Designing the Future: Katie’s Journey in Creative Design & Media at Reech
In our next series of Designing the Future, we’re catching up with Katie Marley, our Media Assistant to hear more about her journey from University through to supporting our full client base with media, animation and design.
What was your background before coming to Reech?
I graduated from Loughborough University with a degree in Graphic Communication and Illustration a few months before I applied for a role at Reech. Before choosing to study graphics at university, all things art and craft were my passion, leading me to study Fine Art as an A Level. It was during my gap year whilst working full time at a restaurant, I was designing their chalkboard menus when I came to the realisation that I wanted a career in graphic design. At university I studied many disciplines but the one which I enjoyed the most was animation and so it became my final year project. Between graduating and starting at Reech, I took part in a summer internship with an agency in London. We were given a sustainable design project to complete and present and I was the winner of their internship project competition. Shortly after, I started my career at Reech in their creative department.
What were your aims working at an agency? How has the experience actually been?
My aim was to experience working in an agency, as it was my first job in marketing and the creative sector. I was excited to start working on real-life projects and to begin making my mark in the industry. I wanted to improve my animation skills and I feel I am doing just that and more. I have learnt a lot more than I expected to! I have had the opportunity to improve my animation and graphic design skills, but I have also experienced working on campaign video and photo shoots, populating websites and working in the backend of them (never thought I’d be saying that as a designer!). I knew my colleagues would be nice, but I didn’t expect to feel as comfortable as I do with them, it has helped me grow more as a designer and creative.
What have been the best projects you’ve worked on so far?
The recent Reech showreel animation is a highlight for me, it was a good measure of how far my animation skills have come since starting at Reech. The motion design is slicker, and it was a lot easier and quicker for me to do. I always really enjoy going on shoots, its an opportunity to meet clients in a more informal way and its great to get out the office and learn how other businesses work. The projects I have most enjoyed and look forward to working on are the Reech & Reward winners. The charities’ stories are so important and moving, it is a joy and inspiration to be able to work with people whose goals are just to benefit people and planet. By working with these people, I am able to contribute my time to great causes which is important to me.
What skills have you developed and what are you looking to develop in the future?
I’ve developed my skills in motion design, graphic design, digital design and photography. I’ve developed such a broad range of skills in the short time I have been at Reech, it means I feel good about being able to assist in more than one of the departments. For the future I’m looking forward to specialising more in animation, my time so far at Reech has confirmed that animation is my passion and strong suit. I look forward to elevating the animation at Reech and introducing more possibilities to utilise it.
Katie’s story showcases the varied opportunities and growth potential at Reech. We’re proud to have team members like Katie who bring passion, creativity, and a willingness to learn and get stuck in. Want to chat to the team about how media and animation can help grow your brand and supercharge your marketing activity, get in contact with the team today.
