Lisa Lorek: Senior Designer at Global Prairie

Hi Vanessa,

Thank you again for reaching out to me. My answers are below. Good luck with your remaining time at Leeds, please shoot me a link to your student portfolio when it's completed! 

1.    Why do you think so few women feature in the history of design? 

It was definitely a man's world up until just recently. There are hardy women in the history of any field, let alone design. There is still a little sexism that still exists, but I think there has been an amazing shift to give more women the recognition and power they deserve in this field.  Also, it might have something to do with how the woman of the house was supposed to stay at home and raise the kids.

2.    Have you ever come across the so-called “glass ceiling” (the point beyond which women don’t get promoted) Do you think it exists or is it an urban myth? 

In advertising, there are definitely more men in leadership roles, but right after graduating, I've been in an art director role and have not hit a glass ceiling yet. I think I've been really lucky with the agencies I've worked at, specifically Global Prairie. This company, co-founded by the strongest woman I've ever met, creates an environment where women are equal (if not slightly more favorited). All the women of the company have a meeting each month, to talk about news articles and books about what other women are doing to be leaders in the world.

3.    Is it difficult for a female designer to find their place in the design community? 

I didn't think so, but I just flipped through Communication Arts (the advertising awards edition) and there are hardly any female names in the more senior level positions. That's so depressing. Maybe our generation can shake things up in the upcoming years. Again, I feel very lucky at Global Prairie because they give everyone an equal opportunity to grow in this field.

4.    Do you feel starting a family can cause some women to leave their career?

 I think so. It definitely is a personal preference. I don't blame mothers who want to stay at home and raise their children, but there are go-getters out there that make it work. The beauty of graphic design is that it's so easy to work from home!

5.    And finally… Does the gender gap matter? 

HELL YES!!!!! We need to stop letting men run the show! Women need to get the credit they deserve. We are just as good, if not better, than the male designers out there!

Amber's Task // Interview

1. Complete a short statement about yourself.

I am a concept-led graphic designer with a focus on branding and editorial design. 

2. Complete a short statement about your technical skills.

I am competent in Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign and the Microsoft suite. 

3. Complete a short statement about your work experience.

I have yet to find work experience, but I would like to find experience within a Marketing Agency. In the future, I would love to complete a Masters in Business or Marketing, preferably Creative Marketing somewhere in Europe (Amsterdam or Berlin).  

4. Complete a short statement about your ability to work in a team and independently (with examples).

I like to work independently on projects but I also love working within a team. Having constant feedback in a team I find really inspires me and drives the project along.

Example: Outside of design, for the past 4 years I have been a lifeguard, working and being in charge of a team of lifeguards of up to 5, which means I have obtained great leadership and communication skills as well as excellent decision making skills, with the ability to provide CPR or first aid immediately and effectively. 

5. Complete a short statement about your communication skills (with examples).

Worked with clients and customers in a wide range of roles and situations. 

6. Complete a short statement about your understanding of graphic design 

 Graphic design is about communicating, in creative and effective ways.

From writing this I have found some areas I am lacking in...

• lack of experience in web design, I should try and attain a basic knowledge of HTML and CSS
• lack of experience, need to find placements

Reaching Professionals

I've been putting off contacting professionals for a long time so today I spent the morning sending emails to female designers as part of my research for my dissertation, which will be a great help in informing my dissertation and context of practice outcomes. I have emailed a whole range of designers, from art directors to freelancers. 

I have had one reply so far from Lotta Niewminen an illustrator, graphic designer and art director from Helsinki, Finland that I admire. Although she didn't answer my specific questions due to her work schedule, she kindly attached a  a copy of a very similar interview with some really insightful answers.

Hi Vanessa,

I appreciate you reaching out and your interest in interviewing me. 

Unfortunately I won’t have the chance to specifically answer your questions due to my current work situation, but having done a slightly similar interview a year back, and thought this might still be of some interest to you – copy pasting it below!

Best,

Lotta

–

Did your career already started during your studies? Yes, I started freelancing on the side of my studies. My major was graphic design, but my freelance jobs at the time were mostly illustration. 

Do you have a family and children? if you do how are you managing family and job? No children. I do have a husband who’s a graphic designer as well. :) 

Were there situations in your career where it played a role that you're a woman? Graphic design & illustration is surprisingly still very much a man’s business. I asked a male designer friend of mine at a comparative level what he charges - I was charging a third of what he did. So I upped my rates, but still cringe when I send out invoices, while he won’t think twice. Women are definitely under-represented in this field - at the conferences I speak at, there’s too often about 2 women out of 20 speakers. Which is crazy because there are so many talented female designers. I don’t believe in a 50 / 50 ratio for the sake of it, but there should be an honest representation. I think that’s what feminism is about, not being good because you’re a woman, but being good because you’re good.

Do you think that there are differences in the workflow and the design between men and women? Not really. I think the workflow is more about an individual than sex. 

How do you explaining the fame of male designers (against women)? I wouldn’t call it fame as much as just a general under representation of women. I think men are often more ballsy. The men designers I know aren’t apologetic about their work and aren’t ashamed to state their worth. The successful women designers I know are similar to that: go-getters. I just think it takes more work as a woman to embrace that more aggressive side in oneself. This is a field where good communication skills are key, and being apologetic about the work won’t get you far.

Do you think a development has already stared in this case? There’s still an under representation of women, but I do feel like there’s starting to be more an more prominent female designers. In a younger generation of designers, people like Jessica Walsh, Jessica Hische and Dana Tanamachi are great examples of powerful, prominent female designers. I think the more women get highlighted, the bigger the encouragement and example it shows to budding female designer that it’s out there for you to grab.