Welcome Alan Pigram!

Last month we proudly began our involvement with CareerTrackers , a national partnership program placing Indigenous students in paid internship positions.

Their website says this: ‘employers take note: CareerTrackers Alumni represent a generation of Indigenous professionals who will change the landscape – not only of corporate Australia but of the wider Australian society.’ Based on our recent experience, this couldn’t be closer to the truth.

We have been delighted to welcome Alan Pigram to our studio. Alan is a first-year Curtin University student, studying graphic design. We quickly recognised his skill in drawing and put him to task creating a series of digital illustrations that explain some of the work we have been doing in the Northern Territory.

We’ll share some of Alan’s work in the coming weeks, but in the meantime, this is his reflection on his month with us.

I am a proud Yawuru man from the beautiful coastal town of Broome. Growing up in Broome, with five older siblings, I spent a lot of my time around the ocean and camping in remote areas.

I’ve spent the last few years in Perth working and studying and am currently undergoing a degree majoring in graphic design at Curtin University. I enjoy the outdoors, the arts, sport and am very passionate about music.

And just like that, I have found myself at the end of my 4-week winter internship at The Fulcrum Agency. This time has been beneficial in a multitude of ways. Not only have I been able to find myself some paid work as a student, I’ve also had the experience of working alongside some inspiring people doing inspiring work.

My time at Fulcrum has been invaluable as a first-year graphic design student. Finding my footing as a designer has been difficult and trying to stand out in a sea of talent is a real struggle but having this experience has been two steps in the right direction.

Seeing architectural plans, hearing conversations, watching problems being solved, all in a real-world workplace, these are things they don’t teach in the classroom. Working around architects has given me different perspectives on handling design problems and the importance of communication. During my time here, I’ve been involved in the GAHP and SRODI projects and I’m proud of the work I have produced.

With the help of CareerTrackers, and my advisor Melissa, I had the opportunity most students seldom encounter. One of my first conversations with Melissa talked about my niche goal of working for a small, boutique design firm, preferably in Fremantle. Ask and you shall receive, I guess.

I am eternally thankful to the whole team for their hospitality, knowledge, and the experience I’ve gained. I have found myself, after only four weeks, being more curious and conscious of how my contributions to design can affect others. Looking forward to finishing the semester ahead so I can return for summer!