999 Design

Dave Sedgwick visited Stockport College

to give a talk to us about his career and advise

on how to present yourself, plan ahead and look

forward to a career in the creative industries.

Dave was educated at MMU studying for his degree

in D&AD, in which his successfully achieved with honours.

"Spend time on your CV now, dont wait until you graduate"

He went into detail about how he had spent much of his

time planning for placements as soon as he graduated.

He stressed that some companies will like your work some

will not, that is life. He felt that he received a very critical

opinion from Dinosaur and took this constructively, changing

his portfolio as advised.

"Get a Website and dont rest on your laurels."

Dave's perseverance paid off and he was offered his first

payed placement at Flux in Manchester and soon after

Splinter in Liverpool. Valuable experience and insight, also

making contacts which he stressed to be vital for you to

make any progress in your career.

So, plan and prepare for the future is Dave's message

to land that first job. His first job was as a junior designer

for TCW from which he was paid 13K, unfortunately

he was made redundant in Jan 2003. After working for a

period as a freelancer he was employed by race where

he won a pitch for the company for Designer Block

and 100% Design.

Dave then moved on to Suburb working with Simon Cole

they worked on projects for Bruntwood Estates, who

were the companies main client. Dave's most recent

move and present position as senior designer at 999

Design has enabled him to work with prestigious clients,

Warburton's, BBC Radio, Puma and Onitsuka Tiger are

a few examples.

As a conclusion to the visit Dave showed a few examples

" D&AD briefs are good but dont stick to them."

of projects he is working on, including some freelance

for the philharmonic orchestra. I have included some

examples of his work.