In Conversation with Paris Singer
As an ambidextrous thinker, my journey in design spans nearly 30 years—a career defined by creativity, humour, and an unyielding passion for both client and team success. From my early days dreaming of a creative life, I embraced design with a fervour that quickly became my true calling. I thrive on the ever-changing landscape of the work, whether it’s strategising for tech startups or refining established retail brands. “No two days are alike” isn’t just a saying—it’s the mantra that keeps me energised and engaged. Embracing creative freedom, global perspectives, and continuous learning, I cherish the stimulating challenges of cross-industry clients and celebrate the dynamic, ever-evolving nature of the creative industry.
How did you get into the creative industry– was it by accident or design?
It was definitely by design (no pun intended) however it was anything but a traditional path. As a teen I knew the career I wanted to pursue. The secondary school I attended was into more academic led pursuits eg. Law / commerce etc.. Elective subjects such as Graphic Design and Art History were attended in low numbers by comparison, but I loved every minute of them.
In hindsight, I was incredibly fortunate to gain entry into RMIT’s visual communication course on the strength of my folio. It didn’t take me long to realise that I had a lot to learn and had NO idea as to how naive and inexperienced I was. Long story short, I never completed the course. Endeavouring to embark on a professional career in the creative industry in the early 90’s amid a recession was far from ideal and with little to no opportunities presented to me, borrowed $10k, bought 2 Macs and started a design business with a mate. It’s scary to be reflecting on this at a time when many within the industry are facing a similar situation some 30 years later!
If you could change something about the creative industry what would it be?
Gender equality and ageism are 2 areas that are no brainers to me when it comes to necessary changes. Beyond that, my dream would be for a better understanding and appreciation of the value of brand at a c-suite level.
So far, what’s been the biggest challenge of your career.
Far too many to mention!
I’ve witnessed the good, the bad and ugly of the industry.
From a selfish point of view, redundancy is a bitter pill to swallow at the time but looking back, they were blessings in disguise.
Obviously, things that are beyond one’s control eg. market volatility, pandemic etc. can be all consuming. Mike Tyson’s infamous quote “Everyone has a plan: until they get punched in the face.”, sums this up pretty well.
Name three essential things someone starting out in creative should know from day one.
Don’t get sucked into the smoke and mirrors.
Don’t be scared to ask.
Don’t be a dick!
What do you think the future holds for your industry?
Creative thinkers will continue to thrive irrespective of what technology comes our way.
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