In the previous episode, we met Brooke Cormier who reminded us that there’s always more to learn, the importance of experimentation and the challenges of running a business as a creative. She also reminded us that failure is part of the process and today’s guest agrees.
Allow me to officially introduce you to today’s guest: Inger Kristine Steinsland.
You know that really annoying person who always seems to see the glass half full?
Hi, yes, that's her. Inger Kristine Steinsland, born and bred in Norway, educated and trained in Britain. With a BA in Illustration and a Masters in Creative Advertising from Falmouth University, she has since been working for an Employer Branding and Recruitment Advertising agency in London. Here she started as an intern before she was hired as a Junior Art Director and she has worked her way up to become Head of Art. She now leads a team of Art Directors, Designers and UX/UI designers.
In our conversation, Inger and I discuss the magic of happy accidents, visual simplicity and having fun in your work. We chat about removing the toxic culture of fear and the possibilities of problem solving through design.
Key Ideas Discussed:
Lots of happy accidents have happened to her
Spontaneity!
The importance of wordplay in her artwork
Inspiration comes through listening to conversations on podcasts, etc.
Visual simplicity
Finding a way to communicate through visuals only and not relying on copy
Conversation, dialogue, language - always listening to find ways to create visual outputs from auditory inputs
Play!
She doesn't put a lot of pressure on herself which is one of the reasons why her work comes across as joyful, light
3 step process: idea in her mind, paper on pen (make it, break it, play), bringing it into a digital space
She likes Photoshop - clipping mask, masking tools, pen tool, smart objects ("the brilliant basics")
Have fun with it!
The journey is the destination
She has a love for all creative work, no matter who made it
Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't work; learn lessons for the next time to become greater
"You're only as good as your last idea/design" - this phrase creates a toxic culture of fear
Playing, failing, exploring allows you to be free; how can you unlock yourself? (This is where the magic happens!)
It's a shame we don't celebrate failures more often
We've normalized success so deeply that people are terrified of taking chances
The road to success is never linear
Fun, joy, play!
Pencil is go-to tool
Creativity is more than just colour and typography; it's about innovation and problem solving; creative people are everywhere
The visual style is less important than what she's saying/communicating
Visual communicators of all sorts have the ability to communicate difficult things in a respectful way
It's a journey of discovery
Among many insights gained, Inger reminds us that all the good bits happen on the way to the destination. In the next episode we meet Amelia, an art therapist, who shares Inger’s feelings about what it means to enjoy the process of making art.
Stay tuned...
About Our Guest:
You know that really annoying person who always seems to see the glass half full?
Hi, yes, that's me. Inger Kristine Steinsland, born and bred in Norway, educated and trained in Britain. With a BA in Illustration and a Masters in Creative Advertising from Falmouth University, I have since finishing Uni been working for an Employer Branding and Recruitment Advertising agency in London. Here I started as an intern before I was hired as a Junior Art Director and has worked my way up to become Head of Art. I now lead a team of Art Directors, Designers and UX/UI designers.
IG: IngerCreative
Music (public domain via Free Music Archive): Chad Crouch - Rainbow
Talk Paper Scissors Theme Music: Retro Quirky Upbeat Funk by Lewis Sound Production via Audio Jungle