Mike Rigby- The Chase

Mike Rigby- The Chase

Mike Rigby studied in Preston for 4 years. Mike has been to a variety of agencies which indclude:

• Pentagram North
• Mark studio
• True north
• Interbrand Australia

Mike believes that a career in design is great because you get to meet and collaborate with many people, you win awards, it is a great education with a strong design community and that you are helping to give people a voice from your design.

Mike believes that a negative side to design is that it is competitive, long hours, a huge amount of pressure, unpaid overtime and lost pitches. Mike also believes that client interference can also be de-moralising.

Mike stated that another negative of design is the effect on the environment. He says that in design there is alot of over packaging and we are contributing to consumerism.

Mike discussed the advantage of studio placement is learning a hell of alot. He says placements will speed you up, you get to work on real projects, you network and there is also lots of free nights out!!

Mike's first placement was at Imagination, London in which he received £150 a week. This was quite poor considering he had alot of rent to pay and other payouts. Mike says he didn't enjoy this experience. Being at 'The Chase' has been different for Mike. He says it re-juvinated his desire to design.

Mike advises that when trying to get a placement you need to have 6 solid projects in your portfolio. To show good ideas well executed. Advice for when you are in the industry Mike says that you need to take professional pride in everything you do. The quality of experience is important. Being pro active and to get involved. Being positive and showing enthusiam. He believes that you need to show you are eager and hungry, to ask questions, socialize and most importantly make a brew!Starting out, Mike's salary was £13,000, stating he wouldnt work for less.

Mike expressed that there is lots of rejection in design. He says this doesn't mean you are not good enough it may just mean the fit isn't right.

Mike discussed his travel experiences throughout his presentation. He beleives it is important to have a break. During Mike's break from the industry he visited South East Asia, Vietnam, Australia and Sydney sometimes living with different families and having amazing some experiences. Mike recommends that you should try going abroad with your design career. He believes that you can work almost anywhere. The positives to working abroad is the great experience, meeting great people, and the money and lifestyle is also great.

Whilst working in Aus Mike manage to win 5 awards. Upon leaving Australia Mike then went back to Pentagram. He says although he enjoyed it he says it was too quiet which meant he came back up to Manchester to True north.

Mike says that it is important to keep yourself interested in design and that you should keep doing briefs. To carry on in this career you need to ask yourself why you are doing it? are you commited? He says that you should familiarize yourself with the industry, to broaden your horizons and to have a informed opinion.

Whilst at university Mike believes that it is important to use the studio and resources. To collaborate and crit each others work. Mike believes there is no such thing as being too creative.

Advice for the future is that you should believe in your own ability and to ignore the doom and gloom. Mike states that it is important to graft as soon as you can and it is important to keep in touch with people, this will allow you opportunities in the future. Mike says it is important to enjoy yourself and have fun!