BIMA100 Voices: Amy Boys
Every year, BIMA celebrates 100 of the people who are leading the industry right now. We’re not talking about work and projects – we’re talking about the leaders, pioneers, entrepreneurs and changemakers – the people we look up to. LBB is publishing enlightening conversations with these inspiring people.
In the latest in the BIMA100 Voices series, Appnovation’s EMEA coordinator Charlotte Williams discusses the impact that good design can have on people’s lives.
Tell us about your career path – what led you here?
I started studying Media Production at Bournemouth University in 2015 as I loved producing creative content of all kinds, and through this course I could try my hand at everything that interested me. In my final year I discovered a passion for all things design, so for my final project I designed my sister's brand and website for her new start-up health coaching company. Since then, I've developed my design skills as an artworker and on a graduate scheme at the global digital consultancy, Appnovation.
Who has been your greatest inspiration/mentor to date and why?
Dan Simkins, experience manager, and Amanda Glasgow, experience lead at my current job at Appnovation. They both give me so much time; they encourage me to explore bigger and better ideas and go beyond expectations, and have taught me so much since being here.
What gets you out of bed in the morning? What do you love about what you do?
I believe clever and eye-catching designs can be one of the biggest catalysts in society - good design can either make or break an experience, and it can mean someone will either understand or completely miss the idea or message. So getting to play my part in that process is pretty awesome, and it's always a good feeling seeing something coming together!
Workwise, what’s exciting you most right now?
We're just finishing up creating some assets to go with our 2021/22 graduate programme application. As a current graduate on the scheme, I've been able to provide feedback on how my experience was and suggestions on how it could be improved, as well as help with the designs of the content.
With this feedback in mind, we've designed an 11-page PDF detailing the scheme, what opportunities they'll have, what we'd like to see from them, the benefits they can expect and where they'll be based, as well as a full breakdown of the application process. We're hoping this information will excite future candidates about the different schemes available and give them a really good understanding of what they can expect from the whole process.
I'm so glad we're levelling up the job adverts for the schemes we're offering. I found that finding a job as a graduate was tough, really competitive and quite demotivating due to vague job descriptions and unresponsive companies. Hopefully this will raise the bar for all companies who hope to attract the best talent.
In your career to date, what has given you the biggest sense of pride?
My biggest sense of pride so far has come from helping charities and organisations outside of work with design support, such as creating designs for the African People's Education and Defense Fund (APEDF), and the Basingstoke Gang Show (a variety show and theatrical performance run by the The Scouts and Girlguiding).
What difference has being part of the BIMA100 made – or what difference do you hope it might make?
Being part of the BIMA 100 has given me the opportunity to broaden my network and become part of a wider community of digital creatives. It's opened my eyes to amazing things other people in the industry are doing. I'm excited to see where the class of 2021 go next and hopefully get a date in the diary to meet everyone in person and celebrate properly!
