Today we’d like to introduce you to Kieron Lewis.
Kieron, we appreciate you taking the time to share your story with us today. Where does your story begin?
I started out working within the advertising sector, as a junior designer, on client projects for brands such as IKEA, Land Rover, and Virgin Media. It took me several years to realize my real passion and the thing that gets me up in the mornings is editorial design. However, like most creative sectors to break through (especially as a junior designer) is very difficult.
Whilst working at various advertising agencies, I worked on numerous self-directed and voluntary projects that encompassed my love for print and editorial design.
Over time I was able to build up some creditability, which has led to regular collaborations with publishers such as Harper Collins, and Penguin Books, and currently, I am working on another hardback publication with the first-time client, Laurence King Publishers.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
I’ve had moments of “everything going smoothly,” which is awesome. I always put this down to the fact that I love to plan. Perhaps like most designers, I overthink (which isn’t always healthy).
The part of my career where it has been “bumpy” was during my junior designer phase. I was made redundant at a job (my first editorial one…ironically), which at the time was very difficult to come to terms with. What kept me going though, creatively speaking, was my side projects and voluntary team-based projects that I worked on.
In terms of portfolio, whilst looking for a new job, I was able to feature self-directed work. I always found that this was a nice conversation starter when I went for an interview. My belief (and still is) is that if you love what you do, you’re proactive and humble, this will open opportunities.
Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Editorial design is my first love! Going back from my university career, right up to now as a freelance designer. I went officially freelance at the start of the pandemic.
As we all know, it was a period of a lot of uncertainty. Especially within the job sector, and more so within the creative industry. I left a well-paid career, whilst while planning my wedding with my wife and also just buying our first home – crazy, right?!
As I said previously, I like to plan! In my head, I broke everything down from all those common questions every freelancer ponders over:
– What happens if I can’t find work? I have bills!
– How do I stand out in such a saturated sector? *Hunger Games style*
More so within the editorial design, which I feel that unless you have a friend/family connection, it’s incredibly hard to break into. In my experience, it is usually a case of “word of mouth.”
– Tax, Tax, Tax! (fun)
Once I found a system that worked for me, which answered all the above, I began to establish a great working relationship with numerous clients and was able to do the thing I love most – designing publications.
I would say I’m most known for my collaboration with Adobe Live as their Host, which is live weekly across their social channels. Also, my publication work heavily focuses on race, community, and design. This has led to numerous talks and events. The most prominent one is my talk at Adobe MAX: www.adobe.com/max/2021/sessions/empowering-community-through-collaboration-and-edi-s302.html
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs, or other resources you think our readers should check out?
Instagram (agencies such as Pentagram) and Behance have been great ways to find inspiration. I’m also following a lot of platforms such as MagCulture and Creative Boom, to find out what’s current within the industry.
I try to visit galleries and exhibitions, just to mix up the amount of time I spend on the screen. I find this incredibly therapeutic!
Contact Info:
- Website: kieronlewis.com
- Instagram: www.instagram.com/kieronanthonyl/
- Linkedin: www.linkedin.com/in/kieronlewis/
- Twitter: twitter.com/KieronAnthonyL
- Youtube: www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL9PFvwJkk4Ak24U9fIPfMffUGORBl6vQJ
Image Credits
Phoenix Art Space in Brighton_England, Still_Breathing_Publication, @KIERON_LEWIS, SouthLondonGallery, and ChroniclesBook
