From Typography Dreams to Creative Leadership: How Your First Role Shapes Your Journey

Starting your career can feel overwhelming, especially when you're not sure where that first role might lead you. The creative industry is full of winding paths, unexpected pivots, and beautiful discoveries that can transform your entire trajectory.

This question was answered by Olivia Gatt, Creative Director at Scooter, who brings years of experience in creative leadership and visual problem-solving. Olivia has worked with major clients like Amazon, NAB, and BMW, and actively supports young creatives through mentoring and industry networks.

When passion meets opportunity

Olivia's journey began with a clear vision: she was going to be a type designer. Fresh out of university, she was obsessed with typography, building her own fonts, and even running a blog dedicated to typefaces. "I totally thought I was going to be a type designer," she recalls. "I was obsessed with typography."

Her first role at a bespoke design studio in Collingwood seemed perfect for pursuing this passion. She got to create beautiful traditional graphic design work that she "truly, truly loved." But then something unexpected happened.

The pivot that changed everything

As clients began requesting web design services, Olivia found herself stepping into unfamiliar territory. "This is not part of the plan," she thought initially. But she embraced the challenge, becoming responsible for building early modular web design systems.

The irony wasn't lost on her: web design at that time severely limited typography options. "You could only have a handful of fonts that would be able to work," Olivia explains. She had to put aside her type obsession and focus on other design elements.

Discovering unexpected love

What started as a reluctant pivot became a passion. Olivia "fell in love with web design," which led her into digital design, then digital art direction, and eventually to creative direction as a whole. Each step built naturally on the last, creating a career path she never could have planned.

The real secret to career growth

Looking back, Olivia offers a refreshing perspective on her journey. While she jokes that she "was only ever good at one thing," she reframes this beautifully: "I was just truly passionate about art and design and creativity expressed through the visual image, and I was lucky enough to find that early in my career."

This insight reveals something crucial: it's not about the specific skill or role, but about identifying your core passion and staying open to how it might evolve.

Embracing change and growth

Olivia's responsibilities have shifted dramatically over the years, moving from hands-on design work to overseeing teams and strategy. These changes came through role evolution, technological advances, and industry shifts. The key was remaining adaptable while staying true to her creative core.

Your first role doesn't define your entire career. It's simply the starting point for a journey that will likely surprise you in the best possible ways. As Olivia wisely notes, whatever you do next isn't something you'll be doing for the rest of your life. There are probably jobs in your future that don't even exist yet.

Stay curious, embrace unexpected opportunities, and remember that your passion can express itself in countless ways throughout your career.

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