Testimonials

Danielle Gladden
Junior Designer, TextPacific Publishing
Graphic Design | Diploma

"Working in the magazine industry was a given from the time I had my sixteenth birthday. How I was going to get there however, was not so certain. After four years studying media and journalism at Melbourne University it was time to pursue my true passion - design."

CATC offered the perfect solution to additional study - a one-year diploma of graphic design and advertising. Without the extensive support, flexibility, confidence, inspiration and enthusiasm the teachers and the community provided there I would not be anywhere near where I am today.

On completion of the course I was immediately offered several job opportunities (including two in NZ). After extensive decision-making I took up the position as a junior designer at Text Pacific Publishing, part of the Channel 7 and Pacific Magazines Group. It has been the most amazing journey thus far, involving some huge learning curves along the way. The highlight of studying at CATC was the freedom of creativity offered, our preparation for the real world and the vocational placement opportunities available to all students.

My career goals for the future include progression up the industry hierarchy ie. moving from my current role as a junior designer position to art director and eventually creative director. Simultaneously, I am juggling additional outside projects such as book illustrations and book cover designs for some of the amazing journalists I have met on my career path to date. I would also like to experience working in the media industry overseas and perhaps extend my media experience into more of an event management role or perhaps branch out into television/broadcast design/journalism.

Some of the projects I have worked on to date include logo design for a small design company, writing beauty features for Girlfriend magazine, laying out pages for New Idea magazine and beauty shoot styling (this was all whilst studying at CATC). More recently however, through Text Pacific, I have been involved in press checks, attending food shoots, designing recipe cards, designing trade event invitations, working in a team environment to create potential client pitches, designing advertorials, attending model castings and dealing with modelling agencies, photo shoot site scouting, designing 10 issues of Weight Watchers, organising and attending photo shoots with Melinda Gainsford Taylor monthly and writing up photo shoot call sheets.

My journey has not come without its own little challenges. Firstly, the move away from my home and family in New Zealand and having to make new friends. Followed by the smaller challenges specific to graphic design and advertising such as balancing life, study and work commitments, deadlines, picture searching, maintaining professionalism and being accommodating at all times, dealing with stress well, liaising with clients/advertising teams who can be very vague about briefs, constant changes (it's important to be flexible in this kind of industry) and, most importantly to learn to manage time efficiently and multitask!!

The design industry is one I am so proud to be a part of, there is not one day where I really feel like I'm ever working because quite simply, I am following my passion and I love what I do. There is so much room for growth in this environment and I am so excited about my future!

Christopher Schulstad
Designer, Von Zipper
Assistant Photographer, Thor Elias Engelstad
Graphic Design | Advanced Diploma

Christopher Schulstad is a real hat enthusiast. In actual fact, on any given day you can catch a glimpse of this creative wearing any number of hats - photographer, Von zipper role, designer or student. Recently, Christopher completed a grueling yet rewarding photo shoot for breast cancer working as an Assistant Photographer for Thor Elias Engelstad, a role that he juggles with Designer at Von Zipper, freelance designer and student of multimedia and advertising.

"I'd always had a passion for illustration and design and wanted to be able to work for myself" says Christopher, and it's this longing which led him to the Advanced Diploma at CATC. "I relished the opportunity to continually feel creative and interact with people on the same wavelength as me."

When it came to choosing a design school, Christopher's decision was simple. "CATC Design School had the winning edge. All of the lecturers have either worked in, or are still working in, the design industry. This means that their knowledge and experience is relevant and what you need to know to get an important head-start in the design industry."

Christopher clearly isn't someone who just waits for things to happen, having taken the initiative to volunteer his creative services to companies while still a student. "Volunteering was a way for me to showcase my work, and gave me the chance to make great connections and make a good name for myself."

Speaking from experience he offers some helpful tips to graduates, "Network, network and network some more. Make positive work relationships with industry, and to get your name out there, put up your hand and volunteer to do jobs for free."

"Completing the course was such a big achievement for me, and the self-paced learning and helpful teachers helped make a great learning environment" he goes on to say.

Not only has Christopher's voluntary work paid off, but it seems everything he learnt at school has too. "Every day I get the chance to apply pretty much everything I learnt at school and I am a believer that attention to detail and practice makes perfect! Unlike other design schools, CATC provided me with tons of practical and relevant industry knowledge which has helped me to progress in my career."

So what motivates this talented artist? Bauhaus, De sthill and Cubism are just a few of the art movements that have wet Christopher's appetite for design. "Also a really good Art Director/Graphic Designer of today that influences and inspires me is Sydney-based artist, Jonathan Zawada – I like his style because it's so incredibly different."

There's no doubt that this highly-creative and energetic individual will go on to inspire many designers of his own. We wish Christopher every success for his bright future ahead.

Laura Devic
Diploma Graduate and currently studying Advanced Diploma
CATC Design School Gold Coast

After graduating from high school, I left New Caledonia (a French island in the Pacific) and came to Australia to pursue my studies. Australia was a great solution for me because I was still fairly close to home and CATC had a great reputation and excellent courses. I was particularly attracted to the small class size where I was given a lot of attention and I could specialise in interior design.

When I started in 2009, my English wasn't great but I was welcomed and helped by the teachers who explained things if when necessary!

After 3 months in Brisbane I transferred to the Gold Coast campus and during the following nine months I was taught by Sergeja Demsar and Mel Fee. Always attentive, they encouraged me to work on improving my English, developed my passion for interior design and to stick with it even when I was missing home!

I reached the Diploma level in February 2010 and I am now studying the Advanced Diploma with Meriel Shaw. The atmosphere is relaxed and the teachers always take time to talk about their own experiences in the design industry.

CATC is a fantastic College because you meet people of different ages and nationalities which make it an interesting experience. We all share the same passion for creativity and design and nothing beats that!

Emma Wilkins
Current student
Advanced Diploma in Interior Design

Being creative comes naturally to Emma, a Brisbane based singer/performer who stars in not one, but two iconic live acts, the burlesque 'Gamble Sisters' and rockabilly 'Sugarshakers' with her twin sister!

Already with Marketing and Event Management qualifications under her belt, Emma wasn't satisfied.

Her inspiration to study Interior Design at CATC came after travelling extensively throughout Europe where she became obsessed with the stunning architecture. Her passion was fuelled even further after working at the super swanky 5 star restaurant Hakkasan in London and as a result of all the elaborate venues she has performed in over the years designed to certain themes and in different eras influencing costume designs etc.

With a long-time love for poster art, influenced by Art Deco, Retro, Eames and Atomic era's, she grew up in a house full of strange/quirky artifacts – her Dad's a geologist and Mum's a teacher so she had an inkling she might move in this direction one day.

Growing up in Brisbane, she was disenchanted by the dull, culturally void entertainment and social venue scene and was determined to change it!

Motivated to pursue a career that rewards her creatively and financially, she believes a CATC Interior Design qualification will allow her to channel a variety of creative pursuits in a professional, applicable, commercially driven context.

She is loving the College experience and finds the inspiring studio space is a melting pot of ideas. She loves being able to bounce ideas around and the exposure to everyone else's interpretations for design provides for stimulation in a relaxed, intimate setting.

Gervais Maitre
Current student
Advanced Diploma, Graphic & Interactive Design

I chose CATC after seeing a cool advert on TV. For as long as I can remember I've been fascinated with signs and adverts – I'd look at all these messages and ask myself: what would I create if I'd had the brief?

Nothing beats the feeling of getting to College, grabbing a coffee, then playing with my pencils. Sketching along and using my own art are the best parts of the course, and I love anything to do with type ... the way you can make shapes in letters and manipulate them is awesome.

I've already taken on freelance work like designing logos, brochures, stationery, car graphics – whatever comes my way! If you're thinking about studying at CATC you should trust yourself, take on as much design work as possible, and be good to your teachers!"