We challenge Myles Walsh, Middleweight Designer, to kick off our new content series.

Ta, thanks. I’ll have a go…

I challenge myself to get comfortable with silence.

There are not many moments in a day when I’m alone with my thoughts. I am constantly simulated by telly, podcasts, my phone – and, most of all, music. Last year I listened to around 100,000 minutes of music (not counting physical records). I’m always consuming something. I’ll never stop listening to music, of course, but I think the best ideas can come when you’re not thinking about anything at all, or when you’re tuned into your surroundings. Whether that’s seeing something unusual on public transport, overhearing a conversation or just zoning out in the shower – ideas can pop up. I think giving myself space to think about nothing could be a good creative exercise.

I challenge my colleagues to be curious about each others’ disciplines.

It’s easy to get wrapped up in our own stuff. We’re a small agency and we often work closely together, although we’re not always in the same space. Whether it’s client services, creative writing or strategy, I think we should maintain a curiosity of how other teams do their work. We can learn a lot from how different people approach tasks, the time and inspiration they need, and how they problem solve – both creatively and practically.

I challenge my clients to understand the real value of design.

Design is, by nature, a visual medium, and clients sometimes expect to make a big impact simply through aesthetic changes. Make it blue; make the logo bigger. But in reality, good design is the culmination of lots of conversations and collaborations over time. Even if the “creative” phase of a project happens months down the line after a lot of planning and strategy, it’s always useful as a designer to meet the client early on to get a feel for their goals and preferences. That way, we can establish a wider appreciation for the value design brings to the table and make sure there are no surprises in the creative drop. We’re not just making pretty pictures: we’re solving problems. 

I challenge the industry to close the class divide.

The creative industries are still largely based in big cities, and it’s hard for young people to get a foot in. I’m not sure if I’d be in this job now if it wasn’t for COVID; the rise of remote working opened the door for me to apply for design studios in London from my family home in Liverpool. I was able to find my footing without the costs of moving to London, which is unaffordable for any graduate who doesn’t have financial support. We should measure people on what they have to offer, otherwise we risk missing out on the best talent; diversity of voices is essential for driving creativity and challenging each other.

I challenge you to go somewhere you haven’t been before. 

I’m not talking about going abroad (but if you can, great). My favourite thing about London is just how big and different each area is. It’s easy to get stuck in a loop of your usual haunts, but I try to make a conscious effort to explore somewhere new every couple of weeks.

I challenge Ross Sweetmore to design a custom typeface with me.

Over to you, Ross…