“Applying for awards often seems like a shot in the dark, but my experience with Zealous still reminds me that it’s worth putting myself out there to see what comes of it.” – Katie O’Rourke

Katie first heard of Zealous through her tutors at Shillington College, where she studied graphic design. She then applied for Zealous Emerge: Design after she had just finished a graphic design course and was trying to find her feet as a creative. She was curious to see how she would do in a competition, and to see the work of her peers. At the very least, she thought it would be a chance to get feedback.

The Emerge Awards celebrated the diversity and artistic merits of emerging creative talent from all backgrounds across the UK. During these uncertain times we wanted to make a case for safeguarding the interests of those in the creative industries.

The future of our creative industries depends on the next generations of creative talent receiving adequate support and encouragement. With Emerge, we aimed to represent the interests of budding creative talent in a rapidly changing economic and geopolitical climate. Submissions were accepted across a variety of creative categories: Architecture, Art, Craft, Creative Writing, Design, Digital Art, Fashion, Film, Gaming, Music, Performance, and Photography.

Katie’s entry ‘Body Positivity Campaign’ won the Design category. This was branding for an event to improve the image of the British Fashion Council and re-position them as an organisation which encourages body positivity.

“(My experience was) overwhelmingly positive. It was easy to submit and I was kept updated with my progress. The team was really helpful and encouraging.”

Katie found that even just being shortlisted for an award was a huge confidence boost, and winning definitely helped keep some of the self-doubt at bay, at a time when I was just starting out in the industry.

“Applying for awards often seems like a shot in the dark, but my experience with Zealous still reminds me that it’s worth putting myself out there to see what comes of it.”

Katie has been up to a lot since being part of Zealous Emerge. As a freelance creative, she is working with some interesting clients, especially in the social change space. One of her favourite briefs over the last year was creating close to a hundred illustrations for Cauuuse, an amazing venture redefining greeting cards as impactful tools. But her biggest project over the last year and a half has been a move to France, a massive challenge in terms of the language, administration, and constructing a new social circle. At first her creativity felt quite dimmed by the enormity of all the changes, but this year she’s felt a renewed energy and have taken up drawing again for pleasure.

You can find more of Katie’s work on her website and Instagram.