Blue Stag is now Everglow! Read the rebrand story

From University to Agency, Nathan’s first year

By Amy Garrett-Williams, Lead Designer

When this was published, we were Blue Stag. Today we’re Everglow ✨ Read the rebrand story

We chatted to 23-year-old Nathan, current UX/UI Designer at Blue Stag. Originally from Bristol, the Graphic Communications graduate now resides in Cardiff. He began his journey working on a project part-time whilst still studying – and never left!

Reflecting on his first year with us, here’s what Nathan had to say about the lessons he’s learnt transitioning from University to Blue Stag and the advice he’d give to other young creatives.
A group of people stand and sit on the balcony and steps of an ivy-covered University building. A person labelled Nathan stands on the roof, waving. Leafless trees are visible to the right, adding charm to this Blue Stag gathering.

The transition from university to agency…

Adapting to different stakeholders is definitely one of the biggest changes. At university, there are very few to consider in your assignments. However, in an agency you have business objectives, clients and multiple stakeholders to think about. In the industry there are different people within a company too, so you could be working with the Communications team who then need to pass your work onto Management and so on. There are more constraints. You need to be able to advocate for both the end-user but also the clients and stakeholders, making sure you hit their business objectives AND create the best user experience possible.

What Nathan’s learnt…

In my job role, I work end-to-end, so I’ve really learnt the importance of focusing on the nitty-gritty but also being constantly aware of the bigger picture. Understanding the fine details of a project is super important because they can be the make or break. But, you need to zoom out to 30,000ft sometimes too, to make sure you understand the overall goals.

Blue Stag is a very strategic agency so I’ve had to learn to be able to switch between those two perspectives quickly, which can be difficult. The equal balance between making sure you’re solving the overarching problem but nailing the little details is key.

“I wish I knew”…

To make the most of being a student – three whole years with few constraints and opportunities everywhere. I wish we’d had fun with ALL our projects. I know it can be really stressful, especially when the deadlines are approaching, but I think it really shows if a project wasn’t enjoyed. If you present a project that you genuinely had fun with, your teachers can tell. Showing that you were passionate and pushed the limits, but also solved the problem and produced a great end result will really impress interviewers.

The best elements of work…

I really enjoy solving problems. Through the last few projects though, I’ve found that what I enjoy more is the ability to empower people through the work that I do. For instance, we recently developed a phone comparison website. So, by collating and organising all of the scattered data into one place, we gave people the power to come to the website and make an informed purchase where they previously may not have been able to. Being able to do that as part of my work makes it a really enjoyable and rewarding experience.

Favourite project…

Blue Stag is really a fun agency and we work on so many different of creative projects, but sometimes the simple ones can be really great. We recently created a silly card generator to celebrate St David’s Day and it was such a cool, collaborative piece of work with the whole team. There’s something really therapeutic about being able to use our skills for lighthearted fun, as well as serious projects.
A man in a dark jumper points to a flowchart with wireframe sketches on a glass whiteboard, likely explaining a University to Blue Stag user interface or app design concept in a bright room.
Two overlapping computer game windows on a yellow background, featuring St David’s Day themes for University to Blue Stag. One window says OVER BY THERE, the other displays HAPPY SAINT DAVID’S DAY with a rugby ball and daffodils.

Top 3 pieces of advice for students who want to work in an agency…

No. 1: Find an agency which shares your values

My first piece of advice would be to find an agency that shares your values and has a similar mission to you. I was lucky to find an agency that suited me straight away, but you definitely need to understand yourself. Think of yourself as a design challenge, understand your strengths, weaknesses, who you are and what you stand for. It’ll make your search much easier.

No. 2: Put yourself out there

Secondly, plant seeds with the companies you are interested in. For example, I knew somebody that worked at Blue Stag so I used to ask what they were focusing on. One time he said they were really into 3D design, so I took it upon myself to do some in my university project. You’ve got to put yourself out there, so I posted my work to Twitter, which they saw and liked. Small seeds.

No. 3: Learn to be a good listener

The final piece of advice is to learn to listen. My job is to solve problems and when you’re collaborating with so many different people in an agency, you need to be a really great listener. There’s a big difference between hearing and listening – you need to listen, pause, think on it, mull it over and turn it into an actionable thing – if you’re a good listener you’ll thrive.

A few snaps of Nathan’s first year…
A person wearing glasses and a denim jacket stands indoors, smiling and giving a thumbs-up next to a vertical display board filled with colourful graphics, photos, and text about their University to Blue Stag creative project. A person sits on a cushioned stool playing a grand piano in an elegant room with pink walls, tall windows, and red patterned curtains—a cosy scene reminiscent of the charm found from University to Blue Stag. Light streams in, illuminating the classic interior. A young man wearing glasses and a grey jumper sits on a beige sofa reading a magazine, perhaps studying for University to Blue Stag exams. A black bag and mobile rest beside him. The background features pale walls and minimal decor. A young man smiles at a table with a rectangular chocolate cake topped with white and dark chocolate shavings at University to Blue Stag. A glass of water and serviette are nearby, with other people seated in the background. Three people are having a discussion around a flip chart in a modern office space at Blue Stag. One person is writing on the chart, while the others listen. In the background, tables and chairs fill with people working—some fresh from university. Six people sit around a large dining table at University to Blue Stag, eating and chatting. Plates of food, drinks, empty bottles, and a wooden cat sculpture fill the table. The atmosphere is casual and friendly. A group of seven people stand side by side, smiling, in front of a pink wall at University to Blue Stag, decorated with colourful framed art prints featuring positive messages and illustrations. A young man with curly hair, wearing a grey jumper, sits in a restaurant with exposed brick walls, smiling thoughtfully and holding a pint of Guinness stout beer in one hand after his move from university to Blue Stag. Three people pose indoors. Two stand holding large emoji-face cushions in front of their faces; one sits on a chair, smiling. Their matching yellow outfits add a playful vibe—perfect for team spirit from University to Blue Stag.

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