Name: Jessica Berry (nee Knowles)
Profession: PR Consultant
Primary school: Acomb Primary School
Attended Millthorpe/Nunthorpe: 1996-2003
Post-16 attended: York College
University or college? Northumbria University
Favourite subject at school: Art and English
What I thought I wanted to do: I attended Millthorpe from 1996-2003 during the height of the BBC’s interior design makeover show, Changing Rooms. This was where relatives, friends or neighbours would work against the clock to renovate a room in each other’s homes with the help of professional interior designers. I loved how each of the amateur designers would use their imagination to create a room, upcycle, and craft new furniture pieces with the most basic materials. I enjoyed seeing these schemes come together, and from that moment, I aspired to be an interior designer.
What I ended up doing: Creative communications and design consulting
How I got here: York College was pivotal for me. I continued with some of my favourite studies at A Level including English Literature and Language, Fine Art, and Graphic Design. Having passed my A Levels, I was accepted onto a Fine Art Undergraduate course but it didn’t feel right so I decided to stay on at York College and tackle the year-long Art Foundation Course.
This gave me more time, space, and the facilities to be more independent and impelled me to think differently. The course addresses problem solving and finding creative solutions to a brief. You are also given ample opportunity to specialise in areas that you have not had the chance to explore, and build a specialist portfolio. For me, this was furniture design – I fell in love with the craft and subsequently went on to study this at Northumbria University.
During my three years at university my parents moved to London so after graduating, I had the luxury of a London base and began exploring opportunities in the creative sector there. I landed an internship at a leading design PR agency and although it was very admin heavy, I loved every aspect of the role; networking and the merging of creative thinking, and writing. After four months, my internship came to a close but the contacts I’d made were invaluable and through word of mouth, helped me to navigate further PR roles. Over 12 years, I worked my way from a Press Officer to a Senior Associate Director, and this year, I have decided to go freelance accumulating my own clients: an iconic industrial design studio, a creative studio proficient in brand identity and strategic vision, and an interior design studio.
Most useful skill or character trait for my job: Creativity and clear communication.
Top tip! “Shy bairns get nowt” was what my dad would always tell me. Never be afraid to ask, and always listen to your gut – if something doesn’t feel right, it probably isn’t!
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