Q&A with Graphic Designer, George Sutton

Graphic Design BA(Hons) alumni George Sutton is a practicing designer with an eye for cross-sector design. From navigating the transition from Falmouth to securing a role at agency In Digital, George has worked on high-profile projects for clients such as The Financial Times, Investors’ Chronicle and Vorwerk.

We spoke with George about his time at Falmouth, the challenges of breaking into the industry and ambitions for the future. 

What’s your favourite memory from your time at Falmouth? 

There are so many options, but I think the first few weeks of everyone settling in were great. It was so nice to know that I wasn’t the only one who struggled with drawing, or felt overwhelmed transitioning from home to university.

We all came from different backgrounds; some students had previously studied STEM (science, technology, engineering, mathematics) subjects, while others were super artsy. This really made our graphic design cohort feel like a community - it was great to learn from each other, and not put too much pressure on yourself as you discover your design journey from day one to graduation (and beyond!). 

What was your experience before getting a job at In Digital, after graduating? 

Landing my first role was challenging. The pandemic impacted internship opportunities for my cohort to gain practical experience, however the Graphic Design course at Falmouth prepared me for job hunting. I built a strong portfolio that celebrated my work and skills, and actively networked within the creative community, reaching out to agencies and professionals for advice and potential leads. This proactive approach, combined with the skills I developed during my studies, helped me secure a position at agency In Digital. 

The various interviews I had with different companies played an important role in preparing me to give my best at my current workplace, In Digital. This was crucial as the creative department, In Studio, had only recently been established by my manager, Grace. My broad skill set - spanning the design process from strategy through to creation - earned me the job. Now I am the second-most senior member of our team, and work for various clients, including the Financial Times, Investors’ Chronicle, Vorwerk and more. 

Tell us about some of the favourite projects you’ve worked on in the last couple of years.

There are so many! Working with the Financial Times on their App Store Optimisations (ASO) has been exciting. One particular product is FT Edit, which offers a daily dose of the FT in eight stories, ranging from arts, food, science, tech, and more. This product was new, and as creative performers, we worked with the FT to understand why people should subscribe to FT Edit. To do this, we needed to build a strategy and understand the product proposition, and then A/B test different app screen previews to find out what resonates with their audience. The success of this project led to us working across three apps within the FT, and produce creatives across paid media, FT Weekend Festival, and a print opportunity. 

Another favourite project of mine is an internal one, which was the full rebrand of the agency! Although In Digital is the main brand, we have In Studio and In Science (our data science team). However, In Digital’s previous branding limited the ability to showcase these other areas of the company, and did not align with how we present ourselves within the industry.

The rebrand allowed me to really show off my expertise with the company to various stakeholders, and examine the full breadth of our brand values. The outcome delivered was a brand identity that is flexible, yet works for the 21st century, allowing In Studio and In Science to have their own identities for the first time across the website, email signatures, presentations, and more.