Emma Brookes is a recent 2021 graduate, with a first-class degree in Graphic Design from Portsmouth University (UK). Her brilliant creative work has already been recognised and awarded by many notable institutions including, D&AD New Blood, Adobe, and the RSA student awards.
Emma’s current practice focuses primarily on branding and digital design. Whilst studying she discovered a passion for UX/UI and projects that give her the opportunity to solve real-world problems and have a positive impact on users. As she puts it, she sees becoming a designer as, “perhaps the easiest way to change the world”. Emma is positive for the future of design and believes that design, “can play a key role in problem-solving and applying design thinking to tackling real-world issues.” She noticed that designers are becoming more motivated to utilise their skills for good causes and that the industry, in general, is shifting towards a more environmentally and socially conscious stance.
There are many standout projects already in Emma’s portfolio, but a couple of highlights we’ve selected are the winner of the RSA student awards – Kuki an air quality pet for young children, which encourages the adoption of positive behaviours, creating responsible adults who will help reduce air pollution in the future and inspire long-term change. Plus, D&AD New Blood pencil award winning Spotify Moments — a proposed new feature for the Spotify app which provides users with a personalised archive of music moments, enabling them to relive their favourite memories through song.
We’re super excited to see where Emma goes next in her career and chatted with her to find out more about her experiences graduating during the pandemic and her tips for other emerging designers.
Let’s start at the beginning, why did you decide to become a designer?
Throughout school, I always had a strong interest in creative subjects and studied both Art and Graphic Communication. Graphic communication seemed to play to my strengths of problem-solving and I preferred the ‘real world’ context and structure it offered. Although at this point, I knew very little about the design industry and the different roles you can have as a graphic designer. It was my love for creating that lead me to pursue graphic design at degree level. During my degree, I discovered that I preferred the digital side of graphic design, particularly branding and UX/UI design. I also developed a strong desire to create innovative ideas and design outcomes which solve real-world problems and have a meaningful impact on users.
“I believe that becoming a designer is perhaps the easiest way to change the world.”
Tell us about a standout project that you’ve worked on and why it’s important to you.
In 2021, I managed to have a few stand-out projects that I thoroughly enjoyed working on. The work I created for the RSA student awards is something that I’m particularly proud of. This involved designing for social and environmental change. What started as a response to a brief about ensuring that everyone living in areas with poor air quality is guaranteed the right to clean air, transformed as I became immersed in the overall issue of air pollution. I realised how little understanding the public has on the issue. I asked myself: How could I disrupt the current system to promote long-term change? What would make the next generation interested in the issue?
In response to these questions, I designed Kuki an air quality digital pet for young children. It uses gamification techniques to inspire, engage and encourage the adoption of positive behaviours, creating responsible adults that will reduce air pollution in the future and intends to inspire long-term change. Part air quality sensor and part toy, Kuki links to a phone app, using games and rewards to teach young children about air pollution and encourage behavioural change. The physical sensor gives valuable information to parents on the air quality the child is exposed to in their home and elsewhere, while the child is encouraged to take actions to maintain or improve the health of their pet while learning about the topic in a bite-size format.
“This project was an enjoyable way to not only develop my skills in user experience and interface design but to make a meaningful impact.”
How has graduating and newly entering the industry during a pandemic impacted your career journey so far?
The pandemic definitely made what was an already challenging third year of university much harder, but it also brought some positive changes which I had not initially considered. Whilst end-of-year shows, networking opportunities, and in person lectures were cancelled and all moved online, this created new opportunities for exposure within the industry.
One amazing initiative was the Bruhaus, an online graphic design social event organised by my lecturer and mentor Dan McCabe. It gave students the opportunity to listen to and connect with some inspirational industry guests, some amazing women creatives who took part including, Nikky Lyle, Harriet Richardson, Rejane Dal Bello, Jada Giwa, and Meg Lewis.
The online nature of many of these events also made them much more accessible to creatives and industry experts from across the UK and the world, thus increasing the exposure and reach for our work. Our degree show website ‘Breaking the Grid’ had visitors from 20 different countries!
Southsea Wellness: A brand identity for a local massage therapist alongside supporting promotional material and website.
Where do you think the design industry is heading in the next five years and how will you adapt?
The future of the design industry is hard to predict, but it’s likely to be more of the same. In recent years we have experienced a shift towards digital accelerated by the pandemic, as more people seek new ways to communicate, learn, connect, and work. In the next five years, the industry will need to become more technology fluent to keep up with this digital shift, with designers who can push the limits of design and keep a constant focus on innovation.
I also hope for a shift towards a more socially and environmentally conscious design industry. Designers can play a key role in problem-solving and applying design thinking to tackling real-world issues. I believe design and designers should sit at the heart of society at all levels – commerce, politics, education, and be embedded into the way we develop as a society. This would help to bring about change and development that benefits us all and our everyday environment. I think we are starting to see now is a real shift in the design community with designers wanting to use their skills for good and make a difference; using our ability to solve problems and finding design solutions that can ultimately benefit humanity.
Spotify Moments: is a new feature for the Spotify app which provides users with a personalised archive of music moments, enabling them to relive their favourite memories through song.
What top tips would you give to current design students or women considering a career in the design industry?
My first tip would be to always trust your gut. Nothing good comes from constantly overthinking every decision, so chill out and trust in what you know already. The best designers are thinkers but not over thinkers.
Another tip would be to make the most of the creatives around you, collaborating and bouncing ideas off one another is a great way to learn and work through any creative blocks you might experience.
My final tip would be to build yourself a support network. Surround yourself with inspiring individuals, who will not only encourage you and cheer you on as your career progresses but will also help you when you are feeling down and doubtful.
“Nothing good comes from constantly overthinking every decision, so chill out and trust in what you know already. The best designers are thinkers but not over thinkers.”
Name your top three she/her or they/them creative crushes currently working in the industry?
This is hard to answer as there are so many incredible female creatives who I admire, especially in this year’s graduating class! Right now, I’d say my top creative crushes are:
- Harriet Richardson. A multi-disciplinary designer who alongside working at Pentagram freelances to create identities for ethical and ecologically conscious brands.
- Olly and Franc (Jayde-Olivia Sandy and Sahara Jones). A design duo who inspires, educates, and instils confidence in others through their experiences as designers.
- Paula Scher. The first female principal at Pentagram and partner at Pentagram’s New York Office.
