Global Design Graduate Show

and Google Arts and Culture

As a rising actor, I have been fortunate enough to gain a level of visibility and recognition that has allowed me to connect with a wide range of people. I feel extremely blessed. It is through this exposure that I have come to realise the immense responsibility that comes with being a public gure. While I appreciate the attention and admiration that comes with the territory, I also recognise that there is a deeper purpose to my platform.

As I interact with more fans and followers from around the world, I am often approached with a wide range of questions. These questions can range from inquiries about my personal life and career to deeper topics such as mental health and wellbeing. What I have noticed is that while the subjects may vary, the theme of mental health is one that continues to pop up time and time again.

As someone who has personally struggled with nding their place in the world, I understand the value of having a support system and the impact it can have on one’s mental wellbeing. This is why I nd it particularly meaningful when young people approach me with their questions about mental health. It is a powerful reminder of the importance of sparking conversation and o ering encouragement to those who are still trying to make sense of the world around them.

Whether it’s navigating relationships, dealing with stress, or overcoming mental health challenges, there is no denying the importance of seeking support and guidance. We all need help in hand, no matter one’s status in life!

Through this article, my goal is to address some of the questions I have received about mental health and o er my perspective on navigating life’s challenges. I hope to inspire and empower others on their own journeys, while continuing to navigate my own. So, join me as we explore the importance of mental health and the impact it can have on our lives.

Taking care of your mental health is a vital component in nding your purpose in life. It is important to nd a balance between self-care and motivation, especially when facing obstacles in pursuit of your dreams. As a rising actor who has experienced the challenges of the industry, I know rst-hand how crucial these practices are. Despite facing rejection, type casting, industry drama, and a lack of support, I remain committed to my mission of using my work to entertain, empower, inspire, and spark change.

To nd your purpose in life, it is essential to listen to yourself and understand the root of why you are doing something and what you hope to gain from it. Whether it is through education, personal development, or seeking the necessary support, nding courage and discipline to stay on track is crucial. It is also important to cultivate meaningful connections and relationships that matter. While chasing dreams and being productive is important, it’s equally essential not to forget to take a breath and appreciate the people and things that truly matter in life. This is especially true for young people in their twenties and beyond who are just starting out on their journeys of self-discovery and personal growth.

In conclusion, taking care of your mental health, nding balance, and seeking the necessary support are vital components in discovering your purpose in life. With courage and discipline, you can achieve your goals and make meaningful connections that will help you along the way. So, stay true to yourself, stay motivated, and stay focused on the things that matter most. Take care of you!

Hydrate all day. So simple, but so e ective, particularly while abroad in the sun. Sweating, sunbathing, drinking more alcohol, consuming more sugar than normal can all dehydrate the body. Carrying water with you all day and consuming an absolute minimum of 2.5 litres a day is the easiest way to prioritise your health while your routine is upside down.

Stock up on fruit and veg. The best part of a holiday abroad is the delicious fresh fruit and veg from the local supermarket. Stock up your villa or hotel fridge with plenty of goodness to fuel your body alongside the ice creams and pool side cocktails!

Working out on holiday is a complete personal preference. You may be a complete gym/run bunny whilst abroad or you may want a complete break from your exercise routine. Both are ne and completely your choice. It is however a good idea (if you are not exercising on holiday) to stay active in other ways. Get involved with the pool or beach games, take the stairs where possible, walk where you can and enjoy the fresh air and sunshine. If you are looking to workout, opt for the morning where possible and listen to your body. Sometimes you might be able to nail a 45 minute workout, others you might just fancy a gentle walk or stretch. Move your body because it makes you feel good and energises and not as a punishment for what you have eaten.

For those that don’t know, please describe your sound…

Back in the 90s, I was a fan of big beat sound from the Chemical Brothers, Junkie XL and the Prodigy, house music from Daft Punk and trance from Armin van Buuren and Tiësto; I would say that is the foundation of my sound. Later in the 00s, all the way to the 20s. I picked up things from producers such as Camel Phat, Disclosure, Calvin Harris and MK (Marc Kinchen). I love discovering new music and getting inspired to try di erent sounds and approaches to making music. I am heavily in uenced by the big beat and trance sound of the 90s; I would say that is the foundation of my music.

How long have you been producing tunes?

Back in the early 00s, I started to make breaking music with a friend of mine under the pseudonym of Smoke Keepers. In 2006 we participated in a worldwide music contest sponsored by Diesel, and we ew to London for the nal: we scored #2, right behind Duke Dumont. After that experience, I decided to pause making music to resume it a few years later under the name of Paul Farrin: a pure trance sound. As time passed, my day job took more and more of my time, and Paul Farrin had to retire. Then in 2020, when COVID happened, I suddenly had some time to resume the Paul Farrin project, this time with a house / progressive house in uence.

You release music regularly and consistently, how do you manage to juggle your time and t everything in?

When I started in 2020, I was releasing a song every week, but a new baby and a more demanding day-today job made that release schedule really challenging. Nowadays, I release new music once every two months: that gives me enough time to build something I can be proud of and allows me to focus also on the commitment I now have in my day-to-day life.

What’s your setup like? Favourite bit of equipment?

When I started with that friend of mine as the Smoke Keepers, we dreamed of a large studio lled with all kinds of synthesisers and lters. Nowadays, I love the convenience of having a laptop fully loaded with plugins that I can carry anywhere I go!

In terms of your music, you create your own tracks, including really cool bootleg remixes. How do you go about deciding what bootleg to remix or vocalist to feature?

Usually, I decide to make a bootleg when I like the original song: I like it so much that I want to give it...

...my touch, my interpretation. When deciding on vocals, I always try to source the voice that best suits the song I have in mind. In general, I prefer female vocalists with soul/R’n’B feelings. But again, this may change according to the type of feelings I want to convey with a particular song.

What are your favourite top 3, self-produced tunes? Feeling Good because it is with the great Aretha Franklin vocals and was one of the rst songs I made when I resumed Paul Farrin back in 2020. Movin’ Too Fast, because I love the original from Artful Dodger. Hypnotrip, because it is built for the dance oor and has a techno feeling to it.

As an artist, what is your aim? I want to make music the way I feel and enjoy it. No categorisation or second agendas attached.

Who inspires you musically?

I really like the rst acid sound of the Chemical Brothers, the innovation and energy of Calvin Harris, the passion and determination of David Guetta and the sound engineering of Daft Punk. But for me, every good song can become a source for inspiration.

We can’t wait to hear more! Thanks for your time. If we could maybe end the interview by asking you what your plans are for the next few months ahead? The pleasure was all mine! My plans are straightforward: to keep making music.

Exercise is a fab way to beat stress; not only does exercise actively lower your stress hormones, but it also helps the release of endorphins. Endorphins act as natural painkillers, and they are a good mood booster, too. Also, exercise can improve your quality of sleep, increase con dence, and promote mental wellbeing. Don’t worry if you’re not into jogging or intense gym sessions, because other types of exercise are just as good, such as walking, dancing and yoga!

Listening to music can have some fantastic e ects on the body, like inducing a relaxation response. This helps to reduce stress hormones, as well as heart rate and blood pressure. While slow-paced, instrumental music such as classical is the best at this, simply putting on music that you like can be just as e ective. Who knew that listening to music could be so powerful?

The bene ts of herbal tea are endless, and there are di erent types to suit every need, including stress. Chamomile is one such tea that reduces anxiety, as it contains both antioxidant and anti-in ammatory properties. It’s long been used as a drink to help improve sleep because it’s said to have a calming e ect. Countless studies have been conducted on chamomile extract. It has been found that people who consumed chamomile regularly saw reduced symptoms of anxiety. Plus, it’s pretty tasty.

Sometimes, simply creating a safe area that increases focus and reduces stress is the best way to tackle exam stress. Mood lighting, aromatherapy and the right temperature can all play a part in reducing stress. Light your favourite candle, put your favourite essential oil in your di user and improve your lighting. Whatever you need to do to create a calming environment is purely down to personal preference. So, make your space more comfortable for you; you’ll feel much better for it!

Exams are never fun for anyone. The tedious hours of revision, those terrifying last-minute panics and the anxiety surrounding post-exam convos with your friends are enough to ll anyone with dread. Hopefully, though, these tips will help you breathe a little easier and allow you to get some much-needed rest.

It has almost become a tradition to avoid getting help for things wrong with us. “I’m ne!” and “I’d be wasting the doctors time!” are common utterances. But when it comes to more intimate problems (STI’s, malformations etc), we practically shut down. Many not even talking to people we’re close with. This must stop. Before these problems become too developed, talk to a friend, and ask them for support. This will make it much easier to speak to a professional about any problem you may have. Plus, you’ll be more physically comfortable for it!

On a similar note, sex has been the pinnacle of taboo subjects for millennia. In the modern era, sex has become a much more casual a air. With couples not worrying about pregnancy due to contraception, and less stigma around sex before marriage, intercourse is a regular part of a lot of peoples lives. So, with this growing comfort around sex, why aren’t we talking about it more!? Discussing what feels good, what doesn’t feel good, insecurities, and con dences can make having sex even more pleasurable. Along with this, a more open attitude towards sex would make it a lot easier for sexual assault victims to stand up and seek support. It would make them feel less shameful, and hopefully proud of themselves for showing their strength.

A more controversial topic, drugs and alcohol are something we all have a tale about. Whether it’s someone you know making a fool of themselves, or something more sinister altogether, substance use is a main stay in our world. But, when we’re struggling with an addiction, or a situation intensi ed by the substances, it can be hard to bring up. Admitting you have a problem is the rst step. But with the cruel labels and assumptions people make about addicts, it is hardly surprising that many su er in silence. So, keep your mind open, and talk about drugs and alcohol.

With the recent rise in sexuality and gender studies, this topic is getting more attention than it has in generations. But we still have a way to go. Members of the LGBTQIA+ community are becoming more vocal as time goes on. But, cis-gender (those who identify with the gender assigned to them at birth) straight people still struggle with talking about it. Men may feel emasculated, and women may feel weak or judged if they discuss these things. But the only way we can normalise people living their truth, is by talking about it! Doing so may just make someone struggling feel better!

If you’ve got a pot of solid coconut oil, running it under a warm tap for a few minutes will leave you with a runny and natural hair conditioner. Simply wash and shampoo your hair as normal before taking roughly a handful of the oil and running it through your wet hair from root to ends. Twist your hair into a bun and leave for a few minutes before thoroughly rinsing it out leaving your hair shiny, soft, and hydrated.

Cleaning makeup brushes is a tedious task that needs performing frequently. But you don’t need an expensive brush cleaner spray! Simply mix one part coconut oil with two parts antibacterial soap - this will easily separate dirt from the bristles of your brushes making cleaning them a real breeze!

Instead of drying and damaging your skin with harsh chemicals found in shaving foam, use your coconut oil for a softer, gentle shaving experience. The shave is closer and leaves your skin feeling moisturised and less irritated.

One of my favourite uses of coconut oil is using it for “oil pulling” which is a method of cleaning and whitening your teeth. Take two teaspoons of coconut oil and swish it around your mouth pulling it in between your teeth for 20 minutes. This eliminates bad bacteria from your mouth and helps to remove stains and tartar build up. It’s not the best tasting, but it really works!

Tired of those straggly bits of skin hanging from the end of your ngers around your nails? Apply a pea-sized amount of coconut oil to the a ected area and it will soften the damaged skin there and prevent cracks and tears. It also encourages the growth of healthy, strong nails! Coconut oil isn’t just for cooking! It also works as a moisturiser. Use the oil as a solid balm and apply a thin layer to your skin after showering to allow your skin to really absorb it. It leaves skin feeling soft and nourished. (And smelling great!)