Let’s Get Creative!
Edinburgh College of Art graduate and Pinso founder, Paul Duddy, talks to us about innovation, creativity, and how to buck the trend in a difficult economic climate.
| Name | Degree Course | Year of Graduation |
|---|---|---|
| Paul Duddy | Product Design | 2011 |
Could you tell us about how you came to study product design at Edinburgh College of Art?
I had just completed my working year out in architecture and decided I wanted to diversify my skills and experience. I choose to study product design as I felt designing products and experiences with the end user being so closely related to the design was fascinating.
I had looked at a number of institutions but finally chose ECA for a number of reasons. It has a great reputation for art and design and, after visiting the college, seeing the facilities and speaking to the lecturers, I knew it was where I wanted to study.
I chose to study product design as I felt designing products and experiences with the end user being so closely related to the design was fascinating.
What was the student experience like at Edinburgh College of Art?
ECA was fun and informative and I learnt a lot. They encouraged a get-up-and- go attitude, the environment was very open and the relationship between departments was excellent. If I needed equipment from a different department e.g. jewellery and sculpture, then you just had to ask.
ECA is a very positive place to be, there’s a buzz that you can feel in the buildings. It feels like anything is possible and no idea is stupid. The environment nurtures imagination and creativity. Just walking down the corridors reveals interesting and inspiring projects on the walls.
What happened next? Why did you establish Pinso?
After completing my studies I took some time off and travelled to Taiwan where there is a strong and growing community of creatives working on a diverse range of projects. It was while I was in Taiwan that I had the idea to start a site focused on creative graduates.
At the time the world economy could be only described as ‘awful’ and this was negatively affecting new graduate opportunities. I set up a blog and started writing articles on how great creative graduates and their projects are. I focused on the people and their work, highlighting all of the things that make them a great creative.
At the time the world economy could only be described as ‘awful’ and this was negatively affecting new graduate opportunities.
I feel people often overlook how much hard work goes into creating a project especially when making projects on a shoestring budget. Since starting Pinso in the middle of summer 2012, the visitor numbers have increased month on month and we have grown into a team of 8 people sharing the same goal.
We have introduced the first in a series of free Pinso creative graduate books entitled 'Tell the Future', as well as adding the Pinso Collaboration Boards - a place where students, graduates and practicing creatives can meet and work collaboratively on exciting new projects.
What would be your advice to current students?
My advice to students would be ‘start’. Whatever it is you are working on, whether you’re in your first year or your final year, just ‘start’.
The earlier you start your project whether it be a blog, events, a design, a sculpture the more knowledge you will have which opens up opportunities in the future. It could be coursework or it could be a side project that you are working on once a week but by actually doing it you will learn so much so quickly and will likely meet people along the way that will support your project.
Get used to the feeling of sticking your neck out - it's not so bad.
More information
For more information about Pinso, including details of how to contribute to the Collaboration Boards, can be found on the website.
