Lauren Pennington

What inspired you to want to become a designer?

Well ever since I was little I used to love making thing out of anything I could find. Then as I got older I got the computer game ‘The Sims’, and I would spend hours building and designing the houses. I soon realized I could actually make a career out of designing things, so chose Graphic Design and Art at GCSE and found a love for Graphic Design. I then continued to study this in college and then University, and I have no regrets.

Who is your favourite designer/design agency?

I just love design in general, and think different designers influence me in different ways. I like anything from clean cut designs to collages to typography, so I like a mixture of everything. If I had to chose one at the moment it would be Vaughan Oliver, because I love his weird but wonderful approach to things. I like his use of composition, the use of different medias and the idea of looking at things differently. He has properly influenced me in the way of looking and seeing things different, and not going for the common way to solve the problem but the most creative.

What is your favourite piece of design?

Again it is really hard to chose just one piece, as I like different aspects of design and have favourite pieces in each area. I recently found this naughty but funny advert for Durex by Superfad so I'll choose this for now. It’s a great way to show the product, and because it’s funny, people will remember it.  

What influences you creatively other than Graphic Design?

Guerilla/ambient advertising really interests me, I like the idea of advertising in unconventional but creative ways that shock/surprise the public. I would love to be able to work on a brief that involves this, as opposed to a standard poster form of advertising.

What qualities do you think you will bring to the project?

The ability to work well in a team, and communicate well with others. Also my enthusiasm for design. Each person will bring a different way of thinking to each project, and I intend to make sure my ideas stand out.

Where do you see yourself in ten years time?

I would like to see myself as a respected graphic designer, who has worked her way up the ladder to success. I would love to be a freelancer or own my own design company, but everyone has to start somewhere. The project we’re doing with Thoughtful will hopefully get me up that ladder a little quicker.

What do you hope to get out of the project?

I hope to get a better knowledge of the design industry and further my design skills. I plan to enjoy and embrace each moment of it, as it is a unique opportunity that most students won’t get to experience. As the project develops I hope to continue to work hard and progress onto different levels, also I hope this projects helps me to understand the industry and helps me to get a job after leaving university.

Tell us a random fact about yourself...

I have 23 nicknames (including snail and mozzarella cheese), but I only like about 5 of them.

You can contact Lauren at lauren@wearethoughtful.com