Women In Design – feat. Tabitha Stead

We had the pleasure of chatting with Tabitha Stead, Designer at Sunhouse Creative, a B Corp™  certified independent brand design agency working from a beautiful studio in Bath. 

The purpose of article series ‘Women In Design’ is to feature, showcase and share the reality of being a woman in design. We gather and showcase stories, career journeys, as well as advice and wisdom. 

Could you please introduce yourself as well as your background?

Tabitha: I’m Tabitha, a Designer at Sunhouse Creative, an independent and positively different brand and packaging agency in Bath.

Since I graduated University in 2018, I have explored many avenues of the design industry. I went straight into a 3 month internship where I got my first taste of brand design, and from there, I have worked in various agencies. All were specialising in different areas of design, such as spatial design, marketing, advertising, illustration, digital design, motion, customer experience and engagement.

I loved exploring these different design disciplines, but I always knew my heart was set on brand and packaging. That’s when I decided to approach Sunhouse. I sent in my portfolio and asked if they’d consider taking me on; to my surprise, they did! I had limited design experience in Fast Moving Consumer Goods, but I was willing to learn and knew that with my determination and passion, my skills would be transferable. I still have lots to learn, but we never stop learning as designers. It’s what makes being a designer so fun!

I have been loving my time at Sunhouse so far, and I feel so lucky to be part of an agency that isn’t only super fun and supportive to work for but also has strong values, becoming B Corp certified and a member of 1% for the planet!

In an attempt to capture some of the Wisdom you’ve gained as a woman in the design sector so far, what are 5 “stand-out things” you’ve learned that you’d like to pass on to your peers as well as the future generation of talent within your Sector?

Tabitha:

1. Have confidence and take big leaps. When facing a big decision, or doing something out of your comfort zone, e.g. applying for a new job, ask yourself, ’what have I got to lose?’. If you only have something to gain, why wouldn’t you try and see what happens? I have lived by this mantra since I left University and it has helped boost my confidence, as you never know what could happen, who you could meet or what it may lead to!
2. Stay relevant and inspired. Going to talks and events and networking with like-minded people can be fun and may open you up to opportunities in the future. It will also allow you to keep up with current trends and stay inspired.
3. Communication is key! Always ask for feedback. Whether positive or negative, it all helps you grow! Also, don’t be afraid to ask questions. We’ve all been beginners, and being inquisitive will only show that you’re keen and willing to better yourself.
4. Practise what you enjoy in your spare time. For example, I love to watch tutorials and learn more skills to not only better myself but also potentially teach others around me something new.
5. Don’t be afraid of making mistakes. I’m guilty of being a bit of a perfectionist and have, in the past, been worried about getting things wrong. But we’re all human and as long as we embrace and learn from our mistakes, we’ll become more resilient and better versions of ourselves.

What is your take on the importance of role models?

Tabitha: In the past 5 years, I’ve had various managers and mentors, good and bad! Good role models are essential as they set an example of the kind of person you want to be. The best managers I’ve had have inspired me, given me direction and made me the person I am today. Alternatively, I have had some memorable poor role models, but these experiences can be just as meaningful if you’re willing to learn from them.