noir Agency for over four years as senior graphic designer before being promoted to head of design.

Read more about Tina here.

Joe Russell, co-founder and creative director, Land of Plenty
After graduating from Arts University Bournemouth in 2007, Joe set out on his journey as a freelance designer, working with design consultancies and studios such as Smith Dawson, Radford Wallis and The Halo Group. Now, he’s the creative director of his own studio and our company partner, Land of Plenty, working with brands across leisure and lifestyle.

Read more about Land of Plenty here.

This session is open to students, grads, or those within the first year of a creative career. You are only eligible to register if you are:

• Not in full-time creative work
• Within the first year of your career
• Based in the UK
• Aged 18 and over

Please note that you will be required to submit an example of your work in your application. Register your interest by 23:59 on 21sth March via the link below.

Registering for this event does not guarantee a place. Those invited to attend will be emailed a week before the event, and will be asked to pay a £5 deposit. This is to confirm your attendance, and will be refunded after the session.

Attendees are selected based on their eligibility, so please be assured that if you are not invited, this is not a reflection of the quality of your work.

We hope to see you there!