Ian Carr graduated from Postgraduate Diploma Design for Visual Communication in 2009. Ian creates clean, systematic visual solutions to complex data led challenges. Ian has worked closely with LCC in recent times helping design the identity and promotional material for the Centre for Competitive Creative Design (C4D) event in June 2010 and exhibited work at the London Design Festival 2009. Ian's art education did not start in graphics, however, arriving at LCC via a BA in Fine Art.

Why did you choose to go back to studying after a number of years in industry?

I really wanted to further my skills. I became interested in visual communication during my BA in Fine Art. I used to paint large-scale abstract maps that conveyed areas of detritus in the landscape. To me this was visual communication. I then became interested in graphics through photography and never looked back. My work is more about the process than the final outcome which in fact is the most fun part. You never stop learning when you're in industry but you have more opportunities to push boundaries when you are studying at college, and this is something all students must take advantage of.

What were your experiences on the Postgraduate Diploma Design for Visual Communication course?

It's structured so that you're given lots of small projects which means you have to get moving quickly. Feedback was crucial to my progression and I actually got 90% of all my feedback through blackboard. For this I have to thank my tutor Tony Prichard whose motivation and critical appraisals were excellent, meticulous and just what I needed to prepare me for the design world.

From designing to lecturing, it seems you you're always looking to diversify your craft, why is that important to you?

It's all about keeping up-to-date and being motivated. I am very keen with keeping on top with technology and who's doing what. Being part of both the design and lecturing cultures gives me a great insight into new creative and technological techniques that feed of each other.

What has been your involvement with C4D?

I have been working with C4D for almost one year now. I started out working with a group of PhD students from Canfield University, LCC's partner in the project, and things moved on from there. At the beginning the project was very daunting and exceedingly complicated. I had to organise, synthesise, and display large amounts of data, processing vast amounts of complex data and visualising them into easy to understand diagrams. The project was a huge success and very rewarding. It was one of the first times I had worked with a client comprised of five individuals each with their own demands and expectations which had to be brought together in a final product. As a result I was then asked to create the identity for the C4D lecture series. I also designed and created their website and promotional material.

What are your plans for the future?

My aim is to specialise in information design and open a studio with in the next year. I am also planning to continue my studies and research via a PhD. Oh, and try not to spend so much time in front of a computer.

What advice would you give graduating students who are now looking to turn their passion to communicate visually into a business?

Always stand up for your work but be prepared to back down and take criticism when something is really not working. Persistence, determination and skill go a long way. But without purposes or understanding they are nothing. Lots of designers create lovely looking things, but to create something that is both beautiful and functional is really the true goal.

Find out more about Ian and his practice at: www.iancarr.net