Holly Le, another one of our fresh grads from the 15 Designers to Watch in 2015 list. Holly Le studied at Monash in Melbourne and graduated at the end of last year and since has been freelancing at Studio Round (amazing)! Holly Le tells us who she is crushing in the design world, her personal tips on how to grow your design network and get involved and what she would do differently if she were to start her design studies all over again.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
I studied at Monash University and finalising my final semester in November 2014. My first ever design job was when I was still in third year, with a really properties branding centric agency in Prahran. It was not all that glamorous but a great eye-opening experience; stepping away from uni/classroom environment to a fast pace agency space, this is where I learn all of the “grown-up” stuff like invoicing and pitching to clients.
I was also freelancing at Studio Round afterward, which was amazing as I've always been a big fan of their work. I was super lucky to work with some really awesome and talented people and get involved with cool projects like Melbourne Food and Wine Festival 2015. You really learn so much from those first few jobs, so the sooner you get yourself into the design workforce the better.
Who are you top five design crushes right now?
Timothy Goodman – His series #memoriesofagirlineverknew is spot on and super addictive.
Hey Studio - Beautiful range of branding work.
Mark Gowing - Legend, no comment needed.
General Assembly - Great classes and good to meet up with like minded people.
Mash Design - Super sexy website, great art direction.
If you were going to start your education what would you do differently?
Be a lot less precious about that final folio for graduation. I am not saying slack off, but I found myself and many others third years students loosing sleep just to perfect and polish that final piece in time. There’s no such thing as final in design. I update my folio almost every time I apply for a new position or when I am going to a client pitch. I am editing and changing my website content every 4 weeks — it’s always changing and evolving.
What advice would you give students starting out?
1. Get involved as much as you can; design meetup's (#TDKtuesdays, General Assembly), workshops (TDK, GA, Work-Shop) and volunteering for Design Event's and conferences is one of the best way to expand your network, chat to the speakers and score a free entry (SD&H, AGideas, Semipermanent, Supergraph).
2. Get crazy and experimental – it’s the best time to be, as your first few job out of uni are mostly more restricted and dull.
3. Try your luck with design competition.
Be a lot less precious about that final folio for graduation. I am not saying slack off, but I found myself and many others third years students loosing sleep just to perfect and polish that final piece in time. There’s no such thing as final in design. I update my folio almost every time I apply for a new position or when I am going to a client pitch.
Whats on the cards professionally and personally in the next 12 months?
I’m transitioning to the digital space – self taught myself code and doing a UX course. I’m a print kid at heart, but exploring digital skills just provide me much more control over creating a better experience for the audiences. I’m also looking into spending the next winter travelling/getting some work experience overseas.
Tell us about any collaborations you have been doing: past, present or future?
I was lucky enough to be part of TDK fourplay in 2014, and was collaborated with Constantine Studio. David and Hannah are the most amazing human you have ever met and even more awesome to work with. We created an interactive poster, titled ‘Fade’, to be exhibited around Australia. Participants to the exhibition were given an ink pad and required to use part of their body to create the fade.
Where to find Holly Le online.
Website: hollyle.com
Instagram: @holly.le
