Growing up, Emily Redfearn had dreams of becoming an ‘artist and maker’ and aspirations of specialising in fine art. These aspirations led her to study for a BA in Graphic Design, which was a turning point as she was able to immerse herself in the world of graphic and digital design, developing and honing her hand-drawn illustration skills while also learning new practices such as animation.
After graduating in 2017, Emily initially freelanced before joining the Sheffield-based studio, Side by Side, as a junior designer. At the time she felt this was an essential step. Although she loved working freelance, she wanted to develop her skills further, learn from others and make industry connections. In her spare time, Emily continued to experiment with animation and realised that this was a creative direction she wanted to pursue. This love of animation eventually caused her to move into a full-time motion design role at another studio where she could broaden her experience.
In March 2020, Emily was ready to start in a senior design role when everything changed. The global pandemic left her without a job as well as the grief of a bereavement. After a couple of very quiet months, she started to put her work out there again and commissions quickly started coming her way. Working for herself as a commercial illustrator animator and designer Emily is now busier than ever: “Getting to earn my own living and having the freedom of being self-employed is something I have wanted for a long time, I’m very thankful my hard work has paid off and I get to work on projects that reflect my values.” With her versatile skills set Emily has realised her dream of becoming an illustrator, animator and designer. As she tells us: “It has been a tough journey, often wondering whether to pursue only illustration, or to do more design than illustration. But I’m so happy I kept doing both as I feel they go hand in hand.”
During her career, Emily has experienced first-hand the lack of diversity and gender inequality in the design industry: “Everywhere I have worked full-time in the design industry, I’ve not only been the only woman in the creative team, but also the only person of colour… I do think equality has come a long way, but currently we still don’t have fully equal and diverse workplaces, otherwise we would see it every day and I certainly don’t.” Although most of her experiences have been positive, she has, on occasion, come across a ‘boys club’ atmosphere. She has experienced everything from being, “kept out of the loop of key discussions” and excluded from design and social conversations to, “being spoken to with an irate tone, where others were laughed and joked with.” On the flip side of this, Emily is positive about the future and has worked with many agencies and studios, that have offered her encouragement and support throughout all stages of her career.
We caught up with Emily to find out more about her career so far, her experiences working in the design industry and women she admires.
Let’s start at the beginning… How did you first become interested in working as a designer and illustrator?
I have always loved being creative. As a child I wanted be an “artist and maker” when I grew up . My interest in a creative life grew as I learnt about traditional fine art at school. Initially, I wanted to continue studying fine art at college but the only art course they had was graphic design.This turned out well as it taught me a different way of making art through digital design rather than just through hand-drawn illustrations. I continued to study graphic design at university before once again specialising in illustration. During my studies, I also dabbled in animation and learned the basics.This creative journey allowed me to realise that I wanted to work as an illustrator, animator, and designer.
Can you tell us about your career path and how you got to where you are now?
After I graduated in 2017, I freelanced for around 6-8 months, which I really enjoyed. I got to work with different people and different studios on a variety of work which confirmed that this was what I wanted to do in the long run. But I knew that I needed more experience, both in terms of learning the ropes but also gaining contacts. I interned, then freelanced with the Sheffield-based studio Side by Side, after which they offered me a job as a junior designer. This was a great learning opportunity.
By this time, I had already started experimenting more with animation and I wanted to work in a role that was more motion based. So, I moved to a job as a motion designer where I worked with other freelance animators, while also being the sole full-time animator for the studio. Using After Effects every day was really beneficial, as it helped me get faster and more proficient, as well as learning new techniques.
I was about to start a senior design role in March 2020 when the pandemic hit and my job fell through. I was left without work or a job; it was a very hard time. I had to deal with bereavement and the first month or two were very quiet work wise. However, once I started putting myself out there more again, commissions quickly started to come my way. I have been freelancing now for over a year and I’m so thankful to be busy – something I did not expect at the start of the pandemic.
How have you grown and developed over your career?
I have come a long way from the analogue-only illustration methods I used to use and have become a commercial illustrator, animator and designer. I’m much more versatile and can work faster, being able to use both digital and analogue techniques. I never thought I would be as confident in my design work, let alone be sufficiently proficient to use animation almost every day.
It has been a tough journey, wondering whether to pursue only illustration, or to do more design than illustration. I’m so happy I kept doing both as I now feel they go hand in hand. My love for animation suits both creative practices, so putting them together makes a happy medium. Knowing I can adapt to which skillset fits with a project has made my creative voice much more defined.
“It has been a tough journey, wondering whether to pursue only illustration, or to do more design than illustration. I’m so happy I kept doing both as I now feel they go hand in hand. My love for animation suits both creative practices, so putting them together makes a happy medium. Knowing I can adapt to which skillset fits with a project has made my creative voice much more defined.”
What do you enjoy most about being a designer?
One of my favourite things is completing a project that is a really great portfolio piece, having worked super hard to get it as good as it can be, getting that sign-off and then looking at what I’ve accomplished. I think it’s crazy that in a day or a week I can come out with a piece of work that I’m proud of that never existed before.
I like being creative, whether it is bread and butter type work or dream portfolio pieces. Getting to earn my own living and having the freedom of being self-employed is something I have wanted for a long time. I’m very thankful my hard work has paid off and I get to work on projects that reflect my personal values. I never liked the idea of going to the same workplace to do the same tasks over and over, and although admittedly that can bring job security. I like the buzz of getting a new client job or working on something exciting and having complete creative control over it.
When a client comes to me it’s usually because they have the same vision that I do. They want something illustrative and fun and for the outcome to have meaning. Working in a studio, clients don’t go there specifically for you which makes it harder to sell your vision. I don’t think there is any one thing I love the most about being an illustrator, the whole gig is great!
What’s your approach to a new project and can you tell us a bit about your design process?
Before I start anything with a new project, I need a clear brief, deadline, timescale, and a budget. If everything ticks the boxes for me, most projects will start with storyboarding. This is particularly relevant for longer animation videos that need careful planning. I can’t go in all guns blazing and do the video without planning it out first, even if it’s a tight deadline. I normally plot out the timescale for each scene in conjunction with the voice over (if there is one) and sketch out the content of what will be happening as accurately as possible. Once the timings, copy and content order have all been signed off I then start making it come to life!
Every project is different. Some clients give more creative freedom; others need something very specific. Overall, keeping the client informed about what is going on and what will be delivered to them is very important.
Has being a woman impacted your career?
It has been good overall. Having a different point of view from the white, male-dominated environments is something that all studios should want to address. I’ve never worked in a full-time role with another woman in the creative team and I have also been the only woman of colour in all my full-time roles. This should not have to be the case as I have freelanced in agencies and studios that do have other women creatives.
When I first started out it was intimidating because I was so inexperienced and new to the game. However, most studios, agencies and creatives were so lovely and encouraging. But looking back I do remember that a few were patronising towards me. This may have been down to a little ageism at play as well. I also found working in one all male studio — one of my later roles — like working in a boy’s club. It was very cliquey, you couldn’t really be involved in conversations, whether they were design based or social chats. This resulted in me feeling like a complete outsider. However, this behaviour was not just geared at me as I know others who were marginalised for different reasons including their sexuality, or their appearance.
Overall, the people I’ve worked with and surround myself with, like-minded people who want the same things, rather than people who are stuck in the past.
In your experience, do you think there is equality and diversity across the design industry today?
Everywhere I have worked full time in the design industry, I have not only been the only woman in creative, but also the only person of colour in the design department. I think there is more equality today, but we do not have full equality and diversity or we would see it around us. I certainly don’t. Through my freelance work and my friendships, I have seen and worked alongside more varied, amazing creatives from all walks of life than I have encountered in most design studios.
Recently, there has been lots of discussion in the industry around the gender pay gap and how few women progress into senior positions. Have you experienced this yourself and do you have any thoughts on how we can counteract this imbalance?
This is a very relevant topic. I have experienced being kept out of the loop of key discussions and being questioned about issues that weren’t been raised with male colleagues on the same level. I’ve been undermined about decisions that fell under my job role, which was annoying to say the least.
I look up to agencies and studios that have a diverse mix of people in them. Born + Raised was the first studio I encountered that had female representation, from art director to designer roles; all of whom have offered me so much support and encouragement, something I’ve never forgotten.
Another great woman in a senior position that I massively admire is Amanda Perry who is founder of the E-com growth hub and SOUP agency. I only met her properly this year and she has been so supportive, as well as informative; she knows A LOT. My mind is blown every time I watch her videos or talk to her. Meeting like-minded people who are excelling in their field, not only women but anyone that has had to break a glass ceiling, gives me hope and makes me happy to see them doing so well despite adversity.
One way I counteract the imbalance is by recommending women from various backgrounds to jobs that come up,both in the design industry and outside of it. Another is by offering a helping hand with GIF making or tips for animation, illustration, or design. But I would do this for anyone, not just women. I always have time for those that have the motivation to learn something new or improve their skills.
If you could go back to the beginning and start your career again what would tell your younger self?
Don’t let what anyone else thinks stifle your creativity! For the first time in over 4 years, I have started drawing people again. Through university I was so concerned to create the best work possible and worried about not portraying people accurately that I started drawing lettering and did almost nothing else. I could have saved myself a lot of stress by just thinking; well I’m going to give it a go anyway!
Which female designer/artist/thinker has most inspired you?
I don’t know if there is any one woman that has inspired me the most, but I’ve always loved history and learning about events pioneered by women; that has always got me fired up! My art teacher throughout school, Joan Bellingham, always inspired me. She taught me about classic artists and was always so encouraging and gave me confidence in myself. Her support was ongoing through school but also continued after I had left.
Three women working in the design industry that inspire you:
- Kamilla Woodburn – Writer and Actress @minwoodadventures
- Parv Briach – Experiential Designer & Interior Architect @parveerb
- Danielle Clarke – Brand identity, digital & print Designer @danielleclarkecreative
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Article by Nat Ellis
Illustrator Nat Ellis is one of our wonderful DesignbyWomen collaborators.