The Creative Boom Podcast

We never really know how we’ll feel when we turn 30 or even 40. For some, it’s no big deal; for others, it can be a shock to the system. Where does the time go? And how do we keep going with work, responsibilities? How do we even stay relevant in the creative industry when so much new and young talent floods into the market every year? And what about turning 50? For our next guest, it proved to be quite an earth-shattering event. Aaron Draplin is a legendary graphic designer who began his career in the snowboarding world before he went solo and worked for clients as big as Nike, Burton, Esquire, Ford Motor Company, and even the Obama Administration. Any creative will know that Draplin is a huge name in the industry and is always around on the festival circuit. He’s also been featured on TED Talks and talks at Google. In 2019, he designed the Star Ribbon, a US postal stamp. He is the co-founder and designer for the Field Notes brand. With so much success, you’d think he was happy to continue this momentum. But turning 50 last year changed everything. Draplin wants to slow down. Perhaps embrace minimalism. Figure out how to do less. And focus on more of the stuff that matters. But is it easy for someone who’s never been shy of hard work to slacken the pace? Can Draplin find a way to stop running when he’s still got a decent amount of time left to design – if that’s what he wants to do? Or is graphic design becoming less of a priority? We sat down with Draplin to see where his head is at in 2024. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

We don't know where you grew up or where you call home, but we're from Stoke-on-Trent. Oatcakes, Port Vale, the friendliest and funniest people on Earth. Northern Soul and the rave scene. Shelleys, Kinetic, and Golden. And, of course, Wedgwood and Brindley. Have you never heard of it? As a kid, we'd tell people we were from Manchester because everyone knows Manchester, and it's cool. But Stoke? Pah. We're ashamed to say we never sang its praises. But what did we know? We left Stoke for Manchester, seeking our fortune. But that was many years ago. And we've recently returned to the area. We see Stoke with fresh eyes now and proudly tell people that's where we're from. Funny enough, we weren't the only ones with this attitude. Stoke has an unfair reputation, which is absurd given its affectionately known as The Potteries – a creative city that creates art from dirt and is now named the World Capital of Ceramics. But despite its incredible industrial heritage, the local and national news just seems to spout negative stories, and everyone talks about its decline. But one person is hoping to change all that. Simon Davies is an industrial and product designer and co-founder of Protect-a-Pet, a company that sells his inventions worldwide, which help protect cats from the risk of free roaming. Si has big ambitions for the city. He is hugely passionate about the region and believes it's on the brink of a resurgence. A rebirth. Fed up with seeing a place in post-industrial decline and driving past derelict buildings each day on his way to work, he and some others have set up a Community Interest Company called The Teapot Factory to bring people together and drive change. He's also behind a 'netwalking' event called the Teapot Tours, the first of which was attended by a few Chamber of Commerce members and some local artists. The idea was to bring together creatives and business people, something Stoke is famous for. The walks are guided by a local history expert and end at a venue with an interesting speaker or poet. We wanted to find out more about a city with so much potential, a proud history, a talented workforce and a network of local creatives determined to make the Potteries legendary once more. This season is proudly sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

We all want to lead more sustainable lives, but what about work? Are we doing enough to connect with clients that are making a difference? Do we even have any power as creatives to steer brands in the right direction if they're not quite there yet? Of course, no one is perfect, but it's great that so many companies are taking strides towards becoming more sustainable and doing some good in the world. This week's guest is a brand consultant and creative director who hopes more will catch on. Teresa Ferreira launched her own design studio in 2023 after working as head of design at the Financial Times for nearly seven years. She enjoyed her time there and gained a holistic method of branding, which she applied to all her projects, but she was ready for change. Passionate about the environment and hoping to make a difference, she's based her new venture on elevating brands in the sustainability and positive impact space. She has 15 years of experience and has worked across various industries, including media, health, travel, and luxury, and she's now supporting purpose-led businesses that are doing great things. She believes there is so much more she can do. As she puts it, we face many environmental and social challenges, and being a creative, I understand my power to influence businesses in the most conscious practices. We wanted to get into that and much more, and we were curious to discover if establishing her own studio had met her expectations after almost 12 months of going solo. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

Social media has come a long way over the last two decades. Platforms like Facebook and Twitter weren't just great places to connect with others; they became how we built our creative businesses, found clients, and promoted our work. But all good things must come to an end. Profits and shareholders inevitably entered the fray, twisting algorithms and features upside down. We've spent much time and effort chasing likes and clicks until we became exhausted, disengaged, and ready to try anything to market ourselves other than fire out another update. Perhaps we're going through a shift again, as this week's guest might allude. Julian Glander is a Pittsburgh-based multidisciplinary artist who grew his reputation and business online but is now redefining his relationship with social networks. As a self-described "Internet artist", he admits he's trying to break or retrain his social media habits and find ways to use his time online more productively and intentionally. This new approach played a big part in developing his new film, Boys Go to Jupiter – a fantastical coming-of-age story that he has self-financed and put together with a small team over the last few years. The movie tells the story of a teenage delivery driver in suburban Florida whose life is turned topsy-turvy by the arrival of a mysterious and adorable creature from another world. It's been a real labour of love and, by far, the most ambitious and demanding thing he's ever worked on. To get it done, though, he had to pull lessons from his experiences in many different fields: illustration, video games, music, and animation. But he also made the best use of the web, calling upon his social networks to cast and recruit almost every voice actor in this film, including Joe Pera, Sarah Sherman and Elsie Fisher. He's even embraced TikTok and found success there, making new contacts and finding fresh inspiration. As our online habits continue to change, we wanted to find out how one successful artist is adapting and embracing what seems to be a new era of social media and how we might follow suit. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

Fear can hold us back and make us feel stuck. But if we don't face the things that scare us, how will we ever progress? That's certainly the case for us creatives. Whether we're afraid of going freelance, starting a side project, applying for that job, or making a complete lifestyle shift, embracing what terrifies us could actually lead us to happiness. And if it doesn't? Well, there's always a lesson to be learned. Joanna Henly is no stranger to change. She spent her childhood moving around, as her parents' careers dictated. On making new friends at different schools and getting used to new roots, she naturally built resilience and, as a result, didn't shy away from her fears. That's not always been the case. Just like any of us, Joanna has her ups and downs. But in 2019, she suddenly decided to leave London for Lisbon, completely changing her entire lifestyle and career. And when the global pandemic happened, that only encouraged her to pursue her dreams even more. She became a creative mentor and now works with aspiring, emerging and mid-term career artists to propel their creativity and careers forward. She's taken everything she's experienced from her own journey of being an illustrator, muralist, fine artist, and digital and VR painter to help others. Joanna has worked with Reebok, Google, Vivienne Westwood, and Wacom. She's presented her work and ideas as inspiration sessions for Apple and sold out workshops and masterclasses at venues including The V&A, The Saatchi and National Portrait Galleries. Her artworks have even hung in the Saatchi Gallery and Somerset House, while her books are stocked at the Tate and National galleries. She's curated and exhibited solo shows in London and Hong Kong. More recently, she's presented ideas and interactive art with everyone from Google to fashion giants Galliano, painted in VR for the Land Rover Evoque world premiere, and so much more. So, how on earth do the rest of us face and overcome fear? How do we move forward as creatives and discover new ways of working and living? Essentially, how do we become unstuck and move forward? Joanna gives some excellent advice for anyone itching to make a significant change this year. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

Ever wonder how to make it big in animation when the industry is always on the move? How do you keep your focus and drive when everything around you is shifting so fast? This week, we explore these important questions with Sean J. Cuttino, an influential figure in animation, illustration, and storytelling. His journey shines a light on what it really takes to stay ahead in a world where the creative landscape and technology never stand still. The creative force behind J. Cutt Productions, Sean is known for his engaging YouTube content and impressive collaborations with big names like Google, the NFL, Slick Rick and Missy Elliott, showing us how creativity can really make an impact. But he's not just about making waves; he's helping shape how we experience art and design. In our conversation, we learn how he keeps up with the fast-paced world of animation and design and about his latest passion project, The Storybook Traveling Adventures of Little J. and the Wonder Key. This talk isn't just about his career highs but also about the power of storytelling and how it draws us in. Sean opens up about the rollercoaster of building a creative career, filled with ups and downs and the learning curve that keeps his work exciting and relevant. From viral animations to the enchanting world of Little J, his story is all about resilience, joy, and the love of creating. For anyone who's got a thing for design, loves a good story, or is just curious about creative careers, this episode with Sean J. Cuttino is a treasure trove of insights and inspiration. It's all about finding your passion, embracing the inevitable challenges, and making those imaginative ideas a reality in a constantly evolving industry. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

We're kicking off a new season of The Creative Boom Podcast with something a little bit different. Today, we're talking about posture and how we can stay pain-free as creatives. Because let's face it, we all spend so much time sitting, working, and leaning over laptops and gadgets – perhaps getting into bad habits; it's inevitable we'll run into trouble unless we look after ourselves. Of course, we want to help you avoid that, or – if you're already suffering (myself included) – then we'll hopefully help you find a way out. To talk us through this big topic, our guest this week is Eleanor Burt, otherwise known as Posture Ellie. Based in the beautiful Peak District in England, she's a posture coach who runs her own programmes, hosts in-person events such as special retreats and even shares a load of free stuff on YouTube to help a lot of people become more in tune with their bodies. She doesn't claim to be an expert. And she certainly doesn't promise to "fix" anyone. But she's absolutely found her calling and is helping many people to empower themselves to move and feel better. Is your neck or back giving you grief? Are you suffering from sciatica, bulging discs in your spine, or do you just feel out of alignment? Then, this episode will introduce you to a new approach – one that doesn't rely on popping pills forever and might even get rid of your pain. This season is sponsored by MPB, the largest global platform for buying, selling, and trading used photo and video equipment. Visit MPB.com to find out more.

Lee Rolston, chief growth officer at Jones Knowles Ritchie, shares insights on successful rebranding, including the importance of public opinion, staying true to identity, and the challenges faced by well-known companies. They also discuss trends in branding, the future of personalized content, and the impact of privacy settings on advertising.

If you think graphic design or illustration are challenging industries, try filmmaking. Although technology has made the craft more accessible and affordable, opening up many opportunities for anyone passionate about storytelling, the increased competition and ongoing cultural shifts mean that writing scripts and shooting scenes is more difficult than ever. The entire sector continues to adapt as the way we consume movies seems to change yearly, if not weekly – not to mention the recent Hollywood strikes that, although deemed necessary, certainly didn’t make life easier for those independents fighting for recognition and income. This week’s guest is no stranger to these things. Miles Watts is a British independent director and screenwriter for Hollywood, as well as a producer. He’s made four of his own movies so far and is a co-host on a Hammer horror podcast called Hammer Heads. And whenever he can, he tours the UK to teach screenwriting and film production at schools and universities. Miles says that he’s been making movies since he was a kid, so with everything that’s changed since the late 1970s in the film industry, we wanted to know what it takes to survive this often-brutal sector. Miles gives us a fascinating insight into his world, from the glory days of 1980s cinema to some of the best films and TV shows today. He shares how you must overcome rejection many times over, why you must stop focusing so much on that ultimate goal, perhaps holding that Oscar, thanking all you love and work with, and instead finding joy in the struggle. I guess that’s something we can all relate to.

Before we bid another year farewell, we thought a nice festive special might be in order where we bring back some former guests from the show and see how they're all doing. We're talking motion designer Dan Silverstone, illustrative designer Lisa Maltby, cultural champion Boma Krijsman, graphic designer Kieron Lewis, illustrator Katie Chappell, design director and podcaster Harrison Wheeler, and artist and illustrator Barney Ibbotson. We even say hello to our old Creative Boom friend and our resident designer, Andy Mallalieu, of Nine Sixty. Of course, Christmas means different things to different people. For those who aren't religious or don't formally mark the occasion, it's still a special time of year with family and friends, where we might be a little kinder to one another and find a moment to take stock. And also eat far too many Quality Streets. It's been an especially tough 12 months for many of us. So, as we wind down for the festive break, we wanted to ask our guests a series of festive questions – you know, the important stuff like favourite Christmas movies and what pet peeve from the creative industry they might ask Santa to get rid of, that sort of thing. We even get a visit from the big man himself: good old Saint Nicholas. Alongside plenty of laughs, we get some real heartwarming stuff, too, and discover the best advice everyone has and their message to the creative community for the year to come. A word of warning. There is a little colourful language in this episode. It's why we've marked it as explicit. We hope you don't mind. After the year we've had personally, we just wanted to let loose and have some fun. On behalf of everyone at Creative Boom, have a wonderful Christmas and here's to a peaceful and prosperous 2024!