Masih segar ingatan saya akan miss Huth Wallace. Malam itu kami tak sengaja bertemu di sebuah pub kecil di bilangan London Selatan. Dia terlihat begitu sederhana dengan dress kuning softnya, balutan cardigan membuat dia bertambah manis. Itulah pertama kalinya saya berkenalan dengannya. Tak ada yang spesial malam itu, tak ada kontak yang begitu serius, tak ada pembicaraan yang menarik. Hanya Robert Stone yang terus bercerita tentang suka dukanya kerja di Media. Dia kerap menjadi bahan olok2 para pendukung Millwall. Pertemuan yang pertama dan mungkin terakhir kalinya dengan miss Huth Wallace. Yang saya tahu, dia mempunyai segudang cita2 untuk bisa menjadi the next Margareth Tatcher. Semoga dia bisa mencapainya. Saya akan selalu ingat senyum kecil Miss Huth malam itu.


Ritchie Holloway dari Humpey Valley, Devon

A Story of Being a Graphic Designer in Mining Company

I started the story from several years ago. When I was a student, majoring in advertising in a less well-known institution in Jakarta. Since I enrolled in the department of advertising, automated touch with things that smell creative. It was also an ultimately influenced me to become more interested in creative fields. Especially to the field of Graphic Design. In addition, any environmental factors such as shape me to become a Graphic Designer. Yes, most of my friends actually came from the Department of Graphic Designer.

Finally, the graduation day came. At that time I was determined to choose between being a Copywriter or Graphic Designer as my future career. Although frustrated by the difficulty of finding the job, I almost changed direction to become a Customer Service in a national bank. But thanks God, the job came to me. A friend offered to intern at the place he works. Whether coincidence or not, the first job I got was as a Freelance Graphic Designer.

The Job that I've never done before, creating a template for the yearbook. WHAT? But it's not a problem, I always think, "You'll never know Until you try" and the experience really become a very valuable teacher. After a month of internship, I was appointed as employees to be a Graphic Designer in Marketing Division. I prepare the material design for company promotions. Starting from the leaflets, banners, posters, member card etc.. Lots of job and nagging partner, they makes me understand that being a Graphic Designer is not as easy as imagined. Here I understand the importance of time, precision in the design, function of design, blend colors, prepare colors for printing, prepare documents for printing, etc..

But after 3 months, I got a more attractive offer from another friend. To become a Graphic Designer in a tabloid for expatriates. "Waw! Media" I said. Without much consideration, I send my portfolio and CV to them. Then I was interviewed by 82-years-old-Australian-guy (he’s more fit to be my grandpa) and not long after that, I accepted to work there with salary twice bigger than my previous one. It was really a miracle, and I was endlessly grateful to the Lord.

Time passed, not as envisaged. After nearly 1.5 years of publication, it turns out that the tabloid wasn’t going according to the plan. Lack of advertisement into financial problems that ultimately make the company become bankrupt. Plus 2 cases of fraud from employees who had carried off the money from the company further exacerbate the condition of the company at that time. I also couldn’t do anything, I was really worried at that time.

Finally, my worries become real. In one morning, the owner came and told us to gather. With a bit tense, he said that at the end of the month the company will be closed. Like lightning in broad daylight, I immediately limp on the spot. I immediately think of my motorcycle installments, monthly savings, and other installments. “Oh I don’t want to be unemployed. At least give me time to search for another job.” I said to myself.

I immediately searching in all websites that provide job services. I got many calls at that time after several interviews, I still haven’t got a new job. Until the company where I worked was closed. I officially became unemployed. Especially a few days earlier, I had bad luck. Me and my girlfriend got robbed. Total loss of about 8 millions. My health condition was deteriorating too. There was a problem with my left kidney, and the medical bills were pretty expensive. It was really a test from God for me and my girlfriend.

After a few days, I got a interview-call from one of mining company in Mega Kuningan area. I prepare everything as good as possible, including test design provided to me. “Nothing to lose”, that’s what I felt. Miracles were happening again. I accepted to work there as an In-House Graphic Designer. What a chance.

Actually, this is little challenge for me as a Graphic Designer to work in a mining company. I just think, what will I do. At the time of the interview session, I was told that my job desk is to prepare the conference materials, because the company will hold a conference in London, UK. In addition, I will prepare a template for the company's monthly newsletter. Seems interesting.

But what happened was really beyond expectations. The bureaucracy was very complicated and long-winded. Too many heads to determine one little thing. Remember, I’m just a small part in the company. Even without my presence, the company can still reap the benefits. But they never seem to realize that to become a Go-Public Company, they need a Steady Business Plan. Despite this is Mining Company, they still have to find investors who will make the company more developed. And for that, they need a strong ‘image’ that can attract the investor. To build a strong image, they need a consistency in each materials that can represent their visions and missions. And I’m here to work as a Graphic Designer, to make that materials in visual form. So I need some references and some inspirations, to process raw materials that already exist in the head into a steady material that will be applied to each of the elements in the company.

But now I can’t even work. My work was often hampered because of some problems like “slow-work-flow”, “inconsistency” etc. Suddenly, when all materials for the conference had finished and I had already sent a quotation for printing, they'd cancel the conference. So, all I have done is useless. What a surprise.

Newsletter? Don’t ever hope, because the material is not approved yet. Uniform for operator in the concession? Just wishful thinking, they don’t want to spend lot of money. Then what should I work for? I feel uncomfortable in the office but nothing I can do. I don’t like to be useless like this. To spend my time at the office, I decided to create some designs that I like to hone skills while searching for references as additional knowledge for me later.

But unfortunately, the office seems like a very conservative office. They obviously looked at by how much i work, how busy I am, more busy more better without looking at the quality of my work. They began to see me like "enjoying the free time" with chat, browsing, browsing image, do other things, Hellooo ... I'm a Graphic Designer here, I'm just a small part in this company and for a moment, I've got nothing to do. So give me something to do. I'm also tired after a long time here without anything to do. If I'm browsing, or doing something else, it wasn’t my fault.

Of course, what I do is different from other people who also work here. Because i’m a Graphic Designer, not only based on theory. But I have to hone my design techniques. In addition, I also have to look for some 'ideas' for a design. Collecting ideas, process it into a Steady Idea, then pour it in a visual form. But after that, they will come to me and say “this is not good” or “I don’t like the colors” and change everything without considering my arguments as a designer. It’s fine. But for me, design is not just putting some pictures and colors. But there are also considerations such as “what their corporate color?” because there must be consistency in the use of colors in each materials for corporate identity and also to build Strong Image. Then, “is the picture good or not for representing the company?”, or “its design function for what?”, etc… Unfortunately, the Work-Flow here is very slow and ultimately makes me always wait for small thing. “Oh God, sometimes it makes me sick. If only they know and understand about working as a Graphic Designer in a slow-work-flow mining company” I said to myself.

Anyway, despite the situation, I enjoy the job. I really enjoy it. Because I met some new friends, new environment, and also this will be good for my experience. Because after all, the main purpose is for money. Later after my contract expires, I will probably looking for a new job which is better than this. Now, for the sake of my future and my girlfriend, "patient" may be a good word.

Cheers