The Design Jones: Recent Episodes
The Design Jones
The Design Jones is a podcast featuring the very best of the UK creative industry. One to one interviews with designers, developers and people within the UK creative scene. These podcasts will focus on anything and everything that will allow you to know the people behind the work. The Design Jones is hosted by designer Ade Mills and either recorded on location or from Bexhill, East Sussex.
The Design Jones is released twice a month on the first and third Saturday of each month.
Thank you to all the guests as without them this would not be possible.
London based duo of Marta and Eva Yarza, real life twins, talk us through growing up in Spain. They describe what it is like to live and work in London, Spain and New York, giving us their perspective on what makes them unique.
Eva and Marta talked to us about bringing their enthusiasm and their design outlook into each project. We talked through some recent projects of theirs and some of their favourites from their careers. As well as client projects we talked personal ones, in particular typefaces. Eva and Marta gives us a little glimpse into where the initial idea for one of their typefaces came from.
As well as talking all things work related, we chatted about what they do outside of their work and what they think is that next big change in the creative industry.
The weather held out for us on our trip to see Julia in her new studio set-up in Croydon.
We got to hear about Julia’s journey into the creative industry through to her first job. We talked about the tranisition from univeristy into working with BBC Worldwide and then the move into world-renowned branding agency Johnson Banks.
Julia let us know what she had learnt and seen changed over her time since university and the different challenges she faces now. This led to us talking about Julia setting up her own creative consultancy with Angela Martin, 31 Percent Wool (a great play on Julia’s name). The main focus of Julia’s work is collaborating with mission led clients so we talked about how important those kinds jobs are and the positive impact they have.
In her spare time Julia keeps busy with the Croydonist which she also runs with Angela. Along with hearing how the Croydonist started, Julia tells us the most interesting things she has discovered whilst producing the project and what its next steps are. As well as the Croydonist, Julia teaches at a number of institutions which she gives us an insight in to how they differ and what she has learnt from the students.
With our final question, as always, we asked where Julia thought the creative industry was heading and what would shape its future.
We're joined by the Creative Director of Leeds based studio Split to talk design, music and typography.
With an unconventional route into the industry, Oli gives us the lowdown on how he set up Split alongside a degree in something completly different. Along with the chanllenges he faced he also details the upside of it all. Oli reveals how much the other degree has affected his work, in a good way, and how it influences the work Split takes on today.
With an impressive ten years under its belt we get to hear what Oli's greatest moments have been so far. From high powered lasers to bespoke type, Oli's highlights lead us to finding out whats next from Split. Alongside the commercial work, we talked to Oli about These Northern Types (TNT). TNT is Split's latest work that asks questions about location and identity, something Oli is no stranger to with his work on the Leed's Creative Family Tree.
As well as talking all things work related we hear how Oli spends his free time, mixing family with music. As well as all this, we get his opinion on where creative industry in Leeds, and the rest of the UK, is heading and what he thinks will be the factors defining it all.
We got to hear how Pip's journey has taken her across the world, working with MTV and eventually back to the UK. Pip gives us an isight in to setting up The Dots in the UK as well as how it focuses on key topics.
We get to hear how Pip and The Dot's team work on promoting diversity in the creative industry along with how they partner up with companies to achieve it. The future of The Dots is an exciting one which Pip gives a little insight into.
As well as talking all things The Dots, Pip talks to us about Horace. The houseboat she lives on and where The Dots first started. To round out the episode as always, we get Pips perspective on what is next for the creative industry.
We get the details on Jamie's journey from education to freelance and then on to stduio life. Jamie gives us an insight on setting up his old studio, Magpie, and the move to starting fresh with Supple.
As well as talking about Jamie's favourite past projects we get a glimpse into how much music influences his life and his work. We get a few of the details on what Jamie is working on alongside his client work and what is coming up from Supple in the future.
To round out the episode we here how Jamie still tries to stay active in the music industry and what else he gets up to outside of work. Finally, Jamie answers the question of what he thinks is in the future for the design industry.
Richard takes us on a whistle stop tour of how he made his way into the creative industry and to being one of Adobe’s Principal Solutions Consultants.
As a photographer, Richard gives his opinion on the use of stock imagery and it’s developments over time. We get an insight into how stock is increasingly integrated into other creative software and new mediums including 3D.
To end our episode, we hear Richard’s view on what’s next for stock and for Adobe Stock in particular, and the impact that this will have on the creative industry as a whole.
We talked to Mike about his journey into the creative industry and his shift to data focused design. He gave us an insight into what inspired his move to set up Kultur along with Polly Vinyard. We discussed the mothods they use to approach projects and other creatives to have data as a focus from the very start.
Mike gives his choice of favourite past projects as well as an insight on whats to come from Kultur in the near future. As well as the future of Kultur, Mike gave us his take on whats next for creatives and the technology at their disposal. Away from work, we find out that Mike and Polly are keen climbers and have a third desk in their studio for another Kultur Design member. Another keen creative with an interest in data and code.
Craig gives us an in depth look at his journey into the creative industry, from education to his life in design agencies through to becoming freelance. As a freelance, Craig is known as Adora Attack. He gives us the story behind the name and its link to HeMan.
We talked to Craig about his incredibly diverse work and the styles he likes working on. As well as his client work, we find out about some of his side projects and what he has coming up in the future. Along with all this, Craig gives us some insight into the collaborative aspect of his work and gives some advice for those looking to get into some collaborations of their own.
To round out this episode we asked Craig what's his next big project and what the future holds for him. We hear what he gets up to when he isn't creating incredible work, which isn't often! To finish, he gave us his insight into where he sees the creative and 3d industry heading and what will be the factors shaping it.
For this episode we are joined by the founder of Studio Ultra, a motion graphics studio based between London and the Essex coast.
We talked to Andrew about his journey into the industry and how he has moved into setting up his own studio, Studio Ultra. He also gives us an insight on how the move from freelancer to presenting himself as a studio has changed client and peer perception.
Andrew gave us a little look into his current side project, Portal Project, and what the motivation and process behind that is. We also hear what his favourite past projects are and what made them so great for him. We then get a little insight onto what work he has planned next as well as his plans for Studio ultras future.
To finish off we got to find out how he spends his down time, including the fact he owns a custom tandem bike, before he gave us his views on where the motion and general creative industry is heading and what will shape it.
We chat to Craig about his journey into design from being a professional footballer and finding a love for design all the way to where he is now as an independent designer. He gives us an honest insight into the bumps he had along his journey and how he views those experiences now.
As a well known lettering artist we find out where Craig first got his bug for typography. We talked about one of his well known projects, Lettering meets letterpress, a collaboration with Nicole Arnett Phillips. We also find out what have been the his personal projects from his career so far. We move on to hear what he has been up to recently, including his continued work with Thirst, and what we can expect to see in the near future.
To round out the episode we asked Craig what he does to chill out from work and then get his view on where the industry, and typography in particular, are heading and what he thinks will shape its future.
All the way from Glasgow, we chat to designer, illustrator, typographer and D8's current Design Director Steven Bonner.
We chat to Steven about his journey into the creative industry and his progression into illustration. Steven fills us in on his move to the USA and how it progressed before giving us the details of his move back to Scotland. From here, we hear about his current role at D8 as well as the projects that he felt were pivotal in progressing him to where he is now.
As well as all this we get his view on design awards and how beneficial they have been to him. With time spent at agencies in the UK and across the pond, Steven gives his perspective on the differences and ways of working.
Steven gives us an insight into how he has seen the progression of Scottish designer and creatives before giving us his take on where he thinks the industry as a whole is heading.
We head over to Bristol to chat to the man behind the GBBO illustrations.
We get to hear Tom’s journey into illustration and onto the role of Great British Bake Off illustrator. Tom gives us the details of always wanting to be an artist and going through education trying to find his style.
We hear how his role on GBBO developed and how it has grown over time. As well as his bake off story, Tom gives us an insight into how his work has developed outside of Bake Off and what he does in the rare spare working time he has. After hearing the behind the scenes of Tom’s work he gives us his insight into where he thinks the creative industry is heading.
We get to hear Ben's journey into the creative industry and going from being in a band to being the illustrator he is today. Ben gives us a insight on how he made his personal work he loved to do become his commercial work and also his first book idea.
As we talk more to Ben we get his story behind Professor Astro Cat and how he has developed the work flow between books and what he has learned between them. As we are in Ben's studio, he talks us through some of the eclectic mix of items he has surrounding him in his daily work life. Ben also gives us an insight into how he likes to spend his downtime before giving us his view on where he sees the creative industry going.
We got Luke's story of how he got into the creative industry and found work after university. As we chat to Luke we find out how he got involved with Boat magazine and how that led to an invite to pitch for Monotype and their relaunch of The Recorder.
Luke gives us an insight on what it is like to work on each issue of The Recorder and how his time on Boat magazine set him up for the workflow on The Recorder as well as working remotely. Moving on we get to hear what he is up to at the moment and what is coming up. To end, we asked Luke where he thinks the design industry is heading and what he thinks will shape it.
For this episode we are joined by the talented Paul Felton. We get the background on Paul's career and his journey into design. Paul gives us the details of working at Purpose and the vast array of projects he has been able to work on. Paul also picks out his highlights from this time as well as filling us in on his recent ventures. We talked to Paul about his typographic book and exhibition and an email from 'Satan'. To finish Paul gives us his thoughts on where the creative industry is heading.
Episode twenty eight sees us joined by both founders of Notworking event GLUG, Nick Clement and Ian Hambleton. We get to hear both their journeys into the creative industry up to where they are now. Ian gives us the details of the recent formation of Output Group and the reason behind the move. Both Nick and Ian give us a little insight into the future of GLUG events and what we might expect in the future. As well as this we hear about some of their past projects and to end they let us know what they think will shape the creative industry and where it is heading. Special addition to the intro provided by the excellent Paul Hunter plus make sure you listen until the end for Nicks version (both recorded at GLUG London, December 2015). Proper tidy!
For this instalment of The Design Jones we are joined by the man behind Superfried. Mark gives us his unusual journey into the creative world and details some of his work highlights. We talked to Mark about how important music based work was for him early on and also delved into his side projects. Mark chats to us about his blog, Idea, and it's history and future. To round up, as always, we get an insight into what Mark thinks will shape the future of the creative industry.
This episode features the two co-founders and namesakes of DixonBaxi, Simon Dixon and Aporva Baxi. We hear Simon's journey into the industry from his first agency to partnering up with Aporva. Aporva fills us in on the details of how he met Simon and how he built up a working relationship that ultimately became DixonBaxi. Both give us an insight into their favourite projects before and during DixonBaxi. To finish we hear their thoughts on the direction of the creative industry.
On this episode of TDJ we are joined by the Creative Director of Adobe Typekit, Elliot Jay Stocks. We get Elliot's story on how he got to where his today along with his progression into web design. Elliot talks to us about the early influence music had on his career and what it is doing for him now. We also talk about what it is like to work on TypeKit, how it affecting workflows and where Elliot sees the future of typography heading. We also hear about Elliot's side projects 8 Faces and Lagom and how they both developed. To end we get Elliot's thoughts on where he sees the creative industry heading.
For episode twenty four we hear the creative journey of Jon Hicks from Hicks Design. We hear about Jon's original plan of wanting to be a wildlife photographer and how he made the move to web design. We talked about two of his biggest icon works, Spotify and the icon handbook. Jon also tells us about his favourite client work and his side projects. To finish Jon answers our regular question of what he thinks is going to shape the future of the creative industry.
On this episode of The Design Jones we are joined by independent designer Guy Moorhouse. We hear how Guy has built up his career by being self taught and pushed himself to learn new skills. Guy gives us an insight into what it was like working at Airside and gives us some of the experiences he had whilst working on GOV.uk. Guy also tells us about some of his side projects, in particular moving, where he creates amazing looping gifs. To end, as usual, we get Guys opinion on what he thinks will shape the industry in the next few years.
On the latest episode of TDJ we chat all things branding with senior partner at Lippincott, Lee Coomber. After hearing about his journey into design and working with brands we talk to Lee about his favourite past projects. Moving on, we hear about his latest project, an exhibition at Design Museum entitled 'Like Me, Our Bond With Brands'. To close we asked lee what he thought has changed in regards to branding and their approach to design and where he thinks the design industry is heading.
Episode Twenty One brings two people onto the show with Ruth and Emily from REG Design. We learn about Ruth and Emily's journey into the industry and setting up REG together. We talk about Ruth's latest project that takes a look at women in the UK graphics industry and what they have both learned from it. We hear some of their favourite projects as well as their views on how teaching influences their work. We end as always with their views on where the industry is heading.
We hit the twenty episode mark with a visit to Esher to see Brand Nu. We get to talk to Radim about his journey into the design industry and his move to England. Radim fills us in on his views about collaboration and his November Universe projects. As well as hearing all this Radim gives us his views on where the creative industry is heading and what will shape it.
For the our last episode in the 'teens' we are joined by David Sheldon-Hicks who is a co-founder and creative director of Territory Studio. We talked to David about his early career and the early stages of Territory. David fills us in on the vision and future of the studio and his favourite projects to date. As well as hearing about the films David has been a part of he tells us what was influential to him and what he would like to work on in the future. To end David answers our staple question and gives his take on where he sees the industry heading.
In episode eighteen we hear the story behind JamHot from Graeme McGowan. As well as giving us the JamHot story we also hear about Graeme's personal journey into the creative industry. We talk to Graeme about what he sees the Scottish design industry's impact is. We also hear the story behind JamHot project Gab, a creative breakfast event inspired by collaboration. To close, as always, we hear what Graeme thinks will be the future of design and what will shape it.
In episode seventeen we are joined by Alex Donne-Johnson from Dazzle Ship. We get to hear Alex’s story into the creative world and find out about the childhood dream oportunity he had along the way. Alex gives us an insight into what it was like to start up Dazzle Ship and move from freelance to studio life. Alex recently taught at Hyper Island and fills us in on the experience as well as what he was able to learn. We hear what Alex likes to do to relax and end with him giving us his view on the creative industry and where it’s heading.
Episode sixteen sees us joined by the man behind Face37, Rick Banks. We hear Ricks about journey into design, his first job and the story behind the Face37 name. Rick fills us in on what it was like to work on Football Type and the experience of trying to get everyone on board with the project. We also hear about Ricks favourite projects including the Triumph motorcycles logo and his favourite application of it so far. We end with asking Rick what he thinks the future of design will be and the effect it will have on typography.
In episode fifteen we hear stories from Gordon Reid, AKA Middle Boop! We get the story behind his journey into the creative world and how he is adjusting how he represents himself today. Gordon gives us an insight in to what its like to work on Middle Boop Mag and how much music influences his work including letting us know of some up coming projects. We also get to hear the story behind his Retro Film Profound Quotes series and how he took it across the pond to the states as well as what it has led to. To finish off Gordon gives us his thoughts on where the industry is heading and what he feels will shape it.
Today we are joined by illustrator Dan Woodger and hear is journey into the creative world and originally wanting to a career in golf. We talk to Dan about his emoji work and what it has led to, including revealing his latest, and possibly biggest, client! We get an insight on what Dan thinks about having an agent and its perks. Dan talks to us about some of his favourite projects including a phone box for The Times and BT. We finish with Dan giving us his view on where the industry is heading and what he thinks is shaping it.
Unlucky for some we hit Episode Thirteen and are joined by 2015 D&AD President and Creative Director at GBH, Mark Bonner. We hear Marks journey into design from starting at his local college (where Freddie Mercury also studied!) and onto Kingston and the RCA. Mark gives us an insight into how Peter Hale, Jason Gregory and himself formed one of the best creative teams in the UK today. We find about some of Marks favourite projects including a couple involving aircraft. Mark fills us in on his vision for D&AD, its future and how it strives to push the creative industry and those working in it. Lastly, we asked Mark what he thinks the future of design is and what part D&AD will play in it.
Episode twelve sees artist and self confessed sneaker head Phil Robson aka Filfury talk all things design and art. Phil fills us in on his travels from the UK to Australia then on to Amsterdam and finally back to the UK. Having seen the best of creativity around the world, Phil gives us an insight on what he loves about the UK industry and what he wants to bring to it. We talked about the influence of the 90's and the culture of street wear on Phil's work and clients. Now working full-time on the Filfury aspect of his work, Phil gives us the details on what projects he's working on now plus loads more! As always we end with Phil giving us his view on where the industry is headed.
For this episode we are joined by freelancer Chris Malbon. We talked to Chris about his varied career from bunking off and hanging out at arcades to started life working in studios. Chris gives us the details of how he became part of McFaul Studio and the various turning points throughout his working life. We also get an insight into Chris' favourite clients like Nike, Lucas Arts and Marmite. As well as his work within studios we also get to hear some of Chris' favourite freelance projects under the name Melbs.
We move into double digit episodes with a visit to Ali Graham! Ali fills us in on the story of his journey. Starting with his first family computer and his adventures with web comics. We get an insight into the thought process behind 99 Problems and Beyoncé vs Zombies. Ali also talks to us about his love for his current studio location, Hastings, and his appreciation for Tumblr. As well as this we hear of what Ali is working on next. To end we hear what Ali thinks will be in the future for design and illustration and what will shape it.
We are joined for this episode by the mind behind The Happy Ghetto, Darrell Thorpe. Darrell kicks off with his story into the world of design and how good ol' fashioned hard work is his main credit as to where he is today. We hear the story behind the creation of The Happy Ghetto and the story behind it's name. As well as the current influences of his career Darrell also tells us how big the skate and surf culture has affected his work, from doodling on his friends sketchbooks to the things he collects today. Darrell gives us a little insight into the other side of his creative life, his work at The Narrative. As always, we end on the tough question of where there industry is going, Darrell gives his views including the rise consumers actively searching for the original art.
Episode eight sees us joined by the incredibly talented Ben The Illustrator. We got the details on Ben's journey into the creative world from starting off in animation and getting his break with Skint Records to his current freelance career. Ben gives us an insight into how a moment at a Flaming Lips concert inspired the use of bubbles in his early work, the influence of a Go Team! track and how music still inspires his work today. We asked Ben how he feels creating works for good causes and his sold out Back to the Future print for Art V Cancer. Ben also gives us an insight into the process behind Fluid Animals, how they started and how he got in trouble for not doing a calendar this year! Alongside Ben's illustration work he is also one half of Huddle Formation and B-Goods with his wife Fi. Ben treats us to an insight into what to expect from them both in the year ahead before answering the difficult question of where he sees the future of design.
We also got a chance to ask Ben what a playlist to accompany his career would consist of and he has very kindly put together a Soundcloud playlist to go with his answer. You can check it out on our Soundcloud page, its' a perfect upbeat studio soundtrack.
Episode seven sees us joined by one of the team behind The Design Jones supporters Computer Arts and their on-line platform CreativeBloq. We talke to Julia about how she got to where she is within future publishing. She lets us know how she started off within one of its other magazines and managed to transition into the Computer Arts brand via their Annuals series. As well as giving us the other side of the story of putting together the Top 30 issue that Kyle Wilkinson (episode six) designed the cover and assets for, Julia tells us about the Computer Arts projects she has enjoyed the most. Julia gives us some insight into what its like to work whilst also attending some of the best design conferences in the world, we even manage to get her to list the ones you need to go to at least once! We get an insight into what Julia likes to do to unwind and the projects she hopes to start. To round things off we get an answer to what Julia thinks will drive the industry forward and what she thinks will change in the coming years.
On episode six we are joined by Kyle Wilkinson. A designer from Yorkshire and Partner & Creative Director of DMSQD. We talk to Kyle about his original love of photography and his journey into the early days of DMSQD. Kyle gives us the low down on the process behind his Computer Arts light sensitive cover and his work with the Art Directors Club. We learn the thinking behind the Phaeton and Latarus chairs and his new furniture project, Wilkinson Vs Lamp. Kyle tells us how he tries to switch off from work, his love for 'Eleanor' and his interest in how you can place something within a location or era because of design. To end, as usual, we get Kyles thoughts on what he thinks will drive the industry forward and where it might be in the future.
Anna Mullin aka Sneaky Raccoon joins The Design Jones for its fifth episode and first of 2015. Anna tells us how she got the design bug early in life and growing up surrounded by nature. We hear how she spent three weeks with a very special dog and made buckets of custom paint for Gromit Unleashed. We hear what Anna wanted to be when she was ten years old, and its not a designer! We get an insight into Anna's work with KidRobot and her career under the Sneaky Raccoon name. Anna also gives us an insight into what she has coming up and gives us here view on the future of the design industry.
On episode four of The Design Jones we are joined by Gavin Strange aka JamFactory. Gavin is a senior designer at Aardman Animations in Bristol who has recently seen them through a redesign. We talk to Gavin about his journey from skateboarding and being 'the guy that does the web' to being in most peoples dream job. Gavin gives us his best moments from JamFactory's past and also details us on how it has been able to grow alongside his work at Aardman. We learn more about Gromits Unleashed and Gavin's very own vinyl toys, Droplets. Of course, to round it off, we ask Gavin where he thinks the industry is headed.
Episode three sees The Design Jones joined by freelancer and International Society of Typographic Designers Board Director Dave Coates. We talk to Dave about how ISTD got him started in design. How he likes to unwind and his love of diving. We even find out about his Christmas tradition. Dave fills us in on the story of Type Drinks and also gives us his view on where design is heading and what will drive it forward.
For epsiode two of The Design Jones we are joined via skype by Scott Duffey from Listen Creative in Liverpool. We talk to Scott about where his first love of design came from and the influence of skate culture on his journey. Scott gives us an insight into Donkeying, a game he plays with a long time friend and Listen Creative colleague. We also get an insight into Scott's motivation behind his latest venture into illustration and screen printing, including his projects with Schuh and Mogwai. Scott also gives us a glimpse into his future and his ideas to get more people collaborating and talking to each other. Finally, we ask Scott the hardest question of all and get his view on where he thinks design might be going.
For the premier episode of The Design Jones we are joined by James Oconnell from Creative Spark in Manchester. James talks about his unorthodox route into the design industry and the diversity of his career so far, his collaborations and working at Creative Spark. We speak to James about his views on events like OFFF & BLAB, the importance of sharing your work & social media and challenge of balancing freelance with studio work. James also gives us his view on the creative scene in Manchester and where the creative industry is headed.
Taken from the EP Malevolent Melody, this track is used as the intro music for The Design Jones. Special thanks to Mcbess and the Dead Pirates for allowing use of the song. You can check out the video for it here - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cD1Rrfc0y-M.
the Dead Pirates is a London band that came together in 2011 to play songs written by mcbess and his brother Ben Franklin Jr. The band has got 5 members,greg on drums, pat's got three basses, two brothers on guitars and elliott plays the rhodes. They play their version of rock'n'roll, a mix of influence going from stoner to old fashioned rock.