How I Got Here: Alicia Cheng
Designer, author and now head of design at the Met, Alicia Cheng discusses a career spent in the cultural sphere – from setting up an all-women design collective to the thrill of moving people through an exhibition space
How I Got Here: Hillary Coe, AKQA
Designer, drag racer and analogue astronaut Hillary Coe has joined AKQA as principal of experience, following a position as director of design at SpaceX. She talks to us about creating roles for herself that didn’t exist and embedding adventure into her life and work
How I Got Here: Zak Kyes
Graphic designer and creative director Zak Kyes has brought ideas to life for publications, cultural institutions, and modern day visionaries like Frank Ocean and Virgil Abloh. He talks to us about his journey
How I Got Here: Nicholas Blechman
The New Yorker creative director talks about his first job in the industry and how to avoid predictability in editorial design
How I Got Here: Jiminie Ha
The Guggenheim Museum’s newly appointed director of graphic design Jiminie Ha reflects on the joys of a career spent mixing art and design
How I Got Here: Raul Aguila
From the New York Times to Esquire, Raul Aguila has cut his teeth at some of the biggest names in magazines. As he unveils one of his most exciting projects to date, a redesign of Variety to mark its 115th anniversary, the designer discusses what he’s learned along the way
How I Got Here: Joseph Rodriguez
As a taxi driver in the 70s and 80s, photographer Joseph Rodriguez captured the intensity of New York City from the driver’s seat. He talks to us about his childhood, learning from the greats, and his ‘get close’ mantra
How I Got Here: Brian Rea
Modern Love illustrator Brian Rea recounts a childhood filled with stories, shares the struggles of embracing his style and tells CR why words have gained a new importance for him later in his career
How I Got Here: Bake Off illustrator Tom Hovey
Tom Hovey talks to us about his journey from fussy eater to street artist to Great British Bake Off illustrator, and why food illustration is a good palate cleanser in the Instagram age
How I Got Here: Forest Young
Wolff Olins’ first global chief creative officer discusses his circuitous path to creativity, and why he believes failure is the secret ingredient for success
How I Got Here: Illustrator Serge Bloch
The French illustrator and author talks to us about why he entered the world of illustration at just the right time and why humour is more important than ever
How I Got Here: Amos Paul Kennedy Jr
Having switched from computing to printmaking at the age of 40, Amos Paul Kennedy Jr has since led a life in letterpress. He talks us through his journey
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