C r e a t
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v e Report
Personal and professional practice
Introduction This report explores a professional interaction within the design industry through interviewing the creative duo ‘Buttercrumble’ . I chose to interview them specifically in relation to my own individual practice as they explore design thoroughly within their illustrations and graphics through emotive and bright visuals with their work. This interaction was relevant regarding relflection and highlighting apects of my individual practice. As well as understanding the format, and structure of being a creative within a professioanl context. All of the answers that were provided have further pushed forward my understanding of the creative industry, being a considerate designer in attitude as well as practice and the importance of having established core values and ethics within practice (Those of which they make clear and what made me want to approach them about their work). Talking to creators who define themselves as creating under titles than graphic designers was interesting to further explore,I really wanted to consider when interviewing creators, I found it really informative in expanding my understanding in terms of other avenues of design and the differences and similarities there are in working.
Talking to Buttercrumble
A bit about Buttercrumble
Abigail and Chloe are a creative duo from Scarborough known as Buttercrumble. They’re passionate about illustration and the idea of making people happy with with their work.
Their inspirations combine their interests of various styles of design which have informed their bright and bubbly unique style of illustration. They both graduated, with degrees in Graphic & Communication Design, they’ve been able to effeicitvely combine their skills to become the successful collective they are today. They do many talks around the UK and a number of different workshops and oppertunities and are passionate about connecting and networking with different creaitves.
Abigail & Chloe
Where did you get the idea to start Buttercrumble?
“In 2007, we began sharing our work online on a social platform
for artists. Over a few years we continued to develop our style and started to receive positive feedback. We were initially working separately under different pseudonyms but decided that two heads were better than one! In 2012 we joined forces to become Buttercrumble and began working as a collective
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What was your first introduction to design? Was there something in particular that inspired you?
“Ever since we can remember we’ve been interested in being
creative and designing.
When we were children, our granddad worked at a printing factory. He would often bring long rolls of blank newspaper home for us to scribble on. We’d often recreate scenes from the stories we had read. Our favourite was Charlie and the Chocolate Factory by Roald Dahl
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Quentin Blake
When you run into a creative block is there something you do that inspires you or keeps you going?
“Be persistent
Sometimes we’ll start drawing and think “oh gosh, this just isn’t working”. All artwork looks rubbish, stupid, naive, uninspiring or underdeveloped to begin with. It is only at that last moment that it finally clicks for us. We work towards that moment of glory and sometimes it takes its time. Don’t rush. Remember, Rome wasn’t built in a day
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Has your practice evolved quite a lot since university? (such as style, approach, focus)
“Since university we've refined our skills and continue to
improve. Once we left university, we became a lot more focused on designing as a business. Ensuring we can earn a living is a huge incentive for us! We have to be disciplined with the work. It can be tough which is why it's important to focus and to continue learning
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What is your approach to generating new ideas?
“If it's for a personal project, these sparks of
inspiration occur at random times. We jot those ideas down until we have the opportunity to create them. For clients, we have a holistic approach and get them involved in the "idea generation process". We ask a series of questions about their audience, ethos, dreams and brand's personality. It's from there that
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ideas start to form
“To help these ideas form, we'd recommend digesting visuals everyday. Consume magazines, books, films, plays, music etc. A graphic designer needs to have a superb general knowledge because you never know what type of proects you'll become involved with
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Do you take the same steps when it comes to approaching a new brief / client? If so what is that process? and has that evolved?
“We have developed the process so that it is more personal
to each potential client. People tend to be interested in themselves first, so make sure your proposal is all about them! Although, when it comes to finding clients, there is no magic formula. People are complicated and you need to
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adjust yourself accordingly
Rosie Lee & Cake
What has been your favourite thing to work on? And is there a particular reason why?
“We love seeing our illustration in the real world. It's a
joy when you can take a project from pencil on paper to a final piece. Our collaboration with Killer Brigade Clothing was a turning point for us as
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“it was the first time we'd seen our illustrations on a professional product and this motivated us to continue
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with our design
Was there any brief you found quite challenging/stressful? Were you able to overcome this? and how?
“Every project comes with its own set of challenges. There have been some briefs where we had little experience in that area of design. However, we learnt and improved our skills whilst working on it. Those projects benefit you because you gain experience and you can develop a more varied portfolio. When things get stressful, it's best to unplug and escape from the digital world for a while. We will go for a walk, sit in a quiet
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cafe, read a book or watch a film at the cinema
What do you think are the benefits of working so closely together?
“You don't get lonely! Although, we probably take the
benefit for granted as we have always had each other. It feels extremely natural when we work together because we've been doing this since birth (being twins). It's also lovely to have someone who can offer feedback, ideas, support and motivation. Everyone
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needs a cheerleader
Would you have any advice for someone who wants to pursue a creative career but lacks the confidence to put themselves out there?
“Take it in small steps. A business does not have to be born over-
night. We wanted to become professional designers in 2007, but it wasn't until 2012 that we established the business. It then took a further 4.5 years to be able to dedicate all of our time to it
“To cultivate confidence, be kind and
compassionate to yourself and others. Then you can begin to push yourself out of your comfort zone. Each time you have a "win" (no matter how big or small) reward yourself. At all times, remember
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why you want a creative life
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Women| Art | Food
What's the best piece of advice you've been given?
“Our granddad always tells us to strike whilst the iron is hot. If an opportunity comes by, don't hesitate to grab it with both hands.
There have been projects we have missed out on because we thought about it for too long. If you think it looks interesting and it would be something you'd enjoy then go for it! This is similar to another idiom our granddad preaches: he who hesitates is lost
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And what's the worst?
“People tend to give advice with good intentions.
It's difficult to pick a worst! If we think it's mediocre, we tend to forget it and focus on the positives
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What are other things that influence/inspire you that aren't related to design?
“We both wanted to study separate degrees
initially. Abigail was interested in architecture and Chloe was interested in fine art. However, we realise these are still design related! I guess we are both interested in history of the 20th century. So much has changed over the last 100 hundred years, so it's important that we are aware of it because it has influenced us all
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Is there anyone you look up to? Whether in the design world or not?
“Another entrepreneur who we admire is Jo Malone. She's a
strong woman who has fought many personal battles and still has achieved huge success in her life. She has a passion for perfume, similarly to our passion for design. Another designer we admire would be Orla Kiely. Again, Orla is amazingly talented and a great business-
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woman
How do you manage your time efficiently between different projects and other parts of your job?
“With great difficulty! Striking a work-life balance is
challenging when you love what you do. We try to set a timetable for ourselves and stick to it. You have to be disciplined about relaxing just as much as you need to East of eden
be about working and know your limits
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Are there any ways you're wanting to expand your brand? Such as working with more people? Collaborating with new people? or any way at all? etc
“We are about to launch an exciting new line of
products in April.
These will feature our illustrations and are inspired by vintage fashion. We can not wait to share it with you! Keep an eyes peeled for more information on
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this!
Wearable Histories
Did you face any struggles when setting up Buttercrumble? If so what was the biggest one?
“Our biggest struggle was finding the confidence to take the leap into working on the collective full-time. It is a big decision to leave the safety of a nine to five job for something that may seem like a dream.
The University of Leeds (where we studied) offered plenty of helpful career and business advice. Furthermore, the agencies which we previously worked at were also supportive of Buttercrumble. It's so important to build a nurturing
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network of people
Synopsis This entire interview was conducted over email. This was done in the interest of time and convinience. Communication was key to the success of this interview, there were many elements to consider within communcation, such as appropriatness to the language and understanding of the work and practice being discussed to provide the most appropriate questions asked. I was able to identify Buttercrumble’s work within conducting research as well as listening to their talk about their work in person. Regarding their ethos, their are similarities to my own consideraitons of desin. I also believe design can be emotive positivity within visuals and specifically that branding is an important part of visual communication, this is very apprent in their work. Within the questions themselves I wanted throughly understand how they worked as a successful collective such as the format of being a duo as well as the effectiveness of being a self established designer as a pair and the benefical aspects of working in the way they do. I was able to gain very informative insight into the creative industry within this interview. There were many aspects which I will take into consideation and forward within practice such as approaching work effectively in developing my indivudual understanding and practice
One specific aspect which I wanted to gain perspective on within a professional aspect was the issue of having confience in regards to practic. I took this interciew oppertunitity to ask their perspective on this and their personal experience. Its appareren that their work emotes a Buttercrumbles have a thorough onsideration of colour and type within their work they make this apprent withi their online presence and portfolio. Colour is an aspet of design which I would like to further explore myself and understand and impliment in my practice when appropriate. Each piece of work they produce has an exstensive raiotionale of design choices and the relevance to the content they are exploring, this level of detail is definetly noteworthy especially within branding and the effectivness of this has, I’ve briefly explored branding withi my own practice but I would like to look at further and understand with more professional engagement within the industry.
All images provided by Buttercumble Illustrations are liscensed from adobe stock and created by © josemarques75 © hugolacasse © baluchis © josemarques75 © siminitzki