Self-promotion. It's a monster, unavoidable, integral part of success, or simply survival for any creative freelancer.It's the old artist adage that you can be the greatest creative talent on the planet, but if nobody knows you exist, it counts for nothing.But how do we start to break down the issue and find the best way for us as individuals to scream from the rooftops without awkwardness, the heavy kind of rejection and wounds that can become fatal?I'm joined by illustrator Dionne Kitching to break it all down and we're looking for your feedback @arrestallmimics on social, [email protected] on email.Arrest All Mimics is hosted by illustrator Ben Tallon and supported by http://illustrationweb.com and http://theaoi.comFor the original Twitter thread by Dionne on self-promotion: https://twitter.com/dionnekitching/status/1093132703409602560https://www.dionnekitching.co.uk/https://www.instagram.com/dionnekitching/https://twitter.com/dionnekitchinghttp://bentallon.comhttps://www.amazon.co.uk/Champagne-Wax-Crayons-Creative-Industry/dp/190779493X

Playground is a multidisciplinary design studio focusing on creating engaging and memorable spaces and places for people. Founder Carma Masson joins me to discuss her ongoing battle between pragmatism and playful wanderings.It's something common to us all and a difficult balance to strike. We get into childhood's role in our creativity, Playgrounds fascinating work to date, VHS tape dens and the tendency to wander away from the thing you love to do.Get your feedback over on social media @arrestallmimics or to [email protected] by http://illustrationweb.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://playgrounddesignstudio.com/https://www.instagram.com/playgrounddesignstudio/https://www.instagram.com/carmamasson/?hl=en

The video game industry continues to grow and wow with its sheer breadth of worlds and stories to welcome any imagination. Anna Hollinrake, illustrator, art-director and animator for games joins me in front of a live audience at D&AD New Blood Festival to let us in on how her childhood anime drawing and curious nature lead her to an impressive start.We discuss why character and passion is just as crucial as the CV and technical skills, how she has danced between many roles, collaborating and asking for opportunities and why your personality is particularly key.Anna also details her work on Lola and the Giant, a VR game on Dream and what came together to make it the success it has been.Get any questions or thoughts over to @arrestallmimics on social and [email protected] 142 is supported by http://illustrationweb.com and http://theaoi.comhttps://twitter.com/AnnaHollinrakehttps://www.instagram.com/annahollinrake/?hl=enhttps://www.mcmcomiccon.com/manchester/http://karrotanimation.com/https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.ClimaxStudios.LolaAndTheGiant&hl=en_GB

People tend to think movies when they hear the 'voice in the head.' But we all have it and for those of us in the creative industry, we spend a lot of time listening to it. Quit that job, you're not good enough, how did you ever get this far without being found out?! When the clouds are grey, the rain hitting the window and we're on our own, that voice can convince us that lies are the truth and we feel terrible.I'm joined by Kev House who shares his own story of overcoming personal adversity and taking control of the inner voice. He wonderfully explains how we can become the master of our thoughts and exponentially improve our creative careers in the process.Get us the ramblings of your inner voice over to @arrestallmimics on social!Episode 141 is supported by Illustration Ltd, Heart Internet, Foilco and the Association of Illustratorshttp://illustrationweb.comhttp://heartinternet.co.ukhttp://foilco.co.ukhttp://theaoi.comhttp://twitter.com/kevhouse1https://www.artofbrilliance.co.uk/meet-the-team/kev-house

I've long been fascinated by the relationship between digital illustration and the artist's character. Often less immediate than other styles, I was keen to chat to illustrator and manager of Stanley Chow's print shop, Dominique Byron, having discovered her stunning digital art, with all its symmetry and depth.As with most styles, there are stories, discoveries and ongoing revelations.Dom shares her love of film, dissertation on Blade Runner, a need for balance and order and a willingness to let creativity take the lead and explore where it leads her.Get your thoughts over on @arrestallmimics on social and [email protected]://www.dominiquebyron.com/https://twitter.com/dominiquebyronhttps://www.instagram.com/dominiquebyron/

Sean Thomas, Executive Creative Director of Jones Knowles Ritchie, creative agency joins me on podcast episode 139.Sean cautions against the dangers of too many people drawing ideas, styles and inspirations from online sources and gets into why it will only help automative 'creativity' become a reality if we do not look up a little more.We discuss the overhaul at the agency, why listening properly to all the people within and acting accordingly changed their direction for the better.Does it help to have all decisions going through the person with their name on the tin and how about the importance of balance between big client, longer project and smaller business, more creative freedom?It's a great insight with much great advice, please send your thoughts to @arrestallmimics on social and [email protected] by illustration ltd, Heart Internet, Foilco and the Association of Illustratorshttps://www.jkrglobal.com/https://twitter.com/seansthomas?lang=enhttps://www.instagram.com/seansthomas/https://www.instagram.com/jkrglobal/https://twitter.com/jkrGlobalhttp://illustrationweb.com

According to the Department For Education figures, 70% of youth services funding has been cut since 2010, since the Conservatives came to power. Violent crime is a regular feature on the news, young deaths seemingly a daily headline. Kerry O'Brien joins me to discuss the incredible and essential work of Young Urban Arts Foundation, the charity she founded who provide workshops and programs to empower young people to express themselves and develop their talents through creativity. Her own story of adversity and resolve is powerful and we get into why artistic expression is so important for the fundamental needs of every young person on earth, to avoid mental health catastrophes.When an education system is ill equipped to cater for individuality, teachers left no choice but to be more stressed about Ofsted visits than the needs of their pupils, police forces whittled down to the bare bones, able only to focus on the end results and not the community and root causes of violent crime, then the support of society and organisations like YUAF becomes the difference between a frightening future and one of hope and positive change.Get your thoughts on young people and creativity to @arrestallmimics on social media.Episode 138 is supported by http://illustrationweb.com http://heartinternet.co.uk http://foilco.uk http://theaoi.comSpecial thanks to Bayeux photo lab and Fujifilm for support on http://lendmeyourearart.comhttp://yuaf.org.ukhttp://twitter.com/yuafofficialhttp://instagram.com/yuafofficialhttp://twitter.com/ladyemcee

AMV BBDO is a global communications agency. 289 offices in 81 countries big. That's influence. Their #Bloodnormal campaign for Bodyform was the first to show period blood. Plastic Oceans with Ladbible played a significant role in bringing the plastic problem into mainstream conversation. Both campaigns showcased the power of creativity and visual communication.I talk to creative partner and a key mind behind both campaigns Nadja Lossgott about her work for AMV, her story, thoughts on branding taboos and the power of our artistic skills to inspire change for good.We get into the role of consumers and brands in triggering mainstream conversations and we must piss a few people off to make real change.What are your thoughts on blood in advertising and the role of brands in positive change? @arrestallmimics on social media.Episode 137 is supported by http://illustrationweb.com http://heartinternet.co.uk http://foilco.uk http://theaoi.comSpecial thanks to Bayeux photo lab and Fujifilm for support on http://lendmeyourearart.comhttp://amvbbdo.comhttp://nickandnadja.comhttp://dandad.orghttp://instagram.com/nadja_lossgotthttp://twitter.com/nadjalossgott

Andy Cotterill has spent many years with larger than life characters of all kinds, photographing them for the likes of Sony Music, Dazed and Confused, Mojo Magazine, and Q. It's mental health awareness week and ahead of the launch of our illustration/photography collaboration, 'Lend Me Your Ear,' we sit down to discuss why we wanted to celebrate identity, creativity and self-expression through our skills.Andy shares some brilliant stories about the likes of Kanye West, Pink, FKA Twigs and Jarvis Cocker among many others and it's a great insight into the warmth that epitomises his work.We also touch upon why we wanted to shout about the mind and the great work that Young Urban Arts Foundation and CALM do through the project.Get your feedback over to @arrestallmimics on social media and listen on all good podcast platforms.Special thanks to Bayeux photo lab, Fujifilm and StanceThis episode is supported by http://illustrationweb.com, http://heartinternet.co.uk, http://foilco.co.uk and http://theaoi.comhttps://www.andrewcotterillphotography.com/https://www.instagram.com/andrewcotterill/http://lendmeyourearart.com

Collins strategy and brand experience design company Creative Director Ben Crick joins me to share his story, from Australia to San Francisco, via New York City.Working on projects with clients including Spotify, Vitamin Water and Mail Chimp, he discusses why we must avoid designing for the approval of other designers, but instead listen to the client's needs in order to create the strongest possible solution to brief challenges.What's it like to work with and learn from Brian Collins, a highly respected and vastly experienced Chief Creative Officer?Ben explains why he feels it's dangerous and destructive to all share the same inspiration pool in the digital age and offers many more great insights.Send your feedback on the show over to @arrestallmimics now!Episode 135 is supported by http://illustrationweb.com, http://heartinternet.co.uk, http://foilco.co.uk and http://theaoi.comhttps://www.wearecollins.com/https://twitter.com/wearecollinshttps://www.instagram.com/thisiscollins/http://lendmeyourearart.comhttp://yuaf.org.ukhttp://thecalmzone.net