This Glasgow-based designer has a gift for creating perfectly balanced abstract compositions.
How did your interest in the graphic arts arise?
While I was studying architecture at the Glasgow School of Art I visited the Visual Communication degree shows — it was a real eye-opening experience for me. I realised that I wanted the chance to make work like that, and at about the same time I realised that I wasn't that passionate about architecture. I bit the bullet and transferred.
Who are your heroes?
The set design duo Isabel&Helen — they're work is daring, creative and fun. I can only imagine how hard they have worked to achieve their level of success.
What's your most invaluable piece of kit?
Oil pastels and lots of newsprint.
Tell us about a favourite recent project.
I designed the artwork for a vinyl release by Glasgow bands Over the Wall and John Knox Sex Club. It was extremely rewarding seeing the process through from design to print, and creating the promotional material and gig posters for the launch. Working with record labels is something I'm very interested in pursuing.
If you could collaborate with anyone, who would it be?
Beca Lipscombe and Lucy McKenzie of Atelier E.B in Edinburgh. Their work blurs the boundaries between fine art and fashion, and uses local industry in the process. Designing textile patterns for some of their clothes would be a dream come true.
What's hanging on your walls?
Risographs, letterpress prints and screen-prints made by friends, posters procured from the walls of gig venues, pictures torn from magazines… I'm better at keeping a physical record of inspiration than a digital one.
What's next for you?
My friend and fellow illustrator Lydia Brownlee and I have just acquired a studio space in Glasgow's amazing Glue Factory. We're currently talking funding, screen-printing equipment and business plans.
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