about frankman design
If you've come to this page I guess that perhaps you'd like to read a little more about myself and frankman design? If so, here's a brief history of myself and my working career, starting right back where it all began.
I've always been a creative person...
...and believe I was destined for a career somewhere in the design industry. From a very early age I had a real interest in art and drawing and spent every opportunity doodling, drawing and creating cartoon characters to pin on my bedroom wall or give to family and friends.
All through the school years...
...nothing really changed. Apart from me getting older, my passion for art and drawing increased, especially my love for creating cartoons and illustration. "I just want to draw cartoons for a living." I said to my careers advisor at the age of 16. "Then you'll have to go to college." he said. "OK." I said, and for the next 2 years travelled to North Devon College in Barnstaple to study General Art & Graphic Design. I thoroughly enjoyed my time at college, but as soon as the course was over I focused my attention to finding that 'dream' job.
Not long after leaving college...
...I finally landed my first position as a trainee graphic designer for the South West Auto Trader in Totnes. Although not the 'dream' job I was hoping for, it would certainly give me a superb introduction into the fast moving creative industry, with its tight working deadlines and some real late nights. I did get chance to draw a few cartoons now again, which did keep me happy, but it was my knowledge and interest in graphic design that really inspired me to push myself forward.
Three years later...
...my future wife and I left sunny Devon, and with a lorry full of furniture, moved to the suburbs of South London. I was now working as a designer at the South London Auto Trader offices, based in Wimbledon, and it wasn't long before I took the opportunity to advance my career and become the Studio Supervisor.
5 years of motoring magazines and some crazy deadlines later...
...it was time to expand my designer wings and seek new projects of a different nature. I spent some time in a marketing department before finding a more rewarding position in a small design agency in the leafy suburbs of London. With a main client base of large book publishers producing educational material for children and college students, I had a real chance to put my improved design and illustration skills to the test.
The pitter-patter of tiny feet...
...a few years later, prompted our return as a small 'family' to the beautiful countryside of Devon, so we could be closer to family and friends. The destination, Torquay, Devon.
Finding work proved a little difficult at first...
...until I gained a year long position at a large Litho and Flexographic printers in Exeter. This gave me invaluable knowledge into the other side of the design and print world as it forced me to see things from the printers perspective. This printing experience not only gave me the knowledge of the best ways to supply print ready artwork for today's printing presses, but taught me some techniques and processes that would help me achieve far better printing results than before.
A year later and I was back doing the kind of work I loved doing most...
...and that's designing, this time at a design agency in Exeter. Here I worked on a variety of design briefs including large projects for shopping centre's around the UK, including Covent Garden Market in London. From logo designs, posters & flyers to promotional material of a more unusual nature, I pretty much designed it all. I even worked on signage audits and large format printing for shopping centres, car parks and other businesses.
If that wasn't enough, I expanded my skills into the world of the web...
...and learnt how to design, build and market websites. The years quickly passed and although my design and web skills continued to grow, including my family with baby number two, deep down I felt as if I still hadn't reached my goal of that 'dream' job. It was time to do something about it, after all I wasn't getting any younger!
16 years after leaving Art & Design college...
...I believed it was the right time for me to take the plunge into the 'real world' of a freelance designer. If I could provide a graphic and web design service for my 'own' clients and help them promote and market their own businesses in a way I knew how, then that seemed like a great plan.
A few years on and things are going from strength to strength. Although it can be hard work at times, I totally enjoy my new working career and the job satisfaction is incredible. Not only am I working alongside some great people and their businesses, but I've also made some great new friends too, so...