What is an Art Team?

Winter 2021 / Careers

What is an art team?

Main image: Sophie Springett

You’ve probably read about art teams a lot while flicking through Concept Hair. But what exactly is the role of an art team and why is being a member such a great experience? We asked four art team members for their insight.

Summer Telford,

art director at Rainbow Room International, and art team member

Membership of the RRI artistic team is fluid. There are core members, while others drop in and out when required.

What I bring

Being attentive and creative. Also, working under pressure brings out the best in me.

Why I joined

Any stylist wants to get better and progress their career. Learning stagecraft and backstage prep definitely helps when looking after clients in the salon.

The role of the art team

Bringing new ideas to our company and inspiring the rest of the team by bringing new trends and ideas to our industry.

My highlights

Our annual company congress, which includes a huge art team show. Working backstage at events, including T in The Park. Assisting on collections for the British Hairdressing Awards.

Sophie Springett,

Toni & Guy artistic director and art team member

There are 25+ members in the UK artistic team, then we have international art teams in countries such as Spain, Italy and Australia.

My journey

I’m passionate about editorial and avant-garde work and have pushed myself in that direction. I’ve taken part in competitions and teach our Beginners course. I also teach editorial style with international art director, Indira Schauwecker.

The attraction

Training at our London academy really opened my eyes to what the industry offers – working at fashion weeks, travelling the world, working in the theatre or on photoshoots.

The role of the art team

It’s a creative hub of the best in the industry, supporting and sharing the most innovative ideas.

What I love most

I thrive in a team environment, and love sharing ideas. I also love the people I work with, having fun together as well as working hard.

Jake Unger,

HOB Salons education director and art team member

There’s five of us in the HOB Academy art team, each bringing different experiences and skills.

My skills

I am a cutter at heart, but I have also developed my dressing skills over the years. However, one of my biggest strengths in this team is that I have been with the company for almost 15 years, so this gives me a great understanding of the brand heritage as well a clear vision to where we want to be in the future.

THE ATTRACTION

When I was training, I was fortunate enough to be the academy assistant, which meant that I would help with shows, seminars and shoots. I always had a fascination with working on shows and shoots, so I wanted that to be my main role.

The role of the art team

The role of the HOB artistic team is to profile and endorse the HOB brand. It’s our job to inspire our internal staff in our salons across London, as well as educate around the world.

The best bits

I have travelled the world taking part in shows in Japan, Los Angeles and Brazil, to name but a few. I’ve helped create countless collections throughout the years for the British Hairdressing Awards, as well as our salon collections, which is something that I am very proud of.

The mix

Like a good football team, if you have a team full of strikers or a team full of defenders it will never be a success. It’s all about having the right cohesion throughout, to bring the best out in each other. It’s great to have a team with many different talents all pushing for the same common goal.

Lara Tree,

art director and art team member at Electric

The Electric art team is a collective of people that are passionate about driving creativity and sharing knowledge through well-thought-out education.

The role of the art team

To show and promote the creative profile of the brand, and to share its education philosophy internally and externally.

My journey

I have been part of the Electric Art Team for about two years. I began by assisting on shoots and shows and now have built up to being involved in education, travel and showing my work to the whole Electric Family and beyond. I have always worked really hard in the salon and progressed to an art director position in the Electric Brighton salon but wanted more. The first step was to present in the Electric Sessions events. Electric founder, Mark Woolley helped me establish confident presenting skills and I developed strength on stage.

My highlights

I’ve been involved in shows for London Fashion Week, presenting cutting, colour and style looks for Electric’s quarterly Electric Session events and presenting on stages at Salon International. I have also had the chance to travel to America on a few occasions to take part in shows and lead hands-on cutting and styling education classes.

Career Enhancing

Being part of an art team is good for my career because it keeps me inspired and informed in what is going on not only in the hair industry, but also in the fashion and lifestyle industries. I always have new ideas to share with my clients and they love hearing about my session work experiences and travels.

How it’s done

My advice would be, just ask to get involved in the things you’re most interested in and believe in yourself. Do not be afraid to ask for advice or make mistakes, that is how we learn.