A couple of days later Will followed up with his answers:
1: The Divided Kingdom project was really driven from my own experiences of moving to the South and being a Northerner in the South. It has always been something that has really interested me and is something even more prominent today after Brexit and the huge political divide which now exists between the North and the South. I find it fascinating that a country can be split so harshly culturally to the point it can feel like 2 different countries, in which one side doesn’t fully understand the cultural views of the other. I think this split is also really prominent in the creative industries, as for me the opportunities to work in the industry that I do would be far more restricted if I was to have remained in Newcastle rather than making the move to London.
In regards to being interested in projects like this I don’t think its necessarily just this North/South divide that interests me but instead big social and cultural issues like this, I find that the best work is always informed from what is going on outside of my studio walls, I want my work to just simply be a way of showcasing these things that are already happening in the world, plus other people are far more interesting than myself, they have amazing stories and opinions which need telling, I just want to tell these stories with my work. I have always focussed a lot of my work around people, and reflecting the ideas of people I have met. I have always loved the work of Jeremy Deller for this reason, I think he has a way of presenting opinions and social movements which is amazing.
2: In terms of my education Brighton was amazing, despite the fact it was a graphic design course they gave us the freedom to respond in any way to all projects, from making sculptures to films to performance art to soundscapes. It really helped me reach a bit further than simply being a graphic designer, they really taught me that ideas were more important than the final outcome. Something I still agree with. I think maybe thats the big difference, friends of mine who stayed in the North had a much more traditional industry-focussed university experience where as mine was super open, almost to the point of chaotic at times but great. Going into uni in the morning and seeing one of the other graphic design students painted head to toe in blue paint screaming at a photocopier while filming it in front of a green screen was a typical day in the studio...
In terms of London now being my base for my career outside of education I think the opportunities that are present in London offer more in terms of the creative industries. I now work for the Art Direction team at It’s Nice That and working for a company like this wouldnt be possible should I have stayed in the North but it really depends, I mean there are plenty of opportunities elsewhere and tonnes of creatives and studios doing amazing work outside of London and in the North (Manchester/Leeds/Newcastle etc) but its just a case of whether you want to make the jump from a city where the opportunities may be limited to go to a place where you are surrounded by people doing interesting work. Both has its benefits and both has its negatives, there isn’t really a ‘right’ choice I guess.
3: I think not only a crossover into textile design but also a crossover into all other forms of art are important, I think a graphic designer will be pretty boring if they are only inspired by other graphic designers. In the same way I look to get informed by the outside world in terms of social themes in my work I also look to get informed by all forms of design from textiles, to fashion, to fine art etc.
4: Pirouettes was printed by a friend of mine who runs the riso design studio 12—B. (https://www.instagram.com/twelveb_/) Others I would recommend to print with would be Hato Press & Ditto Press, they’re both really great guys.
5: I totally agree with your statement about how hard its getting to find affordable spacing, its a big reason for people actually moving back out of London - Some friends of mine did this which you might find of interest regarding the North/South affordable spaces stuff.
I work in the studio at It’s Nice That but have also had the experience of working freelance down here and as it’s so hard to find stuff myself and my housemate (a freelance illustrator) simply turned our rooms into bedrooms/studios, its getting harder and harder to find space. There’s some amazing stuff happening in Peckham with new spaces opening and schemes like the Somerset House Studios or the Green Rooms hotel are really encouraging but it’s hard in London I guess to find the space for any creative work. It’s not just studios but with spaces like clubs and venues being closed consistently in favour of fancy flats ints a bit of a battle. But the battle has definitely brought people together a bit, who doesn’t like a good protest every now and then?
Hope this was useful/I haven’t completely rambled away from the original questions but if I have or if you want to follow up about anything or ask any further questions I would be happy to help.
Cheers,
W