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I’ve had a lovely experience at Creative Spark over the past 4 weeks and I am extremely grateful to the entire team for making this experience priceless. I was chuffed to accept a 2 week placement from Andy and Jane after I’d sent in a handmade portfolio and been to a short interview to talk through my work. This is the first placement I’ve ever had so I had no idea what to expect, but I would highly recommend anyone try and get into Creative Spark by any means possible because this placement was such a winner. The team are great, they have all the time in the world for you, they genuinely care about your needs and wants. The clients are brilliant, I was really excited to be involved in live briefs set by amazing companies. I’ve been taught some vital tips on software, I’ve learnt a little bit about how the industry really works and I’ve walked away with several pieces of work I’m more than chuffed to put into my portfolio, what more could I ask for?
Thanks Creative Spark!

For a final 2nd year project, we had to produce a piece of self promotion for sending out to agencies to hopefully get a placement over Summer. I was really pleased when I got a response from Andy to arrange an interview for a placement, and I was very surprised to be offered a two week placement in August.

Initially I was very nervous, but excited, but as soon as I got there on my first day I felt really welcomed and everyone in the studio was so friendly. I enjoyed the fact that I got to help work on a variety of live briefs, doing everything from research, alterations and designing, as well as the mandatory brew making! I didn’t expect to be as involved with so much of the work for actual clients, so I was really lucky, and I found it really interesting learning about all the processes you have to go through to get to the final artwork- I really learnt a lot about the industry.

Thank you to everyone at Creative Spark for welcoming me and giving me such a fantastic opportunity :)
Julia

We’ve had Evan in the studio over the past 2 weeks completing his work placement for school. He’s impressed us all massively with the work he’s done during his time with us. What’s even more impressive (scary) is that he’s only 15 and he’s doing work i’d be more than happy to put in my portfolio. Big pat on the back Evan, the pleasure’s been all ours!

Here’s what he has to say on his time with us and some of the work he’s done.

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When i was told i was going to be doing my work experience at Creative Spark i was very nervous but also very excited. As soon as i walked through the door i was greeted and seated and introduced to everyone, they all seemed very nice. I was given the task to ‘Create A Spark’, i ended up making  a toy Dunny for the company which was very fun and interesting to me as a young individual. After a week i became more friendly with the other employees as if they had let me into their little circle which felt as if i had grown up in the space of a week. I defiantly learnt a lot in the two weeks that i spent here which has given me an insight to grown up life. The whole experience of working outside of school really opened my eyes to the world and showed me how big it is and that work is very important. I would very much like to work here when i’m older with the helpful and generous staff and the bubbly work ethos.

Big thanks to everyone at Creative Spark for looking after me and giving me the opportunity to get into the world of work!

I was really excited when I heard I’d been offered the opportunity to do a placement at Creative Spark, and during my two weeks there, my hopes and expectations were definitely fulfilled, plus even more. Working with such a fun, vibrant team made everyday interesting and everyone ensured I felt integrated into studio life there, by allowing me to participate in preliminary meetings about new projects, get involved in the research and putting together of pitches, and also design pieces for a few projects myself. I learnt a lot along the way about the design industry, asked lots of questions which was hopefully not too annoying, and also hopefully improved my brew making skills!! It was lots of fun and with a bit of luck I’ll be able to go back sometime in the future.

Thanks to everyone at Creative Spark for the brilliant opportunity and for making me feel so welcome!

I was often told at university that once you entered the design industry any chances of hands on creative work were few and far between. So when i was set my first task at creative spark (to create a cardboard forest) i was instantly excited! This was only the first of many briefs i was set during the 3 weeks. I got the opportunity to be part of a variety of briefs from attending a professional photo shoot, to seeing magazine ads through to print. I was always made to feel welcome and felt inspired to work with such a creative team!

Thanks for all your help guys!
Carl

We’ve had the pleasure of Carl joining us for the past 2 weeks. He’s impressed us all during his time and wish him all the best with his remaining time as a student. Here’s his lovely poster he did for Simple’s Royal Wedding Tea Party.

Check out more of his work here

We ask our placements to write a few words about there time spent with us. Here’s our latest diary from Conor and his take on the ‘create a spark’ brief. Great work Conor, it’s been a pleasure having you on board!

After seeing the work on the Creative Spark website i decided that i really want to get a placement with them. The first thing i did was to design and print a poster based on there illustrations, i took this and used it to rap a box of doughnuts. Then i turned up at the door armed with doughnuts and my portfolio. Andy was more then happy to have a look at my folio and he rang me later that day to say i could start a placement the next week.

The placement was amazing craic (i’m irish), there’s a great buzz amongst everyone in the spark office, and the place has a great layout especially there meeting room! Andy was great at setting me projects i could add to my portfolio, and i learnt a few new software tricks too.

Thanks to everyone at Creative Spark, for being so warm and welcoming had a great time.

Conor

Here’s some infographics recent placement, Ben Brand, produced for us. It shows our process for the way we work. Nice job Ben!

Any interview anxiety was put at rest when I first visited for a look over my folder, sat at a picnic table surrounded by a grassed floor and animal life illustrations on the walls. It became clear from then on that they were focused by what motivated me as a student designer, therefore making my time at the studio as fruitful as it can be. In what can be a busy studio, there is a colorful and warm atmosphere, everyone seems happy to offer a hand with a smile on their face.

Its obvious that the studio’s open minded personality has a strong influence on the work. It will definitely live in my memory as the most pleasant placement experience, as I am now just finding my feet I leave with a intent of returning in the near future.

A big thankyou to Neil and all the “sparks”.
Ben

We thought it would be nice to get out placements to write a few words about there time spent with us. Here’s our first placement diary from Peter:

When I first entered the doors of the Creative Spark Studio, I was nervous, excited and eager to know what lurked within.

I was set to rest instantly by the warmth and playful environment they have setup for themselves.They have a wealth of respect for each other and most importantly the work. I was first allowed to be let loose on some menu’s for a restaurant and later enjoyed the development/design process when finalising designs with fellow designer Carl, which proved a successful piece of design which was later sent to print.

Over the weeks I spent at Creative Spark I spent my time involved at the heart of exciting projects and was fuelled with creative inspiration; driven to learn more technical skills by the team and become a Designer.

Thank you Creative Spark. Its been emotional.