PAUSE x Russell Athletic: The Creatives

DAMN SHAQ

What do you do from Monday – Friday?

My week is very varied because I consider myself to be “more than just a DJ”. I might have a gig one day, dance training the next. To be honest, I just focus on having a good time.

How did you get started in your creative field?

I never know how to explain it haha. Many different things triggered my start, studying Broadcast and Digital Communications at The Brit School armed me with a lot of knowledge about the media industry and my apprenticeship with the BBC allowed me to put that knowledge into practice. From there I decided to do my own thing and I’ve never looked back since.

In an environment where inspiration is everywhere, where is the most unlikely place you have found inspiration?

There’s never really an unlikely place because I’m inspired by the world around me.

What keeps you motivated to push yourself creatively?

Myself. My family and my friends.

Describe the hustle in being a freelance in London today in one sentence?

You have to always push yourself and find new ways to break boundaries.

JUNIOR CLINT

What do you do from Monday – Friday?

Creative consulting, Modelling and I run a footwear brand ‘Clints’

 How did you get started in your creative field?

Creative consulting: I was approached to help a brand out whilst on set modelling for a look-book shoot. Started off helping the brand with their marketing material and gradually worked with them on their campaign strategy.

Modelling : Was approached whilst studying at University.

Footwear design: I was inspired to get into footwear design after reading ‘Shoe Dog’ a book by Phil knight, founder of Nike. From there, I began to watch youtube tutorials on the DIY process of making footwear and my journey has continued from then on.

In an environment where inspiration is everywhere, where is the most unlikely place you have found inspiration?

Most of my inspiration comes from having conversations with people outside the industry I work in. Whenever I ask for their opinion on a particular topic within fashion, they are able to share their views from a none bias perspective because they are not influenced by the current culture as it is. This allows me to look at situations from a fresh eye.

What keeps you motivated to push yourself creatively?

Like many artists/creatives, whenever I produce a product or deliver a project, I feel like theres room for improvement so i’m always competing with myself to be better than my previous work. Also, Ideas are forever evolving so everyday I have a paradigm shift and that helps to keep me learning.

Describe the hustle in being a freelance in London today in one sentence?

(side note: I’m based in Manchester but a majority of my work is in London)

Meeks Rayvon

What do you do from Monday – Friday?

Work on creative treatments and briefs from a variety of different sources consequently bringing them to life.

How did you get started in your creative field?

Started building up a portfolio of images at university whilst doing an undergraduate degree in sports science. I always enjoyed the freedom of creating and capturing.

In an environment where inspiration is everywhere, where is the most unlikely place you have found inspiration?

At home looking through old disposable photos that my mum took when I was growing up. I remember having a low patch where I felt super uninspired and felt everything around me was ‘samey’. I found some old photos and it brought back such nostalgia and reminded me of the times and importance of capturing moments. Memories are important, I guess they have the ability to make us feel fulfilled. On a side note it was great to have the physical photographs in hand. Whereas I feel nowadays everything is digital and on socials, back then we all grew up with photo albums. As a result I try to shoot as many Polaroid’s and physical prints as I can.

What keeps you motivated to push yourself creatively?

Seeing the work so many other artists bring to the table. There will always be work to be inspired by, sometimes it may take some searching but I believe something is out there to spark an interest for any individual. It’s great to see people constantly pushing the boundaries with their techniques and creative direction. The feeling of conceptualising something and seeing it come to life never gets old. I

Describe the hustle in being a freelance in London today in one sentence?

A challenge with many trials and tribulations but a rewarding one.