Q&A Jessie Fairweather | Graphic Designer
Graphic Designer & Director of award-winning design studio Foundry, Jessie Fairweather embraces the process of research and creative experimentation to create personal and commercial works that aim to entertain, intrigue, inspire and educate. Upon returning to Melbourne from internships at Fabrica (Italy) and Studio Dumbar (Holland), she began Foundry, working across commercial, cultural and independent practice. Interact with Jessie here during July.
Name: Jessie Fairweather
Profession: Graphic designer / Director at Foundry Typography, Design & Visual Dialogue
Location: Daylesford (near Melbourne), Australia
Passions:
Paper and ink, and trying to use design to communicate something important / educate / entertain.
I get my inspirations from:
Astronomy, science, botany, nature in general, Charles and Ray Eames, Tibor Kalman, Paul Davies, Carl Sagan, Buckminster-Fuller, Nick Cave, bizarre measuring devices, typography, eggs…
How I got my break: Still working on it and I think always will be – a good motivator!
My top tricks of the trade:
Loads of research and not thinking too much about the outcome, and then spending a ridiculous amount of time on the outcome.
My style in a sentence: Conceptual, idealistic, minimal, understated, typographic.
Bet you didn’t know I can:
Assemble Ikea furniture in record time – a skill that I will hopefully never have to use again!
My latest project is about:
I like to work on a number of projects in tandem… So, I’m currently working on a range of gift cards based on thaumatropes (optical illusion toys from the 1820’s), also working on a range of screenprinted posters, an identity for a gallery and various other art projects.
My last purchase: A beautiful 60’s dress – LOVE 50’s and 60’s dresses.
My current favourite mecho item:
The circular bookcase Archive II by David Garcia
Travel destination and tips:
My last big trip was to Paris – such a beautiful and interesting city. I met up with an old friend and we rented a great little flat together in Montmartre – which actually worked out cheaper than a hotel. The flat had a beautiful lounge room with a breakfast table – and was sun-drenched in the mornings. I think we were on about the 6th floor, so had a great view. For breakfast, one of us would run down to the boulangerie or patisserie and get something to bring back, so nice! Top on my list for the next trip is the Amazon – would love to have a couple of months to go and explore.
Pssst… One time I… decided it would be a good idea to jump on my push bike and ride to my brothers house 80km away… With absolutely no fitness. Or sense of direction. You live and learn!
The Foundry is exhibiting at State of Design’s design:made:made:trade 2010 Thursday 15 – Sunday 18 July.
The mecho team invites you to continue the conversation below with Jessie during July… Make it fun! Post comments with your own free personal Gravatar
NOTE: ARCHIVE ONLY from July-10. You may leave a comment but please note Jessie is no longer actively responding to any questions post 31 July-10.
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12 comments
12 Comments Add your own
1.
Richard | July 1st, 2010 at 2:46 pm
Nice work, how big is your studio?
2.
Jessie Fairweather | July 2nd, 2010 at 5:49 pm
Thanks Richard. Most of the time it is just me, and occasionally I get others in for particular projects to help out with production (ie: stringing thousands of badges for a window display)
3.
T | July 5th, 2010 at 1:22 pm
Hi Jessie,
How did you land your internships in Europe? Do you need to know Italian/Dutch or did English work?
Tegan
4.
Jessie Fairweather | July 5th, 2010 at 1:56 pm
Hi Tegan
Thankfully at Fabrica, English is the first language of the studio! There are people from all around the world there though – so it is a pre-req that you can speak english – it was a very inspiring and amazing place to be. In Holland I think around 95% of the population speak english fluently – though at work dutch was most often spoken which did make it quite challenging to keep up at times. I did try and learn dutch while I was there so could understand quite a bit… though holding a conversation was beyond me! Both studios I sent a little pack with a flip book and resume as my application, and was luckily accepted after an in-person interview at Fabrica (super-nerve-racking!) and phone interview with Studio Dumbar. Most european studios do offer internships for varying periods of time, with varying pay rates / accommodation offered…
5.
Chris | July 7th, 2010 at 8:41 am
Hey Jessie, sounds awesome getting experience from Europe. What made you start your own thing when you came back? Was it hard to find clients? Looks great!
6.
T | July 7th, 2010 at 2:15 pm
Thanks for sharing all that, Jessie
7.
Jessie Fairweather | July 8th, 2010 at 11:29 am
Hi Chris
That’s a hard one… I guess I had started thinking about what I wanted to do with design while I was away, and was keen to give it a go when I got back. The first year was super hard – lots of knocking on doors introducing myself to people I wanted to do work for. I am generally much happier in the studio working away on something rather than ‘networking’ and all of that! But it is a very necessary part of having your own business.
8.
NicO | July 13th, 2010 at 10:43 pm
Hey Jessie! What’s the name of your cute dog?
9.
Jessie Fairweather | July 15th, 2010 at 10:27 am
Hi Nico
My dawgy is called Jet – he is a french bulldog and the funniest little cartoon character around
10.
Matt | July 21st, 2010 at 11:27 am
Hi Jessie,
What award did you win?
Man! learning Dutch seems really hard! Did you prefer Italy or Holland the best?
Matt
11.
Michelle | July 29th, 2010 at 1:24 pm
Hi Jessie,
Your passion for graphic design sounds fantastic; also your work that you have displayed on this website is inspiring. I’m currently studying at the international school of colour and design, I’m in my 40’s with a pass history of writing software but would love to do graphic design or assist with web designing. Could you suggest a place to study graphic design in Sydney? Is 40’s leaving it too late for this industry, is it a younger persons industry? Do you have a website to look at more of your work?
Cheers sorry for all the questions
Michelle.
12.
Jessie Fairweather | August 12th, 2010 at 2:22 pm
Oops – apologies matt and michelle – have been moving to a new studio and have been away from the computer for a bit!
So… a bit cringy to be name dropping awards, but was very fortunate to be awarded by the Type Directors Club of New York, as well as some australian awards… I do try to enter a couple of awards a year as they are quite good to get your work out there. As for Italy vs Holland I loved them both – they are both very dynamic cultures with a big focus on design, and an appreciation for the good stuff… wine and food -so they are both up there for me!
Re design courses in Sydney – i really don’t know i’m afraid… I’m from Melbourne and studied at Monash University which was a really great course, as is Swinburne and RMIT’s visual communication courses. I know when i studied most people in my year were in their late 20’s or early 30’s which i guess is an older average than most uni courses… though i really don’t think age matters. If you are passionate about it and want to get into the industry i would go for it… at the end of the day it’s all about your folio, and i would think that a bit more maturity would be appealing if anything to potential employers. Thank you for the kind words about my work
My website is http://www.thefoundry.com.au
Best, Jess
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