Deryk is a 2012 graduate of the Children’s Media program. He has been operating as Deryk Ouseley Design since 2012 and works as an illustrator, graphic designer and art director on a freelance contract basis for projects and businesses.
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What’s the most interesting thing you’ve done professionally since leaving the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design?
There isn't just one; helping develop a girl focused children's story property called The World of Pia with an amazing group of people through Centennial's Kids Media Centre back in 2012 after graduation, working at DHX Media in their Licensing department on major children's brands, Designing and Illustrating a children's book called Do Fish Fart? for the non-profit Ontario Water Centre which was published through Firefly Books, helping as a Marketing Designer for the non-profit ClearWaterFarm (CWF), and Art Directing and Designing numerous toy lines for WorxToys Inc. that are sold internationally. It's been the variety and the journey that I find interesting and that I love.
What’s your favourite memory from your time at the school?
Being able to learn and share with others in my class, our love of children's media each day. It's important to develop a network of peers that share your interests.
How did your experience at the school shape your entrepreneurial goals?
Being allowed to explore new ideas and being encouraged to develop them further with a support network, my time there helped not only to grow my confidence in the field but also show me that there was a range of opportunities out there.
What advice can you offer students who have entrepreneurial dreams?
Try your best at everything you do, keep learning and take your experiences and what you've learned forward with you for each new project or job. If you put yourself out there and connect with people about what you want and your passions, opportunities will come.
What’s the best piece of advice you received when starting your business?
Be persistent and don't give up on your goals and use a planner to stay focused and organized. Good communication is the single biggest area that can make or break a project when dealing with clients and maintaining positive client relationships. It's always better to keep a client happy than having to find a new client.
In one sentence, what does the School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design mean to you?
A school that helps people explore their dreams and follow their passions.
How did you come up with the idea or concept for your business?
I've always been drawn to a project-based business and being self-employed, it allows me the benefit of variety and switching gears to stay fresh for each new project, make my own goals, meet new people, work from home with more time for family and most importantly be my own boss.
What have the results of your business been?
Being self-employed isn't easy, you have to be self-motivated and work harder. I've had great years and not so great ones, but I'm still here and it's the journey that I love.
What's next for your business?
Currently working on rebranding as Sweet Studios, aiming to expand focus as a creative studio that produces independent children's themed products alongside my wife Allsion Ouseley, as well as offering my current design services for clients.
It's your call - tell us something interesting, cool, odd, unique etc. about you or your business.
A passion project of mine for the past year has been creating a comic strip called Sweet Life which I post on Instagram currently - @sweetlifecomic
I haven't made a dime from it and probably won't, but do enjoy making it, sharing with people and making them laugh at my own expense during Covid. These days we all need a good laugh!
You can find out more about Deryk on his website and Instagram.
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GRAD-preneur is a weekly series that highlights some of the outstanding School of Communications, Media, Arts and Design graduates who have successfully started their own businesses. This series shares the stories of our graduates and their time at our school, as well as provides valuable advice about being an entrepreneur.