Visiting Professional: Rob Watson, RAW

Rob Watson

rawdesignstudio

rob_watson

• Co-founder and Creative Director
• Started with a small team and worked directly with other staff e.g. printers
• Started own company at 26
• You don't know how to do anything until you do it
• Sulford interesting artist environment 
• Environment influences design
• Networking through clients 
• Do good work for nice people - company motto 
• "Everything you can imagine is real"
• Feeling unfulfilled following the template for life
• The Minimalist, Tim Ferris and Seth Gogan inspiring 
• "Work smarter not harder."
• "Pack lighter, go further"
• Most business connections can be done via phone and email
• Overheads cut significantly working from home e.g. travel costs
• Work project by project hiring freelancers
• How can adventures and travel influence design 
• Dan Edwards The Creative Process
• Self-Initiated projects get you press and there is no client so the only restriction is budget
• Promote a project digitally e.g. website or social media
• Can a project bring people together?
• "Do good feel good"
• Fun informative way to softly educate people 
• "It's not about being the best, it's about being your best."
• Show passion understanding realness through photography
• What is best for the brief? (formats)
• How can design pull in new audiences?
• Physical stuff can enhance graphics 
• Make Work Play started this new company based on creating products
• Work in quick sketches initially
• Other merits can come from a project 
• Learn something new from every negative 
• Failure is a lesson in life 
• Statistics, stereotypes and concerns can inspire your work 
• Diana Holsall Illustrator 
• Encourage imagination through dream stories and sketches 
• Regenerative project 
• Work for yourself, make your own hours 
• Do good podcast
• Most clients gained through word of mouth 
• Best form of advertising through word of mouth 

Time Management

Get rid of the job you don't want to do first 

Challenges 

What is the biggest challenge in having your own business?

Unpredictability is the biggest challenge.