The Creative Condition podcast

George Moir's unusual dual roles of musician and animator make for a wonderfully rounded, lo-fi visual and musical world of his own making. He joins me to discuss his unusual roots, playing the piano from the age of 2 and the 800 hours graft he ploughed into his animated videos. It's a brilliant story and a great example of how diverse skill sets can co-exist to forge unique paths. Episode 151 of...

A free preview of 'What YA MUM Told Me Last Night': the bonus stories audiobook to accompany YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain. A thank you to Arrest All Mimics listeners. YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain paperback is out now at http://bentallonwriter.com/shop and bundle offers on both audiobooks are available now. Full individual e-books and audioboo...

Biscuits is a slab of brilliantly-observed graphic novel full of poignancy, reflection and black comedy from the mind of illustrator and writer Jenny Robins. Charting the interlinking lives of London women, this hand drawn story has everything, so Jenny joins me to share the story, her process and how she balances her role as a teacher with her freelance magic making. The graphic novel is out now...

An exclusive 4-story and introductory excerpt from Ben Tallon's new book, YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain. You can grab your copy at http://bentallonwriter.com

Creating design and written content you'd like to share with the world? Ben Tallon's accidental author career kicked off when Champagne and Wax Crayons: Riding the Madness of the Creative Industry happened off the back of an angry freelancer blog rant. It was published via a traditional publishing house. YA MUM and Other Stories from the Backstreets of Britain is his 3rd book, a rancid collection...

Self-initiated work is vital to forging our own path through the creative industry. Without restriction, the scope to express character, passion, sentiment, to create with unfiltered purity, to explore, chase magic and wonder, is limitless. In part 2 of the self-initiated creative projects showcase, brilliant work by Jill Gibbons, Raw Studio, Stanley Chow, Hazel Mead, Micah Purnell, Jenny Robins a...

Self-initiated work is vital to forging our own path through the creative industry. Without restriction, the scope to express character, passion, sentiment, to create with unfiltered purity, to explore, chase magic and wonder, is limitless. In part 1 of the self-initiated creative projects showcase, brilliant work by Graham Wood, Dawinder Bansal, Adelaide Damoah, Jane Bowyer, Mr. Bingo and more se...

What's the f'n point? Is a two-part special podcast in response to the understandable feeling of futility in the creative industry. There's a lot to worry about in the world and when monster after monster keeps stomping over the horizon, 'What's the f'n' point?' is a very valid question. In part 2, British producer and artist Dawinder Bansal joins me to lay out a powerful showcase of exploring sen...

What's the f'n point? Is a two-part special podcast in response to the understandable feeling of futility in the creative industry. There's a lot to worry about in the world and when monster after monster keeps stomping over the horizon, 'What's the f'n' point?' is a very valid question. In part one, Craig Oldham joins Ben Tallon to discuss his own insecurities and let us in on some spellbinding,...

Atlanta, GA based illustrator Dominique Ramsey shares her story, including Pokemon, animals and spirituality as influences on her vibrant, seductive illustration work. We talk about the power of visual communication and the fine line between smash-mouthed and quietly effective. Arrest All Mimics Episode 146 is supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comFind Dominique at https://www...

Claudine O'Sullivan returns to the show to talk about her experience of lockdown. We get into parenthood, changes from Covid-19 and drawing ducks. You can check out Claudine's free colouring book at: https://www.claudineosullivan.com/shop/colour-for-calmShow supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.com

Artist and illustrator Murugiah lets us inside his London spare room, where recent mind-bending surreal canvases stand tall, inspiring and bright. He takes us into the inspiration and this relatively new direction and their South-East Asian influence. He also explains why the virus has been especially worrying for the family with several family members on the front line in hospitals.https://murugi...

Inside the Covid-19 cabin of illustrator Hazel Mead who returns to the show to talk working from home tips, creating work around taboos, finding ways to discover clients with budgets for such work and changing the sex education conversation! Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttp://instagram.com/hazel.mead

Writer Nick Asbury strikes the perfect balance between client work and identity establishing, self-initiated projects as one half of Asbury and Asbury. He works closely with designers and agencies to create striking, impactful, clear, clever copy on campaigns and visual media. Having worked with the likes of Studio Sutherl&, Johnson Banks, The Chase and more. His brilliant series of books: Rea...

Political cartoonist and illustrator Rebecca Hendin joins us with a hangover, trying to cope with the fear of Covid-19 whilst illustrating political cartoons for The Guardian, New Statesman and staying on top of hygiene.https://www.rebeccahendin.com/Supported by illustrationx.com and theaoi.com

Craig Black, designer and letterer from his home studio in Scotland, discussing how the unwanted situation can lead to rethinking direction. Supported by http://illustrationx.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://craigblackdesign.com/

Inside the quarantined homes of creators during the Covid-19 pandemic. Kicking off with New York based HBO designer and illustrator, Kyla Paolucci.

Self-promotion. It's a monster, unavoidable, integral part of success, or simply survival for any creative freelancer. It's the old artist adage that you can be the greatest creative talent on the planet, but if nobody knows you exist, it counts for nothing. But how do we start to break down the issue and find the best way for us as individuals to scream from the rooftops without awkwardness, the...

Playground is a multidisciplinary design studio focusing on creating engaging and memorable spaces and places for people. Founder Carma Masson joins me to discuss her ongoing battle between pragmatism and playful wanderings. It's something common to us all and a difficult balance to strike. We get into childhood's role in our creativity, Playgrounds fascinating work to date, VHS tape dens and the...

The video game industry continues to grow and wow with its sheer breadth of worlds and stories to welcome any imagination. Anna Hollinrake, illustrator, art-director and animator for games joins me in front of a live audience at D&AD New Blood Festival to let us in on how her childhood anime drawing and curious nature lead her to an impressive start. We discuss why character and passion is jus...

People tend to think movies when they hear the 'voice in the head.' But we all have it and for those of us in the creative industry, we spend a lot of time listening to it. Quit that job, you're not good enough, how did you ever get this far without being found out?! When the clouds are grey, the rain hitting the window and we're on our own, that voice can convince us that lies are the truth and w...

I've long been fascinated by the relationship between digital illustration and the artist's character. Often less immediate than other styles, I was keen to chat to illustrator and manager of Stanley Chow's print shop, Dominique Byron, having discovered her stunning digital art, with all its symmetry and depth. As with most styles, there are stories, discoveries and ongoing revelations. Dom shares...

Sean Thomas, Executive Creative Director of Jones Knowles Ritchie, creative agency joins me on podcast episode 139.Sean cautions against the dangers of too many people drawing ideas, styles and inspirations from online sources and gets into why it will only help automative 'creativity' become a reality if we do not look up a little more. We discuss the overhaul at the agency, why listening properl...

According to the Department For Education figures, 70% of youth services funding has been cut since 2010, since the Conservatives came to power. Violent crime is a regular feature on the news, young deaths seemingly a daily headline. Kerry O'Brien joins me to discuss the incredible and essential work of Young Urban Arts Foundation, the charity she founded who provide workshops and programs to empo...

AMV BBDO is a global communications agency. 289 offices in 81 countries big. That's influence. Their #Bloodnormal campaign for Bodyform was the first to show period blood. Plastic Oceans with Ladbible played a significant role in bringing the plastic problem into mainstream conversation. Both campaigns showcased the power of creativity and visual communication. I talk to creative partner and a key...