Brenton Osborn made the final cut into our top 16 for 2016 (voted in by SouthSouthWest's Andy Sargent). After ditching his first love, sport, he's now excelled in design, completing his studies at Monash under Waren Taylor. Read on for some great links and a healthy interest in UX/UI.
What are some of your earliest creative memories and what lead you into design?
Earliest creative memory was my dad introducing me to Photoshop. I remember spending hours playing around with all the basic tools, using the selection tool on photos of cars and changing the colour of their paint jobs. Not until after I finished Year 12, did it click in my head that I should pursue a career in design.
When did you fall in love with design and how did you get started?
I hadn't undertaken any formal training in Art or Design since Year 8 Art. I had focused my VCE towards my other passion, sport, and received an offer to study Exercise & Sport Science at university. During my gap year however, I had a change of heart and enrolled myself into RMIT TAFE’s Certificate IV in Multimedia. I moved Shepparton down to Melbourne a month later and began my design education!
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I completed a Certificate IV in Multimedia and then an accelerated Certificate IV in Design at RMIT TAFE. I was then lucky enough to receive an offer from Monash University (I’ll never forget being interviewed by the great Warren Taylor). My first design job was a part of my Multimedia course at RMIT, I was asked to help out a group of students completing their Masters of Computer Science by designing concepts and interface design for an algorithm engine/iPhone app to help business people minimise the effects of jet lag on their bodies. Having only been studying design for less than six months, it opened my eyes to working with developers and clients alike.
What are your three must-read design books, blogs or podcasts and why?
1. Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Muller-Brockmann. This classic book gives you a great understanding of the rules of layout design, which you can then use to break said rules.
2. Brand New. Interesting blog of opinions on corporate and brand identity work. (Good for a Monday morning procrastination read before you start working as well)
3. Type Foundries Archive. A great reference point for typeface research and typeface design.
Who are your top five design crushes right now?
Kokoro + Moi - Colour. Lots of colour.
Grilli Type - Love their typeface design.
Unit Editions - Independent publishing house run by Tony Brook and Adrian Shaughnessy, specialising in exceptional graphic design publications.
Bond - Their Sushi & Co identity was probably my favourite branding project of the year.
Sons & Co. - Inspiring digital design.
Where do you think design is heading in the next five years and how will you adapt?
Like most people, I’ve noticed the shift towards digital design being the first touchpoint that audiences interact with. I’m currently researching formal postgraduate study in User Experience/Interface design, and undertaking some online courses, so I have a better understanding of my audience will interact with my work.
Where to find Brenton Osborn online.
Instagram: @brentonosborn
Website: brentonosborn.com
