Page 18 - CNBC Mag Free Issue Edition 6
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When Berenice Smith started her Masters in graphic design she didn’t
realise it would lead to building bridges with the CNBC community.
What has helped you to create more title ‘Interpretation and Origination:
purpose in your life? Modes of Graphic Authorship’. The focus
of this module was to work with an
I was already unsure about putting myself external source, to enable design to
through a seventh round of IVF, but provide a solution.
th
having miscarried on the 6 try, it was
tempting to continue. Then events took The project grew from there and as I
over. I was made redundant, along with gained more knowledge of coding and
some 400 colleagues, in February 2013 User Interface, I developed the site
and it was a huge shock. The terms were further, taking it away from an old server
generous, and I could have spent the to a new design with a blog. It also led me
money on more fertility treatment. to run a Twitter chat and a “plan B” group
However, a chance meeting with a friend called Walking Forward Inspiration
who was studying for a postgraduate Network. This change has allowed me to
degree, made me wonder if I could use collaborate and develop the original
the money to train. concept. I have more plans for it; which
means exploring ways that I can make it
I found huge comfort in studying with the financially viable.
Open University to gain an English
Literature degree (my brain kept getting How much experience did you have in
good results, even if my fertility treatment the field or in running a business
failed and my body kept miscarrying). I beforehand?
applied to the Graphic Design and
Typography Masters; expecting to be I have run a business in a previous life,
ignored or laughed out of the interview. before IVF and meeting my husband. I
Meeting my lecturer and walking into the also worked in an agency managing the
Cambridge School of Art was the first sign editorial and design team and have
of hope I’d had for many years. experience in how to run (and not to run)
a company. I have also mentored
How did you reach the decision to students.
start your own business?
What have been the high and low
“Walk In Our Shoes” is entirely self- points?
funded so as yet not a business, but I
support it with talks, interviews and other Highs are when the balance works. That’s
work in design – I sell my creative rare! I work part-time, practice design,
services to raise funds! The idea for the am a printmaker and just bought a new
site came from a module in my degree glass kiln so “Walk In Our Shoes” is one of
18 The Childless Not By Choice Magazine: Launch Issue
