Interview Reflection

Ethan Earle

What did you take from your degree forward into work? What part of the course taught you the most?  

COP (the contextual side) was really important to me I think, within one of my final projects I looked at Béton Brut Typographie and looked at the similarities between modernist architecture and Graphic Design. This really challenged me to think about the use of materials in my work. I work a lot on the computer as I design typefaces but in this project my final outcome was letters from my typeface cast into concrete. This made me consider a digital type as part of a project which can be developed into physical versions, rather than just a digital file existing in the cloud.

- Interesting to not get too hung up on computers, but still using the computer for the necessary topic (e.g. typography), but also making physical renditions of that made on a computer in real life.

Why didn’t you go freelance? 

I’d always enjoyed working as part of a team. It’s brilliant being able to work with other creative practitioners who are driven and on top of their game. It’s also good being around people when working in the fast moving creative industries with lots of late nights and tight deadlines, some people I work with have been in the industry a really long time and it helps you learn how to handle the pressure, deal with clients and develop your own work. I don’t think I’d learn as much if I was working as a solo designer.

- Working with other's allows for more idea generation, can open you up to different ideas you might not have thought of.
- Able to learn from others who have more experience (overall and in other areas), develop skills, etc.
- Do you feel you've learnt more from working at BUILD or during your university, and why?

What is your creative process? How do you come up with ideas? 

Constantly being aware of the world around you is really important. I’m always taking photos on my phone of things I like, colours, type, patterns anything that catches my eye. Then being open to everything, I think it’s really important to look at areas outside of graphic design, film, music, politics etc. When I get a new project It’s important to really break down what I’m trying to communicate, once I understand that then I begin the process of making loads of versions of designs to show to the client.

- Taking photos, good way to quickly capture inspiration , maybe use within own practice and incorporate into blogs for fast idea generation.

- Broader research, look into movements as well as practitioners.

Who and what are your biggest influences? Are there any that aren’t graphic design best? 

Yes! I really love architecture, it’s a huge influence on my work, Le Corbusier especially. Architecture, like graphic design is about working with tight restrictions and rules. It’s really interesting to see how an idea which crosses into both areas, like a modular system, manifests in a totally different way.

- Widen research into other design practices, Ethan's inspiration by architects, use the parallels between the two, see how they work with similarities as well as the differences.

What impact did space odyssey have on your work? 

Firstly it’s just a great film! I think the stargate sequence is definitely the most influential scene. I think the simplicity of the production methods and the confidence in extending the scene are two really good take-aways from the film. You don’t have to do a project where everything is super high end and polished. If the idea is good you can make a really strong project just from simple materials.

- Approach the project with the same way the film has been directed, simple production methods and materials, not over complicating things.

How is working for a studio? How has it impacted the work you create?  

I think working with other people from different disciplines has really helped developed my practice as a designer and creative. When you work with people from photography, advertising and branding backgrounds you really get a sense of different creatives processes and ways of generating ideas.

What attracted you to working at build? 

I think that they moved their studio to the north is really exciting. There’s lots of talk that Leeds will follow Manchester in becoming a new design capital and I wanted to be a part of that.

What stage of the process are you most involved in at build? 

I’m involved in all areas of the project, which I love. There’s a relatively small team compared to some studio so I get to speak to clients, work up designs, discuss feedback, art direct photo shoots, produce final out comes, source materials etc. I think that’s really important as it forces you to hone your skills in a variety of different areas rather than staying stagnant.

- Being involved in all areas of design is beneficial to the individual, makes you develop all skills within a specific area. Can run through different areas and find a variety of strengths.

What do you think you will do in the future? What’s your forward plan?

At the moment I’m really happy where I am, I feel I’m learning loads of new skills every day and making an impact in the city and a burgeoning design scene. Maybe senior designer / creative in a few years time. Who knows!

Isabel and Helen

Wood and Harrison are a big inspirations to them, they enjoy the build up to the end result, their work has a simple graphic approach. Sometimes the best ideas are the simple ones.

- They use mundane objects and situations

- Have a dry sense of humour, and that comes across in their performance.

Project for Craig Green, Milan, Mon Claire inflatables as their favourite/most exciting project. Started by developing ideas with bin bags.

Lucy worked for Hotel Creative after uni, designing window displays. Learnt from environment and working with other people. Helen worked in set design. They started working on small projects in the evenings and at weekends to establish their practice before going freelance, and build up clientele. Found it difficult to go freelance.

Some opportunities come from the more annoying projects.

Find working in a pair good as you have someone to bounce off of each other.

Interested in in performance and the narrative of kinetics, can connect to the audience more. The practical elements can be more challenging, always being introduced to new materials as never know what will happen live. Learnt through trial and error.

Work 3 months ahead of time, hard to figure out when is busy and when's not since going freelance. They get ideas, develop style etc. then package into presentation and keep for the right time/brief.

Charlie Shepard

Approach the project the same way they approached the film, the idea of having fun and developing an idea that you want to make. 

Inspiration Max Siedentopf, fun humorous designs (has a talk on nicer tuesdays podcast).

Dan Eatock

Studio in Hoxton.

Rather have a conversation that answers a list of questions.

Doesn't like cinema, always feel like he's on the other side of it. It's too prescriptive, feels as though he's being manipulated when watching cinema. Wants to let himself fall into the emotion

Warhol's approach to film lets the material run it's course, allows the experience to unfold. During the film you expect something to happen but nothing does, like sitting and watching a fire. The idea of an endurance test.

Made work not thinking about the audience, not worried about the reaction.

When Dan Eatock make's his own work only thinks of himself. Tries to detach self from the reaction. Remembering that you 'the maker' are just as important as the audience. 

Things to consider about the screening could be:

- When's the start time?

- Is it somehting you watch by yourself?

- Watch with others? How many?