How I Got Here: Shelley Smoler, Droga5
Droga5’s newly appointed executive creative director Shelley Smoler talks to us about how growing up in South Africa shapes her work, tapping into culture, and learning the importance of bravery in advertising
How I Got Here: Designer Sam Hecht
Sam Hecht has had a 20-year partnership with Muji, helping shape the company’s minimalist yet practical image. Here he looks back over 30 years as a designer, discussing his “obsessive curiosity” and why design sometimes needs to be driven by need rather than desire
How We Got Here: Willo Perron & Brian Roettinger
As partners at Willo Perron & Associates, designer Brian Roettinger and creative director Willo Perron have worked on creative projects with some of the world’s biggest brands and musicians. We talk to the pair about their process
How I Got Here: Fraser Muggeridge
Graphic designer Fraser Muggeridge tells CR why he’s not afraid to make wonky type, and how he went from a logo-loving teen to campaigning against ‘café normal’ design
How I Got Here: David Gentleman
As David Gentleman publishes a new book on London, to coincide with his 90th birthday, we spoke with the artist about his lengthy career and the stories behind his work, including his Penguin book covers and platform-length Underground mural
How I Got Here: Richard Brim, adam&eveDDB
Chief creative officer Richard Brim takes us through the influence of ads in his youth, his first impressions of the industry, the lessons that stuck, and why he still wrestles with being called an ‘advertiser’
How I Got Here: Trey Edward Shults
The director of the compelling new A24 drama Waves talks to CR about his childhood, the biggest influences on his career, and the hardest part of the filmmaking process
How I Got Here: Matt Willey
After five years at The New York Times Magazine, Matt Willey is leaving to become a partner at Pentagram. Here we talk to him about the childhood experiences and jobs that led to him landing one of the most coveted jobs in design
How I Got Here: Milton Glaser
We talk to renowned graphic designer Milton Glaser about turning 90, what’s wrong with design today and why retirement is the furthest thing from his mind
How I Got Here: Gail Anderson
We talk to designer, writer and educator Gail Anderson about the mentors who shaped her career, diversity in the industry and her ever-growing collections of ‘things’
How I Got Here: Lizzo’s Creative Director Quinn Wilson
Lizzo’s creative director Quinn Wilson tells CR how she went from doing makeup to directing music videos, and why big bouncing asses and real conversations really can work side by side
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 We Got Here: DesignStudio
Founders Ben Wright and Paul Stafford on starting out in the industry, growing an agency and the challenges of working on high-profile rebrands
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