Name:	Tom Stutt
Creative Field:	Graphic, web design and some illustration
Location:	Bristol
Website:	www.tomstuttdesign.co.uk

  

Describe yourself in three words…

Optimistic, focused and always happy.

Tell us about your background…

I started work at 17 in a reprographics department where I stayed for four years. I then moved to the IT department which is currently where I'm based as an IT Support Technician. However, since my school days I've loved to design so as from September this year I decided to persue my passion and go freelance. I'm also studying a degree with The Open University in Technology - Design and Innovation.

Tell us about what you do!

Design has been a passion of mine since leaving school. During my career in IT, I felt there was something missing. I've always been creative so I thought 'let's get back into something that I love doing' and that's when I decided to start my own business.

Who or what inspires you?

Since discovering Lisa Tse on Creative Boom I've become a big fan. I love her work which is awesome and just the way she presents herself and goes about her business. It's very elegant and professionally done. She's very inspiring.

What has been your proudest moment so far?

My proudest design moment was getting my first client. I was so happy when I got the call, I just wanted to start work straight away. But my proudest moment in life was two things really. It was getting married to the woman of my dreams and having my beautiful daughter, all in the same year.

And your greatest project?

Well, I haven't had many projects so far as I'm fairly new to the business but I would say the first project I ever did was my greatest... which was designing a website for a local mobile disco. It wasn't a massive project but I was very proud when I'd finished.

What do you hope to be doing in five years time?

I hope that in five years my name will be known in the design world and that I'll become someone that design studios want to work with. I would also like my own studio, taking on design projects abroad as well as in the UK.

When you aren’t being creative, you are…?

Either watching football and films but mainly, when I'm not working, I'm at home with my family. We love going out together and spending quality family time.

Anything exciting ongoing or in the pipeline?

I'm currently updating my own website and doing some graphic work for another local disco. I'm also going to create a website for my mum who is an editor/proof reader/graphic designer.

Finally, any words of wisdom to other creative people?

I'm not sure this is wisdom as I don't have a mass of experience but for new designers - just to keep at it! Come up with a strong portfolio, get your head down and work hard. It will work out for you and you will pick up projects in the end.