My Journey As a Junior Designer

The past year has been a year of transition. I went from being a design student working part-time in hospitality to stepping into my first ever full-time role as a Junior Designer at Blendsmiths. It’s been both a big learning curve and an incredibly rewarding journey.  

Before joining, I spent months improving my portfolio, job hunting, and learning the art of patience. Rejection was a tough pill to swallow at first, but I’ve come to realise that every “no” simply cleared the way for the right “yes.” That “yes” turned out to be Blendsmiths, a place that feels like the perfect blend of creativity, craft, and purpose.  

Settling In  

Starting my first full-time design role felt both exciting and nerve-racking. University teaches you how to think creatively, but working in the industry teaches you how to apply that creativity to real-world challenges. It’s a shift from designing for yourself to designing for a brand with defined values, storytelling, and emotive connection.  

What struck me most about Blendsmiths is the passion that runs through everything we do, from the sourcing of ingredients to how each product is brought to life visually. It’s a brand that really cares about quality, details, balance, and the experience it creates for people.  

A Day in the Life  

My days are wonderfully varied; no two are ever quite the same. One day, I might be sketching concepts for logos or preparing visuals for social media and Amazon, the next, I’m working on packaging layouts, refining designs for print, or creating assets for a seasonal campaign. Product tastings, team days out of the office and trade shows make our roles fun and exciting.  

In the past three months, everything I have been doing at Blendsmiths has been a highlight for me. I recently helped design a sustainability report, which taught me a lot about handling large amounts of content and maintaining visual consistency. Now I’m working on our Christmas campaign, and it’s been fun to capture the warmth, excitement, and personality of the season in a way that still feels true to Blendsmiths.   

Learning the Ropes  

The biggest change from university has been understanding how design fits into the bigger picture. At Blendsmiths, design isn’t just about making something look good, it’s about communicating clearly, solving problems, the power of details, supporting the business, and connecting with people.  

I’ve also realised how much collaboration matters. Working closely with an experienced team has been an education in itself, watching how ideas evolve, how feedback shapes outcomes, and how teamwork elevates the final piece.  

What’s surprised me most so far is how much personal growth comes from simply showing up every day and being willing to learn. Confidence was something I struggled with early on. The classic imposter syndrome that comes from being new. However, over these three months, I’ve learned that confidence doesn’t mean knowing everything; it means being curious, open, and unafraid to ask questions.  

Looking Ahead  

Looking back, these past few months have been a mix of challenges, learning, and small losses and wins. I’m proud of how far I’ve come - from graduation and navigating the uncertainty of job hunting, to finding a place that supports and pushes me creatively every day.  

Looking ahead, I’m excited and looking forward to continuing to build my skills, exploring motion and storytelling in my work, and continuing to grow within such a passionate and caring team. I couldn’t have asked for a better start to my design journey than here at Blendsmiths.