Matt Leach

Head of Graphic Design and Campus Director - Sydney and Online

Established in 1982, and now with four campuses and online distance learning, CATC has a proud history of producing talented, industry-ready designers.

At CATC we are firm believers in a hands-on, vocational education. By offering dynamic, intimate learning environments – open studios rather than classrooms and limited class sizes – we're passionate about helping you create your own style and build your skills and knowledge.

Of course we also recognise the importance of finding a job when you graduate. With our strong industry connections and an understanding of real-world standards and practice, CATC graphic design and photography graduates are prepared for work from day one.

The field of graphic design has changed dramatically in recent years. Career opportunities for graphic designers are many and varied ¬– from advertising and branding to packaging, publication design or interactive design, to name just a few disciplines. Equally, photography is an exciting, flexible profession that offers possibilities in all kinds of commercial contexts.

We look forward to helping you realise your dreams.

Julie Belle

Head of Interior Design

With campuses in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and the Gold Coast, CATC has grown into one of Australia's largest private vocational design schools.

Our focus is on nurturing our students to become the very best designers they can be. We're committed to helping you develop your own interests and skills as an individual. Two important parts of this culture are our campuses, which are structured around having open studio spaces and our small class sizes.

At CATC we make every effort to prepare you for a successful career in design. Not only are our teachers from industry, but we also maintain close industry links. We even have an impressive list of students who have won industry competitions and awards. We're proud to say that in 2011 a CATC Interior Design Graduate was awarded Graduate of the Year in the prestigious DIA awards.

The interior design industry is constantly evolving, with new opportunities to innovate and make your mark in both residential and commercial interiors. We look forward to welcoming you at CATC.

Clive Hutchison

Head of Photography

Clive Hutchison has been working as a photographer, and photography teacher in the secondary, VET and Higher Education sectors, for over thirty years. At CATC he has established the Diploma of Photoimaging in Melbourne and coordinates the development of the photography program across all campuses. Clive has previously held the positions of Senior Lecturer, Photomedia, and Director of Teaching and Learning in the School of Creative Arts at James Cook University (JCU) in Queensland. At JCU Clive's teaching practice was recognised with the Vice Chancellor's teaching award and a national teaching citation from the Australian Learning and Teaching Council. He completed his Master of Creative Arts at JCU in 2006.

Clive continues to publish research on collaborative teaching practices and online learning. He also maintains his own fine arts photo practice through exhibition and the production of multimedia works.

Laurie Goodrich

Graphic Design
Sydney

Laurie completed his graphic design studies in the early 1990s with a mix of hand made and computer assisted design skills. It was here that he became inspired by the likes of Ken Cato, Neville Brody and David Carson, all of whom had a great influence on his style. Graphic Design has never stopped fascinating Laurie. He's passionate about creating and enjoys the sense of accomplishment that meeting a deadline brings.

Teaching gives Laurie the privilege of helping to prepare people for exciting careers in graphic design, sharing and magnifying his own enthusiasm with the diverse and talented students and teachers at the college.

Laurie's goal at CATC is to help students develop their technical skills and creative talents to allow them to produce work they're proud of and help them confidently approach challenges armed with the technical skills the market demands.

Mel O'Brien

Interior Design
Sydney

After completing a BA in Interior Architecture, Melissa was involved in a wide variety of Interior and Architectural jobs, including commercial, heritage, and residential projects. She has also created lighting installations for many projects, notably the Arnhem Performance Art Festival in the Netherlands and 100% Design in London.

Taking a break from practising Interior Architecture full time, Melissa embarked on an architectural tour of the world, influenced by Harry Seidler and Kevin McLeod. Six months and four continents later, she returned to Australia and made the decision to make academic work her focus.

This year, Melissa accepted the role of Interior Design Program Manager at CATC Sydney, and while working in this wonderful environment, also finds time for developing installations and projects for events such as the Milan Furniture Fair.

Kristen Clarke

Photography
Sydney

Kristen graduated in Photography in 1990 and has successfully managed and operated her own commercial photography business for over 15 years.

Kristen's expertise as a freelance photographer has focused on promotional, editorial and corporate photography. Her extensive experience has included professional photographic services for The Powerhouse Museum, the Australian War Memorial, Westpac, KPMG and the CSIRO.

In recent years Kristen acquired vocational education and training (VET) teaching qualifications and has been responsible for the design, management and delivery of tertiary education programs in photography and the graphic arts, from short courses to advanced diploma level.

Kristen is delighted to be part of the CATC community and enjoys the opportunity to provide and facilitate high quality learning experiences for all photography students.

John Papanagiotou

Interior Design
Melbourne

After his studies in Fine Art, John Papa worked in live theatre for more than a decade, in both Sydney and Edinburgh. John then decided to further explore his love of design and went back to school part-time to complete a qualification in Interior Design as a mature-age student. He was even taught by CATC's Head of Academic Studies – Interior Design, Julie Belle! John has been teaching since 2007, including roles at several TAFE colleges – a vocation that allows him to share his passion for art and design with his students. John says he loves seeing the proverbial light bulb go on in a student's mind. Nothing is more rewarding, he believes, than when a student improves and achieves beyond what they thought was possible.

Simon Ashford

Graphic Design
Melbourne

Born in the former British protectorate of Bechuanaland (Botswana), in the Kalahari Desert in 1966. The year England won it's only World Cup and St Kilda won their only Grand final. Simon moved to the UK and completed a bachelor's degree with Hons in graphic design from Leicester Polytechnic majoring in animation and audio visual design.

He spent the early nineties working his way around the London animation industry. Notably Geoff Dunbar's Grandslam studios where he animated on the 'Tales of Beatrix Potter'; the elite Richard William's Studio on his magnus opus 'The Thief and the Cobbler' and Steven Spielberg's Amblimation studio on 'Balto'.

Simon emigrated to Melbourne in late 1994 to help establish 'Animation Works' and worked on 'The Silver Brumby'. Animated the voice talents of Charles 'Bud' Tingwell.

After a surfing sea change in 2002 to work diligently on his tube riding skills and reignite his passion for graphic design, Simon decided to return to Melbourne and resume teaching at CATC design school within the Melbourne campus.

Simon is currently focused on his true passion for type design and layout and finds teaching and working with aspiring young designers to be a rewarding creative outlet.

Jane Fleming

Interior Design
Brisbane

Jane has a lifelong commitment and passion for all things designed, illustrated by three degrees in Architecture, Industrial Design and Interior Design. She has practiced for over 20 years as an Architect in Sydney and has taught Interior Design and Architecture since 1990 in Australia and Abu Dhabi in the United Arab Emirates.

After four years away from home, Jane has joined CATC's Brisbane campus after completing a Masters degree in Interior Design at the Savannah College of Art and Design in the USA.

In addition to her teaching roles, Jane's career has included working on large-scale government projects such as schools and colleges to high end residential projects in Sydney and Queensland. She also was the director of her own architectural practice for over 10 years.

Jane believes that design can make a difference to our everyday lives and that great interiors make for great living experiences, and act as an expression of our individuality and help them change the world one interior space at a time.

Jane's goal at CATC is to help every student find their inner design diva and help them change the world - one interior space at a time.

Paul Tathem

Graphic Design
Brisbane

Paul has 18 years of experience in the graphic design and advertising industry working for highly-esteemed advertising agencies such as Garnsey Clemenger, Le Grand, McCann Erickson and Young and Rubicam (Y&R). During his role as Senior Art Director at Y&R, he was recognised for his work locally, nationally and internationally.

Since 1995, Paul has been involved in vocational education and heads up the Graphic Design department at CATC Brisbane. The CATC team maintain a relaxed, creative environment, where each student is encouraged to be the very best that they can be in preparation for entry into their chosen career.

Richard Whitfield

Photography
Brisbane

Richard studied Fine Art in his native UK before moving to Hong Kong to work in TV commercial production. Encouraged by his boss, Richard branched out on his own as a commercial and advertising photographer, shooting for advertising agencies throughout Asia. Relocating to Australia in the mid 1990s, Richard changed direction to concentrate on editorial work and has worked regularly for a host of local and overseas magazines including Who, Women's Day, FHM, Qantas Magazine and Virgin Voyeur.

Some of his more celebrated subjects have included Oscar winner Geoffrey Rush, the late crocodile hunter Steve Irwin, singer/songwriter Delta Goodrem and entrepreneur Sir Richard Branson.

Richard is as excited today about photography as the first time he picked up a camera: 'Teaching's a great way to share my passion as well as my experience.'

Elaine Roberts

Interior Design
Gold Coast

Elaine has qualifications in education, teaching, social sciences, management and design and has an extensive career working in education.She is trained as an interior designer, having worked in Australia and overseas, and through her own consultancy has undertaken a range of commissions including commercial, residential, small business and many heritage projects.

At CATC Gold Coast, Elaine has combined her educational background with her design skills and experience to develop the interior design programs, and is proud to be part of an establishment of such unparalleled growth and development.

Michael Tompkinson

Graphic Design
Gold Coast

Michael started his career working for 13 years as a graphic designer for a range of diverse businesses around the world. Since completing his Bachelor of Visual Arts in Graphic Design at Griffith University in 1997, Michael has had the pleasure of being employed by the likes of Billabong Australia, Billabong Europe, Origin Design & Communications (Canada) and most recently Clemenger BBDO in Brisbane. Michael has worked on corporate advertising campaigns for Bank of Queensland, Telstra, Tourism Queensland and Mantra Hotels and Resorts.

In 2010, Michael's passion for learning lead him back to university where he gained his Graduate Diploma of Education. With a love of design and a strong belief in life long learning, Michael embraces the challenge and responsibility of successfully developing future generations of graphic designers at CATC's Gold Coast campus.

Janet Frizzarin

Online Distance Learning

A passionate Graphic Designer with 15 years of experience in the printing sector, Janet has experience in the development of design concepts through to the final production of printed and multimedia materials. Being involved in all the steps of design allows her to have profound knowledge and understanding of the key processes involved in the graphic design industry.

Janet's design skills combine practical work experience and solid educational background and allows her to make a valuable contribution to the learning process. She understands the level of professionalism and communication required for long-term success in this field and is always seeking the best learning outcome and satisfaction for her students.