Creative Chit Chat - Dundee
224 episodes - English - Latest episode: 7 months ago -A podcast of conversations with brilliant creatives connected to Dundee, exploring their journeys, thoughts and opinions. Hosted by Ryan McLeod.
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Episodes
Kathryn Rattray - Getting the most out of any camera
August 27, 2019 20:00 - 55 minutes - 75.8 MBA freelance photographer who has worked across many areas but mainly with cultural and arts organisations like NEoN Digital Arts Festival, the Cooper Gallery and many fashion brands. The first big project I worked on with Kathryn was this year’s Dundee Design Festival. We brought her in as the official festival photographer and to run a space called the ‘Photoshop’. In the podcast she says she is ‘intrigued by humans and human nature’ and during DDF19 she really captured the essence of the...
Jamie Stein - Toxic work environments and finding a passion in graphic design
August 20, 2019 20:53 - 1 hour - 86.2 MBA graphic designer currently working for Avian in Dundee, Jamie shares his journey to where he is now with lots of ups, downs and educational institutions. Jamie first did undergrad degree in product design but felt it was too focused on the engineering and the prospects afterwards were limited. He realised from the design process he had developed that what he really enjoyed was putting together the presentation boards. From there it still took a while to full embrace graphic design. He h...
84 - Jamie Stein
August 20, 2019 20:53 - 1 hour - 86.2 MBA graphic designer currently working for Avian in Dundee, Jamie shares his journey to where he is now with lots of ups, downs and educational institutions. Jamie first did undergrad degree in product design but felt it was too focused on the engineering and the prospects afterwards were limited. He realised from the design process he had developed that what he really enjoyed was putting together the presentation boards. From there it still took a while to full embrace graphic design. He h...
83 - Kirsty Thomas
August 13, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBKirsty Thomas runs creative studio Tom Pigeon from the East Neuk of Fife. We go through her journey from fashion design to teaching to the creation of Tom Pigeon and her latest project The Make Bank. After a bit of a false start with Sports Science Kirsty went on to a degree in Design Studies which didn’t exactly prepare her with the skills needed for industry but did give her broad scope which has lead to a really broad and varied career. After a stint with clothing company Joe Bloggs, she...
Kirsty Thomas - From Joe Bloggs to Tom Pigeon
August 13, 2019 20:00 - 1 hour - 88.2 MBKirsty Thomas runs creative studio Tom Pigeon from the East Neuk of Fife. We go through her journey from fashion design to teaching to the creation of Tom Pigeon and her latest project The Make Bank. After a bit of a false start with Sports Science Kirsty went on to a degree in Design Studies which didn’t exactly prepare her with the skills needed for industry but did give her broad scope which has lead to a really broad and varied career. After a stint with clothing company Joe Bloggs, she...
Bonus - Dundee Design Festival 2019
April 24, 2019 14:57 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MB21 – 28 May the Dundee Design Festival will be at the Keiller Centre in Dundee. In this bonus episode me and Lyall Bruce talk about the process behind producing the festival. The podcast has been on a bit of a hiatus and DDF19 is the reason why. So, I thought it only fair to do an episode on our process behind the scenes in structuring and creating the festival. For full festival details dundeedesignfestival.com We’ll also be releasing new content in the lead up to the festival, you can ...
Dundee Design Festival 2019
April 24, 2019 14:57 - 34 minutes - 47.2 MB21 – 28 May the Dundee Design Festival will be at the Keiller Centre in Dundee. In this bonus episode me and Lyall Bruce talk about the process behind producing the festival. The podcast has been on a bit of a hiatus and DDF19 is the reason why. So, I thought it only fair to do an episode on our process behind the scenes in structuring and creating the festival. For full festival details dundeedesignfestival.com We’ll also be releasing new content in the lead up to the festival, you can ...
Joanne MacFadyen - Maker markets with Tea Green Events
February 26, 2019 21:00 - 57 minutes - 78.9 MBJoanne runs Tea Green Events where she brings together some of the best makers from across Scotland in amazing spaces for people to buy their wares. Joanne’s journey took a few twists and turns along the way before building up Tea Green. Starting out with a ‘false start’ doing a business degree she realised that what she really wanted to do was go to art school. After getting a portfolio together and being accepted into 2nd year at DJCAD Joanne studied jewellery. In another unexpected turn ...
82 - Joanne MacFadyen
February 26, 2019 21:00 - 57 minutes - 78.9 MBJoanne runs Tea Green Events where she brings together some of the best makers from across Scotland in amazing spaces for people to buy their wares. Joanne’s journey took a few twists and turns along the way before building up Tea Green. Starting out with a ‘false start’ doing a business degree she realised that what she really wanted to do was go to art school. After getting a portfolio together and being accepted into 2nd year at DJCAD Joanne studied jewellery. In another unexpected turn ...
Frances Brown - Blagging, being a good translator and dealing with grief
February 19, 2019 20:15 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBFrances is the ex-director of the Queens Young Leaders programme and describes herself as a ‘positive troublemaker’ which I think is very much the case. We start on her journey where she sort of blagged her way through university, playing the system to get through. Her ability to do this did make her lose interest in art and I think ultimately university. Frances talks very openly about her own struggles with mental health and discovering that her depression manifests itself as not being ...
81 - Frances Brown
February 19, 2019 20:15 - 1 hour - 87.9 MBFrances is the ex-director of the Queens Young Leaders programme and describes herself as a ‘positive troublemaker’ which I think is very much the case. We start on her journey where she sort of blagged her way through university, playing the system to get through. Her ability to do this did make her lose interest in art and I think ultimately university. Frances talks very openly about her own struggles with mental health and discovering that her depression manifests itself as not being ...
80 - Gareth Christie
February 12, 2019 22:04 - 1 hour - 89 MBGareth runs Flick For Kicks, making hand made Subbuteo tables and has been involved in playing and promoting the game for over 30 years. He takes us right back to when he first started in his mates’ living room to being Scottish Youth Champion then starting his own club and finally running his own business. It probably took me about 2 years to convince Gareth to come on the podcast. As he mentions himself in the episode, he is a bit of an over-thinker but he’s also been through a lot of ups...
Gareth Christie - The beautiful tabletop game
February 12, 2019 22:04 - 1 hour - 89 MBGareth runs Flick For Kicks, making hand made Subbuteo tables and has been involved in playing and promoting the game for over 30 years. He takes us right back to when he first started in his mates’ living room to being Scottish Youth Champion then starting his own club and finally running his own business. It probably took me about 2 years to convince Gareth to come on the podcast. As he mentions himself in the episode, he is a bit of an over-thinker but he’s also been through a lot of ups...
Eleanor Young - Fun Makes Good
February 05, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 88.9 MBFun Makes Good is how you may also know Eleanor. She produces an amazing range of work from products to upholstery and textiles full interior designs. Strong geometric shape and bright colours feature heavily in Eleanors work and is a style she has become known for. This aesthetic seems to have always been in her work and has been refined over time. We discuss how “Being brazen” is a really important quality for a designer and maker to possess. Especially if you make product based work that...
79 - Eleanor Young
February 05, 2019 21:00 - 1 hour - 88.9 MBFun Makes Good is how you may also know Eleanor. She produces an amazing range of work from products to upholstery and textiles full interior designs. Strong geometric shape and bright colours feature heavily in Eleanors work and is a style she has become known for. This aesthetic seems to have always been in her work and has been refined over time. We discuss how “Being brazen” is a really important quality for a designer and maker to possess. Especially if you make product based work that...
78 - Louise Forbes
January 29, 2019 21:00 - 58 minutes - 80.7 MBDesigner, maker, teacher, wood worker, exhibition installer and co-owner of Tayberry Gallery in Perth, Louise has a lot going on and this episode is an amazing whirlwind of a journey. We start by going back to her final year university project of sexually inspired furniture that’s probably not for the feint hearted. Then there seemed to be a bit of a dip and potentially a creative lull where Louise realised that she really just wanted to work for herself. An opportunity arose to partner up ...
Louise Forbes - Spoons, shops and schlongs
January 29, 2019 21:00 - 58 minutes - 80.7 MBDesigner, maker, teacher, wood worker, exhibition installer and co-owner of Tayberry Gallery in Perth, Louise has a lot going on and this episode is an amazing whirlwind of a journey. We start by going back to her final year university project of sexually inspired furniture that’s probably not for the feint hearted. Then there seemed to be a bit of a dip and potentially a creative lull where Louise realised that she really just wanted to work for herself. An opportunity arose to partner up ...
Sam Baxter - Fun a day Dundee
November 20, 2018 21:00 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MBWhat would make your city more liveable/loveable? - http://dundeedesignfestival.com Fun a Day Dundee Website - https://funadaydundee.wordpress.com/ Fun a Day Dundee Twitter - https://twitter.com/faddundee?lang=en Fun a Day Dundee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/funadaydundee/ Sam’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sambaxterart/ Sam’s Website - https://sambaxterart.co.uk/ Sam’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/sambaxter10?lang=en Sam is an artist and has found herself running Fun a...
77 - Sam Baxter
November 20, 2018 21:00 - 56 minutes - 77.7 MBWhat would make your city more liveable/loveable? - http://dundeedesignfestival.com Fun a Day Dundee Website - https://funadaydundee.wordpress.com/ Fun a Day Dundee Twitter - https://twitter.com/faddundee?lang=en Fun a Day Dundee Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/funadaydundee/ Sam’s Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/sambaxterart/ Sam’s Website - https://sambaxterart.co.uk/ Sam’s Twitter - https://twitter.com/sambaxter10?lang=en Sam is an artist and has found herself running Fun a...
Ed Broughton - 10 top tips for freelancing
November 13, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBFilm maker Ed Broughton is my guest this week. I’ve known Ed for a few years now, sharing co-working space Fleet Collective. In 75 episodes I’ve never had anyone derail the flow of the podcast quite as much as Ed did! He deflected talking about himself and his journey by bringing along his 10 top tips for freelancing. There’s lots of great tidbits in this episode around lifestyle, free things and integrity. Ed doesn’t really go into many of the projects he’s worked on in much detail. But he ...
76 - Ed Broughton
November 13, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 87.4 MBFilm maker Ed Broughton is my guest this week. I’ve known Ed for a few years now, sharing co-working space Fleet Collective. In 75 episodes I’ve never had anyone derail the flow of the podcast quite as much as Ed did! He deflected talking about himself and his journey by bringing along his 10 top tips for freelancing. There’s lots of great tidbits in this episode around lifestyle, free things and integrity. Ed doesn’t really go into many of the projects he’s worked on in much detail. But he ...
Laura Cooney - Making projects happen
November 06, 2018 22:56 - 56 minutes - 77.1 MBLaura is a community artist and has been for about 16 years now. 12 of those years have been spent at The Corner in Dundee, a health and information service in Dundee, bringing amazing projects to life and influencing the lives of many young people. We go on a journey from where she started as a 20 year old working for the lighthouse in communities like Easterhouse in Glasgow to the amazing projects she has created in Dundee like repainting Reform Street as part of Reformation. We talk about...
75 - Laura Cooney
November 06, 2018 22:56 - 56 minutes - 77.1 MBLaura is a community artist and has been for about 16 years now. 12 of those years have been spent at The Corner in Dundee, a health and information service in Dundee, bringing amazing projects to life and influencing the lives of many young people. We go on a journey from where she started as a 20year old working for the lighthouse in communities like Easterhouse in Glasgow to the amazing projects she has created in Dundee like repainting Reform Street as part of Reformation. We talk about ...
74 - Lauren Morsley
October 30, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBFreelance Illustrator Lauren Morsley joins me for this episode. After graduating in the summer, Lauren exhibited at D&AD New Blood in London where she won a One to Watch award. We talk through her university experience and transitioning to life working as an illustrator. During our chat, Lauren highlights a few gaps and places that universities could really improve on when sending students out into the world. In my opinion, I just don’t see universities filling these gaps in the short-term f...
Lauren Morsley - Creative fulfilment as an illustrator and taking things slowly
October 30, 2018 21:00 - 1 hour - 85.2 MBFreelance Illustrator Lauren Morsley joins me for this episode. After graduating in the summer, Lauren exhibited at D&AD New Blood in London where she won a One to Watch award. We talk through her university experience and transitioning to life working as an illustrator. During our chat, Lauren highlights a few gaps and places that universities could really improve on when sending students out into the world. In my opinion, I just don’t see universities filling these gaps in the short-term f...
Samantha Paton - Sequins and support to build a fashion business
October 23, 2018 19:56 - 58 minutes - 80.4 MBSamantha Paton is the fashion designer behind independent clothing label Isolated Heroes. She describes it as a lot of fun with sequins and faux fur. From the outset, Samantha wanted to create a brand that resonated with real people. Using street cast models and an honest voice she has built an amazing following. Although she has worked on custom pieces for the likes of Lilly Allen she has also had Paloma Faith and stylists for Miley Cyrus and Tess Holliday placing orders directly through th...
73 - Samantha Paton
October 23, 2018 19:56 - 58 minutes - 80.4 MBSamantha Paton is the fashion designer behind independent clothing label Isolated Heroes. She describes it as a lot of fun with sequins and faux fur. From the outset, Samantha wanted to create a brand that resonated with real people. Using street cast models and an honest voice she has built an amazing following. Although she has worked on custom pieces for the likes of Lilly Allen she has also had Paloma Faith and stylists for Miley Cyrus and Tess Holliday placing orders directly through th...
Louise Kirby - Creating a signature style
September 25, 2018 20:00 - 54 minutes - 75.5 MBLouise Kirby is a designer and illustrator based in Dundee. She was also part of the Maggies Penguin Trail with her creation, the Provincial Penguin. It carries her signature style that has a very handcrafted aesthetic. We chat about how she has developed this and how it has come from a very hands-on creative process. I found her focus on 'play' very liberating and interesting. I can definitely relate this to aspects of my process but I wouldn't have thought of it as play, probably something...
72 - Louise Kirby
September 25, 2018 20:00 - 54 minutes - 75.5 MBLouise Kirby is a designer and illustrator based in Dundee. She was also part of the Maggies Penguin Trail with her creation, the Provincial Penguin. It carries her signature style that has a very handcrafted aesthetic. We chat about how she has developed this and how it has come from a very hands-on creative process. I found her focus on 'play' very liberating and interesting. I can definitely relate this to aspects of my process but I wouldn't have thought of it as play, probably something...
Sekai Machache - Art, underrepresentation and true collaboration
September 18, 2018 20:47 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBA multidisciplinary artist based in Dundee. Although she produces work in many forms, Sekai’s often works with photography and has created a signature dark style in subject matter and aesthetic. I ask Sekai about where she thinks her style originated from and how difficult it is to take photos when you are the subject matter. It leads to chat about the nature of collaboration and when someone goes from being an assistant to a true collaborator. I've always found it much more rewarding and va...
71 - Sekai Machache
September 18, 2018 20:47 - 1 hour - 83.5 MBA multidisciplinary artist based in Dundee. Although she produces work in many forms, Sekai’s often works with photography and has created a signature dark style in subject matter and aesthetic. I ask Sekai about where she thinks her style originated from and how difficult it is to take photos when you are the subject matter. It leads to chat about the nature of collaboration and when someone goes from being an assistant to a true collaborator. I've always found it much more rewarding and va...
Mike Press - Service Design before it existed
September 11, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBI think it’s fair to say that Mike Press is a big personality and a well known figure in the Dundee Creative community. He runs service design consultancy Open Change with Hazel White. He decided to make the jump back into consultancy after a 25 year stint in education. This episode is a whistle stop tour of Mike’s amazing varied career from selling insurance to computer programming to being a service designer before it even existed. I think that one of the core themes of Mike’s career is...
70 - Mike Press
September 11, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 104 MBI think it’s fair to say that Mike Press is a big personality and a well known figure in the Dundee Creative community. He runs service design consultancy Open Change with Hazel White. He decided to make the jump back into consultancy after a 25 year stint in education. This episode is a whistle stop tour of Mike’s amazing varied career from selling insurance to computer programming to being a service designer before it even existed. I think that one of the core themes of Mike’s career is...
Richard Davies - Creating an alternative side to Dundee
September 04, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 95 MBRichard runs Abandon Ship Apparel, Hard Grind barbers and Daily Grind coffee bar. He’s pretty much taking over exchange street in Dundee with an alternative way to experience Dundee. He’s created a massive following and audience from his design work and the culture he has curated around his businesses. We talk about how Abandon Ship went from an idea in a bedroom to 1.2million in turnover to liquidation. The brand ended up growing too fast and Richard admits that he made mistakes and decisi...
69 - Richard Davies
September 04, 2018 20:00 - 1 hour - 95 MBRichard runs Abandon Ship Apparel, Hard Grind barbers and Daily Grind coffee bar. He’s pretty much taking over exchange street in Dundee with an alternative way to experience Dundee. He’s created a massive following and audience from his design work and the culture he has curated around his businesses. We talk about how Abandon Ship went from an idea in a bedroom to 1.2million in turnover to liquidation. The brand ended up growing too fast and Richard admits that he made mistakes and decisi...
Lynn Love - We should all be playing more
August 28, 2018 21:00 - 53 minutes - 74 MBLynn and I had a chat about her route into teaching animation and interactive art at Abertay University. We also explore the topic of her PhD - play. How can you get more play into your daily life? Listen to find out.
68 - Lynn Love
August 28, 2018 21:00 - 53 minutes - 74 MBLynn and I had a chat about her route into teaching animation and interactive art at Abertay University. We also explore the topic of her PhD - play. How can you get more play into your daily life? Listen to find out.
Ryan Johnston - Finding your specialism behind the camera
August 21, 2018 21:30 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBRyan is a super talented photographer, specialising in music photography. He has an amazing portfolio of artists that he’s shot, from Foo Fighters to Seal to Chvrches. After graduating from DJCAD in 2015 he knew that music photography was his passion and the best place in Scotland to do that was Glasgow. We talk a lot about talent retention in Dundee but with Ryan it just wouldn’t have been possible to keep him. He worked at The Shine Agency as a graphic designer up until this year when he s...
67 - Ryan Johnston
August 21, 2018 21:30 - 1 hour - 87.6 MBRyan is a super talented photographer, specialising in music photography. He has an amazing portfolio of artists that he’s shot, from Foo Fighters to Seal to Chvrches. After graduating from DJCAD in 2015 he knew that music photography was his passion and the best place in Scotland to do that was Glasgow. We talk a lot about talent retention in Dundee but with Ryan it just wouldn’t have been possible to keep him. He worked at The Shine Agency as a graphic designer up until this year when he s...
Yann Seznec - Weaving in and out of music, technology and art
July 10, 2018 20:00 - 53 minutes - 73.1 MBYann is a musician, composer and artist as well as many other things. His project list is vast and varied, to say the least but seems to be rooted in performance. 11 years ago Yann ended up in Scotland. After graduating from his masters he ended up taking a role in the Dundee Rep’s Christmas production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Being from North America the concept of ‘Panto’ wasn’t exactly something he was familiar with. I suppose I would compare Yann to a sort of Doc Brown type mad invent...
66 - Yann Seznec
July 10, 2018 20:00 - 53 minutes - 73.1 MBYann is a musician, composer and artist as well as many other things. His project list is vast and varied, to say the least but seems to be rooted in performance. 11 years ago Yann ended up in Scotland. After graduating from his masters he ended up taking a role in the Dundee Rep’s Christmas production of Jack and the Beanstalk. Being from North America the concept of ‘Panto’ wasn’t exactly something he was familiar with. I suppose I would compare Yann to a sort of Doc Brown type mad invent...
Steph Liddle - The nacho illuminati, huggable pies and ceramics
July 03, 2018 21:29 - 58 minutes - 79.8 MBCeramicist Steph Little joins me this week to talk about going from taking an evening class to falling in love with ceramics and making a living from it. At the core of everything she does is this lovely warmth and homeliness (if that’s even a word). It feels like she’s always doodling ideas in her sketch pad and then some actually make it into the clay. The geometric patterns that Steph is now known for come from rice, pasta and noodles. Food is definitely a common theme developed from her ...
65 - Steph Liddle
July 03, 2018 21:29 - 58 minutes - 79.8 MBCeramicist Steph Little joins me this week to talk about going from taking an evening class to falling in love with ceramics and making a living from it. At the core of everything she does is this lovely warmth and homeliness (if that’s even a word). It feels like she’s always doodling ideas in her sketch pad and then some actually make it into the clay. The geometric patterns that Steph is now known for come from rice, pasta and noodles. Food is definitely a common theme developed from her ...
Su Shaw - Being brave and making honest music
June 26, 2018 20:00 - 53 minutes - 73.2 MBA musician formerly known as Panda Su but now releases her music under SHHE. We cover her musical career so far and why she decided it was time to move on from the Panda Su persona. Su hasn’t done many interviews in the past so I feel privileged that she agreed to come on the podcast. It’s clear that there has been a change in mindset and outlook from Panda Su to SHHE. Su is much more open to collaboration and has a lot more confidence in her own work. Creating what she feels right rather th...
64 - Su Shaw
June 26, 2018 20:00 - 53 minutes - 73.2 MBA musician formerly known as Panda Su but now releases her music under SHHE. We cover her musical career so far and why she decided it was time to move on from the Panda Su persona. Su hasn’t done many interviews in the past so I feel privileged that she agreed to come on the podcast. It’s clear that there has been a change in mindset and outlook from Panda Su to SHHE. Su is much more open to collaboration and has a lot more confidence in her own work. Creating what she feels right rather th...
Mark Beaumont - Creating a career from adventuring
June 19, 2018 22:09 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MBMark Beaumont is an adventurer, broadcaster, author and Rector of Dundee University. Probably best known for beating the world record for circumnavigating the globe by bicycle. Once in 2008 after graduating from university and again in 2017 in just 78 days, beating the existing record by over 40 days. Surprisingly, our chat focused very little on the cycling and record attempts themselves. I think this was somewhat refreshing for Mark. I really wanted to get beyond the end product, if you li...
63 - Mark Beaumont
June 19, 2018 22:09 - 57 minutes - 79.1 MBMark Beaumont is an adventurer, broadcaster, author and Rector of Dundee University. Probably best known for beating the world record for circumnavigating the globe by bicycle. Once in 2008 after graduating from university and again in 2017 in just 78 days, beating the existing record by over 40 days. Surprisingly, our chat focused very little on the cycling and record attempts themselves. I think this was somewhat refreshing for Mark. I really wanted to get beyond the end product, if you li...
Aymeric Renoud - Designing and making with eco materials
June 12, 2018 20:00 - 56 minutes - 78 MBA furniture designer from just outside Lyon, Aymeric has started a Draff a company creating eco-friendly material from the waste products of breweries and distilleries. Like many podcast guests before him Aymeric followed his partner to Dundee and after a few visits decided to move here himself. He talks about the differences in the educational institutions in France and Scotland. He found DJCAD much more open and collaborative but in France they work on a 2 week rotation system. 2 weeks in...
62 - Aymeric Renoud
June 12, 2018 20:00 - 56 minutes - 78 MBA furniture designer from just outside Lyon, Aymeric has started a Draff a company creating eco-friendly material from the waste products of breweries and distilleries. Like many podcast guests before him Aymeric followed his partner to Dundee and after a few visits decided to move here himself. He talks about the differences in the educational institutions in France and Scotland. He found DJCAD much more open and collaborative but in France they work on a 2 week rotation system. 2 weeks in...
61 - Murray Chalmers
May 08, 2018 21:36 - 1 hour - 95.6 MBMurray has worked in music industry PR for over 30 years representing names like Kylie, the Petshop Boys, Coldplay, Yoko Ono and many more. He's been running MCPR for 10 years now and has decided to make the move back to Dundee to start a new chapter in his career. Murray talks about growing up in Lochee and always being part of an alternative scene and some of the difficulties that come with that. Eventually, the pull of the music scene in London became too great. He ended up living betwee...