Q: Tell us a bit about yourself, Theo. What are your hobbies?
A: Hey, I'm Theo, a design apprentice at Design in the Shires. I live in Worcester with my family and dogs. I've always been interested in being creative, enjoying photography, designing, and making clothing designs. Twice a week, I do rugby training at Worcester Rugby Club for their mixed-ability team. It's a great way to meet cool people, have a laugh, and get some exercise. I also love being creative in the kitchen, experimenting with flavours.
Q: How did you get into Design?
A: I've always been interested in creating things and figuring out how things are made. During lockdown, I had a lot of free time, and I spent it playing with free design software similar to Adobe Illustrator, creating fun designs and posters for family and friends. During this time, I also came up with the idea to start a clothing business called Absolute Pandemonium.
Q: What inspires your design work?
A: I'm often inspired by my surroundings, my walks, and things I find on Pinterest and Instagram. I maintain a folder of inspirations on my laptop, including various media like print, digital designs, photography, and websites. Pinterest is my go-to for creating mood boards and visualizing compositions. I also use design asset sites like FreePik for templates and inspiration.
Q: How did you find out about apprenticeships?
A: During college, I undertook various work placements, gaining experience in different fields. One of these experiences was at Design in the Shires, where I worked on a logo and branding for a surf festival. After a longer work placement, they offered me an apprenticeship. We found a suitable Content Creator Apprenticeship through Creative Alliance, covering a wide range of subjects.
Q: What does your apprenticeship entail, and what are you learning?
A: I'm doing the Content Creator Level 3 apprenticeship for a year and a half. The course covers subjects such as Brand & Brand Awareness, Content Planning & Pitching, Graphic Design Principles, Image Editing, Video Editing, Web Design, SEO & Blog Writing, and more.
Q: What does a typical week look like for you?
A: Monday starts with a weekly meeting to discuss the week's tasks.
Tuesday involves working on action cards, which can include designing social media posts and assisting the team. We also have a team run, weather permitting.
Wednesday includes off-the-job training and project kick-off meetings.
Thursday involves seminars on various topics.
Friday is for wrapping up projects and leaving early for our wellness hour.
Q: What would your advice be for work-life balance?
A: Take breaks during lunch to reset, ensure a structured week to avoid feeling overwhelmed, and try not to let work interfere with your personal life. It's essential to have a balance.
Q: What is the best thing about being an apprentice?
A: Gaining experience while learning necessary skills. Having support from the apprenticeship team, who are professionals in the industry, is invaluable.
Q: What is the best thing about working at DITS?
A: It's a relaxed environment with no intense pressure. The encouragement to be creative and the support from the team, particularly from Charlotte and Ben, make it a great place to work.
Q: If you could give any advice to a new apprentice, what would it be?
A: Try not to let your work life interfere with your personal life. Keep a work-life balance. I highly recommend an apprenticeship as a great way to develop and hone your skills in a workplace setting.
