Will Amesbury recently joined Mtech Access as a Graphic Designer working on our digital tools and customer communication materials. In this interview, he tells us about his experiences and activities in his first few weeks with us.
What led you to pursue a career in graphic design?
I studied Design For Industry at Northumbria University, where I was exposed to a large range of design skills and approaches through service design, User Interface/User Experience (UI/UX) and product design projects.
Whilst at university, I also completed a live digital design project with the NHS to help community dentists communicate better with their patients. This involved designing the layout and wireframes for a communication aid for use on iPads, and filming and editing a video prototype.
After graduating in 2018, I spent 3 years as a product designer at a consultancy in North Yorkshire. Whilst here, I worked on creating visual identities for Medical/Consumer products, through aesthetic styling on products as well as associated branding materials. I also conducted usability reviews, assessing new concepts to determine how they function, where and how they would be used in different environments, and whether the product could do more to help the user. Ultimately, I was trying to make ideas fail in order to improve them later down the line.
It was whilst doing the branding and visual identity work on projects that I realised that I wanted to pursue a career in graphic and digital design.
What attracted you to the Graphic Designer role at Mtech Access?
I was attracted to the role at Mtech Access as I was looking for somewhere that I could develop my digital and web design skills by working on a variety of projects, whilst also using my user-centred design approach that I’d developed whilst being a product designer. Mtech Access offered this in abundance.
Something that also attracted me to the role was the chance of being part of a growing design team and contribute to the development of the design function at Mtech Access.
What have you got involved in during your first few weeks at Mtech Access?
In my first few weeks at Mtech Access, as well as meeting the team members from across the country, I’ve been working on optimising designs and ensuring digital tools are aligned with the client’s branding on a variety of projects, including budget impact models. I have created design concepts for both iPad and Web tools from scratch, whilst also developing the artwork for existing materials. This has involved updating graphs and charts to modernise the design and align with the client’s latest brand guidelines. I’ve also been working on updating internal demos to optimise the design, in line with some of Mtech Access’s latest client work.
I have also been supporting colleagues with the design of infographics and sharing design skills and knowledge to help inform and shape other projects. For example, I have been supporting our marketing department with the design of graphics for use on our social media channels and website, as well as working alongside different teams, such as medical writers and developers.
What has surprised you most about Mtech Access?
After working my first couple of months at Mtech Access, I’ve found that firstly the culture is a great fit for anyone looking to develop and grow in their role; everyone is always willing to take time out of their day to help and share their expertise when possible.
Secondly, I was able to jump in at ‘the deep end’ and get hands on with live projects immediately. This was a great experience and way to get up to speed with Mtech Access’s internal process and project lifecycle.
When you are not at work, what do you like to do?
Outside of work I like to do and participate in general health and fitness activities as well as doing some photography, although I definitely prefer being behind the lens than in front of it.
To find out more about our design and digital capabilities, and how these are applied across our customer communication materials, email info@mtechaccess.co.uk.
If you are interested in joining our team at Mtech Access, please visit our careers page for details of our current vacancies.
