Michelle Green, graphic designer and pre-press for GK Signs
Michelle Green, graphic designer and pre-press for GK Signs, explains her journey into the print industry and what her advice would be for those wanting to join.
When and where did you get your start in the industry? What is your background?
I completed my BA in Graphic Design at Vega School in Johannesburg, South Africa, and shortly after graduating I moved to the UK. I began my career at The Pen Warehouse as an Artworker, where I spent three years learning a wide range of print processes, including screen and pad printing, laser engraving, and digital printing. I was trained on numerous machines, which gave me a solid technical foundation. About five months ago, I joined GK Signs, and it’s been another great learning experience. I’ve transitioned from small-scale printing (pens, bottles, notebooks, etc.) to large-scale printing (truck livery, signage, etc.) making it an exciting step in my career.
What do you enjoy most about your job at GK Signs and working in the print industry?
What I enjoy most is the opportunity to work on some genuinely exciting projects. Every day is different, and there’s always something happening, which makes the job both mentally stimulating and rewarding. One of the best parts of being at GK Signs is how collaborative the team is. It’s a truly team-oriented environment where everyone communicates openly and works together towards the same goal.
You were recently recognised as a Rising Star by The Printing Charity. How did you feel about this and what does it mean for your future career in the print industry?
It was a surreal moment, and I’m extremely grateful to The Printing Charity for considering me and selecting me alongside such exceptional winners this year. The award has given me an invaluable opportunity to recognise my own potential and pursue skills that will be highly beneficial for my career. Winning has also opened up valuable networking opportunities, and I’ve already had the chance to meet some impressive figures in the print industry as well as my fellow winners at the award ceremony.
How do you plan to use your Rising Star Award?
With the funding from The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Award, I was able to select five different training courses. These included beginner and intermediate Adobe After Effects, as well as three stages of HTML5 and CSS. I chose the Adobe After Effects courses to develop motion-graphics skills, as I’ve always seen motion design as a versatile and valuable skill that can be used for many different design purposes. I selected the HTML5 and CSS courses because I’ve long been interested in how websites are built and how to make them more user-friendly and visually engaging. So far, I’ve completed two stages of the HTML5 and CSS courses and plan to finish the remaining training next year. I’ve really enjoyed the learning process – it has reignited my passion for design, and I’m excited to see where these new skills will take me.
What advice do you have for other young people looking to get started with their own career in the print industry?
The print industry is always evolving, so it’s important to stay up to date with new software, machines, and materials to remain relevant. It’s important to be adaptable as every day is never the same, whether you’re handling large projects, new customers, or tight deadlines. Everything is a learning opportunity and mistakes will happen, so don’t be too hard on yourself when things don’t go as planned. Be open to opportunities like The Printing Charity’s Rising Star Awards and similar programmes as you’ll never know what you’re capable of if you don’t give it a chance.
Would you recommend working in the print industry? If so, why?
Yes, I personally find the print industry extremely rewarding as you get to see the final result and feel a real sense of pride knowing that you played a part in creating it. I still remember the excitement of seeing something I worked on out in the real world for the first time and I still feel the same excitement today. If you enjoy working in a fast-paced, technical environment and want to create work that feels meaningful and tangible then I would definitely recommend the print industry.
What skills and advice have you picked up over time that have stuck with you?
I’ve gained valuable skills across a wide range of machines and software over the past few years. Understanding how the production equipment works has really helped me when designing and setting up artwork for pre-press, because it gives me a clearer idea of what the production team needs. I’ve also learned that building strong relationships with people in different departments, such as sales and production, makes a huge difference. It not only helps you improve in your role but also makes the workflow smoother because at the end of the day you’re all a team.
What is it that you enjoy most about working in the print industry?
I’d have to say the best part is the feeling I get when I see something printed, installed, or posted on social media that I played a role in creating, especially when it’s been a challenging project. I think we all want to feel like we’re making a difference in the world and for me it’s seeing something I’ve created out in the world that makes me feel proud and valued. I’ve also found that the people in the print industry are wonderful, and I’ve been able to build some really meaningful relationships over the past few years.
