Seb Lester Interview

For my Design Context Book I emailed a few designers and agencies that I thought would be useful for me and to help me with my design practice, I didnt get much feedback, people were either to busy or they weren't aloud to reply to the questions from emails. Seb Lester was one of the main designers that I wanted feedback and he did which I was really happy about.
Seb Lester is a freelance typographer. I asked him five questions about the industry and what was the best way to get myself out there and whats a good way to go about it etc, I also asked him about my portfolio which he gave me some good feedback on to help progress it.

This is what was said...

Hi Lauren,

I'm taking a break in Sussex at the minute, but have a few
minutes.

I like your work. Pages 1, 4 and 16 are the things that appeal
most to me as I like simple, strong graphic ideas. I think the strongest
adertising project you have is the lastminute one.

In terms of improving I'd just keep doing what you're doing
and learning about type/advertising around you and become more sensitive
to it and how it works. You need to know the language of type -
choosing appropriate typefaces for specific jobs -
and you seem to be making good headway in that direction.

> 1. What makes you as a designer?

The reason I'm quite successful is I work harder than most people
at what I do and am more passionate about what I do than most people.
So it's all about hard work and passion. Obviously you need to
publicise yourself, but it's never been easier to get publicity
online and elsewhere.

> 2. What is your main inspiration or inspirations that influences your design
> work?

Everything around me really. Colours, shapes, patterns. Inspiration
can come from anywhere. The best place to get inspiration from is
not other designers/campaigns today but from things outside of
modern type/advertising. Could be films, posters, clothes from past eras
or something else.

> 3. I specialise in design for Advertising and Promotion what would be the
> best way to get myself into the industry?

I' not in that industry so don't know. I'd get my portfolio/website looking
as slick as possible and try and get work experience in ad agencies, obviously.
Everything about you CV, spelling, dress sense, should be polished and
professional.
Ask questions and listen to people when you show them your work.

> 4. What advice can you give to make myself stand out against other designers
> out there who are graduating?

Get your website looking as strong as possible. Work harder than anyone else
in a focused strategic way. You should have a more professional sounding email
address than the one you have on your pdf. When I'm dealing with big clients
I have't worked with before I use seb@seblester.co.uk for example.
Use initiative to find original ways to get peoples attention. Humour
is always good.
Getting some work in magazines/blogs/entering competitions would help.
It's partly about who you know sometimes but extreme talent shines through
I think, and that only comes from focus and time.

> 5. I am coming out of university in June what is the best advice you can
> give me for a starting point that I can furthur?

See above really.

Cheers and good luck,

Seb