Design Feast Series: Designer’s Quest(ionnaire)

Sophie Henson

Illustrator and Designer

Primary design concentration:

Illustration/Typography

Most preferred tool for designing:

Pen/pencil and sketchbook, followed by Illustrator and Photoshop

1. How and why did you choose to become a designer?

I didn’t really think about it very much, I just knew from quite early on, I wanted to work in a creative medium—I used to love drawing and painting at the kitchen table with my sister when we were little, and it just continued from there, through school and on, into my degree. Luckily, people like my drawings, and so I’m fortunate enough to now do it for a living!

2. Challenges you encounter as a designer and how do you deal with them?

I have come across projects, where a fabulous idea is filtered through a dozen people and departments, until the idea loses it’s sparkle and innovation. You end up with a watered-down, ‘safe’ design, for the sake of keeping everyone happy. It can be a frustrating part of the process, but there are also lots of jobs that keep their magic, and these are the ones that make it all bearable!

3. Your definition of an “elegant solution,” that is, good design?

If a design communicates a message coherently to a specified audience, then I reckon that’s half the job—the other half (and the pleasurable part for me) is making it nice to look at too, enhancing the design, without distracting from the message. Compositionally, balance is a very important aspect.

4. From skills to values, what makes a designer successful?

That’s a tough question! I would say an attention to detail, the ability to listen, as well as coherently expressing your own views and opinions in a situation that calls for it. Much of what I do requires clear, succinct communication, both verbally and visually.

5. How do you stay motivated and grow personally and professionally as a designer?

It can be tough sometimes sitting at my desk, staring at a blank sketchbook or computer screen—and at that point, I know it’s time to get out and take a break, look at something new and completely unrelated. I like getting on a random bus and traveling through a part of London I’ve never seen before. I have a pretty short attention span, so I like to mix things up a bit, get out of the studio, and feed my imagination as often as possible! I love getting involved in things that are outside of my everyday routine (whether it’s relevant to my work as a designer, or not). I found Japan a huge inspiration, visually, culturally and, of course, the amazing food, fashion, and people! I run too, that helps keep things fresh, giving me a mental break, and getting back to nature in the parks and woods near my house!

6. For those aspiring to become a designer, whatever the discipline, what is your advice?

I would say if you really love something, whatever it is you choose as a career, then you’ll get there. It can be a tough world, as there is a lot of competition out there, but if you’re committed, and approach the work you do intelligently and with passion, people can see it. Explore as many avenues as you can. If you’re interested in design, there are hundreds of routes your career might comfortably take.

7. What is your quest in design?

I’m not sure I have anything as radical as a quest—but I do have a little mission to make the world a wee bit brighter, and make a few people smile along the way.

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