Kieran started studying graphic design college back in 1996, travelled the world and then set up his own business, designing brands for new and existing companies.
We spoke to Kieran about his studies, his career so far and the creative industry as a whole and why design is so important.
“You learn little things at college that you will carry with you forever, they are skills you will always need”
I chose Chesterfield College as the art and design department was at the top of their league
“I started college in 1996, I wanted to do graphic design and luckily, it’s worked out. I didn’t do art at secondary school, but I did do graphic design. When I got to college, I did Level 2 art and design for a year as I didn’t have any art qualifications – so it was the GCSE equivalent.
My parents weren’t impressed as it looked like I was repeating a year, but it was the only route onto the course, it gave me access to the course I wanted to do – a great stepping stone.
I chose Chesterfield because the art and design department has a great reputation. My school in Ripley didn’t do graphic design so it was the best option for me. The department was highly rated, and it was easy to get to.”
After college, I went to university to do interactive graphic design
“We didn’t go on the internet at college, it wasn’t a thing back then, but when I went to uni, this all flipped. The university course as was all about doing stuff for websites and active media. It was a hybrid between a computer course and a graphic design course.”
I mainly work in brand design
“Graphic design is very broad, I’m not a photographer but I do take photos, I’m not a type designer but I create lettering. All the specialisms work into each other, there’s not one thing I specialise in, but I work mainly with brand design, websites, and logos.”
Kieran Harrod Design
“I specialise in medium-sized branding projects, names for companies, logos, building websites, how companies apply logos, their assets, social media, banners, brochures, mediums to go on vans and uniforms etc.
I help set up a consistent brand identity, the visual brand and how the brand works for people as a service. I like to talk to passionate individuals about their company and what they are doing.”
Everything needs designing
“Everything needs designing; somebody somewhere has chosen that font, style, colour etc. If you have questions or wonder just where careers go, just look around, everything’s designed.
People pour millions into creative industries, think about media and film and all the careers that are created from one Netflix programme. You need to be passionate about the industry, you need to enjoy it and if you do, you can be successful.
The courses at college do not exist to keep people busy for 2 years, they create careers.
A lot of design jobs cannot be replicated by a computer or machine. It is a secure career; no computer can create a human’s creativity. Computers have a limited number of templates and a limited about of ideas, a computer cannot delve into the company’s personality and ethos like I can.”
“If you can turn your hobby into a job, you are going to be doing something you love. It is a competitive industry, but if you are skilled and passionate, you will make it.”
Kieran Harrod Designs Website
