Work inspiration with Gordon Reid

Generic placeholder image

Gordon Reid

Incorporates collage and vector illustration

My name is Gordon Reid, I'm an illustrator who creates work that incorporates collage and vector illustration, I mostly work in advertising and music having worked with clients such as HSBC, Snog, Natwest, Red Bull, Carphone Warehouse, Starbucks and bands like Fuck Buttons, Bombay Bicycle Club, Deerhunter etc. I also run the music site Middle Boop Mag which was just nominated for a Ticketmaster award. We have over 100 contributors now and are very close to relaunching the site which is something I've been working on for a long time now.

Software / hardware

I use all the standards really, Photoshop, Illustrator, In Design. Although I am re learning Cinema 4D with a view to implementing more 3D work into my style. I can't really live without my Wacom tablet and Mac.

Ideal work environment

A tidy, well organized space with music blaring out and nothing to distract me from creating artwork like emails, phonecalls. I find to really get my head into gear for the day is to get up early and go for a run before starting any work. I'm usually properly comfortable creating in my studio but later on this year I'm picking up my mac and heading over to LA for a couple of months. It'll be interesting to see how I get on when I'm forced out of my usual comfort zones.

Work inspiration

I'm inspired by so many different things. I definitely feel that since moving to north London a couple of years ago I have been inspired by my surroundings. There's so much to see and so many different things to draw inspiration from round here. Also, I've always found a lot of inspiration from old 50's 'How To' magazines and books, the imagery is so vibrant and exciting. That and 90's surreal advertising does it for me.

Creatives you admire most

There are so many different creatives that I admire. I guess really I admire the people that have pushed themselves to achieve their goals. The people that have been able to use their talent and have the direction to make a career out of it without compromise of style or substance. I'm very privileged to be in a position where most of my friends are creatives in bands or artists which is a great creative environment to be around.