"Two heads are better than one."
Describe your work in one sentence.
Phil Howell: We try to be current, playful and bold.
Lauren Baker: I'd say it was quite playful and lighthearted. It's also rather brave in a sense.
What's the most important thing you've learnt in your line of work?
PH: That there is no fast track in life, you have to work hard to get where you want to be.
LB: You need to have the perfect balance of motivation, people-skills and the right attitude to be able to just keep on going.
What attracted you to your chosen field?
PH: Being able to create things from scratch, problem solving and being able to work in an industry I love.
LB: The prospect of doing what I love and getting paid for it.
Tell us about your best project to date.
PH: Working for Colchester Institute producing a series of posters and banner promoting positivity and respect throughout the college.
LB: I agree with Phil; the client knew exactly what they wanted content and style wise, as well as just letting us do our thing.
PH: Also, there's nothing quite like seeing your work on a ten foot banner.
What sets you apart from your competitors?
PH: We have two different styles as artists that when combined offer the client a very different result then working with an individual freelancer.
LB: Two heads are better than one.
Tell us a random fact about yourself.
PH: I am somehow loosely related to Greedo from Star Wars. True story.
LB: I have possibly “the loudest laugh in the Western hemisphere”.
If you could work on any project for any company/organisation, what would it be and who would it be for?
PH: I would like to work with Roc-A-Fella records. I would also love the opportunity to work with hip-hop artists like Jay Z, Kanye West and N.E.R.D on their design. Those artists have such great vision and I would love to be a part of it all.
LB: This isn't so much an organization, but illustrating book covers are something that I would love to get involved in, particularly for children's books. Re-designing the Harry Potter series, obviously, would be an amazing job, as they are an integral part of my growing up.
What's your favourite bit of kit?
PH: As much as I love my Mac book, something I can't live without as a designer it would be my iPod. Without music I am useless.
LB: My Wacom tablet helped me endlessly with the transition from analogue to digital design. It wasn't an easy transition, but now I'm comfortable drawing both on paper and on the computer.
What frustrates you the most about your job?
PH: People cancelling on meetings last minute, we go to a lot of effort with our clients in terms of preparation.
LB: Chasing people up for money.
What pearl of wisdom can you offer to someone thinking about starting out in your industry?
PH: Get out there, leave the computer for a night and try and talk to people you can shake hands with.
LB: Be prepared to never stop working. If it's what you love and what you really want to do, most of the time it won't seem like work.
If you could have ONE super power, what would it be?
PH: To multiple myself so I can work as well as make the tea, check my emails, answer the phone and socialise.
LB: Flight. It's always been my answer to this question!
What do you like about Creativepool?
PH: I love the way it recommends jobs to me - that is a great feature.
LB: I like that clients can download your CV, it's really nice.
What's your favourite song of all time?
PH: Journey to the end of East Bay- Rancid
LB: Octopus's Garden by The Beatles. What…?!
And finally, what can a prospective customer expect from you?
PH: Long days, hard work, passion and fast results.
LB: Enthusiasm and a willingness to listen to their needs.
If you want to be in the spotlight, email us with examples of your work or a link to your Creativepool profile.
