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When Maddy started at Swinburne, she had no idea her degree could take her across the world. She’s designed for household names, gone overseas, and worked in a world-class advertising firm – and it was all kickstarted by a 12-month placement.
When Maddy was applying for placements, there was one name that sounded familiar: Clemenger BDDO. She remembered her teacher’s sound advice. ‘I was told, “If you can survive a year at Clemenger, you can work anywhere”’, Maddy says.
It sounded intimidating to her, but she knew it was a great opportunity. She applied and got on her way.
Maddy| Bachelor of Design (Communication Design) (Honours) | Australian Graphic Design Association (AGDA) Awards
Thriving at Clemenger
Starting at Clemenger was nerve-wracking, but those fears melted away when Maddy met her team. Over 12 months, she learned about the fast-moving world of advertising.
Maddy worked in the craft team assisting copywriters and fellow designers. She describes it as a small but mighty team focused on graphic design. ‘On my first day, I walked in expecting the worst and was greeted by the loveliest people’, Maddy says.
Clemenger offered her a position after her placement, securing work before she even graduated. ‘I ended up working in advertising for five years. It went from something I’d never considered, to something I felt really comfortable in’, says Maddy.
Making MYER’s The Movement
The highlight of Maddy’s time at Clemenger was working with MYER. She created the brand identity for MYER’s health and fitness brand, The Movement. For Maddy, seeing her work all over MYER’s flagship store on Bourke Street was breathtaking.
‘Seeing my work not just in real life, but at that scale’, she says. ‘It was incredible. That’s probably the thing I’m most proud of from my time there.’
From Swinburne student to award-winning designer
Clemenger hired Maddy before she had even graduated. Next, she entered the globally renowned Young Lions competition with a friend. They were given a brief with a tight deadline – nothing Maddy wasn’t ready for – and won!
Maddy and her friend were quickly flown to Cannes, France. They represented Australia, competing alongside creatives from all corners of the globe.
Where Maddy is today?
Today, Maddy is a senior designer at Re, where she works with designers across the world on brand design. ‘There's no doubt that my Swinburne industry placement made my career what it is today’, Maddy says.
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