Jonny Packham 
ILLUSTRATOR

www.jonnypackham.co.uk

Hello Jonny, how are you feeling today?

How do!  I'm feeling slightly agitated about having no food in the house and my neck aches - that aside, i'm feeling creative and pretty good thanks. I'm thought i'd fill this in on a little break from painting with a brew and a cig. 

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?

From what I have experienced of it, the illustration industry is very competitive and you have to stand out if you want to be noticed. Not everyone does, but that just seems to be the way it goes. A dedicated and possibly slightly eccentric illustrator will do well here! The illustration community is generally full of really nice people who you can talk absolute rubbish with and feel right at home. The old saying of its not what you know, but who you know is a good mantra to have when involved with the creative industry for definite.

What’s your latest project?

My most recent finished project was a hand painted illustration of a cake with hands and a face. It was produced for a collective called Raw, who are celebrating their 5th birthday at Islington Mill in manchester in the form of an exhibition. The piece will be in the exhibition and is on sale with all the proceeds (should someone buy it) going to the Wood street Mission Charity. The event is on September 1st, at Islington Mill in Salford. Should be a fun one, so come down and bring an empty stomach!

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?

I couldn't pin point any one project as a solid favourite because annoyingly, my way of working normally dictates that the most recent thing I have finished becomes my favourite, until I am thinking about new projects, commissions, briefs or when I have started a new piece. I can say however, a project that involves a more hands on approach like printing or painting large scale I'll usually really enjoy.

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?

This one's a no brainer for me. Whilst I was at University, I got asked to paint a mural for a salon in Leeds. At the time, I was really excited about it and it was my first live one. I put together a pretty neat pitch that one of the owners liked it and eventually wanted me to go ahead with it. But!  When it came to doing it for real, I didn't handle the brief very well and long story short, it went tits up! But from that I learnt valuable lessons in how to tackle a live brief as a professional and most importantly; the value of communication between you and a client. Without communication, we might as well be monkeys chucking poo at each other.

What/Who inspires you?

To me inspiration is a funny thing, because it can be absent for weeks - and you start to doubt yourself, but then all of a sudden you will find a huge amount of inspiration in the most mundane thing often. Thats how it normally happens for me anyway. My most recent inspiration came from staring at a felix the cat print. Generally speaking though, I find inspiration in my interests really - my love of sci-fi, horror films, graphic novels, nature & strange animals, insects, people and personalities, theories ...the list goes on...

What are your future aspirations?

To be a Pony. (Just kidding)

My aspirations are just to keep illustrating, be producing work that fires me up and aim to get more exposure before doing some exhibitions and collaborating with brands or other creatives. Its kind of a baby step approach at the moment for me, set a little goal, work hard to achieve it and then set my sights forward to another goal. I'd be a massive liar if i said i didn't aspire to be an established UK Illustrator.

Where would you like to be in five years time?

In Five years time... I'd love to be doing exhibitions, selling my work and collaborating with the big boys. Its a pretty nice prospect, but at the moment I just want to work hard and see where it takes me really.

I'd also like a pet monkey but that one is probably a bit unrealistic. Then again, maybe in 5 years that will be allowed. 

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?

You can be dedicated, driven, full of amazing ideas and all of that, but don't take it too seriously because it loses its beauty if you do. Plus you might have a nervous breakdown! Just enjoy the ride.

Any other comments?

Thanks for the interview, been a pleasure talking to you lovely people at imagine that!

Tara!

A link to my website:

http://www.jonnypackham.co.uk

My Facebook Illustration page:

http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jaypee-Illustration/149298171803806

D&AD Profile:

http://www.dandad.org/talent/portfolios/project/10108

Society6 Online store - selling prints and t shirts:

http://society6.com/JAYPEE

Mike Bailey-Gates
PHOTOGRAPHER

http://mikebaileygates.com/index.html

Hello Mike, how are you feeling today?

Hello, I'm feeling ok. I just woke up and it looks like it's going to rain a little bit.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?

The industry I work in is very accepting,  I think. I've been working in the fashion industry for a little  while, and I realize that not everyone will like your work or what you think is correct, but then there will be  people who do. There is two very different worlds between commercial side of fashion, and the artistic side. It's hard to find a balance between both. It's almost like star wars with the dark side, you can get pulled in to jobs just for money and loose your ideas. 

What’s your latest project?

This summer I was focusing on going back to taking more candid photos of my life, and the things that happen to me everyday. Usually I am building big sets and drawing up ideas for shoots, but I really wanted to go back to something more natural for a little while because I felt like I was losing that idea. 

What/Who inspires you?

So many things inspire me, it's hard to say.  The stories in my head I make up inspire a good amount of my shoots. 

It can be anything from a women walking a baby in a stroller outside, to watching an old man at the zoo or something. There are so many talented artists out there. I think some of my personal favorites are people like Sofia Coppola, Steven Meisel, Tim Walker, Eleanor Hardwick, Koto Bolofo,  Lauren Poor, and many others.

What are your future aspirations?

I'm  moving to NYC in the fall to go to SVA. From there I plan on assisting some photographers and learning as much as I can. I don't really know where it will go from there aha. The cards are all kind of up in the air right now, I'm just going out where I feel like I should be and doing what I love.

 

Where would you like to be in five years time?

Hopefully living in a small apartment in NYC, making art, doing what I love,  and trying to make an impact in the industry in  some way.
 

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?

You're best at being you, so stop trying to be someone else with your art. 

 

Any other comments?

Thank you !

Alex Stoddard
PHOTOGRAPHER

http://www.flickr.com/photos/alex-stoddard/

Hello Alex, how are you feeling today?

I'm doing pretty well. Thanks for asking. I'm currently sitting in class, and while my teacher is standing at the front explaining the parameters of an upcoming project, I decided that I'd rather answering these interview questions is more important than presenting a speech about Argentina or whatever she is talking about.

 

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?

Well, I take photographs.. both as a hobby and a job, I suppose. I wouldn't necessarily give myself the title of "photographer", because, I don't know. It always just seems a little pretentious when people dub themselves this or that. I enjoy taking conceptual and sometimes fashion photographs. Telling stories has always been pretty important to me, whether it be with words or images, so to be able to portray tales through pictures is very appealing. Much of my work consists of self-portaits, in which I act as both the photographer and model. There's a certain sense of completeness and ultimate expression when I create these sorts of photos.

 

What’s your latest project?

I recently completed a 365 Project, in which I endeavored to take a photograph every single day for one year. Having skipped a number of days due to separate responsibilities and life interferences, I was three months delayed in finishing, but at the end of July, I finally did. I'm currently taking a short break to rest and allow my mind to refuel itself, but meanwhile I'm working on shooting and compiling a number of images for a book I hope to release at the end of fall.

 

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?

I consider the 365 Project to essentially be the -only- project I have yet to accomplish with my photography, having started it almost immediately after first picking up a camera. So, I suppose that would be my favorite. I learned and grew so much during the time spent on that project. I have no regrets in undertaking it and would suggest it to anyone who looks to improve dramatically in whatever field they are interested in.

 

What/Who inspires you?

This is always the most difficult to answer and happens to be the one most frequently asked. I don't know that I can give you a direct answer or one that isn't generic like, "Everything! Music, films, etc!" I guess I just look at what I have at my disposal.. whether it be a potential prop hidden away in my attic, the way I've retained a past experience or sound or image. I just like to dream up different worlds, taking the elements of our own and somehow finding a way to insert them into these new realms.

 

What are your future aspirations?

I hope to make a career out of photography, without a doubt. I have fallen so in love with the art that I can't imagine not having it be a staple in my everyday life from now on. I'd perhaps like to shoot for magazines and companies and always be in the presence of a creative, collaborative team. I find so much inspiration in seeing what others can think up on their own, and a certain kind of magic happens when everyone's minds blend and create this phenomenal product.

 

Where would you like to be in five years time?

I'd like to say that I've had happy experiences and sad experiences and that my life has been transformed from this doldrum I currently live within. I want to have seen many parts of the world and many different people and have created things I can be proud of.

 

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?

Get out of your comfort zone! Don't be content with what you've created in the past, but instead always strive to top what you've done before. Also, create what speaks to you. There seem to be so many pressures on today's youth, so many influences telling kids today what they should do, what is allowed. I just don't like to see so many limits placed on today's generation.

 

Any other comments?

Thank you so much for the opportunity to answer these interview questions and for enjoying my work enough to ask me to in the first place!

 

If you could just put the link to my flickr www.flickr.com/alex-stoddard, that would be awesome. Thanks again!

Alice Tams
ILLUSTRATOR

http://birdsinhats.blogspot.com/

Hello Alice, how are you feeling today? 
Tired, but otherwise very well thank you!

What's your latest project?
It's also my longest running one, called 'Birds in Hats'. Birds wearing hats, though, not sitting in them. It started with a badly proportioned owl and a joke baseball cap drawn over it to try and make it better, and I'm still getting requests today nearly two years later. My bird in hats productivity has it's peaks and troughs but I'll basically stop when I run out of either birds or hats.

What/Who inspires you?
Generally, all sorts of writers, painters, illustrators, photographers, film makers and clever people- but a lot of the time it's just something someone says or something I see when I'm walking about that gives me an idea (which I rarely have the time or money to see through to the end- at the moment anyway)

What are your future aspirations?
All sorts. I'd like to get some of my writing, photography and illustrative work properly published one day. Which is a good aim because there's a pretty generous time limit on that, it could all happen when I'm 80, so I don't feel like I'm failing right now.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Do work experience! Keep asking till someone says yes, and do it in something you think you could vaguely put up with for a year or so. You're probably not going to be able to support yourself on your own work the minute you graduate, and unless you have very rich and generous parents, you're going to have to pay the rent in the meantime (without a student loan...).

Imran Ahmed
WEB DESIGNER

http://www.imranahmed.com

Hello Imran, how are you feeling today?
Hello, I'm very well today thanks.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
I am in the creative design industry, practicing different digital areas such as web design, programming, illustration and so forth.

What's your latest project?
My latest project is the "iloveorhate.com" project which in summary, brings rating to Twitter. For example Facebook has "Facebook Like", iloveorhate allows users to Love or Hate other users Tweets, essentially bringing rating to Twitter. I was also awarded the "Best New Blood" title by D&AD for my project. http://www.dandad.org/dandad/latest/news/best-new-blood-winners

What are your future aspirations?
My future aspiration is to use the power of design to fuel ideas into businesses.


Where would you like to be in five years?
I hope in 5 years times I will be in a position whereby I have my own design agency that is recognised by other industries as one of the leading contributors in the creative arena.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
My best advice would be to ensure learning doesn't stop at the classroom and that a majority of my knowledge and techniques were obtained through a hunger to learn more independently, to expand from my lectures, and the more you learn, the more new ideas are born, in turn fuelling the passion for what you enjoy, technology never stops evolving, therefore neither should what we know.

Any other comments?
Other work can be viewed on my website at www.imranahmed.com

Hannah Rowlands
ILLUSTRATOR

http://www.hannahrowlands.com

Hello Hannah, how are you feeling today?
Alright thanks, it's a bit hot! I have been trying to make my new room look pretty as I've just moved house.

What's your latest project?
I just did a commission for a nice design agency which was for a pretty big client and it was pretty fun and a bit weird! I can't show it yet though :(

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
At University I enjoyed the projects which were really short, as I find it's fun to try and come up with something quickly and run with it. For example, we would be given a word like 'hole' and have to come up with some work that was about a hole (sounds weird but it's very fun)! And I like working with other people too, it's good to get other peoples input. I think that's when the best work happens rather than pondering around thinking things over too much alone, that can sometimes be bad for me.

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?
Some of the projects that went hideously wrong and that I hated, but it's good to try things out as you learn what works and what doesn't, while trying to do something new.

What/Who inspires you?
Lots of things.. I'm really inspired by a lot of sixties design, bright colours and bold prints. Also old american candy packaging. I really like lots of textile design, like Lucienne day and other artists who did prints for Heals. Also I love the colours Orla Kiely uses in her clothes. I'd say my favourite modern Illustrator/artist was Natalie Lete but I try to not look at current illustration anymore.. it kind of irritates me.

What are your future aspirations?
I really want my work to be put onto products, make things that are of use to people and not just illustrations on paper. Plates, cups, pillows... basically any nice illustrated objects that you might want to collect and use!

Where would you like to be in five years time?
Happy and healthy and hopefully making and designing some things that I am proud of and that other people find attractive. I would also hope to have a giant dog living with me in London...

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Well.. I don't know if I'm experienced enough yet to answer this question! But my advice would be... work very hard always, take advantage of the studios at University and printmaking studios! Get your work out there on the internet, email people, get involved on social networking (eg. blogging!), don't be scared to show work to people or contact people/companies who do work you like. Also son't do loads of free work. It's bad for everyone else!

Any other comments?
Just that you should all have a nice day! And thanks for reading :)

Kenson Lai
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://www.kensonlai.com

Hello Kenson, how are you feeling today?
Great thanks! Just graduated yesterday so still glowing from post gown wearing, mortarboard throwing and free booze drinking (thanks NTU) frivolities.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
From my point of view, it's a bit of a mess as graphic design encompasses all manner of talents from a broad spectrum of backgrounds with a subjective base skill set. There is a lot of frustration, ego-pushing, mass commercial drivel that makes up a large bulk of what is 'Graphic Design' when really it is simply finding ways of communicating ideas visually. Give me a bit more experience though, and I'll probably find I'm terribly misinformed.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
The EYE ARE GRAFIK DESIGN-ERRR, was a fun project to do and it was great to finally do something personal than corporate.

What/Who inspires you?
Anyone who understands that success is not the be all and end all.

What are your future aspirations?
In short; a cat, a piano and a room covered in fairy lights. In long, a fairly successful job that makes me happy at least an arbitrary 60% of the time, to live in fairly large house with my excellent boyfriend and read more books.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
To not give out advice. It is far easier to say lots of broad sentences like 'Work Hard' or 'Less is More' when the best advice is usually from your own head and from your ow experiences. Every student will have their own challenges, chances and ways of working!

Jerry Cook
DESIGNER  //  FILM MAKER

http://www.theprettiestofplaythings.co.uk



Hello Jerry, how are you feeling today?
A little under the weather actually but it's nothing some tea & tv can't fix I'm sure.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
Well I'm not completely sure what my industry is exactly. I studied illustration but I don't think of myself as an illustrator. I do a lot of different things, costumes, film, photography, books, zines, audo stuff...it's whatever medium best suits the idea I have or how I am feeling at the time.

What's your latest project?
I have not properly started anything since graduating last month, I decided to let myself have a little rest after all the madness of finishing a degree. But my brains been working I have a few clear ideas for a new series of work I want to do based around the idea of fan culture, things with a real teenage vibe. I have found myself regressing lately. I have also been in discussions with a few people about doing collaborative work/collaborative exhibitions which I am very excited about. And a (kind of) musical venture called 'Vapid Slut' will most likely fill my evenings when my friends move in with me next month. There's a lot of idea's floating about at the moment, I am currently revamping my flat but once I have a clean tidy home in which to work I am looking forward to getting started on some new work.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
The 'Initiation Ritual' film was a lot of work as I did everything myself, making costumes, (including a laser etched leather hood and apron) gathering props, filming and lots of editing. But that was my baby I had the idea for a while and I really wanted to create a certain mood with it. I did a lot of experimenting making it and I learnt a lot. My friend's mum said "I feel like I shouldn't be watching it but I can't look away!" when she saw it, which was the biggest compliment ever to me.

What/Who inspires you?
I love watching old films and documentaries and the worse the quality the better. I like to watch something that seems secretive or lost in some way I get a lot out of that. I think this kind of started when I stumbled across this documentary called 'Satanis' and another one which was about snuff films. But before then I had always really loved 70's and 80's horror movies (good or so bad they are good) which I think have a similar sort of feel to them. Harmony Korine film's are a bit like that, he has some really old zines too. The whole celebrity culture really fascinates me as well, and serial killers. I also like to collect really awful and/or funny headlines or captions from newspapers and magazines.

What are your future aspirations?
I have done some costume work in the past for others and as part of my own work and this is something I am really looking to pursue. I am currently trying to gain some more experience and putting together a portfolio to apply to the BBC's trainee program next year. I'd really like to get into costume work for tv and film.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Make the work you want to make and don't get too caught up with labels. It took me the first few years of uni before I realised I needed to stop trying to make work an "illustrator" would make and just do my own thing. And make lots of friends with people of all different disciplines because it's very useful and great things can come out of different minds and talents working on a project together.

Laura Burton
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://www.lauraburton.co.uk

Hello Laura, how are you feeling today?
I think I'm feeling a bit flummoxed. After five years at college I have been institutionalised and not don't really know what to do with myself. I have spent the day just wandering about wearing my college I.D lanyard with a can of spray mount in my hand ready to stick down bits of loose paper.

What's your latest project?
I do quite a bit of collaborative work with fellow graphic designer Frances Ulph under the name of üürdy. At the moment we are designing some type faces for a new sticky tape company, it's a fun project to do as we are allowed to be as creative as we like. We are also part of this years Battle Abbey Arts Trail, a collection of public art to encourage people to take a different look at the surroundings. We're going to disguise public benches as sofas in the attempt to confuse people into thinking they're in their living room and rush to sit down. Being as though we won't be installing T.V's, people will have no choice but to watch some of Battles beautiful scenes instead. As graphic designers, we have never done anything quite like this before and finding it all very exciting and a little but terrifying.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
I realised a few years ago that the projects which were most successful were the ones I enjoyed doing the most, that I had fun with. So I made a conscience decision to enjoy all my future projects. I know I don't particularly like working on computers so I avoid them as much as possible, I do know I like screen printing and crafts so I use them instead. I hate to admit to having favourite projects but my little voting robot ornament brings me so much happiness it's worrying. My Michelin brief was a joy too, screen printing, sewing, baking biscuits, bit's of ribbon, what's not to enjoy?

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?
I probably learnt the most from my self initiated brief for my degree. Apart from firing glass, I didn't learn much technically but I did learn a huge amount about democracy, I felt ashamed that this was something I should have known about already. I think it just taught me how little I actually know and that I should maybe start asking more questions about things that seems obvious or that I have just accepted in the past without query.

What/Who inspires you?
Anything and everything inspires me, just day to day life stuff really. The inflation of butter in Tesco inspired one piece of work once. I used the colour pallet of a couple of books that happened to be sat next to each other in another project. But if I'm actively looking for inspiration, then I take myself off to the Imperial War Museum, or I read. And there is always FFFFound.

What are your future aspirations?
I hope to continue to get interesting and diverse commissions and to be able to carry on working on personal projects for my own pleasure with the intention of selling the end results. One day I would quite like to earn enough money to be able to eat on a regular basis.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Work really, really hard and to love doing whatever it is you do. I got sick of hearing students moan when they were given another brief, you shouldn't huff when you're given work, you should jump up and down with joy. No one is forced to go to college, you should be there because you're passionate about the subject. And if you hate photoshop, don't use it.

Craig Morrison
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://www.creativeambition.co.uk

Hello Craig, how are you feeling today?
I'm good thanks. Been a crazy few weeks as my girlfriend and I make plans to head up to Dundee. Managed to get a flat sorted and are well on our way to getting it furnished.

What's your latest project?
I've been working on a rebrand for a dental surgery based in Glasgow on and off for the last year or so. I did a logo and some stationary last year and this time around they are looking for some brochures and folders for new patients. It's going well but it's a slow process as I am always waiting around for the actual content. Other than that I've been mainly concentrating on the blog I am part of called Evolution and Us (www.evolutionandus.com).

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
I did a project at college where we had to visit a supermarket and choose a product I felt needed a rebrand. This was exactly what I wanted as eventually I would like to concentrate on corporate identity. I chose Homepride because after being in three stores and seeing it on the bottom shelf every time I knew I had to make it compete with the newer brands like Jamie Oliver and Lloyd Grossman.

I enjoyed this brief the most because of the freedom I had, there was very little requirements for the brief other than having three pieces of design on our product. I chose to do a new logo, new label and an advertising campaign.

I created a unique logo and set our specific colours for the jars depending on which category they fell into. Previously Homepride had used the same jar layout and design for all of their ranges, which went from pasta sauces to vegetable bakes to a roast chicken cook-in-sauce.

The advertising campaign I enjoyed because it allowed me to use my sense of humour with the tagline "It's almost like cooking from scratch". I had fun with this brief, so yeah, probably one of my favourites.

What/Who inspires you?
Someone asked me this before and I can honestly say that I have no idea. I don't think I'm ever inspired in the sense that I see something and think 'that's inspiration right there, I wish I was them, I wish I had done that'. I do look at a lot of work online and follow a lot of blogs and I do often say, 'ooooo that's nice' but that's about it. I like to create my own stuff, I think there is a fine line in being inspired by something and just plain copying it, I try my best to have my own take on things.

What are your future aspirations?
I'm 26 right now an I've wasted a few years in dead end jobs and sitting around doing nothing. My decision to return to education came about after spending 6 months in Canada. I quickly realised that my passion for design wasn't enough to get me a job, so I returned home to get my qualifications. My intentions were to spend two years at Glasgow Metropolitan, then two years at Glasgow Caledonian. Then I met my girlfriend, applied for art school because of some advice I got from a few industry creatives and here I am, 26 and about to spend the next three years at Duncan of Jordanstone. If I had been told two years ago that I would go to art school with the prospect of leaving with a degree I would never have believed them, now I reckon I can do anything. I hope to eventually have my own agency, like most young designers no doubt, but I am willing to just live my life and see what happens really.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Networking is key in this industry and I'm not even really in the industry yet but I've quickly realised that if you sit around waiting for it, it'll never come. I won't be out of education for another three years, but right now I am actively building up a reputation (hopefully). I have my portfolio website up and running, Creative Ambition (www.creativeambition.co.uk) and also contribute to the Evolution and Us (www.evolutionandus.com) blog. Through both of these sites I hope that in three years time, with constant networking, I'll be able to come out slightly ahead of everyone else as far as knowing people in the industry. My advice to people, get Twitter and get a blog, get yourself out there or else you'll end up doing a job you have no interest in.

Any other comments?
Two things spring to mind
1) Good things come to those who wait.
and
2) Buy a kindle, best £111 I ever spent.

Robert Savage

FILMMAKER

http://www.idlefilms.com/ 

Hello Robert, how are you feeling today? 

I'm very well, if completely exhausted - I'm a slave to coffee and

missed my fix this morning. It's an ugly sight.
 

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?

I am a midlands-based filmmaker who writes, directs and

intermittently shoots shorts, music videos and feature films. From my

fringe experience of the 'industry' I've learnt the importance of self

sufficiency, of finding a way to assert your own voice through the

racket of hopefuls. With digital technology so readily available, I've

found that there's no excuse not to attempt something big, ballsy and

legitimately insane in order to make a name for yourself. Of course

it's equally likely that I have no idea what I'm talking about - time

will tell.

  

What’s your latest project? 

I'm currently finalising the edit on my first feature film,

Strings, and prepping another feature that will hopefully shoot summer

2012. Strings is a dark relationship drama about a German exchange

student and a British boy's summer romance and the second feature is a

coming of age tale about dealing with loss (although not as morose as

that sounds).

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed? 

Sit in Silence, hands down. It was wonderful, coming off a

comparatively massive project like Strings, to have just 48 hours to

shoot, edit and hand in a finished product. The competition provides

you with a title, a prop and a line of dialogue that you have to

include, so as to limit what can be prepared in advance - I loved that

so much was left up to chance. It was freeing in an odd way, although

I sincerely believe that, if we were dealt some of the bizarre

criteria some of the other teams had to adhere to, we wouldn't have

done as well as we did (the film came second overall, as well as

winning the BFI under 21's award) 

http://vimeo.com/26123164

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from? 

Strings. I learnt everything from Strings and I still can't quite

fathom how we achieved what we did, entering into such a large project

with such little experience - it was everyone's first major film, so I

think there was a great energy to try different approaches, even if it

didn't always work. I shot 65 hours of raw footage for Strings and,

although I'm hugely proud of the finished film, there was one good

film in the footage and about a hundred interesting failures.

What/Who inspires you? 

Walking, music and walking with music. Shuffle has written more

films for me than anyone will ever know. Obviously I watch a lot of

films, good and bad, and I think being film literate helps you

interpret the world differently, albeit in a way that can often be

distancing/wanky/infuriating for those around you - it's a fine

balance and I'll find it one day.

What are your future aspirations? 

I consider myself a features director first and foremost, so the

aim is to establish myself as a writer/director and amass a body of

work that I can take pride in and that hopefully people will want to

see - not necessarily in that order.

Where would you like to be in five years time? 

All I can hope for is to be able to work doing the thing that I

love with the likeminded, so hopefully the above answer will also

apply. Even if I find myself still climbing the slippery ladder - when

are we not in this industry? - I hope I can bring/find something in

every project that I can latch onto, whether it be a commercial or a

feature film.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries? 

Try something that you will later consider insane, just because you

don't yet know that it's utterly impossible - chances are you'll

manage to do it based solely on blissful ignorance.

Any other comments? 
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Qn3tel9FWU

Ian Edward Prentice 
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://www.ianep.co.uk

Hello Ian, how are you feeling today?
I'm feeling pretty good - relaxed, for the first time in a long while.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
I'm a Graphic Designer; I have a particular passion for printed design, particularly considering print process, methods of production and finish. I love type, and experimenting with gridded editorial conventions to create seemingly fluid layouts that force a certain interaction or interpretation of the works or information displayed.

What's your latest project?
The most recent piece I produced is a 100page publication titled 'Affinity to Print: The Sustenance of Print Culture'. The publication explores print culture and the role of print in design and contemporary society. It features a handful of interviews with designers and studios alongside showcasing their work. The format itself is a composition of three formats; a newspaper, a magazine and a book - digitally juxtaposed to form a 'trompe-l'oeil' (deceive the eye). It is essentially a design extension of my third year dissertation, which also examined print culture alongside new medias and digital conventions of publicising.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
Recently, probably my V&A prints. I'm particularly interested in design for cultural contexts, and these set of proposed prints for exhibitions at the V&A use a different method of print production, process or finish for each, whether digital methods or traditional/manual. I love craft and physicality in design.

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?
It's quite hard to pinpoint which I have learnt the most from. Live, client led briefs are always more informing in terms of designing for the real world (i.e. not just student or self-initiated briefs). To this end, recently the 2011 yearbook for the BA (Hons.) Printed Textiles and Surface Pattern Design course at Leeds College of Art was a good one - In terms of budget and print run, it is the largest I've worked on - also collaborating with two others. Myself and ex-course mate Tim Wan are also working on a handful of editorial publications for the college, as a collaborative venture - studioco-lab.co.uk

What are your future aspirations?
Future aspirations are to be successful enough to set up on my own/set up a small studio. Currently I am in between placements while doing the odd project, though not quite wanting to settle yet - I'm still young, there's much more I can see and do.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Push yourself as much as you can. There's so much you can do, so many facilities and great like-minded peers on a course such as the one I did. Make the most of it, don't be too serious.

Paul Price
GRAPHIC DESIGNER


http://www.paul-price.net

Hello Paul, how are you feeling today?
I'm pretty good thanks but a little stressed and tired as I just moved to London today, I literally just stepped through the door.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
I work as a Graphic Designer although I would definitely call myself a Visual Communicator. My industry is complex, degrading, stressful, wonderful and rewarding. I'm interested in using design in beneficial and interesting ways, taking the practice somewhere new and exciting. I would love to see more designers taking this approach to design rather than treating it as a purely aesthetic practice.

Although I am a Graphic Designer it's important to note that I am also expected to be a web designer, user experience designer, art director, illustrator and adviser. These days creative people are expected to be jack of all trades but master of many.

What's your latest project?
Signs of Affection is an intervention poster project which operates using short, positive messages submitted by members of the public by email or our website - http://signs-of-affection.com. If a users message is chosen it is designed, screen printed and then sent across the globe to be pasted up on the walls of various towns and cities.

Essentially I started the project to create something in opposition to advertising but also give the bpublic a way to express themselves in public spaces where that right is being increasingly diminished. It's also meant to be fun and look really pretty.

I was lucky enough to receive the Diana Nelson Memorial Prize and intend to use the money to continue Signs of Affection by investing in some much needed screen printing equipment.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
It would have to be the design work I did for this years Headingly Music Festival in Leeds, which included branding, website, flyers, posters, leaflets, tickets and passes.

Working on a shoestring budget, for a client group who I would never usually work with, I learnt an incredible amount about the power of design and how design doesn't always have to be beautiful to be effective. I remember speaking to one of my tutors and having that realisation, it changed how I work as a designer and how I view my industry.

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?
This year I had the pleasure of being part of the design team for the BA Visual Communication Yearbook and I learnt so much from people doing things right rather than wrong for once.

I'm not much of a team player, at least not working with other graphic designers, but designing the yearbook as part of a 5 strong team gave some reassurance that I can function effectively with other designers when I need to. I leaned how to work as part of a machine rather than trying to control it and due to this I realised that I can definitely step back and let a manager or art director deal with the stress of a project. Essential learning for those designers who wish to keep their sanity.

What/Who inspires you?
I'm inspired by almost everything. I find it very important to be interested in a great number of things but not necessarily in a large way. For example, I love brutalist architecture whilst I son't know a huge amount about the architects of history of the moment, it can still inspire my design work as much as my interventions.

As you experience things you gain more inspiration and when it comes to searching for a new idea or the solution to a problem then you have these resources ready to use. The more you have then the greater the idea will be or the better a problem can be solved. Design and creativity is definitely all about being aware of the world, part, present and future whilst appreciating but not necessarily liking it at all.

People don't inspire me a great deal although I hope to meet a bunch of inspirational people now that I'm in London!

What are your future aspirations?
If I gave the real answer in a job interview, I aspire to be content, I would be rejected straight away. Employers want to know about your ambition, how you will make them profit, rather than how much you value your well-being. Also, having just spent the last 17 years in full-time education I kind of want to enjoy life on terms rather than at the whims of examination boards.

However to give this a more tangible answer my future should pan out like this:
Work a low level design job, get bored of it, get a more interesting/higher up design job, get bored of it, start my own creative agency, get bored of it. And so on. I'm not sure that I can ever be fulfilled or contented but I'm happy enough to keep trying to be for the rest of my life.

Where would you like to be in five years time?
I would like to be in New York, London or Stockholm enjoying being bored of my job and trying to do hundreds of things at once to fill a void. I would also probably like to start a family and raise some amazing kids. Teaching would be really awesome too id someone would let me.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Don't attempt to create success (great work) by emulating the life or work of someone you admire. Don't enter competitions without amazing prizes, don't work for free and try not to do internships that don't pay.

Be endlessly fascinated by everything inside and outside your field of work. Talk to a lot of people about what you're interested in. Read as much as you can, watch the news every day and fall in love.

Any other comments?
Cynicism is boring.

Liam Hine
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://www.liamhine.com

Hello Liam, how are you feeling today?
Pretty hot actually. It's roasting outside and I'm in the process of moving house...again. Shifting boxes isn't fun at the best of times! The fan on my desk is doing a good job however.

What's your latest project?
I've most recently finished the promotional and wayfinding materials for Leeds College of Art's end of year show 2011 as part of a collaboration with Ollie Saward (www.olliesaward.co.uk) and am now in the process of designing the 2012/2013 prospectus (again with Ollie, as well as Will - www.willasken.co.uk).

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?
I'd say The Amazon From Source To Sea. The client was brilliant and the entire brief was made a lot easier by the interesting content. Definitely worth a read if you can get hold of a copy.

What are your future aspirations?
Eventually I'd like to set up my own studio and have my drums close at hand for practice. It's a good outlet for stress as well... Something I could have done with over the last few months.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
There's so many things, but overall... eat well, sleep well,  work HARD, be nice to people and make mistakes.

Any other comments?
I heard Beyonce was good at Glastonbury?

Liam designed the promotional and wayfinding material for the Leeds College of Art end of year show. See our review of the show by clicking here.

Thomas Howes
ILLUSTRATOR


http://www.thomashowedillustration.com

Hello Thomas, how are you feeling today?
Hello! I'm feeling pretty good. I've just finished my end of year show which went smoothly and now I've  got to try and juggle a normal 9-5 job and being an illustrator all at once. It's going to be a hecktic few months!

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?
That's a bit of a tough one, I still feel like I'm finding my feet and I keep learning new things. I think illustrators have quite a good deal these days, the internet has made it easy for people to get feedback on work, network etc.

90% of the feedback I get is through Flickr, it's a brilliant platform for artists to use. Even some of the big names in British illustration use Flickr as the first place to upload their work and get feedback and you see people's progression from small time illustrator to getting big jobs it's really nice. I remember looking at Olly Moss's work before he really got huge and thinking 'this is great'. The next thing I hear is that he's been commissioned by Empire magazine. So yeah, the internet can be brilliant for young artists. Obviously it can have huge drawbacks (copyright infringement, etc) but I'm yet to experience anything that bad! I am lucky that one of my tutors at Uni is an Illustrator (Matthew the Horse, if you want to look him up!) and his advice has given me a big glimpse into what the life of a working illustrator is like.

At the minute I's still a small time Illustrator so haven't got to grips with the industry full-on but it's something I can't wait to get into.

What's your latest project?
I don't usually go in for the big pre-planned projects unless someone asks me to. Most of the time I just draw and then see where it goes, planning isn't my strong point. At the minute I'm getting back into painting so we'll see where that goes. However for my final major project I made my first comic 'Revenge of Bald Head' which was fun and a bit of a learning curve.

What/Who inspires you?
Films, television and comics are probably the biggest influences in what I do. I think humour has a lot to do with it too. I love comedy and try and make even my darkest stuff have an element of humour. Again, the thing with the internet is you can always find something that takes your fancy. I've been using sites like Flickr since I first started drawing and I suppose it's those first few really great Illustrators I found on there that helped shape what I do.

What are your future aspirations?
To not be on the dole.

Where would you like to be in five years time?
I'd quite like to have a dog by then. Really, I just hope to still have a love for illustration. I hope having a 9-5 job won't kill that. I'm sure I'll manage it, if you really want things then you have to struggle a bit and plenty of other people have had to do it.

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?
Don't expect University or College to just set you up. One of my biggest regrets is that I didn't network enough or talk to people, I just thought it would fall into place. Unfortunately you do have to work hard, if you don't do the work then it just won't happen. Do what makes you happy then anything else you get out of that is just a huge bonus.

Any other comments?
If you are about to start University, I have two very important pieces of advice;
1) You cannot rely on a diet of 8p noodles.
2) Steal as much free stuff as you can.

Ash Watkins
GRAPHIC DESIGNER

http://ashwatkins.wordpress.com

Hello Ash, how are you feeling today?

I'm great, enjoying the summer, but trying to keep busy at the same time.

Could you tell us a bit about your industry?

I'm a graphic design student at the University of Lincoln.

What's your latest project?

I went to the Le Mans 24 hour race last weekend and photographed different aspects of the event and have been blogging them in categories daily. I'm showing people the other side of the racing and it was a lot of fun to do.

What is the project you have done that you most enjoyed?

At University we got the opportunity to design our own zine, it had to be aimed at a certain community and I chose the homeless community. It was kind of a satirical thing but it was really fun and fuelled a lot of creativity.

Which project do you feel that you have learnt the most from?

A exhibition branding project.. I didn't do very well with the exhibition boards, they were too crowded and looked amateurish. I learned a lot from the mistakes I had made though so I'm happy I got the experience.

What/Who inspires you?

I read a lot of Creative Review, they have some fantastic work in there and I like to keep up to date with the design industry. Anything could inspire me though, it's how you apply different inspirations that I find interesting.

What are your future aspirations?

I want to work in graphic design, for a company in a big city preferably! With fellow designers, I like interacting with other people too much to do freelance work I think.

Where would you like to be in five years time?

Settles in a flat working for a design company, still learning and working my arse off!

What advice would you give to students in creative industries?

Be prepared to work very hard, be competitive and be nice to people. Learn something new with every project.

Any other comments?

My blog

http://ashwatkins.wordpress.com