How did you get into the industry?
A combination of both luck and being in the right place at the right time! Having taught myself HTML and a bit of Photoshop 4 (plus the fact I could draw/illustrate which came in handy – I think that was the clincher!). I joined one of London’s earliest/first Web Design agencies - Deltabravo.com - who were responsible for getting all the Arcadia brands online back in 1999/2000 like TopShop, Burton etc.
Most of my role was working on Zoom.co.uk – it was a great learning curve working with some really talented people there. It was all bare brick walls, table football, people cycling round the office, giant cushions and beer/movie nights etc before all that became a cliché for studios – very ‘anti-corporate’ - great times!
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I’m currently based in Highams Park, London and although I’m currently freelancing at Citi in Canary Wharf (in their Presentations & Graphics Department), I run my little Steve B Graphics Studio Ltd., producing artwork for greeting cards and shooting/editing video reviews for Graphics and Pen Tablets etc for a third party’s YouTube channel.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
Pushing up daisies! Or maybe trying to get back into it… it doesn’t bear thinking about!
Can you explain your creative process? What makes it unique?
That’s a difficult question as I work in quite a few different areas and disciplines i.e. print, web design, illustration and video production etc., but working alongside the client as much as possible and nailing exactly what is required after presenting a few mocks/ideas generally helps! I wouldn’t say it’s ‘unique’ as I’m sure all designers are doing the same.
How would you describe your style?
Hmm… I guess bold, playful and bright/colourful? I like to stick to just a few colours in my illustrations, especially with Greeting Cards and not overdo it – less is more! KISS!
Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
Like most designers and illustrators I’m sure, comics were (and are!) a huge influence, both American and English – everything from DC to Marvel to 2000AD, I lapped them up (and still do!)
People like Steve Ditko, Jack Kirby, John/Sal Buscema, Neal Adams, John Romita Snr. (the latter two both recently passed unfortunately) and UK cartoonists Terry Bave, Sid Burgon, Davy Law, Leo Baxendale etc – too many to mention!
I’m a huge movie fan too, so when the design and film worlds merge, you get Saul Bass.
What tips would you give to aspiring creatives looking for work?
It’s not easy – there’s so many others out there all chasing the same job, but having a decent up to date portfolio definitely helps – CreativePool (obviously!) and Behance are great and, if you can, your own web site.
What tips would you give to other professionals to get more clients?
Previously I’ve always worked as a permanent ‘in-house’ designer for various companies, only really going freelance since the tail end of Covid, so if any other professionals could tell me I’d appreciate it!
Social Media has helped – I got the video reviewing gig via Twitter after they saw my work online, so definitely promote yourself over as many as you can.
What kind of tools/kit/software could you not do without?
Definitely my HUION 24” 2K Pen display! I’m fortunate enough to get to test, play with and review many pen tablets and displays from various companies, but I would really miss my display! I’ve still got a couple of old Wacom Graphire tablets laying around somewhere – remember them?
Oh and a computer loaded with Adobe goodies!
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
Bills! This industry is always moving forward at an ever increasing pace and you either sink or swim – you have to keep learning and staying up to date. A.I. has it’s fans and detractors, but there’s no denying how powerful a tool it is, whether you like it or not.
I read online someone said ‘A.I. will put a lot of designers and illustrators out of a job’ and, although there’s a lot of truth to that, someone came back with a reply of ‘…only those designers and illustrators who can’t use it.’ So, it’s here, deal with it and learn it! I’ve only scratched the surface, but it is good fun… and that’s what it’s all about.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
There’s been a few… first cartoon published in the tabloids(!), seeing the first proper video that I shot, edited and produced on YouTube etc. Selling an item on either Redbubble, Zazzle, Thortful etc that you’ve created also gives you a nice warm and fuzzy feeling (as does the cash haw haw!)
One of the largest projects I have worked on was for QBE Insurance Group. (whilst working at FirstBase I.T.) redesigning their online insurance portal for a better user experience – mainly by future proofing it and making it ‘responsive’.
I redesigned/mocked in Photoshop (this was 2016!) and totally built the front-end myself in HTML, CSS, Bootstrap and jQuery before handing it over to a back-end team. It was deployed in over 20 countries. I bumped into an old colleague recently who still works there and its still going strong!
Whats is the one thing you would change about the industry?
It’s not the ‘design’ industry as such, but after Covid I found the general recruitment process of looking for a role, just how annoying and frustrating it is how quick certain recruiters will drop you i.e. no replies to emails or calls etc - finding work is a serious and stressful process!
Any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
I used to read the ‘Classroom In A Book’ stuff from Adobe (why so expensive – you don’t even get a DVD in them anymore! ) before the tutorials started appearing on YouTube.
I’ve been lucky to have access to sites like Lynda.com (now LinkedIn Learning), Pluralsight and Coursera etc with some of the companies I’ve worked for in the past, but I do like a book – I’ve just installed Clip Studio Paint, so I’m looking forward to getting to grips with that as a nice alternative/compliment to Adobe Illustrator, so will be checking out Amazon for a good read…
Andy Norton June 25th, 2023, in the afternoon
This is a very interesting and inspiring article.