5 Art Directors talk inspiration and what's exciting them about the Creative Industries
The third in a three–part mini series in partnership with our friends at Squarespace
You lovely lot can save 10% on your new website, online store or simple cover page with the code: THEDOTS (10% off first purchase).
It can be tricky to get discovered online and get your work in front of the right eyes. We’ve previously highlighted some of the ways that The Dots & Squarespace perfectly complement each other in getting your portfolio online and in front of the best. Also how you can get setup with an online store in just one day.
We love Squarespace because it feels like it’s built with every creative in mind. Whether a Videographer, Illustrator or Animator; Graphic Designer, Fashion Designer or Digital Designer; Art Director, Film Director or Creative Director. Squarespace will act as your rock and we couldn’t recommend it more.
We wanted to champion just a few of the incredible Art Directors on The Dots who are also using Squarespace to host and promote their work. We asked 5 Art Directors about their biggest creative inspiration and what’s currently exciting them about the creative industries:
Becky Pearson, Art Director, So Hum Creative
Becky Pearson is an Art director, Graphic + website designer WHO regularly works within Yoga, Nutrition, Lifestyle, & Fashion.
Who is your biggest creative inspiration?
I don’t think I could choose one person. I have constantly been inspired by everyone I meet. I guess my biggest inspiration comes from this connection between myself and others. I like design to invoke this feeling of connection and identification, which is why I love working in branding. You’re building an identity around the ethos of the company, working out how people will connect with a brand and it’s lifestyle.
What is inspiring you the most about the creative industries at the moment
In a similar vein – connection. I know people are worried about the impact of social media and there are things to be wary of but I love the social media allows international collaboration. It encourages young people to have a creative voice and offers opportunities and inspiration allowing unprecedented connections. It’s amazing to have feedback and appreciation from people around the world.
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Ben Fraser, Freelance Art Director
Ben is currently freelancing where he works across print, tablet, phone, web and event platforms.
Who is your biggest creative inspiration?
David Bowie. Not a graphic designer per se, but a hugely visual, creative inspiration to so many in creative fields. Always evolving, experimenting with different styles and techniques and never to repeat himself. Everything he presented to the world felt fresh and new.
What is exciting you about the creative industries at the moment?
The variety of formats we have to present ideas and stories. Be it web, apps, social platforms, innovation in printing techniques etc etc. There’s always something new to experiment with. I’m excited to see how we are going to embrace VR and Mixed Reality technologies to create experiences and to tell stories in different ways.
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Karl Gilbert, Art Director & Designer, Good Agency
Karl is a concept-driven, smart-thinking, highly-experienced hybrid Art Director.
Who is your biggest creative inspiration?
Can I have two, but for the same reason? As a visual person, my biggest inspirations are actually authors Iain M Banks and Philip K Dick. With more original ideas on a single page than many entire books, their ability to create vast universes and stories which are both vivid, beautiful and humorous but at the same time broken, desperate and deadly in just a few select words amaze me and encourage me to step back, think bigger and flex my creative muscles whenever I can. Even if it’s just an advert for socks.
What is exciting you about the creative industries at the moment?
I really like the fact that borders are being broken up in the industry. People are enjoying learning new technologies and working on projects with people they may not have met a few years ago; small, specialist companies teaming up with behemoths as needed. A good core idea is still the backbone of the best creative projects but is now being morphed into so many new, wildly different global executions.
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Grace Eden, Art Director, Dark Room
Grace is a creatively versatile Art Director with a strong ability to conceive and implement creative digital content.
Who is your biggest creative inspiration?
There’s no one person/collective/movement that I consistently look too. Inspiration comes mostly from within contemporary craft, art and design, and also from particular style-tribes. I’m definitely a magpie and am consistently attracted to the luxurious. Recent points of reference are Helaine Blumenfeld’s fluid bronze sculptures and Lord Snowdon’s portraits (circa 1980s).
What is exciting you about the creative industries at the moment?
Independent retailers are struggling so much with crippling rent increases (particularly in London) and we’re losing some amazing retail spaces that were instrumental in supporting craftspeople and designers, especially in the early stages of their careers. This isn’t exciting but it does intrigue me as to how the creative industries will cope with this change. The loss of independents will affect the whole ecosystem, but I guess this is where platforms like The Dots will step into help support and nuture.
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Dorte Lange, Freelance Art Director
Dorte Lange is a freelance Art Director for Fashion & Lifestyle
Who is your biggest creative inspiration?
My greatest aesthetic inspiration has almost come from fashion, photography and art. I was thrilled with Surrealism and Dada ever since I came across a picture of Hugo Ball in costume in my early adolescence and it’s never really faded. I have been an admirer of Tim Walker’s whimsical tableaux for very many years and recently I have very much fallen for Jamie Hawkesworth’s take on the everyday surreal. I would also name Diana Vreeland as a big influence, and JW Anderson as one of the most exciting contemporary fashion designers, playfully rethinking gender norms. But I equally love minimalist and serene forms of expression and find great inspiration in the works of Yohji Yamamoto, Helen Frankenthaler and Agnes Martin.
What is exciting you about the creative industries at the moment?
In the last three years I have been very closely observing a new and growing movement of mindful fashion designers, brands who are creating gorgeous designs and at the same time are very aware of and concerned with ethical and environmentally friendly ways of production. Honest by Bruno Pieters, Ryan Roche, Fonnesbech, Christopher Raeburn, Nettie Kent or Lana Siberie are just a few of these inspiring and pioneering brands. In March 2016 I have started up my own online magazine and newsletter called The Lissome (www.thelissome.com, also built on Squarespace) as a fashion guide that unites aesthetics and ethics and promotes a new notion of mindful fashion.
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This is just a snapshot of 4 Art Directors who we feel are owning their place on the web with a beautifully connected profile on The Dots and a tailored website on Squarespace.
Feeling inspired? Get the wheels in motion with your shiny new Squarespace website, store or cover page – nab 10% off your first purchase using the code: THEDOTS
Websites:
sohumcreative.com
mrbenfraser.com
reallygoodcreative.com
grace-eden.co.uk
dortelange.com
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