First in our LullaBabe Takeover blog series, is the brains and beauty of our Packaging and Graphic Design department - Laura N. Incredibly talented with a super impressive work portfolio (especially those cute raspberry pink designs we all love!) Laura is responsible for the amazing designs behind our best-selling Click & Twist Collection, Gift Sets, Hair Extension packaging and brand icons (to name but a few!)
We caught up with Laura to discuss all things LullaBellz, her favourite must-have hair products and the tips she'd give to anyone wanting to kick-start their career in Graphic Design.
Laura, over to you..
TELL US ABOUT YOUR JOURNEY TO BECOMING THE DESIGN MANAGER AT LULLABELLZ?
I feel like my journey to being a designer is so different to most people! I always knew I wanted to be Graphic Designer and it had always been a hobby of mine, but I thought it would be really hard to get a job in the industry. So instead of even trying to get into uni on a Graphic Design course, I applied to do Primary Teaching.
About 6 weeks before I was due to start my course, I kept having a niggling feeling I was making the wrong decision and chose to apply for some apprenticeships in Graphic Design. I told myself that if I didn't get one, then I would do my Primary Teaching course as planned!
Fortunately(!!) I was offered an apprenticeship a few weeks later and knew that I wanted to make the most of the opportunity while I had the chance! I knew I was at a disadvantage to other designers as I didn't have a degree, so I spent a lot of my spare time doing extra training and practising as much as I could to prove that I didn't need a degree to do my dream job. Within 6 months of starting my apprenticeship, I was promoted to a Junior Graphic Designer and since then have worked my way up to be a Senior Designer, and now Design Manager! 
WHAT IS YOUR ABSOLUTE 'CANT-LIVE-WITHOUT' LULLABELLZ PRODUCT?
My favourite synthetic would absolutely be the Grande 26" braid! It's so easy to apply and transforms my hair so quickly.
However, my favourite product overall is definitely the Hair Fuel Shampoo and Conditioner - I literally couldn't live without them! My hair is so thick and frizzy, no other product smooths and tames my hair like these.
I really struggle with shampoo and conditioner because I feel like even the high-end ones make my hair feel dry and somehow makes it even knottier, but Hair Fuel feels so nourishing and keeps my hair so much softer! I always have the Hair Fuel travel pouches in my wash bag for when I go away, they have the perfect amount of product in and can be carried in my hand luggage - I can't praise this product enough!!
WHAT DOES A TYPICAL DAY IN THE PACKAGING/GRAPHIC DESIGN DEPARTMENT LOOK LIKE?
I know everybody says this, but there really isn't a 'typical' day, every day is SO different, and plans change last minute that can completely change your whole week.
I always start my day off by going through my emails and creating a to-do list for the day. I try to write everything in priority order, so that if any urgent jobs do get sent my way, I can see where it will fit in.
At the moment I'm working on assets for the marketing team, designing all of the little 'LullaBellz' extras for our events in LA. I usually start by creating a moodboard and designing a mini brand-pack for the assets. I then work on putting this design across all of the different products, sending them across to our CEO for approval, and liaising with our printers and manufacturers to ensure everything is completed and arrives in LA on time.
I've also been working on the design and content of our new website and I have a lot of exciting projects coming up soon that I will need to design the packaging for. I have the opportunity to work on so many different projects and with people in different areas of the business, so to say there is never a dull day is definitely an understatement!
FAVOURITE LULLABELLZ CAMPAIGN OR SHOOT TO DATE?
I love ALL of our shoots, our team always does such an amazing job! But I think my favourite has to be the Mary Bedford Feathered Bun Booster campaign.
I think the hair style was perfect because it was SO on-trend at the time, and nobody else was doing a product like it. Also the styling of Mary in the bright clothes just tied everything together perfectly! We also had the launch event and *stunning* PR boxes for the launch, it was absolutely everything we wanted it to be and more!
TELL US ABOUT YOUR PROUDEST WORK ACHIEVEMENT?
My biggest achievement was definitely the Click and Twist Hair Tools Collection! I got to work on so many elements for this range including the concept of the branding, the packaging design and being able to work on all of the assets to tie the brand together.
This was the first project where we introduced the LB print pattern, which has become a key element in our LullaBellz branding and adds a premium aesthetic to all of our assets across the business!
WHAT TIPS OR ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO SOMEONE WANTING TO KICK START THEIR CAREER IN GRAPHIC DESIGN?
My biggest advice is to keep trying new things, pushing yourself out of your comfort zone and to be patient! I think you really have to love design to work in the industry, but it's so good to basically do your hobby and be paid for it!
I think the best approach to design is knowing that there is always more to learn, so regularly watching tutorials, familiarising yourself new/updated software and keeping up to date with upcoming trends is vital. The industry is so competitive, so you need to be able to stand out!