Ethan Earle

Research & questions

Ethan Earle is a graphic designer from who studied at Leeds Arts University. 
His work:
(simplistic designs with attention to shapes and form.)

He is now working at BUILD, Leeds.

Questions:

Interview
What did you take from your degree forward into work? What part of the course taught you the most?  

COP (the contextual side) was really important to me I think, within one of my final projects I looked at Béton Brut Typographie and looked at the similarities between modernist architecture and Graphic Design. This really challenged me to think about the use of materials in my work. I work a lot on the computer as I design typefaces but in this project my final outcome was letters from my typeface cast into concrete. This made me consider a digital type as part of a project which can be developed into physical versions, rather than just a digital file existing in the cloud. 

Why didn’t you go freelance? 

I’d always enjoyed working as part of a team. It’s brilliant being able to work with other creative practitioners who are driven and on top of their game. It’s also good being around people when working in the fast moving creative industries with lots of late nights and tight deadlines, some people I work with have been in the industry a really long time and it helps you learn how to handle the pressure, deal with clients and develop your own work. I don’t think I’d learn as much if I was working as a solo designer. 

What is your creative process? How do you come up with ideas? 

Constantly being aware of the world around you is really important. I’m always taking photos on my phone of things I like, colours, type, patterns anything that catches my eye. Then being open to everything, I think it’s really important to look at areas outside of graphic design, film, music, politics etc. When I get a new project It’s important to really break down what I’m trying to communicate, once I understand that then I begin the process of making loads of versions of designs to show to the client. 

Who and what are your biggest influences? Are there any that aren’t graphic design based? 

Yes! I really love architecture, it’s a huge influence on my work, Le Corbusier especially. Architecture, like graphic design is about working with tight restrictions and rules. It’s really interesting to see how an idea which crosses into both areas, like a modular system, manifests in a totally different way. 

What impact did space odyssey have on your work? 

Firstly it’s just a great film! I think the stargate sequence is definitely the most influential scene. I think the simplicity of the production methods and the confidence in extending the scene are two really good take-aways from the film. You don’t have to do a project where everything is super high end and polished. If the idea is good you can make a really strong project just from simple materials. 

How is working for a studio? How has it impacted the work you create?  

I think working with other people from different disciplines has really helped developed my practice as a designer and creative. When you work with people from photography, advertising and branding backgrounds you really get a sense of different creatives processes and ways of generating ideas. 

What attracted you to working at build? 

I think that they moved their studio to the north is really exciting. There’s lots of talk that Leeds will follow Manchester in becoming a new design capital and I wanted to be a part of that. 

What stage of the process are you most involved in at build? 

I’m involved in all areas of the project, which I love. There’s a relatively small team compared to some studio so I get to speak to clients, work up designs, discuss feedback, art direct photo shoots, produce final out comes, source materials etc. I think that’s really important as it forces you to hone your skills in a variety of different areas rather than staying stagnant. 

What do you think you will do in the future? What’s your forward plan?

At the moment I’m really happy where I am, I feel I’m learning loads of new skills every day and making an impact in the city and a burgeoning design scene. Maybe senior designer / creative in a few years time. Who knows! 

Notes from the interview

- Highly influenced by architecture. Interested in how approaches in design use modular systems with tight restrictions and rules, but producing different outcomes.

- Stargate scene was very influential to him. Simplicity and confidence of the production of the film.

- Works in many areas as well as many people from different disciplines - prevents him from staying stagnant.