Sian Morrell
…on graphic design, freelance work and Derby’s bustling DIY scene.
The world can be a challenging place for people in the art business. It wouldn’t be unfair to say that being an artist in the modern world is something that is often discouraged and the idea of art as a profession looked down on. Such a notion all artists will be familiar with but those who prosper defy these expectations with a little thing called passion, because what is art without passion? Derby based freelance graphic designer Sian Morrell sees the challenges in making a living as an artist and the sentiment of being a ‘starving artist’ is far from lost on her. It is in the face of such discouragement that Sian looks down on and turns into a colourfully contorted googly eyed cartoon face that she adds to her collection of uniquely crafted designs.
‘I freelance primarily as a graphic designer but I’m a jack-of-all trades and the idea of eventually mastering one or two or ten keeps me going’ writes Sian, recognising that to survive in such a business it is better to be flexible and open minded. ‘Creative work in the Midlands can be few and far between. I tend to go from having zero work booked in, wondering how I’m going to make rent, to being triple booked and wondering when I’m going to sleep in the bed I’m paying for.’ Such uncertainty is enough to make most people run for the nearest nine to five desk job and seek the comfort of a regular income but Sian says the people around her keep her sane. ‘I feel proper jammy living and working amongst my best buds and partner. I love the creative scene in Derby. Everyone’s got their own projects going which everyone can support and bounce off. There’s loads of opportunities for collaborative DIY projects.’
Sian highlights the importance of being in the midst of a community of artists and collaborators as an inspiring and motivating place to be. Aside from running skill sharing workshops she is also a member of ‘Near Now Studio’ in Nottingham which she describes as ‘a great place to meet and work with folks doing some incredible multi-disciplinary projects’, along with being a member of the music and arts label Year of Glad. Most recently Sian and a few friends started up ‘10PM Print Club’, a t-shirt printing business and collaborative effort. ‘10PM makes me feel like I’m stepping into the most exciting point of my career with my best buds. Niall and Steve are such ace illustrators and Connor has helped land some of our favorite clients as well as building our silk screens.’ Since launching they have worked with local artists for their monthly t-shirt designs and Sian says that starting the business ‘is pushing us to learn not only to become better printmakers but also how to make our practice more sustainable. From the inks and chemicals we use to sourcing garments responsibly.’
In her work Sian’s main focus is not only on a particular area but many different ones, expanding her means of reference to cater to the competitive world of freelance. ‘I don’t really have a set routine as the work I get varies. Most commonly it’s the graphic design stuff. Designing branding and marketing materials as well as illustration.’ She seeks out the opportunity to work as much as possible and doesn’t restrict herself to just working from a computer. ‘There’s freelance jobs I pick up to earn extra cash, like events production, theatres (props, costume, scenic painting) and bar work, all hands-on stuff that gives me a break from computer screens and a chance to interact with other humans again.’
Sian’s work doesn’t just cater to her professional needs, though, she maintains the balance of work and play. ‘I love doing big fat lovely murals, video and animation projects that my laptop can’t handle, projecting and live-coding visuals at gigs.’ More importantly she also recognises what it means to find that balance. ‘There’s nothing worse than staring at a blank screen. But a blank screen with an internet connection is most dangerous. I tend to draw letters and words when I’m stuck, or doodle daft little characters.’ It’s from such doodling that much of her work comes. ‘Sometimes it’s the first idea, other times it’s the fifth. Once you hit something you’re excited by, flow with it before the motivation disappears.’ It is evident from this playful doodling as well as the willingness to follow flow that some of Sian’s best work is produced. Her ability is apparent in her art’s self aware raggedness. Unapologetic in its refusal to be anything other than unique.
The ways in which Sian honed her craft is subject not only to hard work but also an intake of things that appeal to her. ‘A steady diet of cartoons, everything Nintendo, and odd comedies all successfully warped my brain into the pile of colourful mush it is today.’ She says as a teen she made it her mission to one day make weird animation for Adult Swim but her inspiration is also drawn from artists like Mike Perry, who she met once at a design festival, and Kate Moross whose talks she has attended, as well Urban Projections which is run by multimedia experimentalist Rebecca Smith. This wide range of influence is apparent in the variety exhibited in Sian’s work.
With 10PM Print Club Sian says the long term plan is ‘to snag a studio space so we can take on bigger orders alongside our design and illustration work. Once we’ve saved enough for a workspace, we want to open it up for students to come and learn, hold exhibitions and workshops, sell prints, garments, and arts materials.’ But she also intends on collaborating more with friends, local businesses as well as music projects and events. She is quick to clarify her hunger is ‘not because I’m greedy and some kind of creative control freak. But I think it’s a really nice way of documenting all the cool stuff everyone’s been smashing out in good old Derby.’
Check out Sian’s work over at Cargo, 10PM Print Club and Year Of Glad. Follow her on Instagram for regular updates.
Originally posted 26/08/20 by Alex Bamforth
