Martin Donnelly - Mezzetty
Our first Q&A session is with
photographer Martin Donnelly,
also known as Mezzetty, we
asked him a few questions and
this is what he had to say...
Sample / What's the ethos
behind Mezzetty?
Mezzetty / It's me playing
at being a photographer,
or a designer that loves
photographing people. This
finally seems to be the right
direction for me.
Sample / How did you first get
into the photography industry?
Mezzetty / I would say natural
progression. Moving into
photography was the best way
to evolve my work into
something new.
Sample / What are the most
valuable things you have
learnt from being
a photographer?
Mezzetty / Being able to give
direction is key to achieving
the look I want, and finding a
model that can take and act
on helps.
photographer Martin Donnelly,
also known as Mezzetty, we
asked him a few questions and
this is what he had to say...
Sample / What's the ethos
behind Mezzetty?
Mezzetty / It's me playing
at being a photographer,
or a designer that loves
photographing people. This
finally seems to be the right
direction for me.
Sample / How did you first get
into the photography industry?
Mezzetty / I would say natural
progression. Moving into
photography was the best way
to evolve my work into
something new.
Sample / What are the most
valuable things you have
learnt from being
a photographer?
Mezzetty / Being able to give
direction is key to achieving
the look I want, and finding a
model that can take and act
on helps.
Sample / Out of interest, what
camera do you work with?
Mezzetty / A Canon 450D EO.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming exhibitions or events that
you are really excited about this year?
Mezzetty / The BP National
Portrait awards is coming up
in June, I always have a couple of friends that enter
every year, and I think I might have a crack at it
myself next year.
Sample / What would be your
dream commission?
Mezzetty / Photographing all
of next years Oscar nominee's,
sounds random but seriously
I'd love that job.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Mezzetty?
Mezzetty / More playing.
camera do you work with?
Mezzetty / A Canon 450D EO.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming exhibitions or events that
you are really excited about this year?
Mezzetty / The BP National
Portrait awards is coming up
in June, I always have a couple of friends that enter
every year, and I think I might have a crack at it
myself next year.
Sample / What would be your
dream commission?
Mezzetty / Photographing all
of next years Oscar nominee's,
sounds random but seriously
I'd love that job.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Mezzetty?
Mezzetty / More playing.
Joe Mitchelmore - Others
For our second instalment, we
speak to creative director of
Others, Joe Mitchelmore...
Sample / Others is quite a
unique name, what's the story
behind this?
Others / I wanted a studio
name that was free from
presumption and didn't
generalise the studio,
something ambiguous and
slightly mysterious. I also
liked the idea of a short,
one word name. Others seemed
to fit the criteria nicely.
Sample / There are so many up
and coming creative's as well
as established ones in the
industry today, who for you
catches your eye and excites
you at the moment?
Others / In terms of new
talent, I'm liking the work of
illustrator Micah Lidberg. He
has a great eye for colour and
composition. Some of his
pieces have a graphic approach
too which blends nicely with
his unique, decorative style.
As for design studios,
StudioMakgill have been
producing some really great
pieces of print and branding
lately. Their work always
feels considered and
well executed.
Sample / As a keen typographic
fan, which typeface are you
obsessed with at the moment?
Others / There's some
interesting typefaces coming
out of the Colophon foundry.
Aperçu is particularly
tempting. Although I haven't
had the opportunity to use it
yet, I will definitely keep it
in mind for the future. Lineto
also have a great, varied
collection of typefaces.
Akkurat seems like it is
slowly becoming a modern day
classic.
Sample / You have an eye for
detail and a clean/modern
speak to creative director of
Others, Joe Mitchelmore...
Sample / Others is quite a
unique name, what's the story
behind this?
Others / I wanted a studio
name that was free from
presumption and didn't
generalise the studio,
something ambiguous and
slightly mysterious. I also
liked the idea of a short,
one word name. Others seemed
to fit the criteria nicely.
Sample / There are so many up
and coming creative's as well
as established ones in the
industry today, who for you
catches your eye and excites
you at the moment?
Others / In terms of new
talent, I'm liking the work of
illustrator Micah Lidberg. He
has a great eye for colour and
composition. Some of his
pieces have a graphic approach
too which blends nicely with
his unique, decorative style.
As for design studios,
StudioMakgill have been
producing some really great
pieces of print and branding
lately. Their work always
feels considered and
well executed.
Sample / As a keen typographic
fan, which typeface are you
obsessed with at the moment?
Others / There's some
interesting typefaces coming
out of the Colophon foundry.
Aperçu is particularly
tempting. Although I haven't
had the opportunity to use it
yet, I will definitely keep it
in mind for the future. Lineto
also have a great, varied
collection of typefaces.
Akkurat seems like it is
slowly becoming a modern day
classic.
Sample / You have an eye for
detail and a clean/modern
approach. How do you keep it
fresh and new?
Others / Like many creatives,
I think your life experiences
define your character and ways
of expressing yourself.
Keeping your eyes open and
observing what's going on
around you culturally is
particularly important to me.
It's always exciting to work
in collaboration with another
creatives too. Fellow Sample
contributor Mezzetty worked
with us on one of our projects
providing his photography
skills. Working
collaboratively always seems
to throw something new into
the mix, opening up new
avenues.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming
exhibitions or events that you
are really excited about this
year?
Others / I've always enjoyed
the Taylor Wessing
Photographic Portrait Prize.
This years exhibition starts
on Thursday 11th November.
There's always some phenomenal
work exhibited and it really
is best seen in the gallery
where you can truly admire the
prints. As for more local
venues, Birmingham's own Ikon
gallery is always worth
strolling into too.
Sample / Who would be your
dream client to work for?
Others / I particularly enjoy
the excitement of working on
projects with new clients who
haven't yet established a
brand. It really gives you the
chance to get involved and art
direct across all media from
the ground up. If I had
to pick a dream client though
it would probably be Warp
Records. Their brand
and visual presence seems
highly important to them.
Everything from their website,
to their record covers
fresh and new?
Others / Like many creatives,
I think your life experiences
define your character and ways
of expressing yourself.
Keeping your eyes open and
observing what's going on
around you culturally is
particularly important to me.
It's always exciting to work
in collaboration with another
creatives too. Fellow Sample
contributor Mezzetty worked
with us on one of our projects
providing his photography
skills. Working
collaboratively always seems
to throw something new into
the mix, opening up new
avenues.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming
exhibitions or events that you
are really excited about this
year?
Others / I've always enjoyed
the Taylor Wessing
Photographic Portrait Prize.
This years exhibition starts
on Thursday 11th November.
There's always some phenomenal
work exhibited and it really
is best seen in the gallery
where you can truly admire the
prints. As for more local
venues, Birmingham's own Ikon
gallery is always worth
strolling into too.
Sample / Who would be your
dream client to work for?
Others / I particularly enjoy
the excitement of working on
projects with new clients who
haven't yet established a
brand. It really gives you the
chance to get involved and art
direct across all media from
the ground up. If I had
to pick a dream client though
it would probably be Warp
Records. Their brand
and visual presence seems
highly important to them.
Everything from their website,
to their record covers
are always thoughtfully
produced.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Joe Mitchelmore
and Others?
Others / There's a few
branding projects I'm working
on at the minute as well some
more personal pieces. It's
good to have these as you can
freely experiment with new
ideas and concepts. I'd also
like to be involved in more
collaborative ventures. It's
great being part of events
such as Sample too. They bring
together not only artists
and designers but also the local communities.
produced.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Joe Mitchelmore
and Others?
Others / There's a few
branding projects I'm working
on at the minute as well some
more personal pieces. It's
good to have these as you can
freely experiment with new
ideas and concepts. I'd also
like to be involved in more
collaborative ventures. It's
great being part of events
such as Sample too. They bring
together not only artists
and designers but also the local communities.
Daniel Westwood - Family
For our third Q&A, we have
a brief chat to creative
director and founder of
Family, Daniel Westwood.
As well as Family, Daniel
also runs A-D Foundry and
Raised-in-Carolina.
Sample / What is the ethos
of Family?
Family / Family is primarily
a graphic design studio,
providing (what we feel) is
a unique and different
approach to sectors such
as music, fashion, culture
and the arts.
Sample / What is the story
behind you?
Family / After completing
a degree in Graphic
Communication and receiving
an award at D&AD New Blood,
I founded Family and initially
it was a route for me to
channel my creativity in
a style I felt was appropriate
for me and my clients.
Sample / Who inspires you?
Family / It's difficult to
say. There are too many
designers, both past and
present that influence me
creatively. One person that
a brief chat to creative
director and founder of
Family, Daniel Westwood.
As well as Family, Daniel
also runs A-D Foundry and
Raised-in-Carolina.
Sample / What is the ethos
of Family?
Family / Family is primarily
a graphic design studio,
providing (what we feel) is
a unique and different
approach to sectors such
as music, fashion, culture
and the arts.
Sample / What is the story
behind you?
Family / After completing
a degree in Graphic
Communication and receiving
an award at D&AD New Blood,
I founded Family and initially
it was a route for me to
channel my creativity in
a style I felt was appropriate
for me and my clients.
Sample / Who inspires you?
Family / It's difficult to
say. There are too many
designers, both past and
present that influence me
creatively. One person that
has constantly been a source
of inspiration would probably
be George Orwell, he is
probably my favourite author
and 1984 was one of the first
books I ever read.
Sample / Who would be your
dream commission?
Family / I'd probably say
a forward thinking fashion
designer, someone such as
Vivienne Westwood? Someone who
wouldn't be afraid to push the
boundaries.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming
exhibitions or events that
you are really excited about
this year?
Family / I'm always excited
about the smaller exhibitions
organised by the individual
artist or designer. I think
they are so much more personal
and creative lead, instead of
it being a funded event.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Family?
Family / Hopefully more
interesting projects, more
of the exhibitions, more fun
is always good!
of inspiration would probably
be George Orwell, he is
probably my favourite author
and 1984 was one of the first
books I ever read.
Sample / Who would be your
dream commission?
Family / I'd probably say
a forward thinking fashion
designer, someone such as
Vivienne Westwood? Someone who
wouldn't be afraid to push the
boundaries.
Sample / Other than Sample,
are there any upcoming
exhibitions or events that
you are really excited about
this year?
Family / I'm always excited
about the smaller exhibitions
organised by the individual
artist or designer. I think
they are so much more personal
and creative lead, instead of
it being a funded event.
Sample / And finally, what's
next for Family?
Family / Hopefully more
interesting projects, more
of the exhibitions, more fun
is always good!