Designer rates his pencil above his computer

Canberra-based graphic designer Christopher Doyle had some unusual advice for graphic design students who like their computers – don’t.

Doyle favours using his brain, a pencil, and piece of paper, rather than his Mac computer.

“I do spend more time thinking and drawing than I do on a Mac these days.

“If I can’t draw it or visualise it then it doesn’t even make it onto the Mac.”

But, although his career suggests he is artistic, Doyle says that’s not how he wants to be seen.

“I don’t consider myself an artist at all, I consider myself to be a graphic designer.”

Doyle, who worked for top advertising firm Saatchi and Saatchi, started his own company after he got to a stage where he was attending meetings more than he was designing.

Now he describes himself as a “working graphic designer” but within the studios  of Christopher Doyle and Co he has the role of “creative director”.

Doyle said it was difficult and challenging going out on your own.

“I was lucky that I had a lot of help from people who have done it before me, mentors and small business owners,” Doyle said.

But, again, he was quick with the same advice for those students intending to start their own businesses straight after graduation  – don’t.

“I would say don’t start you own business, I’d say work [as an employee], and I would encourage you to get into a studio.”

Doyle said students needed to learn not only about design in a professional sense but about the culture of business.

“There is no way to leapfrog into that stuff – it’s just something you have to learn over the years.”