Jakob’s Design Career Roars with the Brisbane Lions

"I never imagined my passion for graphic design would lead me to the Brisbane Lions,” said Jakob.

“I’m learning the ropes, from designing big screen graphics for home games at The Gabba to creating posters and banners for the Brisbane Lions Institute of Business and Sport.”

Jakob’s journey to this exciting role wasn’t straightforward. Growing up in Brisbane, he initially pursued a university degree in science but quickly realised it wasn’t the right fit.

After a brief stint in game design, he deferred his studies when the pandemic hit and instead worked as a property maintenance handyman.

“After a few years in the workforce, I was ready to explore my options again—and that’s when I found TAFE Queensland,” he said.

His return to study was inspired by TAFE Queensland’s Fee-Free Funding, which his mum recommended, and the financial relief allowed him to explore graphic design, a field he had always wanted.

Fee-Free TAFE funding is part of the Queensland Government's Good People. Good Jobs: Queensland Workforce Strategy 2022–2032, Jakob's education aligned with initiatives designed to connect and attract talent to meet the state’s workforce needs.

With around 37,000 Fee-Free TAFE and vocational education and training places available in 2024, this program empowers Queenslanders to gain essential skills for current and future job markets at little or no cost.

“I’d tried university but wanted to explore something new, and studying without financial pressure was appealing. I’ve always loved graphic design, even more than I initially realised.”

“From creating logos to brand design, I often gravitated towards projects that allowed me to express my creativity. So, when I saw the diploma of graphic design on the list of Fee-Free courses, I thought, why not?”

Enrolling in the Diploma of Graphic Design (CUA50720) at TAFE Queensland, Jakob embraced the hands-on learning approach, gaining practical skills in industry-standard software like Adobe Photoshop, InDesign, and Illustrator - tools he now uses daily.

“I also learned design theory, history, processes, and marketing. The practical approach gave me the confidence to understand what a graphic design career would be like,” he said.

“TAFE Queensland’s facilities and equipment were industry-standard, allowing me to learn typography, branding, digital design, and more, all within an environment mirrored real-world workplace.”

Now an in-house junior graphic designer with the Brisbane Lions, Jakob handles various tasks, from creating graphics to managing printed materials while maintaining the club's brand identity.

"Working as a Junior Graphic Designer at the Lions has been a great introduction to the design industry and office life,” he explained.

Jakob enjoys the dynamic workload and looks forward to work every day and credits TAFE Queensland’s training and supportive teachers for his transition into the professional world.

"TAFE Queensland's hands-on training and industry-expert teachers ensured I was job-ready from day one. Their support made all the difference in launching my career,” Jakob said.

“They provided regular feedback and one-on-one guidance and were always willing to dive deeper into topics that piqued my interest, even if they extended beyond the curriculum.”

“The collaborative studio environment fostered creativity, with teachers circulating the room, offering insights and encouragement.”

The course also featured a 'preparing for industry' module, which helped Jakob secure his role with the Brisbane Lions before graduating.

TAFE Queensland’s exceptional teaching, industry-standard facilities and supportive learning environment gave Jakob the perfect launchpad for his career.

“This perspective has been invaluable in my career, helping me create beautiful and purposeful designs," Jakob said.

Today, Jakob is proud to see his designs in the world, making a positive impact through his work with the Brisbane Lions.

He aspires to evolve his career further, possibly moving into a teaching role one day to inspire the next generation of designers, just as his TAFE Queensland teachers inspired him.

"TAFE Queensland didn’t just teach me graphic design - it taught me to think like a designer, solving problems and communicating messages effectively. I couldn’t have chosen a better career path,” concluded Jakob.