Gina Balic
19
Bachelor of Multimedia & Digital Arts (Monash Caulfield)
I originally wanted to be a pure graphic designer, but with the recent technological boom I realised that there was so much more out there than to just be a graphic designer. That term is thrown around so loosely these days that anyone can seem to be a 'graphic designer'. Only people in the design loop understand what it is to actually be one. In saying that I decided to combine my design skills to apply myself to something else that fascinated me, filmmaking and interactivity. So I chose to study multimedia.
What kind of design do you specialise in?
I like to think of myself as an all-rounder, I love learning new things and I wont say no to a new venture, it excites me. I have worked in graphic design, made films, created games, websites and basic apps, worked in print and also interactivity.
What does being a designer mean to you?
Being a designer to me means everything, I believe as a designer you have to be immersed in your work to the core. Design isn't your average 9-5 day job, and you have to be prepared for just about anything and everything. This has proven true many times, about to finish my second year of uni, it has been one hell of a rollercoaster ride. However one that I have enjoyed every bit of. It's hard to put into words the feeling you get waking up and knowing you are doing what you love, knowing the opportunities that are out there for you.
What do you feel are the troubles with being a student designer?
I feel that some issues with being a student designer are that we aren't exposed enough to the context of the 'real world' and this setback renders many students incapable of being employable upon completion of their courses. This isn't mean to dishearten, just to inspire student designers to be more hungry to get themselves and their work exposed!
Do you have an ideology as a designer?
Keep it simple.
Funnily enough it is an area I struggle in, so I use it as a reminder that not everything needs to be fitted onto one design, designs NEED TO BREATHE ! Do not suffocate them.
Who are you inspired by?
I am mostly inspired by my father, who created his own business from scratch after coming to a country where he barely spoke the language. 10 years later looking at him now and the success and pure happiness he has brought himself inspires me. You really can do anything if you are doing what you love and you set your mind to it.
What keeps you going in terms of motivation?
My strongest motivator is the fact that I know I am of a very small percentage in this world who actually gets paid to do what I absolutely love. Design is not my day job. Design is my life.
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GINA
BALIC