Therese Petre

Ex-MCA Graphic Design New Media student, Therese Petre has worked abroad (UK) since the completion of her degree but is now back in Australia and enjoying the work of an Art Director.

When did you graduate? First job after completing your degree?
I graduated in 2000. First job: Wollongong Uni Printery - Designer / Graphic Artist.

What is your current position & location ?
Current position: Art Director: @ Saatchi & Saatchi - Sydney

How long have you been there & What do you like / dislike about it ?
I have been at Saatchi's for almost two months. It's my first role as an Art Director. The agency work here is exciting. The most immetiate difference with this role compared with that of Design roles is that it's much more hands on. With less time away from the computer and more time working on location I exist in the industry more happily. At this stage in my career I feel challenged, useful and content to float here for a while.

Any comments about the course and how it prepared you for employment?
I do feel that the course lecturers were great and in turn helped the course itself in preparing the students for employment. There was a strong emphasis
on the conceptual creative process and the breakdown of design. I understood and was inspired by what I learned. It was at the time of the degree sometimes hard to find the relevance between things such as 'the lady and the unicorn tapestry - its iconography and allegory' and the commercial graphic design industry but of course its relevance is continually proven. It is so important the commercial industry to be able to confidently
dissect, understand, inspire and communicate ideas your clients.

Any other comments about studying / working in the design ?
I'm still sickeningly loving what I do most days. When the pressure is on in Advertising, it's really on. It's great to be pushed creatively though. Contarary to what I predicted whilst studying, creative commercial work still leaves me feeling fulfilled. At the end of the day it's a job but one that to me has lead me to travel, make great friends and put what skills I
have to good use.

Contact Therese Petre >

Page Updated February 21, 2006