Tell us a bit about your role! Is there a “typical” day?
My role as Director/Head of Production at Solarflare is very varied, so as cliche as it sounds no two days are the same.
That said, I typically search for inspiration each evening on LinkedIn, Creativepool, FWA , and explore trends and developments in the immersive space so I can share these with the team the following morning to kickstart our creativity.
We also have quickfire meetings each morning to prioritise tasks for each project, both internally and externally. I spend the remainder of the day managing a range of responsibilities, including everything from directorial duties and client management to project consultancy and strategic guidance.
What was the biggest challenge in getting to your current position?
One challenge I faced as Head of Production was letting go of the idea that I absolutely had to know everything about the logistical and financial side of things, as well as the workflows and pipelines across all the hardware and software that was being used.
I very quickly learnt that this simply wasn’t the case: trusting and empowering others was the way to go. This was definitely a process that I had to undergo and some patience was required. But that’s the way things are - we can’t all be Jude Bellingham (sadly).
What is your personal background and what role did it play in your career?
My love of sound and music (I was once in a thrash metal band) led me to undertake a BA (Hons) in Sound Design at Ravensbourne University. But I very quickly also became interested in the power of animation, AR and VR, and how the right mix of technologies can produce engaging immersive experiences.
What is your biggest career-related win? What is your biggest loss?
Getting Bromley FC from the National League to winning the Champions League in Football Manager! Jokes aside, taking the plunge to co-found Solarflare Studio and the high quality work we’ve delivered for major brands over the last few years is my biggest career-related win.
We're creating our Year 4 showreel and have groundbreaking highlights to share. It’s a really exciting time to be working with this kind of tech - we’re breaking new ground each and every single day.
My biggest loss (or losses) are related to leaving previous roles: this has always been bittersweet for me but I’ve kept in touch with key people over the years, and also brought a number of them on board at Solarflare.
If you could go back to your teenage years, would you have done things differently? Do you have any regrets?
If I had my time again, I might commit to a career focused solely on music and sound design, but I certainly don’t regret discovering and pursuing my passion for immersive technologies. I also blend sound design into our projects, collaborating with exceptional sound designers and even occasionally contributing myself.
Having the opportunity to weave a personal passion into my daily work is a real gift. A prime example is livingcanvas.solarflarestudio.co.uk, where we devised a method for looping sounds that mimic real-time weather conditions, evolving continuously based on the time of day and the prevailing weather.
What’s your one big dream for the future of the industry?
I’m most fascinated by the task of striking a balance with the use of new technology so that it enriches rather than dominates our lives - and my dream is to see this balance come to fruition.
I’m also inspired by the advances in education that I’ve seen in the industry, especially the availability of university courses in Spatial Computing, AI, VFX, 3D, and Animation. It's vital that we continue to foster environments where people can explore and develop their creativity in diverse ways.
What are your top tips for aspiring creative professionals?
One of my primary concerns within the creative profession is the misconception that university or college education is absolutely essential for securing a job in this field. This isn’t true, especially in the creative industry. I'm an advocate for self-directed learning and exploration.
Whether it's sound design, 3D, animation, VFX, or the increasing importance of AI, there are a number of ways to learn and excel outside the traditional educational pathways.
What are your top tips for other creative leaders?
Leading by example is paramount. I've witnessed creative leaders disengage or show limited interest in growth - and very much to their detriment. However, by consistently going the extra mile to ensure high standards across the board, you embed a strong work ethic directly into your team’s culture.
Ultimately it's about setting a precedent that encourages others to strive for excellence in their work.
When you think about your team, what is the thing that matters to you the most?
I firmly believe in steering clear of micromanagement. At Solarflare, we've established efficient processes so everyone knows their responsibilities. I’ve found that this approach helps build trust and independence, and goes a long way in creating a working environment that’s actually fun and supportive - as working environments should be really.
Do you have any websites, books or resources you would recommend?
I would definitely recommend checking out solarflare.co.uk/launch! LAUNCH is our internal R&D programme where we regularly trial emerging technologies. We’ve recently showcased how spatial computing could be used to access data about planes and other objects in the sky in real-time, creating a visual-data overlay on the real-world.
We’ve also had fun creating a Sassy Santa chatbot that produced some rather wicked Christmas messages.
