Nicola Gray

Nicola Gray is a Senior Designer at The Team, a large branding and communications agency in London. They have a wide range of clients but predominantly carry out design work for the public sector, creating brands and positioning them. Due to the agency’s size Nicola’s role is very specific and she concentrates on design only, “so I am involved in the creation of big ideas, photo shoots, commissioning of illustrators, and developing custom typefaces so that our clients sit in unique positions that stand out.” she explains.

Who would have thought that ten years ago, Nicola was a hairdresser in Auckland? Back then she wanted to change careers and had clients and friends who had studied graphic design. “It seemed like a natural progression – doing photo shoots and controlling images in hairdressing to doing it in print.” However as she was returning to study, she felt Natcoll was a good first step. Not wanting to commit to studying for three to four years she liked the idea that Natcoll’s Diploma in Computer Graphic design could be completed in a year and she could then reassess her career direction.

Although Nicola remembers studying at Natcoll as being hard work, she knew that “you really only get out as much as you put in, which is the same as in the industry.” And she did have fun as well! Additionally, Nicola commented that Natcoll’s greatest assets were getting to use Mac computers and industry software from day one, and that the staff and students were really encouraging.

Throughout her time at Natcoll Nicola felt really inspired to open up and be very creative. “This has had a very positive effect on me and really, since then my life has followed a path it wouldn’t have before. Which I am very proud and happy of!”