Describe the Ideal Candidate in three words
KEEN PERSISTENT POSITIVE
What’s the best way to get noticed at application stage? Of course by having a great portfolio, tailored to the studio you are applying to. But the person presenting it has to reflect the work inside. It’s about presenting your work and yourself as a package. Even to the point of what you wear at interview stage. It does not have to be crazy, arty or posh — simply considered, and something that reflects the person’s personality and style of working. An Oscar Wilde quote reads, ‘It is only shallow people who do not judge by appearances. The true mystery of the world is the visible, not the invisible.’
How important is it for you to see personal work? It’s nice to see personal work. Good photography or illustrations are great to look at and sometimes communicate faster than graphics. In many cases, personal work ends up informing commercial projects.
Is what you do in your spare time important or irrelevant? Very important. Most interviews start with a work conversation and then end in a conversation about good restaurants, similar interests, cycling or interesting places to visit. You can always improve a person’s skills, but you can hardly make a person more interesting.
What's the worst thing that you can do in an interview? Come unprepared. You can always tell the people who have done their research and really want to work with you. They know all the insider stuff, because they have been following the studio for awhile — no, not stalking, but knowing the latest projects and main clients.
What’s more important, experience or enthusiasm? Enthusiasm — definitely, but I have to say that, because I am not super- experienced myself. Experience comes with time and hard work, but enthusiasm is hard to learn.
About Sabina Sabina was set up in 2010. Clients include: Fiona Banner — Artist Poppy de Villeneuve — Photographer/Filmmaker Stephanie Simon — Jewellery Tiger’s Eye — Tiger Savage Brand Consultant Bolzoni & Walsh — Fashion