2007
TOM HOLMES Faculty of Technology BA ( Hons) Design Studies Graduate 2007 CURRENT EMPLOYER : Start Creative Designer / Branding Consultant Work Tel : +971 (4) 450 8494 email : tom.holmes@startcreative.com
www.startcreative.com / www.startjg.com
Original Business Idea: Our idea was simple. Using our skills we created a design studio that offered affordable branding and identity solutions to small and medium sized businesses.
Brief job description: I’m now a designer / branding consultant at StartJG, one of the world’s leading independent creative agencies. After working in the London headquarters for two years, I’m now based in our Dubai office working for some of the world’s largest brands and companies. We operate on a global basis, so one day I could be designing a new campaign for Barclays or a retail environment on Oxford Street for Adidas in London, and the next working on rebranding the world’s largest airport in Dubai. Now I get to do what I love and get paid to travel the world, and that’s not a bad thing!
What skills did you learn from the Programme that you’ve been able to take in to an employed role? Thinking back, the programme gave me a wealth of skills and abilities
34
...I’ve gained a confidence to push my ideas through tough presentations that have ultimately gone on to change things on a global scale... which has massively aided in getting me to where I am today. All the skills I use on a daily basis in my current role were developed and advanced during my time on the SEP course. I was also able to learn a variety of new techniques and methods to further my knowledge in business, which has undoubtedly been the biggest help in terms of networking, and getting to the places I want to go.
Would you consider starting up your own business in the future? Yes. I don’t fear the unknown anymore. I now know how to go about doing it and have a few plans on the horizon.
Career highlights : Last March (2010) I was given the opportunity to design for Red Nose Day 2011. The first piece of design work had to target 33,000 schools and somehow increase the number participating in the event. A lot of stress and ideas later my solution led to a massive increase in participation, and over the course of the year we rolled out several more successful pieces of work contributing significantly to Red Nose Day’s best year.