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Explore the flair for artistry of talented Graphic Designer Jordan Pearman | #MemberSpotlight

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With over 10 years of industry experience working either independently or under an agency's perspective, Graphic Designer Jordan Pearman has always been interested in art, and has been pursuing the creative field since his very childhood.

With a clean and modern style to dominate his works, Jordan won't disdain the occasional touch of craziness and artistry here and there, a much genuine approach to art and design which much betrays his ardent passion for anything creative. From managing creative teams to leading client accounts, Jordan's experience is broad and varied – and his excellent work below really shows.

In this Member Spotlight we are learning more about Jordan Pearman, a much talented freelance graphic designer with a flair for artistry.

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How did you get into the industry?

I was always creating as a kid and did a variety of art classes leading up to my degree. I did the first year of my degree in fine art and then switched in my second year to visual communication. I just felt I had done this before and I needed an education in all things art & design. I was trying to find my way really and understand where I was going.

I got a great understanding in all things design at BCU (Birmingham City University) in Vis Comme. Playing with photography, illustration, animation and obviously graphic design. I graduated and then went travelling through South East Asia, I had big decisions to make on where to go next and I needed time to reflect and re-energise. It was great fun and I ended up getting little logo projects, or menu projects while I travelled. It helped fund the journey but also started to bring me clarity on where my future lay ahead. I came back to the Uk, started a Masters degree in Art & Design under Professor Andrew Kulman and began to build both the Art I love to create and the Design I love to explore.

Where are you based now and who do you work for?

I’m currently based in the UK, living in Birmingham. I'm freelancing right now working for small and large businesses and sometimes I get gigs with in house teams creating mischief.

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If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?

That’s easy! Skiing or Snowboard instructor at Revelstoke Resort, Canada or somewhere in the Portes du Soleil area. You can’t beat the French Alps.

Can you explain your creative process?

Well i’m always immersing myself with everything design. Looking at what certain designers and artist are currently doing, what projects are getting big attention and why. I love looking at the details within projects, trying to find out how the piece was created and what software and tools they might have used. When I’m working on a personal or commissioned project I carry it around with me in my head. I understand the brief, reflect on it while I commute, in the kitchen cooking, or while I exercise and then its Ideas, ideas, ideas. I get this immediate gut response on a project and then pour it out on the art board, critique and then I build. Frameworks, font hierarchy, image treatments, I become like a machine lol. I also try to push my ideas on every project, push the layouts, use of fonts, size of text or effects that compliment the work. Looking at those who inspire me and produce my own take on the details I enjoy. Building a piece of work that not only develops me as a designer but also pushes the brand to the next level on there journey.

How would you describe your style?

Ooooow my style, difficult one. I would say I have a modern clean style that’s inspired by Swiss Design and a splash of the current trend, but I do like to get a little crazy every now and then. A lot of my inspiration comes from designers like Josef Müller-Brockmann and Armin Hofmann, broken grids and beautiful type are what gets me designing, artist I like like to keep an eye on are Anthony Lister, Mr Brainwash and D*Face. Love Em :)

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Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?

I’ve gained inspiration from quite a few people along my journey so far. From close friends within design to mentors in education and industry. Some more well know heroes of mine come from all industry types, people like, Paul Rand, Ruth Ansel, Virgil Abloh, Kanye West, Morag Myerscough, John Maeda and Jessica Walsh. A pretty varied bunch. But there are so many platforms to view art and design know that you can get inspired by a fresh grad student who know ones heard of. Were more connected than ever. 

If you had to pick one ideal client/employer, who would that be and why?

I would love to work with Off-White and Vigil Abloh. Design and fashion all rolled into one that’s the stuff of dreams. Having great mentors is key to growth and development and he’s questioning what the next chapter of design and luxury fashion will mean and I would love to be in and around the team while he’s doing it. 

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How has technology affected the way you work?

Massively. Ive grown up in a world with and without tech and I remember making ringtones on my Nokia 3210. But nowadays your whole work schedule is on the screen. Im on my tablet, sketching on the train, building brands at home on my desktop and having zoom meetings in Bali, its crazy! I’ve recently started designing some NFTs I want the world to see, its exciting times creatively and who knows what new or existing platforms we might be experiencing creativity in the future.

What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?

Probably passion. I love creating. Whether its lego builds with my son or madness out my mind. There are of course big goals I have, in terms of where I want to work and who I want to work for that drive me, but I try to keep setting micro goals within my art & design. I keep experimenting and trying to push my work and that keeps me motivated to do more.

What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?

I think so far my artist in residency at Birmingham City University I’m most proud of. I went from studying to teaching elements of traditional printmaking within a year. It was a great place to play, learn, and pass on knowledge whilst being surrounded by great creative people and great art and design. I was in my element when in the print studio. Working with Master Printer, Justin Sanders was an education and a pleasure.

How do you recharge away from the office?

I like to go for runs every now and then but I much prefer activities that keep my mind occupied, like, going to the snow dome and teaching my son how to snowboard, even getting on the slope myself and mixing it up. I game every now and then on Apex legends and now everything is back open, its nice to catch a movie with the family.

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What is one tip for other aspiring creatives looking for work?

I think the big thing is knowing what type of work you want to create and type of projects you would love to be involved in. Apply for the roles that can make it happen or the roles that are the next step to getting you there. Sometimes you have to do the hard yard projects to obtain the goal. But the best thing about the journey is you learn so much. Most of the time you even find new interests that mould your future in other ways.

What is the one thing that you would change about the industry?

I think a better link between education and industry would really help. You could learn so much more on what’s needed, and what skills you need to develop, if your working in and around industry teams. Especially now with how connected we all are. I mean imagine if you could work independently on a live brief, and be a fly on the wall in actual live project. This type of collaboration and project insight would help massively in guiding future employees and creatives in obtaining dream roles.

Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?

Creativepool for its great job opportunities obviously! Behance is always showcasing some great designers and there work. Opensea and Foundation for its amazing NFT artists and I always think its best to keep up with designers and agencies you love. Check in on them every now and then for new work and possible brand updates. Design speak is always changing because industry is always evolving, so its good to be in the know. Books I like, hmm so many, but a few books I keep close by are, Generative Design by Hartmut Bohnacker, Grid Systems in Graphic Design by Josef Müller-Brockman, Interaction of Color by Josef Albers and Logo Modernism by Jens Müller.

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