Graphic Design Teacher
Brisbane

Jen Hall

Jen Hall is a Brisbane-based brand manager, graphic designer and copywriter with a background in printmaking, journalism and advertising. Her career has led her to work with many brands in different capacities both within creative agencies and in-house. She is currently Brand and Creative Content Manager for Brisbane Festival, one of Australia’s leading international arts festivals.

What do you love about design?

For me, graphic design is the perfect blend of art and advertising. It’s both beautiful and purposeful.

Why do you teach?

Last year was my first time teaching. I’ve always loved helping and mentoring people, so when the opportunity popped up at Shillington, it felt like a natural fit for me—especially because I’m an ex-Shillo grad myself. I’m loving being in the classroom and getting to know my students. It’s exciting to be with them at the start of their creative journey.

Tell us about your design career outside of Shillington.

I graduated from Shillington at the end of 2014. I’d been working in an advertising agency for several years previously in account management and quickly made the jump in-house to Brisbane Festival, where I’m currently Brand and Creative Content Manager. I lead a team of four creatives and together we create thousands of pieces of collateral for the Festival, covering everything from printed program guides and press ads, to large-scale outdoor and site signage, to digital takeovers and social. It’s a wonderful brand to work on that’s much loved in Brisbane and very close to my heart.

Outside of Festival land, I’ve worked as a graphic design consultant for Struber rolling out collateral for clients including City of Gold Coast (2018 Commonwealth Games), Cross River Rail and Aurecon, to name a few.

What or who are you loving right now?

Paula Scher. I love listening to her talk about her career and what she’s learnt along the way. I particularly love her work with The Public Theatre in New York which changed the whole style of theatre advertising. And while it has evolved over the past 25 years, its identity and overall aesthetic has stood the test of time–and that comes down to good design and thinking. She’s definitely a design hero of mine.

If you were a typeface, what would you be?

Helvetica. I’m super chill and don’t like to stand out in a crowd.

What’s your favourite blog?

I don’t really have a favourite blog. I do enjoy a good book, though. Recent purchases include ‘Twenty-five years at the Public: A Love Story’ by–you guessed it–Paula Scher, and a niche one, ‘Fiesta: The Branding and Identity of Festivals’. Both great inspo!