Industry Leaders with Nikky Lyle

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Marcroy Smith, Founder and CEO of People of Print. Marcroy Smith is a London-based illustrator and founder of People of Print, the world's largest online directory of independent designers working with print  and Co- Director of Grafik Media and Pin Badges.

In this episode, Nikky's guests are Kate Hamilton and Emily Ames, co- founders of Sonder & Tell. As the editor-in-chief (Kate) and content director (Emily) of fashion and travel magazine, SUITCASE, they’ve spun their expertise with words and strategy into an agency that helps brands find their voice, by writing content that cuts through the noise, penning creative guidelines that bring brands to life and showing how teams can put these words into practice. In this episode, you will learn all about Kate and Emily’s story. How they created Sonder & Tell, their process and what it takes to create the ultimate industry newsletter that we all know and love!

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Rachel Simpson, a Design Lead at Google. She has 10+ years experience working with award-winning Design Agencies, ground-breaking Startups, and on teams at Google since 2013 (Chrome, Search, Duo).   Clients and collaborators include Seth Godin, BMW/DriveNow, Doctors without Borders, and Freeletics.  She has led 20+ Design Sprints, driving organizational change with Doctors Without Borders, and transforming translation in Chrome.  She co-founded the first German version of the Maker Faire (Make Munich, and founded Design Jam (designj.am).

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Maisie Benson, a senior designer at B&B Studio.  After she graduated with a degree in graphic design, she completed a number of internships, which led to her role at B&B, which she has been at for 6 years, working her way up to a senior designer. During lock down, she co-founded a project called ThinkFoodBank which aims to remind people to donate to food banks while they shop, and also co-started the initiative Happy To Help which aims to offer additional industry support to current students who’ve had their studies affected by COVID.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Mark Fleming, Chief Creative Officer of Against Time and Rosie Lee. Mark talks about his latest addition to the Rosie Lee family, a new collective focused on an agile approach to creative problems.   They don’t believe there will be a ‘new normal’, just a ‘new abnormal.’ They believe that we are facing an ever- increasing rate of change for our environmental, political and commercial worlds. And this new world needs a new approach.  Against Time has been built to support and collaborate with like- minded individuals and organisations who believe in the need for adaptability, resilience and dynamism without sacrificing creative output.  They are passionate about supporting young talent and working with organisations that are prepared to challenge the status quo and become change- leaders.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Neal Horrigan, Execute Creative Director at ELVIS. Neal is responsible for creating work across iconic brands such as Cadbury, Oreo, Budweiser, Ladbible and not to mention the multi award winning campaigns for Creme Egg.   He worked at ELVIS for a short stint earlier on in his career before leaving to further his experience across the industry, before being invited back to head up their creative offering 7 years ago.  During that time, he was responsible for creating their agency position of ‘Unexpected & Unforgettable’ which is his guiding light.  It’s their constant ambition to live up to in everything they produce and is a great measure of their creativity.  The success of this positioning has seen his work recognised by Cannes, D&AD, The Drum, Campaign and The DMA’s, winning 34 major international awards in 2020 alone.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Vic Lee, an award winning Artist, Author and Illustrator with a studio in Peckham, South East London.   He has created bespoke artworks for some of the worlds biggest brands including Nike, JLR, Crabtree & Evelyn and The Famous Grouse.   He also has a dedicated range of products commissioned by The Tate and has been an inspirational speaker at events around the world.   From huge elaborate, typographic, storytelling murals, designed and hand penned, to fine, intricate print works, Vic fills spaces with mesmerising and engaging artistry.  A former graphic designer, Vic now embraces traditional hand crafted design with his unique style of penmanship.   In 2020, his work completely stopped due to the pandemic. Staying creative, he began illustrating and writing the Corona Diary.  A personal journal of the first 6 months of the year with news stories he read about in the UK and around the world, all included within the book.  The final diary was eventually, after 6 months, self published and self funded by Vic. Launching a signed artists edition through social media, the 2,500 copies sold out in 8 weeks. This book has gone on to win prestigious awards for Typography and Illustration and is now published as a mainstream edition by Frances Lincoln.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Milana Karaica, Founder and Creative Producer at NERD Productions, which represents diverse global talent. She is an active diversity and a passionate equality advocate in our industry.  Having built a successful female-led production studio, Milana champions innovative and forward-thinking company culture, focusing on empowering and nurturing accomplished as well as young talent and talent from non-traditional backgrounds.   Milana works with an award-winning and dedicated team of directors, designers and illustrators as well as nurturing and supporting up and coming talent to help shape their careers and make the creative industry more inclusive & diverse.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Lars Hemming Jorgensen, serial Creative Entrepreneur and Formerly Chief Commercial Officer of VICE Media and Chief Executive Officer of the youth media brand’s agency group, VIRTUE Worldwide. He launched a successful business straight out of university, which helped him carve a fascinating career in the creative industry.     Prior to joining VICE in 2013, Lars held global leadership roles at top agencies, including Chief Creative Officer & Partner at Story Worldwide and Co-Founder & Executive Creative Director at Large Design.  He has also held high-profile programs for the likes of Etrade, Clinique, LEGO, Agent Provocateur and Canon. He also has 20 years experience working with D&AD’s Impact Council, winning a pencil in 2005, through to being a founding partner of D&AD Shift US.   In this episode, they discuss Lars' incredible journey from setting up a successful agency with a friend straight out of uni.  Through to the creative industry, the importance of applying an entrepreneurial spirit to navigate through an uncertain market and the Shift programme he created with D&AD.

In this episode, Nikky's guest is Gordon Reid, founder and Creative Director of Middle Boop Studios. Gordon has spent over ten years in branding, design and the advertising industry. Over his career he has worked for at Saatchi & Saatchi, Ogilvy, JWT, McCann, Sapient, Karmarama and Grey London. In 2009, he created Middle Boop studio. In his first year of business he managed to win Unilever and HSBC as clients. He also gives talks, lectures and conferences all over the world, and writes for the likes of Computer Arts and Design Week, having been judge on panels for D&AD (including black pencil,) Cannes Young Lions and Creative Circle. His recent side hustle, Weird World Cup, beermat project gained global recognition, selling the beermats all over the world, earning thousands for charity and even being recognised by Crystal Palace, the team he has supported his whole life.