Alumni Spotlight
Tyler Cole (2024)
After leaving Cobram AGS in 2024 for a work opportunity, Tyler Cole has quickly found his feet in a career he is passionate about with The Sign Society.
From developing creative skills at school to working in a dynamic and hands-on industry, Tyler's journey highlights the many pathways available to young people pursuing a career in the creative sector. We caught up with Tyler for a Q&A to learn more about his transition from school to the workforce, the opportunities that led him to where he is today, and why he loves what he does.
Looking back on your time at Cobram AGS, what are some of your most memorable experiences or moments?
Being with my friends every day, school camps and all the funny moments in classes. Seeing your friends every day is one of the best parts about school, something I took for granted until I finished.
How did your time at school help shape your interest in graphic design and your career pathway after graduating?
Art class, woodwork and all of the more creative subjects helped a lot. I realised that I enjoyed being creative, working on something from an idea to a finished product, and being able to look back at the end and seeing something you made.
Work experience also definitely helped. Not only did it help me choose what I wanted to do in the future, it also ruled out things I wasn’t interested in as much as I thought.
What has your journey been like working at The Sign Society, and what does a typical day in your role look like?
I started off graphic designing almost straight away, drawing my first logo for a cafe in work experience, and instantly I knew that was what I wanted to do. Working in sign writing is a job where you could be doing something different every day. One day I’ll be designing a shop front, and the next week I could be installing it and seeing what I envisioned come to life. There are so many opportunities like wrapping vehicles, installing shop fronts, designing merchandise, fabricating 3D illuminated signs, and more. The people I work with are great people, teaching me everything I know about the industry and supporting me all the way through it all.
It’s good being so accepted and close with your employers and the everyone you work alongside.
What are some of the most exciting or rewarding projects you’ve worked on so far in your graphic design career?
There are so many great projects I’ve worked on with so many great people, but there are a few that stick out to me the most. The most rewarding one would be working on the rebrand of the Railway Hotel in Strathmerton. Being the local pub in the town I grew up in. I spent a lot of time when I was younger having dinner for birthdays or after watching my dad play footy. Now it’s a place I can go with my mates to enjoy again, and seeing a logo I designed on merchandise and on signs around the pub is one of the most rewarding things ever. I’ve also worked on some really cool projects for Alpine & Hospitality Insurance Services and Moira Foodshare. Designing some really cool vehicle wraps, which I can always look back on and be proud of.
What advice would you give to current Cobram AGS students who are interested in pursuing a creative career like graphic design?
Start now. Start building your portfolio, playing around with designs and getting really creative. There are so many opportunities for jobs in graphic design and it’s a job that can be really rewarding. You can tell people that you can do something, but they would prefer to see it than hear it. So show people what you can do and you’ll have a career in no time.
Take a look at some of Tyler's impressive work below.
