Charlotte (CK)

How'd you find your home in Penda?

Funny story actually! Both Emily and I were freelancing out of the coworking space in Revolver Lane (still our home) and she stood up and said "Anyone know a designer?", the rest was history.

What is your role and title at Penda?

Senior Account Manager but as a nimble agency I have my hands in a few other pies

Did you study? If so, where?

I did! Double degree in Design and Media and Communications at Swinburne

What was your first job?

First job was a waitress at a yacht club at 14 and 9 months (just legal). I was SO keen to work, they donned me the 'kitchen manager' after 2 weeks there cause I'd boss everyone around coming out of the kitchen making sure the food looked nice for weddings!

Do you have any mentors in your professional life?

At the moment, no. I have had some mentors previously though. My mum has run a successful business for 34 years and had a thriving career prior to that so I usually lean on her for any guidance/advice.

What's your favourite thing about Penda?

Our approach to work hands down. We're pretty genuine about what we do and don't just give clients random shit they don't need, which aligns well with the ol' moral compass.

What sort of music are you into? Favourite musician/band?

Anything that I can sing to. Like big belters.

What's the best concert you've been to?

Black Eyed Peas 2009, I was 13 and wore heels AND we stayed out late - now I do everything to avoid wearing heels and staying out late

Favourite food?

Easy Peasy - Japanese(y)

Favourite Melbourne eateries?

Prahran Market for sure, love the salads from Kooks.

Have you travelled? If so, where's your favourite destination?

Been pretty lucky to travel heaps. Favourite city? New York, something bout that place. Favourite country? Probably Spain/Portugal.

Who's someone you really admire?

Probably Tess Robinson (founder of Smack Bang Designs). I'll be honest I don't know her but I've been super impressed with her approach to work

What's something you want to do in the next year that you haven't done before?

Live in London and boy I can confirm that I'll be LIVIN out my goals!

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Emily (Riz)

How'd you find your home in Penda?

Well, Freelance post working for a kick ass agency based in Melbourne, I got fomo and Penda began.

What is your role and title at Penda?

Creative Director / Founder

First Job?

My first job was a check out chick.

Design life wise?

Internship Carlton Football Club

Do you have any mentors in your professional life?

Rowena Beach - She offered me a lot of guidance starting out & we continue to talk about business life & have been able to learn a lot from her experience, especially in the Education industry.

What's your favourite thing about Penda?

Everyone thats in it.

What sort of music are you into? Favourite musician/band?

Disco.

What's the best concert you've been to?

Red Hot Chilli Peppers

Favourite food?

Nutella

Favourite Melbourne eateries?

‍Transformer

Have you travelled? If so, where's your favourite destination?

St Moritz - Switzerland

Who's someone you really admire?

My mum

What's something you want to do in the next year that you haven't done before?

See Ayers Rock

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Alastair (Al)

How'd you find your home in Penda?

I got my Penda house keys by schmoozing the two boss' at a party. I was lucky to be invited to a small house party during Covid and "just happened to mention" that i was looking for work while studying

What is your role and title at Penda?

I am a Junior Creative

Did you study? If so, where?

I still do! I'm in my final year at RMIT finishing my bachelor degree in Communication (Advertising)

What was your first job?

My first job was actually a basketball referee when I was in primary school. My first job in industry would be an assistant client manager for BIE Creative in Adelaide

Do you have any mentors in your professional life?

I think it would have to be Andread Kleinig. He was the Senior Designer (and now great friend) at BIE. He's always impressing me with his work and creativity.

What's your favourite thing about Penda?

Oh man, where do I start. Probably the capacity to encourage personal and professional development. And the people. And the cafe 20 metres from my desk.

What sort of music are you into? Favourite musician/band?

It changes pretty often, I had a huge John Butler Trio and Frank Ocean phase. But as of right now I'm pretty into going to live gigs and seeing bands i wouldn't normally listen to on Spotify

What's the best concert you've been to?

I haven't been to many big concerts so I'd have to choose a festival (if that counts?). Groovin the Moo in 2017 was a pretty good one. Not that I can remember much of it haha. I just have a residual feeling that it was really fun

Favourite food?

At the moment it would have to be Korean. Korean fried chicken to be precise

Favourite eateries surrounding Revolver Ln?

In the winter time Kin Vietnamese Restaurant is definitely my favourite. They do these take away Pho meals in large coffee cups. Genius.

Have you travelled? If so, where's your favourite destination?

I spent the first 5 years out of high school traveling (hence why i'm still studying). My favourite place would have to be Berlin, I know it's pretty typical. But i lived there for 1.5 years playing rugby and have made some great friends and memories.

Who's someone you really admire?

I admire my partner, Ash Kennedy. She's an incredibly talented singer/songwriter (go check her out on spotify). Her hustle as a musician in Melbourne is insane, not to mention she could probably be better than me at my job.

What's something you want to do in the next year that you haven't done before?

Travel to new places. I want to go to Korea, Japan and explore parts of China.

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Adam (Fitty)

How'd you find your home in Penda?

I did some freelance work for Penda through 2019-20 and was approached to come onboard full-time mid-2020

What is your role and title at Penda?

I am the Lead Designer

Did you study? If so, where?

I studied a Bachelor of Media Arts at WINTEC, in Hamilton, New Zealand (my hometown)

What was your first job?

First job ever was as a paper boy. Classic.

Do you have any mentors in your professional life?

Does YouTube count? But seriously, at this stage of my career I don't. But that's definitely something I would keen for.

What's your favourite thing about Penda?

It might seem cliché, but it's the people. The team at Penda is great to work alongside and we're always up to some kind of mischief.

What sort of music are you into? Favourite musician/band?

I'm more into the alternative rocky kinda stuff... Everything from softer vibes like Fleet Foxes and Real Estate through to heavier stuff like Architects & Erra.

What's the best concert you've been to?

Probably Fleet Foxes at the Sydney Opera House for Vivid a few years back.

Favourite food?

Things that are terrible for me. Pizza, Pasta, Burgers etc.

Favourite eateries surrounding the office?

Probably Kin Vietnamese for their Pho Cups, or Huxtaburger.

Have you travelled? If so, where's your favourite destination?

Yea, I've been to a few spots around the world. I loved Sweden, I would live there. Also, San Sebastian in Spain is gorgeous.

Who's someone you really admire?

From design land, people like Paula Scher, Brian Collins and Parsons. And also my wife, she's pretty great.

What's something you want to do in the next year that you haven't done before?

I wouldn't mind learning some kind of Martial Art, potentially Brazilian Jiu Jitsu?

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Cal

How'd you find your home in Penda?

‍That whole 'it's not what you know, it's who you know' thing? Completely true. I worked with CK at a previous design job. After finishing Uni I saw Penda was looking for a Junior Designer and threw my hat in the ring. Job interviews are a lot easier when you know someone.

What is your role and title at Penda?

‍Junior Designer

Did you study? If so, where?

‍I did, I have a Bachelors in Communication Design from Swinburne

What was your first job?

‍Load boi at IGA, one of the three jobs young people do in my small town.

Do you have any mentors in your professional life?

‍I don't really have a mentor. I had some great lecturers at Swinburne, I learnt a lot from Katharine Burke and Karen Fermo. These days I have the guidance of everyone at Penda.

What's your favourite thing about Penda?

‍Working with so many great people, all of who have their own area of expertise is sweet. I love that despite being a junior, I get the chance to be involved in everything we do.

What sort of music are you into? Favourite musician/band?

‍I like a bit of everything, but I'm big into my Hiphop and Techno. Gorillaz will always be my favourite band, they introduced me to art and music when I was a kid.

What's the best concert you've been to?

‍Mac Miller in 2017, easy

Favourite food?

‍Gotta be steak

Favourite Melbourne eateries?

‍Burgers from Tuck Shop Takeaway in Caulfield, real recognise real

Have you travelled? If so, where's your favourite destination?

‍I've done a bit, been a while though now. The French Riviera is pretty special.

Who's someone you really admire?

‍Jamie Hewlett, the artist behind the Gorillaz inspired me to make a career out of the creative industries and prolific Designer/Illustrator/VFX Artist/Director Ash Thorp has inspired my approach to design for years.

What's something you want to do in the next year that you haven't done before?

‍There are a few countries I haven't been to, once we can travel I'd like to do more of that.

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