Celebrating Women In our Industry
This week we celebrate the creative women at UNBXD who make us who we are.
Today we are giving the blog over to a few of our team members to speak about how they got started in the industry, what they do at UNBXD, and how we can all improve our workplaces together to make it an equal, and inclusive environment.
Lisa Drake, Graphic Designer.
Tell us a little about yourself and your role at UNBXD?
Hello I am Lisa, Middle-Weight Graphic Designer at UNBXD. I have been at UNBXD for around 18 months, starting as an Intern back in the summer of 2019, while studying at university.
How did you get started in this industry?
I studied a BA (Hons) Graphic Design degree at Arts University Bournemouth and graduate in May 2020.
What positive strides have you seen and experienced being a women in the creative sector? and how do you think as an industry, we can work together to improve prospects for women?
I always try to think of something different to say every international women’s day but really… the truth is each and every year the same issues remain. There’s a gross imbalance of equality. I wrote about ‘Women In Design’ primarily while study at university, to find that the creative industry is sorely lacking in female leadership, shocked by the statistic. 63% of Graphic Design students are women, which I could see this first hand within my degree course; YET only 17% are Creative Directors…. Overall women make up only 22% of design workforce.
After the many discussions I had this International Womens Days with various women in the creative industry, the key point is the need to address the imbalance and draw focus to it all year round, not just annually.
“The truth is in the data: male and women designers aren’t receiving equal pay. Equal pay has become a reward you get for being brave enough to ask. That’s why, when it comes to conversations about money, it’s critical to stay informed about the job market, both local and global.” - Invision App
There are many hurdles when it comes to gender equality in the design field: a lack of female leadership, a significant pay gap, and the complex issues of unconscious bias… to name a few. Gender diversity in the workplace MUST be a priority—it’s 2021, and high time we leveled out the playing field!
Compared to many other industries, the design has actually come a long way, and women have always been part of the lifeblood of the design world—whether or not their contributions were acknowledged at the time. Talking to many female creatives recently on clubhouse many are hopeful for a more inclusive future because of the nature of design itself. The goal of design lies not simply in economics, it’s about creating something—from a typeface or logo to an entire brand identity—that speaks to and represents the world around us.
Anna Fjodorva, Digital Marketing Assistant
Tell us a little about yourself and your role at UNBXD?
Hi, my name is Anna, and I’m working as a digital marketing assistant at UNBXD. The main areas of my responsibility are social media, paid social media advertising and email marketing. I joined the agency 6 months ago, and I’m enjoying it a lot!
How did you get started in this industry?
In 2015 I moved to the UK to study PR & digital communications at Bournemouth University. I loved the academic environment, and I believe that it was the most influential period of my life in terms of my personal growth. I felt so much energy and motivation that I joined a communications agency as a volunteer a few months into my course and never stopped working in the industry ever since. Later, I worked as a marketing project coordinator, freelance marketer and social media manager for clients in beauty, IT, entertainment, fashion and more. I believe marketing is a natural fit for me because it is a beautiful coexistence of analytics, innovation and creativity, and I’m all about it!
What positive strides have you seen and experienced being a woman in the creative sector?
It is probably meeting other talented women and being inspired by their brilliant minds, bright personalities, creativity, and strength. Unfortunately, there wasn’t enough representation of women leaders in the creative industry when growing up. However, it changed when I moved to the UK. I gravitated towards great women, met amazing friends and started learning more about feminism and how it could help the industry develop with equal opportunities, representation and comfort for women, non-binary people and men.
How do you think as an industry, we can work together to improve prospects for women?
Let’s start with the parenting and education system. Women need to know they are perfect no matter how they look, who they love or what they do, they are enough. We grow up with a perception that women are less important than men, which makes girls realise they need to constantly compete in every area of their life, not only with men but also among themselves, to achieve visibility and for their voice to be heard.
It is important to include soft skills in academic studies. More females than males study creative arts subjects, but a smaller proportion of women go into creative jobs after graduation. Therefore, it is essential to provide creative students opportunities to develop the soft skills necessary for working in the industry, such as assertiveness, communication and self-promotion, to better prepare for work in the industry.
We should also offer placements and work experience to young women and provide training to secure a permanent role. Another important aspect of it is to provide role models. Universities and colleges should draw attention to women working in the industry and balance the work they use as inspiration to showcase to graduates the potential opportunities available to them.
It is also important to raise awareness against bias, share and shout about fantastic work in the industry, created by and spearheaded by women.
Lastly, we need to stop evaluating women’s professional abilities based on their look or age. Every hard-working woman in the industry is worth the same salary, leadership position and treatment their male colleagues have. Besides, women need to support each other. We understand each other’s pain, and together, we can make great changes!
Lauren Baker, Web Developer
Tell us a little about yourself and your role at UNBXD?
Hi, I’m Lauren and I have recently joined UNBXD as a Web Developer. I have only been here a short amount of time but I have loved every minute.
How did you get started in this industry?
I actually never planned to be a Web Developer. When I had to decide which GCSEs to take it was a 50/50 between Social Care or creative subjects. I eventually came to the conclusion I have a real passion for art & design. After going onto study Photography, Computer Science and Graphic design at A-Level, I decided carrying on in a school environment wasn’t for me. I soon after landed myself an apprenticeship as a Junior Web Developer at my previous workplace where I continued for 7 years before joining UNBXD, realising I am in the exact career I wan’t to be in. I really enjoy working with an exciting range of clients and the freedom to be creative and help clients business grow.
What positive strides have you seen and experienced being a woman in the creative sector?
I’ve seen a lot of instances where equality between men and women hasn’t always been a priority. While studying at school being the only female in graphic design & computer science classes. Both creative subjects but very driven by a male audience. Since becoming a Web Developer it has been amazing to see women take a real stand in the creative industry, with my previous team being majority female. Joining UNBXD I have met women in all different creative departments. We all have a talent and it is brilliant to see it growing.
How do you think as an industry, we can work together to improve prospects for women?
Continuing to give women the same opportunities to utilise their creativity within a growing industry. Although I didn’t follow a social care career path, I did instead become a Girl Guide Leader. I have an amazing bunch of young women who too have the same passion for art as I did at their age, due to this I give them as many opportunities to develop their talent as I can. It is inspiring to watch a younger generation be carefree and want to be part of our industry so I spend my time hoping to be a great role model and proof that women can always be as equal.
Although I haven’t been with UNBXD long I am happy to say as a company we give excellent opportunities and equality to both men and women.
We want to say a big thank you to everyone who wanted to share their thoughts about gender equality within our industry. We all have a part to play to make sure not only is everyone heard, but everyone has the same opportunities.
