Amanda Scope is one of the winners of The Unsung Heroes of Publishing 2018. We asked her a few questions about her work as a designer and her advice for people interested in graphic design. For a complete list of #UHoP18 winners please see more here.

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and your work. Did you always want to be a designer?

I think I did, but I didn’t know it to start off with. Initially I trained as a photographer and was working as assistant to various fashion photographers, both in Vienna and in London. But even then the presentation and arrangement of the photographs I took was very important to me. I always seemed to have books in mind as the ultimate outcome.

2. What do you regard as the most gratifying aspect of the work you do?

Graphic Design is a bit like a puzzle without a template – you have the pieces, now work out how they go together. Sometimes you need to add more pieces, sometimes you have to take some away. It’s when I’ve got the right combination that I feel most satisfied.

3. You’ve worked on a number of exciting projects. Tell us about one of your favourites.

I was working on Curtain Call and the photographs were so stunning it was like opening a present every time I got a new batch.

4. What advice would you give for young people interested in graphic design? Are some skills achievable without a degree?

Yes, I am pretty sure you can teach yourself the computer skills you need, and if you are truly talented you’ll be good at whatever you choose to do. The advantage of going to college though is that you are surrounded by like-minded people and you can bounce ideas around and get inspired by talking to each other. I also found I was pushed to tackle projects outside my comfort zone, which was a great learning experience.

5. What is the best book you’ve read lately?

I am currently on the fourth book of Elena Ferrante’s Neapolitan series and have found this epic story very gripping. American Pastoral by Philip Roth has also never left me since I read it.

You can find Amanda Scope here.