Meet Sean Simpson - Graphic Designer at The Missing Link
At The Missing Link, our people are what set us apart. Their expertise, commitment and care for what they do underpin the outcomes we deliver for our clients every day. But strong capability is only part of the story.
Through this series, we spotlight the individuals behind the work, the experiences, ambitions and quirks that influence how they think and create.
Sean didn’t exactly take the conventional path to graphic design. His journey has spanned small-town beginnings, big aviation ambitions and a few unexpected career turns along the way, each shaping the creative perspective he brings to his role as a Graphic Designer today.
Let’s take five minutes to get to know him better.
Tell us about you. Where did you grow up? What were your interests as a kid?
I grew up in the NSW Snowy Mountains. Being so close to the ski fields, skiing was naturally my main source of fun. But that was a winter activity… in summer, I used to dress up as Wonder Woman and pretend to deflect bullets with my gold wrist cuffs. Yes, my parents were worried about me – but I turned out reasonably normal.
What was your dream job growing up? And what was your first paid job?
For as long as I could remember, I wanted to be a pilot.
My first jobs were as a dish pig at a local restaurant and as a cleaner at the gym. I did that while training to become an aerobics instructor – sooo 90s, with lots of lycra and bad music! Hmm… more Wonder Woman undertones?
What’s your career progression been like?
I left the little country town for the bright lights of Canberra. I was working in a gym selling memberships when one of the members I’d signed up approached me to join his IT&T recruitment firm (as ITC was known back then) as a Recruitment Consultant.
Not coming from a tech background, it was a very steep learning curve – but that kick-started my love of tech.
I then moved to the Sydney branch as an Account Manager and stayed in that role for a few years before joining a design studio as a Manager (I know, total career pivot!). That led me to study graphic design.
Fast forward eight or so years, and I landed a role with Microsoft as an Account Manager – back to tech we go! I worked within the omnichannel marketing team across global flagship retail for several years.
Then cue COVID. The world went nuts. Then cue The Missing Link!
Any big personal or work achievements?
I trained to be a Qantas International Flight Attendant. I thought it was one step closer to my dream of becoming a pilot. I was super excited to do the safety demonstration and go down the escape slides.
I then realised the chances of ever having to use the slides were very slim – and that I could earn much more money in IT recruitment. So long story short, I’ve never flown a day as a flight attendant.
What is your role at The Missing Link? What do you love most about it?
I’m a Graphic Designer.
The thing I love most is my team and how supportive they are. The work is great because it’s so varied and no two days are the same. I can be working on a 50–60 page brochure and then, the next minute, use AI tools to create an image of our directors jumping out of a plane for Alex G’s Christmas party speech!
Where do you see yourself professionally in a few years?
As AI rapidly changes the landscape of design, I’d like to think I will have embraced new techniques that not only make my role more efficient, but also design more engaging and visually appealing while remaining commercially viable.
Do you consider yourself a tech freak?
We’ve already established that I’m a bit of a freak. And I love tech… so yeah, definitely a tech freak!
If money weren’t an issue, describe your dream day.
I’d jump aboard my Bombardier Global 7500 (that’s a private jet for the non-aviation geeks) and fly myself and a few friends to Mykonos, party like demons and then fly back home. Crossing the international dateline means it’s still only a day, right?
What can you generally be found doing on weekends?
Watching reruns of Wonder Woman – kidding!
I love catching up with friends, maybe taking my nephew to a movie or the beach, having a nice dinner out somewhere, and doing the obligatory few loads of washing.
What are your hobbies or passions?
I love making new artworks, mostly to hang in my apartment. They can be sketches, paintings, or mixed media. Most recently, I’ve been making flowers out of recycled plastic bottles.
What’s the best thing about living in Sydney?
Sydney has EVERYTHING! You can go shopping, go to a movie, hit the beach and see a concert at the Sydney Opera House all in the same day!
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