Martha Markovsky isn't one to stay put. Though she only claims to be a Senior Art Director on her Creativepool profile, the truth is that Martha is so much more and has so many interests ranging across a number of sectors in the creative industry.
Typography? She can do. Graphic design? Check. Food styling and photography? I mean, how mouth-watering is the pizza in the header image above? Though Martha started out in marketing, being in close contact with designers made her fall in love with the beauty of the creative industry and she shortly after completed a design diploma to start her own creative career.
For this Member Spotlight, we are learning more about what it means to be a multi-faceted creative, how Martha finds inspiration for all her interests, and the main features and characteristics of her style.
How did you get into the industry?
I actually started out in marketing, and through working with designers I realised I wanted to be on the other side of the fence, so I completed a design diploma and was fortunate enough to get an entry level gig at a branding and packaging agency straight afterwards.
Where are you based now and who do you work for?
I moved to the UK from the sunny shores of Cape Town, South Africa a little over a month ago. I’m currently freelancing on various projects and I’m super excited to explore the creative industry here.
If you weren’t in your current industry, what would you be doing?
I’d likely be doing food styling and photography. I absolutely love food, and making food look good, which I’ve been lucky to be able to do in a lot of my projects.
Can you explain your creative process?
I usually do some research and look for inspiration before getting a clearer idea of how I’d like to approach a problem, and from there I start playing around with a few different ideas. I try not to put too much pressure on myself in order to let a direction take shape organically. Once I have a clear direction in mind it’s all about refining it and taking care of all the small details.
How would you describe your style?
I think as a whole it’s more clean and structured. I love bold typography, geometric shapes and balanced compositions.
Which individuals do you gain inspiration from? Do you have any heroes in the industry?
I’m not yet super familiar with the local industry, but I’ve always been quite drawn to early 20th century designers like Saul Bass, Milton Glaser and Paul Rand. There’s something timeless about their work and I love seeing those influences still coming through 100 years later.
How has technology affected the way you work?
Technology is great in the sense that it allows certain tasks to happen a lot quicker, but it’s also a double edged sword in the sense that it’s tempting to minimise the role of other creative processes.
What’s your secret to staying inspired and motivated?
I like to work on a variety of different things. I feel most highly motivated when I’m trying something new and learning.
What’s the work achievement you’re most proud of?
The projects where I’ve really been able to push myself and expand on a new idea.
How do you recharge away from the office?
I’m a sucker for TV series and cooking, so on a typical week night you’ll probably find me rustling something up in the kitchen and then settling down for an hour or two on the couch.
What is one tip that you would give to other aspiring creatives looking for work?
Try to work on some passion projects as well- they’ll let you use your creativity on your own terms which will keep you motivated, plus you’ll have some interesting work to add to your portfolio and show employers that you’re passionate about what you do.
What’s your one big hope for the future of the industry?
I’m really excited that we’re starting to see more diverse influences and voices coming through in the industry, and I hope to see more of that, especially in leadership roles.
If you could change one thing about the industry, what would that be?
I think that traditionally the creative field hasn’t always been taken as seriously as say the marketing or finance sectors. I’d like to see good creative work become more valued.
Do you have any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
I’ve recently been introduced to Lunchdate. Really great for connecting with other creatives and broadening your ideas. For someone like me that’s new to the city, or someone that’s new to the industry, it’s a great way to get exposure to industry events, inspiration and networking. And of course, Creativepool!
