Since graduating from The Northern School of Art’s BA (Hons) Illustration for Commercial Application course, Nicole Carberry has built a varied creative career combining illustration, design, education and entrepreneurship. Her experience has taken her from delivering creative workshops while travelling internationally to running her own freelance design and printing business and developing creative learning materials.
Nicole spent two years working onboard P&O Cruises as an Art Host Coordinator, delivering creative workshops and activities to guests while travelling internationally. The role allowed her to put her creative and communication skills into practice with a wide range of audiences, while gaining experience in delivering engaging art activities in a unique international setting.
Alongside her work in creative education and engagement, Nicole founded Crop’d Design, a freelance design and printing business producing branding, business stationery, marketing materials, merchandise, garments and personalised gifts. Through the business, she works with businesses, community groups and individuals, creating bespoke designs and illustrations that can be applied across a wide range of printed and physical products.
Crop’d Design has also given Nicole the opportunity to take her creative work directly into her local community. She regularly attends markets and events, hosting stalls and interactive heat-press experiences, while also taking on commissioned illustration projects. Her work has included creating a sci-fi zine for Comics Youth, as well as competition merchandise, medal designs and branding for Middlesbrough Shotokan Karate.
Nicole’s career brings together many of the skills developed through Illustration for Commercial Application, from creating original illustrations and developing visual ideas to adapting artwork for different audiences, products and purposes. Her freelance business has allowed her to explore the commercial potential of illustration while developing experience in client work, branding, production and running a creative enterprise.
Her work as a Learning Materials Designer adds another dimension to her creative career, combining her interests in illustration, communication and education. The role allows Nicole to use her design skills to create materials that communicate ideas clearly and engage learners.
From illustration and design to creative workshops, freelance commissions and learning materials, Nicole’s career demonstrates the diverse ways the skills developed through Illustration for Commercial Application can be applied. Her journey shows how studying illustration can provide a foundation for a creative career that extends well beyond traditional studio practice.
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cropd.design