Where are They Now?

Billy Blue Graduates – Where are they now?

Hi all,
Just joined Billy Blue College of Design around a month ago. I really enjoy working with great people here. Meanwhile I'm in a big team that is working on a big pitch for a telecommunication provider. Thanks for everything at Billy Blue! Keep in touch!
Cheers,

Catherine Wivina

Thanks to your help I've landed myself a dream job at Paragon Design in the CBD. For the past two weeks I've been designing POS and advertisements for Telstra Shop and Telstra Pre-Paid Plus.

Paragon Design works closely with Young & Rubicon and Singo's producing retail branding for everything you see in the Telstra Shop.

The atmos is chilled, the work is interesting and the people are excellent. This is the first job I've had in this industry where I really feel I'm valued as a designer and an individual. Since I've been employed again I've returned to making electronic music and continuing my career as a producer in my spare time.

I just wanted to say that the support you gave during this difficult time for me was greatly appreciated and was one of the contributing factors leading to me finding this job. I now have a strong portfolio of magazine design, packaging, POS and retail branding. The advice you gave me was invaluable and I sincerely thank you for it.

Billy Blue truly is an institution of creative thought, not just a graphic design school in my eyes and I'm glad and grateful for everything I have learned there as a student and as a professional.

So thanks for everything guys, keep up the good work!

Sincerely

Pat Tonkin

Hello!
Since I graduated I've been awarded with:
–Silver in One Show Interactive –Distinctive Merit in Art Directors Club –Gold in Epica Awards –Silver in Eurobest –Nomination in D&AD –Gold in Scandinavian Advertising Awards –Nomination in Webby Awards–Silver in Guldägget
Thanks for a great education!

Max Larsson von Reybekiel of Corbusier

Hi Matt,
I want to thank you and everybody in Billy Blue College of Design for always doing the best
for their students. I'm in Singapore right now and currently working as an
assistant graphic editor in www.designtaxi.com
Thanks loads for always giving us job vacancies and not forgetting us.
Keep the party coming!
Kind regards,

Sylvia Tan

Hi Matt and the gang,
Thanks for everything. I meant to come in and thank you for getting me those interviews but haven't been anywhere near North Sydney since the last time I was saw you. So thanks for all the help. It's really fresh to see someone who is so committed to helping out us guys in the industry.

Mike Baxter

Hi Simon, I'm happy to inform you that I got a job in Sweden as a graphic designer. I have shown my portfolio for a few agencies here and everyone told me that I have a very good portfolio. I was a bit unsure how it would be received here in Sweden since I know that the standard of the graphic design schools here is very high. Apparently the standard of Billy Blue College of Design is just as high. At the moment there is almost impossible to get a job as a graphic designer in Sweden and a lot of agencies have been forced out of business. I have been extremely fortunate to get a job and I'm very happy for the time I spent at Billy Blue. I miss Sydney a lot (Sweden is very cold and depressing at this time of year) and I would have liked to go back to work there but I couldn't say no to this opportunity in Sweden. Thanks to you and all the staff at Billy Blue. It was very stressful sometimes but I really enjoyed my time at Billy Blue College of Design and it has taught me a lot and made me more confident. Please give my regards to everyone.

Madeleine Sandberg

Hey Matt, It's Jeremy from 1st year... Just wanted to say thanks so much for recommending me to Julie for that job at Labelhead. I really appreciate it. I would say thank you in person but I have today off and its production week next week. Looks like I'm going to have to shout you a beer. Thanks again and I'll see you in a week.

Jeremy Kinstlinger

Hello all,
Thanks!!!!!
I'm working in BBDO a multinational company. It is great and they feel impressed with my education in Australia. I did a lot of interviews and everybody said that I could work with them. I didn't expect to be this welcomed. I'm working very hard but I'm feeling secure in my work. From the first day I'm doing national campaigns (radio, press and TV). Advertising is wonderful. I have to say thanks to Billy Blue College of Design because I'm what Billy Blue taught me.
Thanks again and I hope to keep in touch.
Do you know about BBDO? Check in www.bbdo.com
I hope everything is going well there,

Kisses,

Alvaro Garcia

Billy Blue College of design taught me to believe in myself and to fight. To fight for my ideas and my creativity. And to never give in if you truly believe in something.

Nathan Scoular

The thing I enjoyed most about being at Billy Blue College of Design was the diverse areas we studied. One of the best things about being a designer is that you don’t have to wear a suit.

Felix Blackman - Freelancer

What did you like about Billy Blue College of Design?
- Loved the sense of community. You meet really cool and interesting people. Being a name rather than a number. The access to lecturers for advice, and the ability to let one's originality develop rather than to conform to a certain aesthetic.

What are you doing now and how did you get there?
-I have set up my own Freelance Design Studio in Tasmania, and am also studying Architecture.
-Cliché answer. Its all about communicating! You are trained as a visual communicator, but what about a verbal communicator!! You have to sell yourself, and network your ass! Introduce yourself to people, tell them what you do. Where you have come from, what is Design. A lot of people don’t know!! Drop business cards into handbags! Staple to books! If you have the right attitude, the work rolls in…

How did studying at Billy Blue College of Design help?
-BB has already provided a well-reknowned, sound academic background, I now have a strong work discipline, and good confident client relationships (all those class presentations do pay off) as well as a good all over understanding of Design. Being a good designer is about being flexible in your ideas and perceptions, its not just being good with graphics. It has also really helped me in Architecture, and it will into the future I'm sure.

How quickly did you get into a management or senior position?
Well, not in management as such, but I am running my own freelance studio, just moved into my own office in town. Setting up your office is a lot of hard work, but very rewarding to put your name up on a plaque on a door! This is my domain!!!>

Darren Taylor - Internship at Landor

What did you like about Billy Blue College of Design?
Billy Blue College of Design was a chance for me to expand my horizons and push my creativity to a new level. Billy Blue helped me to recognise and achieve my potential.

What are you doing now and how did you get there?
Currently working as a design intern at Landor in North Sydney, who handle everything from branding and identity through to packaging and environmental and interior design. Got to where I am with Landor through Billy Blue College of Design's shine program, which allows students a chance to compete for a much-desired position. Students are chosen for this place by design directors at Landor who chose applicants based upon their relevance to Landors design style and work ethic.

How did studying at Billy Blue College of Design help?
Studying at Billy Blue College of Design helped greatly. Billy Blue is a life changing experience and a once in a lifetime chance to take that big step and dare to be great. Three years of solid hard work and shared experience both from students and lecturers brings you out with both a degree and an unbelievable amount of experience, which is priceless once you enter the industry.

How quickly did you get into a management or senior position?
As being part of Landor I can take up to 3 years to move to senior design position due to the immense size of the company but the level that you become involved is unbelievable. You begin to see your own design work published within a month of starting work which is amazing.

Chris Soll - Graphic Designer at Mirvac, Sydney

What did you like about Billy Blue College of Design?
The casual environment. Being taught by mentors rather than lecturers.

What are you doing now and how did you get there?
Working full time for Mirvac Head Office in North Sydney preparing their signage and advertising. Running an independent clothing brand 'Indecent Exposure' which is growing in the Motocross/ Surf industry. Designing promotional Material on a regular Basis for Havana Bar, Cerutis, Keylargo and Hunter Bar. Writing an e-book about fashion graphics and the screen-printing industry. Events managing specialty nightclub events for 'FondueFunk' and 'Insert'.

Applied for Mirvac through an Internet Job Search. Nightclub promotional work came through word of mouth.

How did studying at Billy Blue College of Design help?
Studying at Billy Blue helped prepare me for interacting with clients, developed my marketing skills, as well as furthered my general design communications skills

How quickly did you get into a management or senior position?
I am not currently in a senior position, aside from my own projects i manage outside of regular office Hours. I did however skip the Junior Title at Mirvac thanks to an outstanding portfolio.