What inspired you as a student and what inspires you now that you're older and wiser?
An endless list of people and projects. Starting with Bob Gill, Alan Fletcher, Bruno Munari, Paul Rand, Shigeo Fukuda and Pierre Mendell.
How long have you been doing what you do, and if you weren't doing it what would you be doing instead?
I’ve been a designer for 22 years. Unfortunately, I cannot do anything else, so luckily I am doing this.
What is something you consider absolutely essential to your work?
The main thing that's essential is time to think, wherever we are and whatever tools we have. I always have a notebook, and am constantly scribbling things down and making lists. You never really switch off, and why would you?
What are some favourite Hat-Trick projects and what would be a dream project for you?
I loved doing a small book about my dad's garage with my daughter. I also really enjoyed some typographic playing cards that we produced last year.
Which of your recent projects has been particularly challenging and why?
We produced a bereavement pack for the British Heart Foundation. It was such a delicate and moving subject to tackle. It's called The Small Creature. It was a project where you really felt the pressure to produce something that was actually going to really help.
What would you say are Hat-Trick's identifying traits or defining projects?
Simply put, we like to think a lot and solve problems.
Who or what has had a lasting influence on your creative career?
My tutor, Ray Gregory at Norwich University College of the Arts (as it is now called). David Stuart and James Beveridge at The Partners. Pierre Vermeir at HGV.
Has any one job significantly shaped your design direction, and if so how and why?
It's not really one job. All our current and previous projects feed into each other and future projects. We like to keep busy, we currently have around 40 projects in the studio, and these all hopefully feed into each other.
www.hat-trickdesign.co.uk
CONSTELLATION SNOW
C. SOHO INDIGO SPECIALI FSC