February 22, 2014
Emily Foote, Me & Em Graphic Design
Bio The path that led her to this point
My lifelong love affair with visual and graphic arts developed in high school, and after studying a Diploma of Visual Arts at TAFE I was lucky enough to get a casual job in graphic design at my local newspaper. I'd never used the Adobe Creative Suite programs so had to learn on the run! I discovered it was so much easier to play around with images and designs on screen rather than on paper, giving many more possibilities for designs.
After working quite happily there for a few years, I decided to take a sea change and move to Cairns. It was the most exhilarating, yet isolating, experience, and made me realise that as much as I needed independence, I also needed to have my family nearby. So I moved close to home again and was very happy to fall pregnant with my son, Hunter.
I went back to my old comfy casual job at the newspaper, but I wasn't satisfied.
I've always wanted to be in a job that challenged me to continually improve my skills but my employer wasn't willing to invest in a casual employee. I decided to invest in myself and went back to TAFE, this time studying a Diploma of Graphic Design.
I thought I wanted to branch into textile design, but soon found that the course would give me the skills to start my own graphic-design business, and that in turn would help me to have the income to support myself and my child.
Looking back, it was the hardest time - working two-and-a-half days and studying the other two-and-a-half days, including many, many late nights - all while being a 24/7 mum!
Now, I work from home two full days a week (plus a few late nights here and there) and have left the newspaper job for more excitement at the local printing shop (Think Print). It's shown me yet another side of graphic design and given me much better understanding of the overall printing process.
I've also designed a beautiful product range called Vintage Floral Nursery, with all sorts of decorations for that special room for baby or your little one. The range was created in reaction to wanting more sublime and sweet décor for my little boy's room, and maybe even because of my want for a baby girl at some stage in the future…
Q&A Insider advice & tips
What's been your greatest achievement to date?
My biggest achievements have been raising my son Hunter (now six years' old) on my own for four big years, and seeing my business grow and develop each year is also a great feeling. I've put a lot of effort into marketing in the last six months and have been featured on numerous websites and blogs.
What's been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge is the eternal juggle between having enough time and energy to work for others, work for myself and to be a partner, mother and friend. I quite regularly find myself consumed by thinking about how to make my business grow, but other people don’t necessarily want to hear all about it all the time!
Best lesson you've learned along the way?
Make sure you have press releases, professional images and product information sheets completed before you start promoting your product! Because I was new to the process, I learned the hard way and had to stumble along a bit before I got it all together.
A website, book or resource that has helped you in your business or inspired you and why?
The website Press Loft for marketing and promotional opportunities. It puts you directly in touch with journalists and bloggers, and keeps your images online for them to instantly download. You receive e-mails daily on product call outs, from journalists looking for a particular product to suit a theme or subject they're doing a feature on.
Which person or brand do you most admire and why?
I fall in love with the homewares and gifts brand Mozi every time they release a new range. I love the vibrant colours they use and their designs are always unique, yet on-trend.
What advice would you give someone starting an independent business in your industry?
If you're designing a product, do your research. Make sure there's a market for it, and that you can produce it in large quantities while keeping it affordable for the consumer. And always allow room in the price point to pay yourself as well!
Finish this sentence
Everything changed for me when…
I invested in my own future.
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