Creative Lives in Progress
Date: 05/2021–11/2021
Client: Creative Lives in Progress/HudsonBec Group
Disciplines: Writing/Social Media/Content Production
In May 2021, I began a stint as editorial assistant at Creative Lives in Progress. I wrote over 80 articles, ranging from interviews to resources and promotional articles for events, as well as managing their social media presence and creating 25 newsletters.
The best part was interviewing some of my favourite creatives and writing copy for Burberry, M&S and Google. I was also one of six contributors (in a ~60-strong company) to the HudsonBec Group’s internal diversity and inclusion team, where I helped raise discussions about pronouns, statistics and menopause policies. I capped it all off with an op-ed about searching for work while autistic, which also got published on big sister site, It’s Nice That.
All the articles and newsletters that I wrote and edited for Creative Lives have been listed below.
Op-Eds
- Job hunting in the creative industry while autistic: “We have to pretty much hide our traits” (written by me)
- How design icon Archie Boston taught me to be fearless and authentic in my work (written by Adefela Olowoselu, introduction by me)
- Three creatives on how pressure-free ‘play’ influences their work (interviews by Saffron Lee, introduction and editing by me)
- How to bring your full self to work, by designer Sophia Luu (interview by Marianne Hanoun, editing by me)
Interviews
- Boohoo graphic designer Naomi Rowaiye on how networking led to her fast-paced role in fashion (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- UX designer Yan Shum on how she bagged her BBC job and what it’s like working there (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Illustrator Sarah Madden on vulnerability, balancing three jobs and doodling for Google (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Fawziyah Rahman is proof that there is still a place for you in the industry even if you didn’t study art (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- “You need to be a people person”: Director and photographer Jay Seba on why working with friends is best (editing and introduction by me)
- How advertising planner at VCCP, Priscilla Britton, plays to her strengths (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Rosie Barker on gradients, social media and her switch from English Literature to illustration (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Worldwide FM’s William Asare discusses his switch from radio DJ to radio programmer (editing and introduction by me)
- Meet Randy Amoakohene, JKR production manager by day and illustrator by night (editing and introduction by me)
- “There’s a synergy between platforms”: Photographer and YouTuber Sophia Carey on building an online presence (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Grin designer Flossie Aylin on community, womanhood and switching jobs mid-pandemic (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Design, drag and “clowny” aesthetics: A window into illustrator Gem D’Souza’s world (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- DROOL founder Alex Liepman on launching a start-up to spotlight underrepresented artists (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Animator and illustrator Rosa Sawyers on finding ideas in nature and learning AfterEffects (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- From truck driver to technical VFX director: Meet DNEG’s Alexandru Budulan (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Illustrator Marianne Hernandez on freelancing and creating work inspired by her Filipina heritage (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Animator Liam Gilbey talks storytelling, spinning plates and setting up a studio (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Photographer Philipp Raheem’s journey from medicine student to meeting Kanye and Wizkid (editing and introduction by me)
- Potion Pictures’ Sophie Marschner on her path to creating motion graphics for television (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Advertising creative Youmna Hazzaa on imposter syndrome, social media and finding visa sponsorship (interview by me, introduction and editing by Ayla Angelos)
- Leeds-based designer Ryley Devine on internships, taking chances and working at Robot Food (editing and introduction by me)
- Lazy Oaf graphic designer Ben Eli on personal projects, poptimism and being passionate (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Illustrator Denzel “BLLACK LINE” Kessie talks music, money and why it’s better to network in person (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Multifaceted creative Callum Ritchie on community, freelancing and making TikToks for MINI (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- “Every day is a school day”: We meet graphic and motion designer, Cyrus Nderitu (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Photographer Alia Romagnoli on centring South Asian matriarchies and expanding their skillset in quarantine (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- “Find value in the work you do”: Sadler’s Wells’ digital and content coordinator, Angharad Mainwaring (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Why diversity and inclusion specialist Chauntelle Lewis’ friends call her the “bounceback queen” (editing and introduction by me)
- Photographer Nolan Ryan Trowe on being yourself, accessibility and telling stories as a disabled creative (interview by Marianne Hanoun; transcripting, editing and introduction by me)
- Valuing your craft and finding inspiration in dance: We meet illustrator Geraldine Sawyer (editing and introduction by me)
- Illustrator Charlot Kristensen on comics, social media and getting creative with hashtags (editing and introduction by me)
- From mathematics to photography: How personal projects helped Brunel Johnson launch a creative career (editing and introduction by me)
- Museum of London’s project assistant Crystal Mah-Wing on feeling the fear and doing it anyway (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Photographer Sara Carpentieri on industry inclusivity and the rawness of film photography (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- HAM the Illustrator’s unconventional path through digital art, architecture and music production (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- “Latching onto trends is a waste of time”: Painter Callum Eaton on the power of following your passions (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- B-movies, Instagram filters and music videos: A window into director Jocelyn Anquetil’s world (editing and introduction by me)
- Stylist Nathan Henry on capturing authenticity and spotlighting trans voices in fashion (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- “Making pictures is how I make sense of the world”: Illustrator Hayley Wall (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- Motion designer Nadine Kennedy on why you should “try everything” (editing and introduction by me)
- “Exposure is my least favourite word”: We meet freelance creative Kayleigh De Sousa (editing and introduction by me)
- Will Daulphin’s journey from shoe sales assistant to creating content for Reebok (editing and introduction by me)
- Photographer Hidhir Badaruddin on Asian masculinity and challenging stereotypes in industry (interview, editing and introduction by me)
- How textile artist Molly Kent weaves mental health into her work (editing and introduction by me)
- Graphic designer Dominic Lord on finding clients, freelancing and going full-time (editing and introduction by me)
- DesignOpp’s Grace Enemaku on why there’s no wrong path to creative success (editing and introduction by me)
- How Mariam Tafsiri balances her illustration practice with working in economics (editing and introduction by me)
- Find your pace: Art director Anne Danao on career goals and combining your strengths (editing and introduction by me)
- Creative Abbey Monteiro on resilience, style and coming up with “fresh, juicy ideas” (editing and introduction by me)
- “We are here, we deserve to be heard”: Meet Melanated magazine’s Thyra Bankole (editing and introduction by m
- Joe Puxley on starting out as a photographer and finding beauty in the ordinary (editing and introduction by me)
- Community photographer Hark1karan on why you shouldn’t chase likes (editing and introduction by me)
- How animator and motion designer Alfie Bogush landed his dream job at Cub Studio (editing and introduction by me)
In The Studio WIth
- Behind the scenes at DixonBaxi, the agency infusing bravery into branding (editing and introduction by me)
Resources
- Eight resources for Black creatives and founders, recommended by Mentor Black Business (written by me)
- 10 essential websites and platforms for free fonts and typefaces (written by me)
- 10 websites and resources for disabled and neurodivergent creatives (written by me)
- 10 must-watch YouTube channels for emerging photographers (written by me)
- 10 resources and communities for queer, trans and non-binary creatives (written by me)
- A growing list of unmissable degree shows to check out this summer (edited and multiple listings written by me)
Pep Talk
- Watch Zach Lieberman’s Pep Talk on creative coding (introduction and “big talking points” by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from Redefining Concepts’ Aminah Ali and Sadia Mir (written and bios edited by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from artist and creative coder, Zach Lieberman (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch Joe Puxley’s Pep Talk on starting out in photography (written by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from photographer, Joe Puxley (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch dina A. Amin’s Pep Talk on starting out in stop-motion animation (written by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from stop motion animator, dina A. Amin (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch Don Allen Stevenson III’s Pep Talk on working in AR, VR and motion graphics (written by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from digital creator and crypto artist, Don Allen Stevenson III (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch Lindsay Arakawa’s Pep Talk on making connections and growing your creative network (written by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from digital artist, Lindsay Arakawa (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch Elliot Ulm’s Pep Talk on design, humour and building a community online (written by me)
- Get a Pep Talk from graphic designer, Elliot Ulm (written and bio edited by me)
- Watch Mahaneela’s Pep Talk on starting out as a multidisciplinary creative (written by me)
Portfolio Reviews
- Starting out in animation? Apply for our next portfolio review (written and bios edited by me)
- Want to get into photography? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
- Want to get into branding? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
- Thinking about getting into advertising? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
- Want to get into graphic design? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
- Building a multidisciplinary portfolio? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
- Want a career in graphic design or art direction? Apply for our next portfolio review session (written and bios edited by me)
Opportunities Board
- Don’t miss: Advertising courses, mentoring – plus £3,000 to bring your creative idea to life (written by me)
- Don’t miss: Free mentoring, junior roles and a finance workshop for freelancers (written by me)
- Don’t miss: Graphic design internships, plus mentoring from The AOI, Google and Mentor Black Business (written by me)
- Don’t miss: Junior roles, mentoring from Fuse and free tutorials from V&A Dundee (written by me)
- Junior roles to apply to from MACK Books, the National Theatre and more (written by me)
- Five junior roles and internships for both creative and strategic minds (written by me)
- Five workshops and events for creatives looking to try something new (written by me)
- Five inspiring courses, scholarships and programmes for emerging creatives (written by me)
- Five unmissable internships and junior roles for creative-career newbies (written by me)
Miscellaneous
- A guide to preparing for job interviews (vox pop from interview with Ayla Angelos)
Newsletters (almost all copy and content by me)
- Creative coding, job-hunting as an autistic creative, unmissable opportunities ✨ (18/11/2021)
- Your chance to meet the Google Creative Lab team and show them your work 👀✨ (11/11/2021)
- Thinking of going freelance? 🤔This checklist will help you get started (04/11/2021)
- 🚨Don’t miss: free mentoring, junior roles and freelancing workshops (28/10/2021)
- How personal projects can help you attract new work 🧲✨ (21/10/21)
- Want to work in branding? 💡Register for our next Portfolio Review event (14/10/21)
- Always comparing yourself to others? 😬Register for our next Pep Talk! (07/10/21)
- Public speaking: 😍or 😰? Our guide will help you present like a pro (30/09/21)
- Want to work in advertising? Meet the experts at our next portfolio review event (16/09/21)
- Must-watch YouTube channels for emerging photographers (02/09/21)
- Creating ads for Reebok and Footasylum, junior roles for designers and writers (26/08/21)
- Why NFTs are like Pokémon cards, mastering invoices, building dream teams (19/08/21)
- Textiles and mental health, challenging stereotypes, resources for LGBTQIA+ creatives (12/08/21)
- Working in illustration and graphic design; junior roles and internships to apply for (05/08/21)
- How to prepare for job interviews (29/07/21)
- Working in art direction and advertising, resources for creatives from low-income backgrounds (22/07/21)
- A list of degree shows to see IRL and online (15/07/21)
- The need-to-know sites for industry news (08/07/21)
- How to make connections and build a creative network (01/07/21)
- How to write great emails to new contacts (24/06/21)
- 10 places to search for creative jobs (17/06/21)
- Meet the “funniest graphic designer ever”, Elliot Ulm (10/06/21)
- How to create a great PDF portfolio (03/06/21)
- 10 podcasts for creative career advice (27/05/21)
- How to launch a career in writing and content production (20/05/21)
