28 September 2022

A Summer Hill woman with multiple degrees and decades of high-level career experience has credited TAFE NSW with helping give her the practical skills to take her small business to the next level.

Yvonne Frindle’s rich career has included stints with the West Australian Symphony Orchestra as a concert programmer and, most recently, as publications editor for the Sydney Symphony Orchestra.

Long harbouring ambitions to improve her graphic design skills, Ms Frindle seized on the free time presented by COVID lockdowns and enrolled in an Advanced Diploma of Graphic Design at TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore.

Ms Frindle, who runs design and editorial business Frindley, said the qualification provided a “synergy of skills” that helped give her business a unique selling point.

“I’d always wanted to study graphic design properly, and lockdowns meant there were no concerts and very little of my usual work, so I had time to take on a full-time course,” she said.

“I already have a strong academic foundation, so I was after something practical and industry-focused, rather than theoretical. And I’d heard such good things about Design Centre Enmore.

“I knew I’d be learning from teachers who were running design studios of their own and I was confident they’d be across the latest techniques and trends.”

The course’s focus on practical skills gave Ms Frindle and fellow student Ella Gilberg an opportunity to design a social media campaign for TAFE NSW’s counselling service, with the goal of supporting and motivating students during lockdown. The “Students4Students” campaign involved surveying students and designing posters and social media tiles to support their wellbeing and engagement while studying remotely.

“The course really helped me develop the knowledge and skills I needed to do more imaginative and interesting work as a designer, and ultimately expand what I can offer my clients,” Ms Frindle said.

TAFE NSW Design Centre Enmore graphic design teacher Andrew Galvin, who has run his own graphic design business for more than 20 years, said Ms Frindle was a powerful example of how TAFE NSW arms graduates with the practical skills and work experience to thrive.

“TAFE NSW really is the sweet spot for developing the practical, pragmatic skills you need to get on the playing field,” Mr Galvin said.

“We encourage students to focus on what graphic design is all about: creating ideas that sell clients’ services or products.

“TAFE NSW graduates can turn up on the job and have a toolbox of skills ready to go.”

To explore the range of courses available at TAFE NSW and via TAFE Digital, visit www.tafensw.edu.au or phone 131 601 for more information.

Media contact: Dan Johns, TAFE NSW Communications Specialist, mobile 0477 722 428