We recently had a chat with Creative Director at Landor (Sydney) Tom Carey! He shared the ups and downs throughout his career, including that time he emailed nearly 100 studios and only got one reply. We discuss why you should actually keep in touch when you say 'Let's keep in touch', plus Tom introduces us to the idea of Tinder for Jobs.
Where did you study and what were some of your first jobs?
Kingston University in the UK - a wonderful place built on ideas, ideas, ideas.
When I graduated I managed to get a job at start up agency A+B (Now Wiedemann Lampe), I was their first ever employee and the two founders, Alex and Benji, took me under their wing. On my first day I wore a Johnny Flynn T-shirt - 6 months later I was invited to a meeting and in walked Johnny. After nearly passing out, I was then introduced as the guy that would be designing his new album. Still the nicest thing anyone has ever done for me professionally, thanks Alex and Benji : )
Whats your take on internships? (do you take interns now?)
They’re brilliant. As an intern you can test out loads of different agencies, meet tonnes of designers and learn something new at every place you go. It’s a bit like the 'Tinder for jobs'. As soon as you take a full time job it's like a long term relationship. Great but, you know… sometimes hard work. But mainly great.
I love having interns in the studio as they bring energy and crazy ideas. Three of the designers at Landor currently all started out as interns and now they’re the heartbeat of our studio.
Who’s on the team, what are their roles and why do you love them?
We’re a team of about 40ish people in Sydney - everyone has a different super power, be it strategy, design, motion, 3D, writing, finance, timing, psychology, and we also have two dogs who are in charge of morale. I love everyone here because they care. We only hire super talented, nice and fun people - which makes it hard to go wrong.
What do you look for in a great client?
A great client usually isn't seen as 'a client', they’re one of the team. They have ideas, they make projects better, they trust you, and you trust them.
A great client usually isn't seen as 'a client', they’re one of the team. They have ideas, they make projects better, they trust you, and you trust them.
What advice would you give students starting out?
Stay for a beer on a Friday - designers will promise all kinds of things when they’ve had a drink.
Work hard and be humble - this is rarer than you’d think and shows your feet are on the ground.
Ask questions - you’ll be surrounded by years of knowledge but to soak up the best bits you need to ask.
Never give up - I emailed nearly 100 studios in my first year of uni and only got one reply. That turned into an internship at Hat-trick and then Pentagram, the rest is history.
Keep in touch - I met Oli Maltby who worked at the Chase when I graduated, 3 years later he offered me a job in Australia and it changed my life.
2018 for you in a sentence.
The best turbo charged roller coaster ever.
Where to find Landor Sydney online.
Website: tomcarey.co , landor.com
Twitter: @tompaulcarey, @LandorAustralia
Instagram: @tompaulcarey, @landor_australia
*Work completed while at A+B Studio, Interbrand and Landor
