How I Got Here

Leading creatives look back on the ups and downs of their careers

How I Got Here: Isamaya Ffrench

Isamaya Ffrench became one of the most sought-after creatives in fashion thanks to her unconventional use of makeup. Here, she talks to CR about her art, the pressure that comes with finding success at an early age and her conflicted relationship with social media

How I Got Here: Lemn Sissay

Ahead of the release of his memoir, the poet discusses growing up in care, documenting his existence through poems when no one else listened, and poetry’s remarkable pop culture resurgence

How I Got Here: Jessica Walsh

As the designer launches her eponymous new agency &Walsh, she tells CR about designing her first website aged 11, dealing with the group of haters that come with being a well-known woman in design, and why you’re never too successful to rely on Google for answers

How I Got Here: Piyush Pandey

Ogilvy’s recently named Global CCO started out as a cricketer and a tea taster before joining the ad world. He discusses revolutionising Indian advertising in the 80s, why he’s stayed at Ogilvy for three decades, and his optimistic outlook for the industry’s future

How I Got Here: Andy Gent

We talk to puppet maker Andy Gent about working on Wes Anderson’s Isle of Dogs and Fantastic Mr Fox, and how stop motion animation is in a golden age, much to his surprise and delight

How I got here: Nadav Kander

Existential questions have always informed Nadav Kander’s work. By abandoning himself to the unknown, he has mastered his own creative language. We talk to him about his work

How I Got Here: Leanne Shapton

As a writer, artist, and publisher, Leanne Shapton is a master of spinning plates. CR finds out how a love of Push Pin Studios and growing up immersed in dark tales shaped her creative approach

How I Got Here: David Droga

We speak to the Droga5 founder about how growing up in a remote national park in Australia influenced his creative outlook, setting up his own agency out of arrogance and ignorance, and his mission above all else to remain relevant

How I Got Here: Illustrator Noma Bar

The Israeli illustrator’s work is instantly recognisable for his masterful use of negative space and clever take on current affairs. He discusses how it all began in the forests of Galilee, and why creatives shouldn’t be afraid of bringing about political change through their work

How I Got Here: Punchdrunk founder Felix Barrett

Punchdrunk’s lavish theatre shows have inspired all kinds of immersive experiences – from pop-up supper clubs to musical performances. Founder Felix Barrett reflects on how the company got started and the pressures that come with fame

How I Got Here: magCulture founder Jeremy Leslie

Jeremy Leslie has 30 years’ worth of experience in magazines, whether as an art director, author, or running the magCulture blog, studio, shop and conference. We speak to him about growing the company, and why getting fired (twice) was the best thing that ever happened to him

How I Got Here: Glug co-founder, Ian Hambleton

Over ten years on from starting the event, Glug has gone global with outposts in 35 countries. We speak to Ian Hambleton about turning it from a side project into a fully-fledged company, and putting on an event that doesn’t break the bank for Gluggers

How I Got Here: Harley Weir

As the photographer’s work covering the migrant crisis in the Calais Jungle goes on display at Brighton Photo Biennial, she discusses breaking away from fashion photography, and the importance of tackling issues that you genuinely care about

How I Got Here: Peter Kennard

The photomontage artist is behind anti-war works dating from Vietnam through to Iraq. As he puts on his latest show to coincide with the 60th anniversary of the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament, Kennard tells us about the enduring power of the photograph in the social media age

How I Got Here: Illustrator Luke Pearson

From Nobrow books and New Yorker covers to a Netflix adaptation, artist Luke Pearson tells CR how he found his creative freedom, why he’s left comics for grown-ups behind, and how his daughter is helping him think differently about children’s books

How I Got Here: Ken Wong

It’s been two years since the Monument Valley designer upped sticks from ustwo and returned to Australia to set up his own studio. As part of our games special this week, Wong discusses falling into the industry by accident, and the challenges of running a successful studio

How I Got Here: Crackstevens

Filmmaker Akinola Davies (aka Crackstevens – named for his love of Cat Stevens) has created videos for the likes of Blood Orange and Kate Tempest. Here he talks about growing up between Nigeria and Kent, and the challenges faced by people of colour in the creative industries

How I Got Here: Tom Hingston

The graphic designer talks to Rachael Steven about 20 years of running Hingston Studio, working with Nick Cave and Massive Attack and the key to a successful collaboration

How I Got Here: Andy Vella

This week, CR is focusing on creativity in music. Here, The Cure’s long-term designer and creative partner talks about making work from scratch, why mistakes are what makes design great, and how he created the Just Like Heaven Cover with $30 of potatoes

How I Got Here: Patrick Duffy

Designer Patrick Duffy has worked everywhere from ad agencies like Fallon through to in-house teams at Airbnb and Dice, where he’s just taken on the new role of creative director. Here he explains how he got there

How We Got Here: Mike & Rob, AMV BBDO

To coincide with Cannes Lions, this week on CR we’re focusing on the ad industry. As they celebrate 20 years of working together, we speak to AMV BBDO creative partners Mike Crowe and Rob Messeter about keeping the fire burning

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