#S02E01 Shelf Impactors™ Taking Time Out

Entering into Season 2 of Shelf Impactors, in this episode Lisa and I discuss the important subject of taking tIme out and the benefits of doing so to creative minds.

We begin the podcast with a quick update with what we’ve both been up to these last few months since we last recorded a podcast. We discuss Lisa’s recent return to Sydney, Australia, and what impact the changing nutritional habits that many people are adopting is having on the Australian retail market.

We discuss in more detail about the impact of not taking time out and delve into our own personal strategies to getting some down time whilst leading busy personal and professional lives.

Lisa Hastings:

Twitter - @Shoebox20

WeChat - @Creativeshoebox

LinkedIn - Lisa Hastings

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey

#009 Shelf Impactors™ Mindfulness

TOP 5 TIPS TO A MORE ‘MINDFUL APPROACH TO YOUR LIFESTYLE TO IMPROVE YOUR CREATIVE OUTPUT…

1. SLEEP

2. NUTIRITION

3. DAILY ROUTINES

4. RESEARCH/ READING

5. MENTORS

With this episode, and based around our 5 top tips, Lisa and I discuss the very topical subject of Mindfulness.

To give you bit of a background, the purpose of me setting up this podcast originally was to serve as a vehicle for me to discuss subjects and areas around the areas of branding and packaging design, with the intended audience being those working within or alongside the industry, whether they be brand owners, brand developers, or creatives. This podcast opens up the arena even further to include anyone who has in interest in just improving their overall well being. Its not just a creative industry topic, its something that touches each and every one of us in one way or an other.

Todays subject is something which I believe each an every one of us should invest time to learn more about. I’m relatively new to this space and thoroughly enjoying the journey of educating myself to be more consciously aware of my surroundings and those around me. I’m pushing aside my sceptiscsm and old ways of thinking in order to be a better person and ultimately lead to a healthier more full-filling professional and personal life.

Lisa Hastings:

Twitter - @Shoebox20

WeChat - @Creativeshoebox

LinkedIn - Lisa Hastings

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Pinterest - Pinterest/markgrey

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 8 - The Free From Category in food packaging design

It seems there are so many diets out there helping to sculpt the health food market landscape. With the massive growth in the Free-From category in the last 5 years or so, we have to wonder what is coming next to shake up the market in this area. Non packaged or reduced packaged foods are definitely becoming more prevalent but what next for the Free-From sector?

In this episode, alongside my good friend Lisa Hastings, a fellow brand and packaging designer, we discuss the areas helping to craft this growing category in our grocery stores today and where it might be heading...

Lisa Hastings:

Twitter - @Shoebox20

WeChat - @Creativeshoebox

LinkedIn - Lisa Hastings

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Pinterest - Pinterest/markgrey

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 7 - Measuring the True Value of Design

In this short episode it's just me talking solo on a subject that I'm in touch with on a daily basis in both my creative work and the running of my business - measuring the success of design and moreover measuring design effectiveness.

I discuss the paradigm of how measuring the impact of design has many challenges - and the process of measuring the success (in essence it's value) may indeed require different sources to arrive at the answer/ result.

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Pinterest - Pinterest/markgrey

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 6 - Lisa Hastings Interview Part 2

Following on from Episode No. 2, Lisa and I catch up on her latest work adventure, having recently returned from undertaking a Creative Director role in Shanghai China. We discuss; the challenges one faces when moving to a country and not being able to speak the language; working and motivating a team whose native language isn't English; translating design thinking; eating foods you're unsure of their original form; and Lisa offers some words of wisdom to anyone looking to work in China.

Lisa Hastings:

Twitter - @Shoebox20

WeChat - @Creativeshoebox

LinkedIn - Lisa Hastings

Lisa's recent blog posts:

https://www.mumbrella.asia/2016/12/china-given-fresh-perspective-creative

https://www.linkedin.com/pulse/lost-transformation-lisa-hastings/

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 5 - Andy Pendlebury Interview.

In this episode I interview Andy Pendlebury, a commercial photographer with huge levels of experience in food photography, much of which is used on the packaging for food and drinks. We dive into a few subject areas including; the importance of good studio space when shooting food products; the importance of a good photography brief; 'Instagramitis' in food styling; the role of the food stylist; tricks of the trade to achieve the best shot; photography retouching; clients attending the shoot; and advice for anyone looking to select a specialist food photographer for their project.

Andy Pendlebury - Photographer:

Website - www.pendleburystudios.com

Instagram - @pendlebury

Twitter - @_pendlebury

LinkedIn - Andy Pendlebury

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 4 - Michael Duffy Interview.

In this episode I interview Michael Duffy - Global Creative Director for Equator Design. Based in Chicago, Duffy has been instrumental in the fantastic growth that Equator Design has experienced over the last 10 years, becoming one of the world's top branding and packaging design agencies. We discuss how he transitioned from working in the UK to the US and the steep learning curve he endured getting to grips with a market that was somewhat different to the UK at the time. We discuss if there are any differences in the approaches he takes across his design teams when designing for both markets. We get Duffy's thoughts on what it takes to be a great designer and what valuable advice he would give to designers starting out on their careers in todays world.

Michael Duffy - Global Creative Director - Equator Design:

Website - www.equator-design.com

Pinerest - Pinterest/equatordesign

Twitter - EquatorDesignUS

Facebook - weareequator

Instagram - @equatordesign

Linked In - Equator Design

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 3 - Deciding Between being a Permanent Designer or a Freelancer Designer.

In this episode its just me talking. Building on from an article I wrote on LinkedIn recently I thought I'd translate it to a podcast. In short I discuss the pros and cons of both types of designers. I touch on the options available to Freelancers for how they set themselves up and give my TOP 5 reasons why NOT to be Freelancer and my TOP 5 reasons why NOT to be a Full-Time designer.

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Pinterest - Pinterest/markgrey

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 2 - Lisa Hastings Interview Part 1

In this episode I interview Lisa Hastings - an experienced and well travelled senior creative thinker who lives in Sydney Australia. We discuss Lisa's background in design and how her career has developed over the years. We also delve into the key design and cultural differences within the design industry between Australia and the UK - looking at trends from both countries.

Lisa Hastings:

Twitter - @Shoebox20

WeChat - @Creativeshoebox

LinkedIn - Lisa Hastings

Shelf Impactors™ Episode Number 1 - Introduction

In the first episode I introduce the Shelf Impactors podcast explaining the purpose behind it, whilst also touching upon my background as a designer and the creative processes I use when working on branding and packaging.

Mark Grey:

Website - www.bluenectardesign.co.uk

Pinterest - Pinterest/markgrey

Behance - Behance.net/markgrey

Instagram - @bluenectardesign

LinkedIn - Mark Grey