NotFrom_

NotFrom_ was a side project inspired by a meeting with a London design firm. I’ve always admired big London agencies (you know who you are) but felt very strongly that there was room for a platform to promote artists, designers, thinkers and makers from outside of the M25.

I travelled the British Isles meeting with some of my absolute heroes. The results of these interviews were briefly included in a standalone website notfromlondon.com.

Browse the archives (as they’re re-uploaded) here.

Interview: Chris Davey

I’ve only been to one job interview where I didn’t get an offer. It was from Chris, creative director at Whitespace.

When I contacted him a year later, proposing that he be the first NotFrom_ interviewee, I was nervous.

But I shouldn’t have been. In 2015 Whitespace were renovating their new Scottish HQ. Chris gave me a tour of the massive space and we stopped for a gabber afterwards.

Interview: Steve Simpson

Steve’s hand lettering and packaging work is finished to a meticulous level of detail. For over thirty years he has designed world-class work from his hometown of Dublin.

He welcomed me in to his home in 2015 for a chat about what makes him tick.

Interview: Andrew Dobbie

Made Brave was established in 2012 in Glasgow. In the years following it has grown at a phenomenal rate.

I caught up with owner/founder Andrew Dobbie in 2016 as the business moved to their new home in the West End of the city.

Interview: Ben O’Brien

If not for Ben O’Brien I might never have learned Adobe Illustrator. Alongside his illustrative work Ben writes tutorials for industry publications, advocates for professional illustrators and runs the annual annual Illustrator's Survey.

I met him in Bath during the summer of 2017 for coffee and cake.