Craign Oldham

Craig Oldham currently work for Music Design Agency at the moment. Craig also used to work at The Chase. When Craig completed his first 12 months at The Chase he write a personal account of his 12 lesson learnt there. 

Craig believes that you are either one of two designers:

• Bunch A- Logical- Designers that use logic, utilise clarity and function. The triple F bunch- Form Follows Function. 
  

1. Spin 
2. Massimo Vignelli
3. SEA
4. Jan Tschichold
5. Peter Saville

• Bunch B- Emotional- Designers that use every form of communication available. To create an emotional connection between the design and it's audience. The big idea bunch. 

1. Paul Rand
2. Thoughtful
3. Hat-Trick
4. 300million
5. Tibor Kalman

I personally believe I am bit of both. But I feel I more fit into Bunch B because I feel sometimes the idea behind a piece of design carries it forward. 

Craig also said to know your strengths and weaknesses. Craig said when you are at your first placement. You will say yes to every little job given to you. You might get asked to create a website. But in your mind you know you are weak at creating websites. Don't say you can do something if you cant you will only end up disappointing yourself and others. 

Craig also said placements are important. You get to practise and learn at the same time. You also get your foot in the door, to a massive ever expanding group of people. 

Should do placements?

• Agency insight
• New expectation
• Real work
• Hone in on all of your skills
• Build bridges and meet some interesting new people
• puts you ahead of the competition
• Improve your tea making (To Craig the most important)
• Reassure you of your abilities
• Make you a more confident person

Shouldn't do placements?

• Make a loss of money
• Away for a period of time, often on your own
• Taken advantaged of

Craig also gave his most important tips on whilst you are at the agency:

1. Be punctual
2. A little enthusiasm goes along way
3. Be yourself
4. Spell their name right

He also said to keep in touch with people, ask designers to comment on your work. A happy designer is an involved designer. Also keeping in touch bridges gaps, and everybody knows everybody else in the design world. 

Share idea's Craig said. Don't be a little girl covering up your idea's. Invite criticism and maybe you might get some constructive criticism that might improve your idea. If it does it is still your idea. 

Craig said he noticed there are 5 stages of design:

1. Research
2. Mulling over the research
3. Incubation, let the subconscious get to work
4. Eureka, an idea
5. Graft

WORK HARD & BE NICE TO PEOPLE! 

www.craigoldham.co.uk