design/leader: Studio Blackburn’s Paul Blackburn
Paul Blackburn is founder and creative lead of Studio Blackburn. The London-based brand agency has worked for the likes of Toyota, Sky and Brompton Bikes.
Design
What would your monograph be called?
The man who knew enough. I met a filmmaker on holiday a few years ago, and after chatting for a couple of days about life and the universe she subsequently contacted me to suggest making a film about me called that.
I think it was meant to be complimentary, but it’s just nicely ambiguous enough for me not to be entirely sure. I still like it though, so make of it what you will.
What recent design work made you a bit jealous?
None. I really try not to be jealous of any other work anymore; I just focus on our work at Studio Blackburn.
That said, I do often find myself jealous of the work my own team produces. They’ve got an abundance of talent at their fingertips which constantly surpasses what I’m able to imagine.
What’s an unusual place you get inspiration from?
I don’t know how unusual this is, but for me it’s definitely “in the sauna.” If I’m able to do a gym session followed by a long sauna – preferably three, seven-minute sessions with a cold shower in between – I find that it completely clears all the detritus in my brain ,and allows me to focus on one creative problem at a time.
I always solve something in the sauna.
Name something that is brilliantly designed, but overlooked.
The British BS 1363 three pin plug. It’s so much better than any other plug in the world. I have to thank an old colleague, Peter Knapp, for pointing this out to me.
What object in your studio best sums up your taste?
David Mellor’s Minimal cutlery. I really love David Mellor, and this cutlery in particular. It’s so chunky that you never forget it’s in your hands. It’s basic, almost primeval.
I’ve always been fascinated by how little you can take away from a volume before you get to something recognisable.
Leadership
What feedback felt brutal at the time, but turned out to be useful?
Ha! Well, I was heckled by Zaha Hadid as I presented the new brand identity to her entire company, Zaha Hadid Architects, so beat that for brutal feedback.
As I began the first slide, in front of a full auditorium, she came in, sat in the front row and scowled at me. I could hear her muttering throughout, and at one point she interrupted to tell me how much she hated what we’d done. As I wrapped up, she told me that I’d be hearing from her lawyers the following week.
It’s actually become something of a superpower. I’ve been brutally heckled by Zaha Hadid and lived to tell the story – no client meeting could ever be that bad.
Later, a friend of hers confided that she was always harshest with those she respected. I never did hear from the lawyers, and the identity is still in full use today.
What’s an underappreciated skill that design leaders need?
A skill that I’ve worked on over the years is to trust the designers who work here. This often involves acknowledging that what they’ve created, or what they’re proposing, is way better than I could have done myself.
It’s a wonderful thing to see, and of course it’s exactly what we require in order for the company to remain healthy.
Self-deprecation and humour have enabled me to get over myself and not take offence when someone much younger and less-experienced tells me to trust them.
What keeps you up at night?
The company running out of money is my main worry. We try and do the most creative commercial work, the “best graphic design in the world” as I put it, and we try to pay our staff accordingly. We don’t expect them to take “boutique agency” rates.
What trait is non-negotiable in new hires?
Resourcefulness and signs of maturity.
Both of those traits manifest differently from person to person. But if we get a sense that someone is showing signs of both, we know we’re onto someone who – at some point in the future – we’re going to have to work hard to keep. Which is the challenge we want.
Complete this sentence, “I wish more clients…”
…would commission us directly instead of asking us to free pitch. Commission, brief, strap in and enjoy the ride.