Gemma Gorton is a graphic designer, illustrator and maker based in Edinburgh UK, with a portfolio packed full of outstanding visual identity, editorial design and illustration projects and a D&AD New Blood Awards Pencil already to her name!
After completing a degree in Architecture at Cardiff University and briefly working as Architectural Assistant, Gemma realised that her passion is storytelling and coming up with creative concepts. She enrolled on a new course to learn Graphic Design at Edinburgh College and hasn’t looked back since. She’s learnt to be continuously curious and eager to learn as many skills in design as possible: “I’ve made myself learn something new at every opportunity – everything from animation to lino-printing. As a result of this my design work has benefitted so much and I’m now much more confident as a designer.”
This means that Gemma is not only a talented emerging designer, but also a multidisciplinary creative who can jump with ease between different media and outputs. Solving problems in unexpected ways, telling stories in her work, and combining hand-made and digital elements are all key aspects of her current practice. A standout project that highlights this approach is her award-winning D&AD New Blood submission; ‘The Faraway’ is a visual identity project based on a short synopsis for a fictional fantasy audiobook. The design concept is ‘The Mundane Meets the Magical’ and combines everyday supermarket objects with fantastical imagery to create a series of illustrations, intended to intrigue the audience and make them want to find out more.
We caught up with Gemma about her journey from architecture to design, things she’s learnt along the way and women role models who’ve shaped her career so far.
Let’s start at the beginning, why did you decide to become a graphic designer?
I’ve always loved drawing and making things, but for a long time I really wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as a career. After toying with everything from studying Medicine to English, I finally decided to study Architecture because it combined my love of science and art with the shiny promise of ‘employability’ at the end.
I very quickly realised that Architecture wasn’t right for me; I was more interested in creating images and coming up with fun ideas and concepts, than I was with where stairs should go and what walls should be made of. After a year working as an Architectural Assistant, I decided to take the leap and explore my love of visual storytelling by retraining in Graphic Design – I haven’t looked back since! Despite it taking me a little longer to find graphic design, I don’t regret taking a more indirect path because it’s made me appreciate doing something I love so much more.
“Despite it taking me a little longer to find graphic design, I don’t regret taking a more indirect path because it’s made me appreciate doing something I love so much more.”
The Faraway: Winning D&AD New Blood entry, to design a brand identity based on a short synopsis for a fictional fantasy audiobook called The Faraway. The concept for my design was ‘The Mundane Meets the Magical’ and combined everyday supermarket objects with fantastical imagery to create a series of illustrations which intends to intrigue the audience and make them want to find out more.
What do you know now that you wish you’d known when you started your design career?
I think the main thing would be that it’s okay so be indecisive and to try out lots of different things! Very few people end-up doing the right thing for them straight away and that’s completely fine.
I also wish I’d initially been less scared of learning new skills and software. It held me back so much whilst I was studying Architecture – I hand drew all my work for the first two years because I hadn’t learnt CAD! Since I started my Graphic Design course, I’ve made myself learn something new at every opportunity – everything from animation to lino-printing. As a result of this my design work has benefitted so much and I’m now much more confident as a designer.
“Finally, never be scared of feedback – it’s so, so useful and improved every single one of my projects.“
How would you describe yourself as a designer?
I find it really hard to describe myself as a designer because I like to work across so many disciplines. I usually sum myself up as a Graphic Designer, Illustrator and Maker as my work often falls into at least one of those categories.
I love experimenting with different mediums and really enjoy combining traditional and digital methods in my work, whether that’s an animated lino print logo, or using handmade elements as part of a website design. I’m passionate about making things with my hands, from collage to bookbinding, and I am always looking for ways to include tactile elements in my projects. Most of all, I love using design to tell stories – whatever form that takes – and have a particular love for book cover design!
The Understudy: I’m passionate about food and theatre, so set myself the challenge of designing the brand identity for a new pop up bar which collaborates with theatres across the UK to create custom menus for their shows. I wanted the brand to feel understated but distinctive and to be versatile enough to work with across a wide variety of performances.
Do you have any women role models or mentors who have shaped your career?
I’ve been really lucky to have had so many incredible female mentors throughout my design career so far. From my final year Architecture tutor, Zoe Berman; who made me fall back in love with design and visual storytelling, to my wonderful Graphic Design tutor, Helena Good; who believed in me throughout the course. Helena gave me my first proper freelance gig designing for one of her many inspirational projects. As part of my college mentoring programme, I was also blessed with two amazing mentors: Hannah Bloomfield and Anna Farrall, both of whom encouraged me to push myself as a designer and helped me to make my projects better than I ever thought they could be.
What are your career plans or goals for the future?
I’ve spent the last few months searching for a role in the creative industries that fits with my varied skillset. I’m really excited to be starting as a Junior Designer at Firefly, an Edinburgh based agency who work across a wide range clients projects and sectors. I’ve also been freelancing and spending more time on developing my illustration and printmaking work, with the goal of eventually opening my own print shop. Overall, I’m really excited about the future and the learning opportunities and skills development that working in industry will bring!
Name your top three she/her and/or they/them creative crushes currently working in the industry?
- Kelly Anna – Her illustrations are incredible, so full of life, movement, and colour. I loved hearing her speak about the ‘be confident and just wing it’ approach she has taken with her creative career at GDFS in 2019.
- Annie Atkins – I think I could look at Annie Atkins’ work forever. Her eye for detail and all the authenticity and storytelling she infuses into her graphic props is simply amazing. Even her process work is beautiful!
- Suzanne Dean – Whenever I see a book cover that I love, often Suzanne Dean has had a part in it. She’s worked on some of my favourite covers of all time from, ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Nighttime’ to the ‘The Mars Room’ and ‘There There’, her work never fails to catch my eye.