When it comes to choosing a career path, many of us tend to gravitate towards jobs that we’re aware of or know, either because we’ve seen it or we know someone who does something similar. But what about the ‘hidden’ jobs – careers that are fascinating and fun, but virtually unknown?

Take coins. We see them every day, but who has ever stopped to think about the intricate designs on them – and how those designs come to be?

Jody Clark has worked as a coin designer for 10 years – and designed the fifth and final portrait of Her Majesty to feature on British pound coins. While most recently, Jody designed a new portrait of The Queen, which was created especially for Hattons of London’s Queen Elizabeth II Tribute Gold Sovereign Range.

He began his career designing for the packaging industry and other freelance illustration projects, before being employed as an engraver for the Royal Mint in September 2012, which is where he has produced some of his most well-known work.

In 2020, Jody left the Royal Mint to become Head of Design for the Commonwealth Mint, undertaking a range of design projects for clients, including Hattons of London.

Today, Jody shares his insights into what it’s like to work as an artist, as well as his creative aspirations, in order to encourage people to pursue what excites and inspires them.

41-year-old Jody said his passion for art began from a young age.

“I’ve always had a keen interest in art, for as long as I can remember, I’ve always drawn everything. In school, art was my favourite subject and it got to a point where I realised I’m actually pretty alright at this,” he said.

“Many expect me to say that I went onto study Fine Art but that wasn’t the case, I decided to study illustration at the University of Central Lancashire – mainly because I prefer having a brief to work towards.

“Despite doing a creative job, my approach is often quite formulaic – and that’s largely because I’m working with products where a brief is required from the onset to ensure a successful end product.”

Jody uses a variety of traditional and digital drawing skills to illustrate and create designs for use on coins, medals, jewellery and more.

Explaining his creative process when getting to work on a new project, Jody said he starts by sketching out a design on Photoshop.

“The vast majority of my work is now done digitally, simply because it’s easier than having lots of pieces of paper lying around – it means I know that my designs are all in one place,” he said.

“I start by filling a little grid with a number of coin shapes, and then filling those in with some initial designs, before selecting a number of my favourite options and sketching those in more detail, before sharing for feedback and developing further, once I’ve got an indication of the client’s preferred option.

“It’s always a great feeling when you design something that’s not only really well received but that you feel brings to life the vision that you set out to create. That’s always really gratifying as an artist.”

Following the death of Her Majesty last year, Jody says it’s made him feel particularly reflective.

He explains how his design of the fifth and final portrait of Her Majesty came to be.

“Back in 2015, a competition to design a new portrait of the Queen came up by the Royal Mint Advisory Committee, which staff were able to enter, so I decided to go for it.

“I submitted my design anonymously – and didn’t really expect to hear much more of it, so then when it was announced that my design had been chosen to become the fifth – and now final – coin portrait of Queen Elizabeth II to feature on British coins, I couldn’t believe it.

“It’s definitely my proudest career achievement, it was a huge honour – and feels even more poignant now.”

This submission made Jody the youngest of five designers who created the portraits for UK circulating coins during Her Majesty’s reign. He was 33 at the time.

“Something that shocks most people when they discover that I designed the final portrait of the Queen to feature on British coinage is the fact that I didn’t actually ever meet Her Majesty. People ask me what was she like, how she was to work with – but I’m afraid I can’t answer that because my dealings with the Palace were minimal.”

With the country having a new King, Jody says he has aspirations of working on a project involving King Charles.

“A change of monarch has definitely been a defining moment, we’ve already seen so much change following on from the Queen’s passing – and there’s no doubt there’s more on the horizon,” he said.

“The prospect of working on something with the new King would be incredible, I would love that. It’s something I’d definitely be excited about.”

Jody says he feels privileged to do the job he loves and is encouraging people with a passion for a particular interest or hobby to contemplate taking that further and pursuing a career in it.

He said: “As Mark Twain said – ‘find a job you enjoy doing, and you will never have to work a day in your life.’ I feel incredibly fortunate to not only be doing the job I love – but also grateful for the opportunities that have come my way.

“I cannot encourage everyone who has the desire to do so enough to try and make work of the thing they enjoy doing most. Life is too short to be mundane and ordinary, there are so many fascinating and unique jobs out there.”