29th July 2006
Young designer Michael Sutton has jetted off for the trip of a lifetime leaving behind Newcastle-based design firm SUMO.
Michael, 22, who graduated from Northumbria University last year before joining SUMO, has traded places with his opposite number at a design firm based in Greenville, at the foot of the Blue Ridge Mountains in South Carolina.
Michael has swapped desks with designer Justin Gammon of brand specialist Brains on Fire.
The all-expenses-paid job swap is the brainchild of SUMO managing director Jim Richardson, who made the contact following a design conference in the USA.
The two-week exchange started on June 10, and it is Michael's first visit to the USA.
The trip will see him work on some of his host firm's current projects in return for sharing some of the secrets that have made SUMO one of the North East's leading design agencies.
His new colleagues are also planning to give him a real taste of South Carolina while he is there.
Before leaving, Michael said: "It is a fantastic opportunity for me, and is a great chance to experience working in the deep South. The two companies are very similar in their approach to consistently producing top quality work, and I'm sure I will be made welcome by the rest of the team.
"This will be my first visit to America so I'm hoping I'll have time to see some of the sights while I'm there, and I'm planning to keep a diary as a record of my visit."
Jim Richardson said: "When I suggested the job swap we had offers from as far apart as Canada, Australia and the USA.
"We chose Brains on Fire because of the company's high standards, its talented team of staff and the fact it will offer Michael the most in terms of working with other inspirational designers.
"We know from our experience of arranging other international exchanges that he'll come back fired up with enthusiasm and motivation, and hopefully will also have had a really good time.
"Building partnerships like this with internationally respected companies means we can offer our staff a great personal development opportunity, share best practice and ultimately deliver the very best work for our clients, wherever they are."
SUMO recently picked up top prize in the national Fresh Design and Advertising Awards, to add to its growing list of accolades.
Its client list includes Tyne & Wear Museums, The National Trust, Durham Literature Festival and Arts Council England.