From apprentice to regional design lead.

Hello! I’m Callum, and I currently work in local government as a Design and Content Officer at Winchester City Council, where I’ve spent the last few years leading on design, branding, photography and digital content. Alongside that, I’ve also recently taken on the role of Regional Design Lead for Hampshire and the Solent’s new combined authority project, helping shape the branding and creative direction for something that will affect millions of people across the region..

CALLUM WHITE, HAMPSHIRE, UK

VISUAL COMMUNICATION LEVEL 4

Career goals and aspirations

My long-term goal is to continue growing as a creative leader while building work that has genuine impact. I want to push civic and public sector design further, making it feel more modern, human and engaging rather than cold or overly corporate.

I’d also love to continue developing my own creative projects outside of work, including photography, branding and creative direction.

To achieve this, I’m constantly learning, experimenting and challenging myself creatively. I think one of the biggest lessons I’ve learnt is that you never really stop learning in design.

What got me interested in design?

What first drew me into design was the ability to create something from nothing. I loved the idea that colours, typography, photography and layout could completely change how people feel about something.

I’ve always been interested in branding, storytelling and visuals that make people stop and pay attention. Over time that developed into a passion for creating work that not only looks good but also communicates clearly and connects emotionally with people.

Photography also played a massive part in that. Travelling and taking photos helped me understand composition, storytelling and atmosphere in a completely different way.

Why I chose this course

I wanted to properly develop my design skills and push myself further creatively. Although I already worked in the industry, I knew there were areas I wanted to strengthen and improve.

I found out about the Creative Design School online and was immediately interested because the course felt practical, modern and focused on real creative development rather than just theory. It felt approachable and flexible, which worked really well alongside a full-time career.

Why I signed up with Creative Design School

What stood out to me most was how supportive and accessible the school felt. The course allowed me to continue learning while balancing work and personal projects, and it gave me the opportunity to refine both my technical skills and creative thinking.

I also liked seeing the work of previous students because it showed how varied everyone’s creative journeys were.

Advice to others thinking about a creative career

Don’t wait until you feel “ready” because you probably never will.

One of the biggest things I’ve learnt is that creativity grows through doing. Start creating work, experiment, make mistakes and keep improving. Your early work will never be perfect and that’s completely normal.
Also, don’t compare your journey to everyone else’s. Social media can make it feel like everyone has everything figured out, but most creatives are still learning as they go.

And finally, build work that feels like you. The strongest creative work usually comes from personality, passion and authenticity.

Is an online course worth it?

Absolutely.

For me, the flexibility was one of the biggest advantages. Being able to study around work meant I could immediately apply what I was learning to real-world projects.

An online course also allows you to learn at your own pace and revisit areas you want to improve on. If you’re motivated and genuinely interested in creativity, it can be incredibly valuable.

What's next?

Now that I’ve finished the course, I’m excited to continue building both my professional career and personal creative projects. I’ll continue working in local government design while developing my photography and creative work further. I also want to keep exploring creative storytelling, digital branding and visual identity work.
Most importantly, I just want to keep creating.

What I've completed during the course?

Throughout the course I worked on a wide range of projects including branding, publication design, digital layouts, creative campaigns and photography-led design work.

Some of my favourite projects involved creating branding concepts, editorial layouts and public-facing campaigns that balance strong visuals with clear communication.

Photography became a huge part of my creative process too, especially combining travel photography with graphic design and visual storytelling.

Links and socials
Instagram: @snaps_by_cal
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/callum-white-5b8115160

Final thoughts

Finishing this course feels like another important step in my creative journey. It’s helped strengthen my confidence, develop my skills and push my creativity further.

Design is constantly evolving and that’s what makes it exciting. There’s always something new to learn, explore and create.

I’d also like to thank Pete, my course tutor, for all of his support throughout the course. His encouragement, feedback and guidance really helped me develop my confidence creatively and continue pushing my work further. Having someone who genuinely supports your growth as a designer makes a huge difference, and I’m really grateful for the time and effort he put into helping me throughout the course.